Who is Santa Claus?

By Donna J. Jodhan

He comes primarily at Christmas Time but did you know that he is always with us? Many of our youngest ones think that he lives in the far North but in reality he lives anywhere and everywhere.

In North America and colder countries, he makes his entry into our homes through our chimneys and the modern day Santa can also leave his presents outside the doors of our condos and town houses. He can travel in so many different ways: on a sleigh, on a motorcycle, on a truck, by bicycle, by ship or boat, by plane or helicopter, and even on foot. It all depends on where he is and what he needs to do in order to get where he needs to go.

Believe it or not, Santa Claus goes by so many different names and it can be easily said that he has several different aliases. In the colder countries he is known as either Santa Claus or Father Christmas. In the Eastern countries he is known as St. Nick and in the warmer tropical countries he is known as Sandy Claus! Of course, there are other names for him as well.

To the wide-eyed kid he is the one in a red suit who wears a white beard and he has a huge laugh of 'ho, ho, ho!' He brings toys and goodies down the chimneys of homes and he hands out gifts at malls and at parties. He shows up at parades, he hands out toys from open-roofed trucks, and he lugs his goodies on bicycles, motorcycles and on his back. He even drops off his gifts by ship, boat, helicopter, and plane.

This is who he is to those little ones who still believe in Santa. However, there is more to this fat jolly man than just the one who does these things.

Whenever we smile at a stranger, nod a greeting to someone that we do not know, or take the time to give a gift to someone who is less fortunate than we are, these are all deeds of Santa Claus' generosity and in essence we, too, are Santa Claus in our own way but we do not have to wait until Christmas to do this.

The secret of Christmas may be this! It's not the things you do at Christmas time, but the Christmas things you do all year through! Taken from a Christmas song.

Merry Christmas from me!

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The Christmas feeling

Christmas for me is simply a plethora of feelings, emotions, and so much more. Christmas for me is a season where so many memories race across my mind. I can tell you that Christmas for me can be viewed in two different ways: as someone who has precious little vision, and as one who once upon a time had enough vision to see so much.

When I had enough vision to see many things, I could appreciate the flickering candles in church, the flashing colored lights as I skated around an outdoor rink, crowded streets with scurrying shoppers, Christmas trees loaded with decorations and presents piled high beneath, tables loaded with dishes of food, and of course! Santa Claus! I used to spend so much time in the toy departments admiring the dolls and doll houses. Drawing sets and coloring books. I used to help decorate the house and always enjoyed putting up the angels, the lights, and most of all, the manger with all of the figures.

Now that my vision has dwindled to almost nothing, I have all of these memories to bolster my enjoyment of Christmas and in addition, I use my senses of sound and smell to help me continue enjoying. Fragrances of burning firewood, pine, baking cookies, and turkey and pork all help me to conjure up pictures and images of years gone by. Sounds of bells, kids laughing, Santa Claus ho ho hoing, and the scraping of blades on ice add to my happy memories. You see, I have so many ways to recreate, reproduce, and make new memories.

Christmas as a blind person could be really interesting. So much to enjoy and so much to share with others. Christmas through the eyes of a blind person could be a very different perspective for many. You can learn more by visiting www.acb.org.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly accessibility advocate, wishing you a terrific day. Merry Christmas, everyone!

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Someday at Christmas

One of my favourite Christmas carols is "Someday at Christmas," made popular by the late Michael Jackson. Yes, someday at Christmas, when I could wake up on a peaceful morning and welcome yet another special day with my loved ones around me and the Christ Child in my heart.

When I would be able to say, "Finally! All is well and now blind kids will have an equal opportunity to be like their mainstream counterparts." When they can play with mainstream toys and be able to use cell phones and IPods just like sighted kids. When they would be able to play with games just like their sighted friends and not have to worry about inaccessibility. When their classrooms and playgrounds would be free of accessibility barriers and they would have an equal opportunity to just be kids!

Someday at Christmas, when I could go to bed just before Santa makes his rounds, knowing that all of my wishes have been granted. That all websites have been made accessible. That all supermarkets and stores have been made fully accessible to blind persons. That online courses and distance learning have all been made accessible and usable to blind persons. That blind persons have equal access to all reading materials in the same way that sighted persons do.

Someday at Christmas, after Santa has come and gone leaving a huge package for me under my Christmas tree, I could wake up and say, "Finally! The banks have finally gotten it! Their ATMs are now fully accessible. Blind persons can now access all point of sale devices and touch screens without having to ask for sighted assistance. Blind passengers can now access kiosks at airports, they can enjoy movies aboard aircraft, and no more problems at airports, train stations, and bus terminals for them."

Someday at Christmas, as I sit quietly in a church along with others waiting for the Christmas Mass to begin, I could say, "Thank you God for ensuring that from now on society will treat blind persons as normal persons who can function on their own and the only thing different about them is that they are unable to see."

Someday at Christmas! Ah yes, it is only my dreams but who says that dreams don't come true? The smell of cookies baking in my kitchen is real! Christmas carols being played around me are real! Children laughing and families decorating are real! Is it too much for me to ask Santa to help make my dreams come true?

The late Steve Jobs made some of my dreams and those of other blind persons come true! Dare I dream that there could be another Steve Jobs out there just waiting to bring hope to the blind world?

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, wishing you a very merry Christmas!
Joyeux Noèl! Feliz Navidad!

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The Christmas kids

I really don't think that it matters how old we are when it comes to enjoying Christmas. We are all kids in our very own way and I am probably one of the biggest kids when it comes to Christmas.

Yes! It is my favorite time of the year. Just to hear the kids themselves as they shout with glee! As they sing with joy! As they whoop with excitement whenever they see Santa Claus or they find something that they have been looking for! Ah! Just to be a kid at Christmas!

For me, personally, at Christmas being a kid in my own way is really not describing it fully! I guess that I have always been a kid at heart. I love the toys. First, the electronic games and gadgets. Next come the dolls and doll houses with all of the furniture, and tea sets. Then come the puzzles, the bats and balls, and then finally everything else that makes me smile! In short, anything that makes a noise, anything that beeps, talks, and anything that enables me to create, imagine, and develop!

Christmas is for everyone and age is no barrier. No gift is too big or too small. There is a kid in each of us and all we need to do is to let it all hang out. It is not as difficult as you may think. Just let it happen, then sit back and enjoy! It is what I do every year and you know what? I really don't have to wait until Christmas to do it! I can be a kid anytime I want! It is just that it is so much more fun being a kid at Christmas time! It is so much easier to be a kid at this time of the year!

The sounds and smells! The ambiance and the songs! The sites and events! For after all, was it not then when the greatest and most famous kid was born? Our Lord, Jesus Christ?

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, wishing you a very merry Christmas!

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Christmas is for me no matter where I am

Yes! You got it right! You heard me correctly! No matter where I am and no matter what I'm doing! Christmas is for me!

I could be spending it in Canada where the winters are icy, the snow is falling, the winds are howling, and I could practically hear Santa chuckling. Christmas is for me! Or I could be spending it in the sunny Caribbean where Santa could be seen in either a jeep, standing in an open truck, or even on a motorcycle. Christmas is for me! No matter where I am, this very special time of the year is for me!

There are some very special things that many parts of the world share in common: the birth of Jesus, gift giving, greeting each other, Christmas goodies, toys, and the singing of Christmas songs and carols! So many things in common for us to share!

No matter where I am, all of these things will be with me! From a snowy winter with skaters skating on an icy rink with Christmas lights winking in the background and bystanders drinking hot chocolate, to a deep blue sea with swimmers swimming lazily under the watch of bright blue skies, Christmas will always be the same! It is not where I happen to be! It is all about the spirit of Christmas! Remembering what Christmas really means to me! The giving, the greeting, the joy, the special hopes and wishes for others. But most important of all, remembering to let the Child Jesus into my heart and to let him stay with me all year through!

Quoting from a popular Christmas carol: "The secret of Christmas is not what you do at Christmas time! But the Christmas things you do all year through."

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, wishing you a wonderful Christmas and the very best for the new year.
May all of your dreams come true!

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Under the Christmas tree

It may not be Christmas yet but boy do I have some wonderful memories to share with you. Memories of me as a child with very little vision, enjoying my experiences under our family's Christmas tree. I had enough vision then to see the lights in their different colors. I could see the other decorations on the tree, as well, but I did not have quite enough vision to help decorate the tree.

That was okay by me. I enjoyed smelling the fragrant pine of our live tree. At night, I would crawl under our tree and lie quietly among the presents taking care not to crush any of them. My two brothers were always trying to peek into their presents and they would let me have a feel of mine. I would shake them to see if I could tell what mine were but my brothers would peek and tell. Oh, how much fun it was then.

I always loved our Christmas tree and everything that went with it. I loved everything about those wonderful trees. The smell of them, what lay under them, and what was placed on and around them. Ah yes! Under the Christmas tree!

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly accessibility advocate, wishing you a terrific day and urging you to go out there and tell others about my memories of being under my Christmas tree.

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The color of Christmas

As Andy Williams used to sing out each year, "It's the most wonderful time of the yea,r" and this is certainly the case for me. It is that time of year when the child in me decides to show itself. I am never too embarrassed to express my joy whenever I hear Santa's rich laughter and whenever I smell the sweet fragrance of pine. All of those colorful presents, bows, lights, and other goodies dancing before my eyes!

Now that my vision is down to a bare minimum, I use my imagination to help me out. I imagine all those mysterious colored packages under a huge tree decorated with blinking lights. I can almost see those colorful lights dancing in my memory and I can practically reach out and grab one of those mysterious packages from under the tree.

Lights intermingled with artificial snowflakes, all kinds of Christmas figures and at the top of the tree? The shining star!

I must not forget my angel and my manger with the Baby Jesus lying in Mother Mary's arms. The animals, shepherds, Joseph, and the three wise men. All fixed in my mind's eye forever.

The toys all come alive in my mind! Doll houses filled with little people. Furniture, tea sets, and strollers with baby dolls. Even the racing cars, train sets, and those ice skates dancing just out of my reach. The skis waiting for me to put them on and the colorful balls and game sets.

Ah yes! The color of Christmas and I will forever be a child at this time of the year!

I'm Donna J. Jodhan your friendly accessibility advocate wishing you a happy, holy, and safe Christmas!

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Little Christmas tree

It was the night before Christmas, and in my dreams I slipped lazily and happily into memory lane. Another time had come and as I stood there, the little Christmas tree twinkled in front of my eyes. The tree smelled so wonderful! It gave off the scent of warm pine. The colored lights danced in front of my eyes as they took turns blinking on and off.

I moved o so carefully towards my little Christmas tree, being careful not to step on packages neatly piled in front of it. I had to get as close as I could so as to see everything. My partial sight only allowed me the luxury of seeing things very close up and at best only a few things at a time. Nevertheless, it was enough for me.

I gingerly reached out and placed my index finger on one of the little lights, a little yellow one. Then I took my time at identifying other colors. Red, blue, and green.Then I had to take my time at finding a spot where there were no lights. I found it after a few moments and I held a tiny portion of a branch between my fingers.

Next I looked upwards and found the star at the very top. I stood gazing for quite some time thinking of the story that my parents would tell me every Christmas: the night that Jesus was born. What a lovely memory for me. Then I bent down and felt for some of the packages and finally I made my way to where the manger had been set up. There I spent most of my time, examining each little figure: Baby Jesus in the arms of Mary and Joseph, the three wise men, the shepherds, and the animals.

Ah! That was a memory of when I was a child and had enough vision to see it all. Now I can only recall this memory each Christmas and that's okay for me. At least I have a memory that I can recall and one that I can cherish forever.

Merry Christmas, everyone!

I?m Donna J. Jodhan your friendly accessibility advocate wishing you happy Christmas dreams!
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Christmas is for me

I have had the good fortune to enjoy many wonderful Christmases, with and without vision, and it does not matter! Christmas is for me. The smells and the sounds, the laughter and the merry making.

When I had enough sight, I used to enjoy going out to window shop. To see the bright colorful lights, the flickering candles in the Church, Santa's bright red suit, and streets crowded with throngs of folks of all ages. I also loved to smell the scent of rich pine, cakes and goodies baking in ovens, and taste the various Christmas foods and drinks. I also loved to walk in the snow and watch those big white snowflakes race each other to the ground, but most of all I loved to ice skate around those huge outdoor rinks decorated with Christmas lights.

That was then and this is now but not much has changed for me. True it is that I can no longer see the flickering candles, the colorful Christmas lights, and the big fat snowflakes, but this does not prevent me from enjoying this special time of the year. My sense of smell is still intact along with my sense of taste and I use my memories of years gone by to help me along. I focus on the times when I could see and intermingle those memories with the now. I am blessed! I am lucky! With or without sight, Christmas is for me! I am a kid at heart, playing with my talking games, playing my electronic keyboard, and my Christmas CDs.

Merry Christmas, happy holidays, Joyeux Noèl, and Feliz Navidad to you all!
I'm Donna J. Jodhan. Will see you again in the New Year.
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My sleep apnea machine

Well, what can I say! I finally had to bite the bullet and admit to myself that it was time to listen to my doctor and get a sleep apnea machine. At first I was very hesitant because I was not sure if I could handle it. But like everything else and for the first time and when you have to depend on someone else to show you how to do things because you are unable to read the instructions yourself because you are blind! Thanks to my friend, Gabriella, and a great staff member at the sleep management clinic named Joy, it all worked out in the end.

I must say that everyone was very good to me from start to finish and they were particularly aware of me as a blind person and did their best to show me how to use my sleep apnea machine. From the very start when I went in to be tested for sleep apnea, the therapists were extremely attentive and mindful and they explained everything to me in great detail.

The doctors were great. The staff at the sleep management clinic were fantastic, and my friend Gabriella! What more can I really say about this fantastic friend and lady! She stayed with me all the way making sure that I knew how to operate my sleep apnea machine and I have even named the machine after her, Smile. I would readily say that being blind is no hindrance to being able to use a sleep apnea machine.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly accessibility advocate, wishing you a terrific day.

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This is a personal message from author Donna Jodhan
"Each time we raise our voice at someone else we are engaging in bullying! Each time we raise our hands to slap or punch someone else we are also engaging in bullying and each time we engage in actions to either manipulate or force someone else to do what we want we are also engaging in bullying!

There is no room in this world for bullying and each day we fail to take action against bullying it is another day that we allow others to bully us and our kids. Our heros and role models are the ones who have made us proud, those brave young men and women who gave their lives for us in past wars and those who continue to do so. They are not the ones who choose to be racists and those who believe that their bad behaviour in public is acceptable.

I write and record audio mysteries that are being used at such events as murder mystery evenings as well as at public awareness and team building events. I promote understanding, tolerance, and problem solving and my audio mysteries continue to be broadcasted around the world and you can listen to them anywhere! On the plane or train! In the car or right there in your home! On your i device or computer!

Please join my campaign against bullying (CAB) by supporting my efforts to keep on writing and recording!
If you truly care then you will certainly dare!"

Being careful when I speak

At the best of times, this should apply to everyone. That is, to be careful when one speaks so that you do not offend anyone in case you are saying something about them.

For a blind person, this is very important, and why? Because whereas someone with vision could look around and make sure that no one that they do not want to hear what they are saying is listening, this is not possible for us. So, what do I do in these types of situations?

If I am in a room with a door then I close the door before I speak, and if not I make very sure to ensure that someone that I do not wish to hear what I am saying is not within hearing distance. From time to time I may tend to forget but on the whole this strategy works well for me.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly accessibility advocate, wishing you a terrific day.

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan
Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan
Visit our online store to either purchase or subscribe for unlimited access to our library at www.donnajodhan.com/store.html and you can even take advantage of our free downloads!
Or subscribe to our free monthly newsletter at www.donnajodhan.com.

This is a personal message from author Donna Jodhan
"Each time we raise our voice at someone else we are engaging in bullying! Each time we raise our hands to slap or punch someone else we are also engaging in bullying and each time we engage in actions to either manipulate or force someone else to do what we want we are also engaging in bullying!

There is no room in this world for bullying and each day we fail to take action against bullying it is another day that we allow others to bully us and our kids. Our heroes and role models are the ones who have made us proud, those brave young men and women who gave their lives for us in past wars and those who continue to do so. They are not the ones who choose to be racists and those who believe that their bad behaviour in public is acceptable.

I write and record audio mysteries that are being used at such events as murder mystery evenings as well as at public awareness and team building events. I promote understanding, tolerance, and problem solving and my audio mysteries continue to be broadcasted around the world and you can listen to them anywhere! On the plane or train! In the car or right there in your home! On your i device or computer!

Please join my campaign against bullying (CAB) by supporting my efforts to keep on writing and recording!
If you truly care then you will certainly dare!"

My Easter bouquet from Mom

Well, since losing my vision in early 2004 it is a regular process for me to ask someone to describe my bouquets to me each time I receive one and at Easter time this year it was no different. The flowers smelled terrific and as my friend described the different types to me I simply stood there remembering as she told me the colors and shapes.

Then, after she had left that day I went to the precious bouquet and allowed my fingers to do the walking. I bent slowly over my precious bouquet and felt each flower, each petal, and each leaf. I remembered the colors as I examined, and at the end of it all! My fingers and my memory did the talking for me.

Sure! I definitely miss not being able to see these wonders of nature, but you know what? My fingers and my memory are wonderful stand ins for my vision. No, it is not quite the same, but that's okay! My memories shall never leave me and my fingers will always be here to help me and I thank my wonderful mom for having remembered to send along.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly accessibility advocate, wishing you a terrific day.

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan
Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan
Visit our online store to either purchase or subscribe for unlimited access to our library at www.donnajodhan.com/store.html and you can even take advantage of our free downloads!
Or subscribe to our free monthly newsletter at www.donnajodhan.com.

This is a personal message from author Donna Jodhan
"Each time we raise our voice at someone else we are engaging in bullying! Each time we raise our hands to slap or punch someone else we are also engaging in bullying and each time we engage in actions to either manipulate or force someone else to do what we want we are also engaging in bullying!

There is no room in this world for bullying and each day we fail to take action against bullying it is another day that we allow others to bully us and our kids. Our heroes and role models are the ones who have made us proud, those brave young men and women who gave their lives for us in past wars and those who continue to do so. They are not the ones who choose to be racists and those who believe that their bad behaviour in public is acceptable.

I write and record audio mysteries that are being used at such events as murder mystery evenings as well as at public awareness and team building events. I promote understanding, tolerance, and problem solving and my audio mysteries continue to be broadcasted around the world and you can listen to them anywhere! On the plane or train! In the car or right there in your home! On your i device or computer!

Please join my campaign against bullying (CAB) by supporting my efforts to keep on writing and recording!
If you truly care then you will certainly dare!"

Reading with my i device

I never thought that it would be so much fun to be able to read with my i device. I know: I had truly resisted doing this for quite some time, but then! The bug simply overwhelmed me and I bit the dust and bought the famous iPad and then came the iPhone shortly after this. No regrets and lots of kudos for Steve Jobs and his team!

Apple has put so much effort into this technology and to ensuring that blind and partially-sighted folks can be a part of its evolution and I, for one, am not going to see his work go down in vain, as they would say.

Today, I read my national and international newspapers with my i device. I check out the BBC and CNN news on a daily basis. I interact with Facebook and Twitter and go on Skype, and yes! I read and keep up with my beloved Montreal Canadiens hockey team! As a matter of fact, I often beat my mom to the headlines and show her photos of her favorite celebrities on my iPhone and she always marvels at how fast I read.

I have even set up Dropbox on my i devices and this enables me to read books that are on my computer and even take notes.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly accessibility advocate, wishing you a terrific day.

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan
Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan
Visit our online store to either purchase or subscribe for unlimited access to our library at www.donnajodhan.com/store.html and you can even take advantage of our free downloads!
Or subscribe to our free monthly newsletter at www.donnajodhan.com.

This is a personal message from author Donna Jodhan
"Each time we raise our voice at someone else we are engaging in bullying! Each time we raise our hands to slap or punch someone else we are also engaging in bullying and each time we engage in actions to either manipulate or force someone else to do what we want we are also engaging in bullying!

There is no room in this world for bullying and each day we fail to take action against bullying it is another day that we allow others to bully us and our kids. Our heros and role models are the ones who have made us proud, those brave young men and women who gave their lives for us in past wars and those who continue to do so. They are not the ones who choose to be racists and those who believe that their bad behaviour in public is acceptable.

I write and record audio mysteries that are being used at such events as murder mystery evenings as well as at public awareness and team building events. I promote understanding, tolerance, and problem solving and my audio mysteries continue to be broadcasted around the world and you can listen to them anywhere! On the plane or train! In the car or right there in your home! On your i device or computer!

Please join my campaign against bullying (CAB) by supporting my efforts to keep on writing and recording!
If you truly care then you will certainly dare!"

When I saw my first movie

This memory is still so very fresh in my mind despite the fact that it happened so many years ago, shortly after I received new vision from my first cornea transplant.

My friend, Debra, and my cousin, Brian, had gone with me to the cinema to see "The Way We Were" and they had been such willing participants, taking me to the front of the cinema to sit so that I would not miss any of the action and boy was I not disappointed! I was seeing a movie for the very first time and I could not believe my eyes, so to speak.

I could not just see shapes, I could see faces, actions, and scenery! Wow! What an experience for me! Everything was so bright and the colors were so vivid! I simply sat there in the dark marveling at it all and I doubt whether either Debra or Brian noticed the huge smile on my face. Later on, and not too long after this, my parents took me to see "Ice Castles" and friends took me to see "The Blue Lagoon." Memories to treasure forever.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly accessibility advocate, wishing you a terrific day.

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan
Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan
Visit our online store to either purchase or subscribe for unlimited access to our library at www.donnajodhan.com/store.html and you can even take advantage of our free downloads!
Or subscribe to our free monthly newsletter at www.donnajodhan.com.

This is a personal message from author Donna Jodhan
"Each time we raise our voice at someone else we are engaging in bullying! Each time we raise our hands to slap or punch someone else we are also engaging in bullying and each time we engage in actions to either manipulate or force someone else to do what we want we are also engaging in bullying!

There is no room in this world for bullying and each day we fail to take action against bullying it is another day that we allow others to bully us and our kids. Our heroes and role models are the ones who have made us proud, those brave young men and women who gave their lives for us in past wars and those who continue to do so. They are not the ones who choose to be racists and those who believe that their bad behaviour in public is acceptable.

I write and record audio mysteries that are being used at such events as murder mystery evenings as well as at public awareness and team building events. I promote understanding, tolerance, and problem solving and my audio mysteries continue to be broadcasted around the world and you can listen to them anywhere! On the plane or train! In the car or right there in your home! On your i device or computer!

Please join my campaign against bullying (CAB) by supporting my efforts to keep on writing and recording!
If you truly care then you will certainly dare!"

When the milk leaked

I still remember the very day when the milked leaked on me and even now I can smile and chuckle to myself as I sit writing this.

I had gone grocery shopping and had bought my customary bag of milk, a bag containing 3 separate two litre bags of tasty 2% milk. Then, when I came home, I unpacked my bundle buggy and proceeded to put everything away in my fridge, freezer, and pantry. Things had gone according to plan, as always, as everything had been put away in its proper place.

A few hours later I went to my fridge to open one of the bags of milk and upon entering the outer bag I realized that something was not right. The bag was wet and there was liquid at the bottom of the outer bag. Right then, time to investigate so I dipped my finger into the bottom of the bag and withdrew my wet finger, placing it on my tongue.

Bingo! Milk was indeed leaking but now I had to figure out which bag. Problems? You got that right and I had to examine each bag in order to find which one was leaking. No such luck as I could not find any obvious holes and all of the bags were wet. So now what?

I re-examined each bag and chose the one that I thought was leaking and then with the utmost of care I took it to my kitchen sink and emptied it by puncturing it. Matter fixed? Not on your life! Upon returning to the original bag that now contained two bags I discovered that a puddle was fast forming in the bag and it had even begun to spread outside of the bag and on to my kitchen counter! Oops! I punctured the wrong bag!

The rest, as they say, is history and at the end of day I ended up with one out of three bags of milk! Just another day in the life of Donna J. Jodhan.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly accessibility advocate, wishing you a terrific day.

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan
Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan
Visit our online store to either purchase or subscribe for unlimited access to our library at www.donnajodhan.com/store.html and you can even take advantage of our free downloads!
Or subscribe to our free monthly newsletter at www.donnajodhan.com.

This is a personal message from author Donna Jodhan
"Each time we raise our voice at someone else we are engaging in bullying! Each time we raise our hands to slap or punch someone else we are also engaging in bullying and each time we engage in actions to either manipulate or force someone else to do what we want we are also engaging in bullying!

There is no room in this world for bullying and each day we fail to take action against bullying it is another day that we allow others to bully us and our kids. Our heroes and role models are the ones who have made us proud, those brave young men and women who gave their lives for us in past wars and those who continue to do so. They are not the ones who choose to be racists and those who believe that their bad behaviour in public is acceptable.

I write and record audio mysteries that are being used at such events as murder mystery evenings as well as at public awareness and team building events. I promote understanding, tolerance, and problem solving and my audio mysteries continue to be broadcasted around the world and you can listen to them anywhere! On the plane or train! In the car or right there in your home! On your i device or computer!

Please join my campaign against bullying (CAB) by supporting my efforts to keep on writing and recording!
If you truly care then you will certainly dare!"

Taking pictures for the first time

My memories of taking pictures for the first time in my life so many years ago are still so very fresh in my mind. Ah yes! I had just received vision from my first cornea transplant and learning to take pictures was one of the first things that I wanted to do.

I still remember that very sunny summer day when my friend Gunther had come by with his cameras, very determined to show me what a camera was all about and how I could take pictures with no fear of doing any damage to his precious cameras. What an experience this was and I shall always remember this for as long as I live. Then Elaine and I had crossed the border into the United States and we had gone to New York. There she helped me pick out a very simple camera and she had then shown me how to take pictures.

My first pictures were naturally off center but that soon changed and then I was off and running, so to speak. In the years to follow I found myself taking so many pictures with that precious little camera and then I graduated to a much more sophisticated one and I kept it until I lost my vision. I was not too bad after all and one of my final pictures was that of my beloved almond tree in my mom's yard.

That was then and this is now and with practically no vision to speak of at this time, I can only keep on remembering.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly accessibility advocate, wishing you a terrific day.

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan
Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan
Visit our online store to either purchase or subscribe for unlimited access to our library at www.donnajodhan.com/store.html and you can even take advantage of our free downloads!
Or subscribe to our free monthly newsletter at www.donnajodhan.com.

This is a personal message from author Donna Jodhan
"Each time we raise our voice at someone else we are engaging in bullying! Each time we raise our hands to slap or punch someone else we are also engaging in bullying and each time we engage in actions to either manipulate or force someone else to do what we want we are also engaging in bullying!

There is no room in this world for bullying and each day we fail to take action against bullying it is another day that we allow others to bully us and our kids. Our heros and role models are the ones who have made us proud, those brave young men and women who gave their lives for us in past wars and those who continue to do so. They are not the ones who choose to be racists and those who believe that their bad behaviour in public is acceptable.

I write and record audio mysteries that are being used at such events as murder mystery evenings as well as at public awareness and team building events. I promote understanding, tolerance, and problem solving and my audio mysteries continue to be broadcasted around the world and you can listen to them anywhere! On the plane or train! In the car or right there in your home! On your i device or computer!

Please join my campaign against bullying (CAB) by supporting my efforts to keep on writing and recording!
If you truly care then you will certainly dare!"

Do I really see it?

This is the big question that I am constantly asking myself. With almost no vision now at my disposal, I have to be constantly trying to determine whether or not I really do see things.

Sometimes I think not but then at times I change my mind and say yes. Do I really see the daylight? Sometimes I may be perceiving it but at times I am really not sure. Do I really see flashes of the TV when I flick from channel to channel? Not very sure. The one thing that is very sure in my mind is that I no longer see colors, something that really makes me very sad. But, then again, I truly believe that in my next life I certainly will!

If I allow it to get the better of me it can really drive me crazy at times, so the trick here is to not let it do so.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly accessibility advocate, wishing you a terrific day.

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan
Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan
Visit our online store to either purchase or subscribe for unlimited access to our library at www.donnajodhan.com/store.html and you can even take advantage of our free downloads!
Or subscribe to our free monthly newsletter at www.donnajodhan.com.

This is a personal message from author Donna Jodhan
"Each time we raise our voice at someone else we are engaging in bullying! Each time we raise our hands to slap or punch someone else we are also engaging in bullying and each time we engage in actions to either manipulate or force someone else to do what we want we are also engaging in bullying!

There is no room in this world for bullying and each day we fail to take action against bullying it is another day that we allow others to bully us and our kids. Our heroes and role models are the ones who have made us proud, those brave young men and women who gave their lives for us in past wars and those who continue to do so. They are not the ones who choose to be racists and those who believe that their bad behaviour in public is acceptable.

I write and record audio mysteries that are being used at such events as murder mystery evenings as well as at public awareness and team building events. I promote understanding, tolerance, and problem solving and my audio mysteries continue to be broadcasted around the world and you can listen to them anywhere! On the plane or train! In the car or right there in your home! On your i device or computer!

Please join my campaign against bullying (CAB) by supporting my efforts to keep on writing and recording!
If you truly care then you will certainly dare!"

What color is my wine?

A few months ago I was invited to a dinner get together with some girlfriends of mine and I offered to bring a bottle of white wine. The girls expressed a preference for said color so I first checked my stock and discovered that I had a bottle that was just the perfect size for this occasion. The only problem was that I did not know what color it was.

So off I went to use my stand alone scanner to see if I could determine the color. No such luck! The scanner could not read it so then I tried using my scanning app on my iPhone. Not much success there, so then what?

I phoned one of my girlfriends and we came up with the brilliant idea of asking the cab driver and sure enough! He told us! The lesson to learn here is that when you are unable to determine something as a blind person, do not give up! There is always a solution if you search hard enough. Fun? Sometimes it sure can be, and then again, sometimes it is a challenge but something to solve at the end of it all!

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly accessibility advocate, wishing you a terrific day.

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan
Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan
Visit our online store to either purchase or subscribe for unlimited access to our library at www.donnajodhan.com/store.html and you can even take advantage of our free downloads!
Or subscribe to our free monthly newsletter at www.donnajodhan.com.

This is a personal message from author Donna Jodhan
"Each time we raise our voice at someone else we are engaging in bullying! Each time we raise our hands to slap or punch someone else we are also engaging in bullying and each time we engage in actions to either manipulate or force someone else to do what we want we are also engaging in bullying!

There is no room in this world for bullying and each day we fail to take action against bullying it is another day that we allow others to bully us and our kids. Our heroes and role models are the ones who have made us proud, those brave young men and women who gave their lives for us in past wars and those who continue to do so. They are not the ones who choose to be racists and those who believe that their bad behaviour in public is acceptable.

I write and record audio mysteries that are being used at such events as murder mystery evenings as well as at public awareness and team building events. I promote understanding, tolerance, and problem solving and my audio mysteries continue to be broadcasted around the world and you can listen to them anywhere! On the plane or train! In the car or right there in your home! On your i device or computer!

Please join my campaign against bullying (CAB) by supporting my efforts to keep on writing and recording!
If you truly care then you will certainly dare!"

Memory of a first ice hockey game

This is a memory that I shall always cherish for as long as I live, memories of a first ice hockey game when I had to use my imagination to help me figure things out. For, at that time I did not have enough vision to see what was taking place on TV and so I had to depend on the announcers on the radio to provide the description. I must admit, however, that when I did get new vision and was able to see what was going on, I was not too far off.

There were some things that I had to readjust to after getting my new vision. Things such as the shape of the player's stick, the net and goal posts, and the actual shape of the ice rink. My imagination fell short in its job to help me out when my vision was not quite there.

My first memory of a hockey game was when Montreal played Boston and from the get go I took to hockey like water off of a duck's back, as they would say. I loved the speed and quickness of the game! I loved the excitement in the commentator's voice, and I enjoyed it most whenever I heard a goal being scored. Montreal won and I was happy because this was my home town!

Ah yes! A great memory of a first hockey game!

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly accessibility advocate, wishing you a terrific day.

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan
Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan
Visit our online store to either purchase or subscribe for unlimited access to our library at www.donnajodhan.com/store.html
And you can even take advantage of our free downloads!
Or subscribe to our free monthly newsletter at http://www.donnajodhan.com.

This is a personal message from author Donna Jodhan
"Each time we raise our voice at someone else we are engaging in bullying! Each time we raise our hands to slap or punch someone else we are also engaging in bullying and each time we engage in actions to either manipulate or force someone else to do what we want we are also engaging in bullying!

There is no room in this world for bullying and each day we fail to take action against bullying it is another day that we allow others to bully us and our kids. Our heros and role models are the ones who have made us proud, those brave young men and women who gave their lives for us in past wars and those who continue to do so. They are not the ones who choose to be racists and those who believe that their bad behaviour in public is acceptable.

I write and record audio mysteries that are being used at such events as murder mystery evenings as well as at public awareness and team building events. I promote understanding, tolerance, and problem solving and my audio mysteries continue to be broadcasted around the world and you can listen to them anywhere! On the plane or train! In the car or right there in your home! On your i device or computer!

Please join my campaign against bullying (CAB) by supporting my efforts to keep on writing and recording!
If you truly care then you will certainly dare!"

Remembering the bell balls

I always have so many happy memories each time I allow myself to slip into my memory bank and retrieve those wonderful memories of the times that I spent playing with bell balls. Those were the times that I spent in Primary School playing with my playmates who were also blind.

We played all kinds of ball games using bell balls, balls that were filled with bells to help us find those rolling balls at all times. We played catch and we made up our own games as well. We would stand in a circle and pass the ball from hand to hand and whoever dropped it while the ball was being passed would automatically be out of the game.

We used bell balls to play a sort of goal ball game whereby there were two teams facing off against each other and the object of the game was to roll the ball from team to team and try to get past the line of scrimmage of the opposing team. Each player took turns in rolling the ball and we were not allowed to toss it in the air. Any player doing so would be removed from the game and their team would have to do without that penalized player for the rest of the game. A player could choose to roll the ball to their opposing number or roll it diagonally. It was lots of fun.

Ah yes! Those treasured memories with those wonderful bell balls.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly accessibility advocate, wishing you a terrific day.

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan
Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan
Visit our online store to either purchase or subscribe for unlimited access to our library at www.donnajodhan.com/store.html
and you can even take advantage of our free downloads!
Or subscribe to our free monthly newsletter at http://www.donnajodhan.com.

This is a personal message from author Donna Jodhan
"Each time we raise our voice at someone else we are engaging in bullying! Each time we raise our hands to slap or punch someone else we are also engaging in bullying and each time we engage in actions to either manipulate or force someone else to do what we want we are also engaging in bullying!

There is no room in this world for bullying and each day we fail to take action against bullying it is another day that we allow others to bully us and our kids. Our heroes and role models are the ones who have made us proud, those brave young men and women who gave their lives for us in past wars and those who continue to do so. They are not the ones who choose to be racists and those who believe that their bad behaviour in public is acceptable.

I write and record audio mysteries that are being used at such events as murder mystery evenings as well as at public awareness and team building events. I promote understanding, tolerance, and problem solving and my audio mysteries continue to be broadcasted around the world and you can listen to them anywhere! On the plane or train! In the car or right there in your home! On your i device or computer!

Please join my campaign against bullying (CAB) by supporting my efforts to keep on writing and recording!
If you truly care then you will certainly dare!"

The sandy beach was my world

Yes! As a child the sandy beach was my world and how readily I embraced and endorsed it! With very limited vision in those days I used the sand to help me imagine, create, and dream! I did almost everything through touch and feel and I used my imagination to do the rest.

Yes, I could barely see the color of the sand but in my mind's eye the colors were so vivid and bright. Flashing white, gregarious gold, and forever yellow! Sand castles came alive in my mind and I can tell you that my structures were really out of this world as I really had no idea what a castle looked like in those days. So I imagined my own, along with structures of houses and other buildings. I also used to build huge mountains and it was the same here. Then there were the balls, the cakes and pies, the walls, and so much more!

My brothers and cousins used to help me dig huge pools and I would use my imagination to make them in all sizes and shapes. Then there was the fresh fragrant smell of the ocean and this sure drove me to build even more and imagine along with it!

Then, as the sun shone brightly down on me and my playmates, I would sit there and daydream. Of what I would or could be when I grew up! A lawyer, a musician, a journalist! Of what I could do: Travel the world, make a nice home for myself and my parents, have many dogs and birds! Ah yes! Those wonderful dogs just like our own dogs: Lion, Tiger, and Yella!

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly accessibility advocate, wishing you a terrific day.

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan
Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan
Visit our online store to either purchase or subscribe for unlimited access to our library at www.donnajodhan.com/store.html
Or subscribe to our free monthly newsletter at www.donnajodhan.com.

This is a personal message from author Donna Jodhan
"Each time we raise our voice at someone else we are engaging in bullying! Each time we raise our hands to slap or punch someone else we are also engaging in bullying and each time we engage in actions to either manipulate or force someone else to do what we want we are also engaging in bullying!

There is no room in this world for bullying and each day we fail to take action against bullying it is another day that we allow others to bully us and our kids. Our heroes and role models are the ones who have made us proud, those brave young men and women who gave their lives for us in past wars and those who continue to do so. They are not the ones who choose to be racists and those who believe that their bad behaviour in public is acceptable.

I write and record audio mysteries that are being used at such events as murder mystery evenings as well as at public awareness and team building events. I promote understanding, tolerance, and problem solving and my audio mysteries continue to be broadcasted around the world and you can listen to them anywhere! On the plane or train! In the car or right there in your home! On your i device or computer!

Please join my campaign against bullying (CAB) by supporting my efforts to keep on writing and recording!
If you truly care then you will certainly dare!"

Where is Peepers?

He is my favorite little cricket. He comes out every evening on my mom's patio and as Mom and I sit eating our dinner. He chirps, hops around, and entertains us all the way. The interesting thing about little Peepers is that Mom has never really seen what he looks like because of his size and his agility, so we both have to depend on our imaginations to figure out what he looks like.

I met Peepers, so to speak, about two years ago and each summer when I visit my mom in the Caribbean I meet him. He is such a joy! His little voice practically lilts and is as pure as an angel's song.

The only way that we can tell where Peepers is at any given time is when he chirps. He reminds me of the invisible detective. That's my little Peepers, my pride and my joy!

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly accessibility advocate, wishing you a terrific day.

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan
Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan
Visit our online store to either purchase or subscribe for unlimited access to our library at www.donnajodhan.com/store.html
Or subscribe to our free monthly newsletter at www.donnajodhan.com.

This is a personal message from author Donna Jodhan
"Each time we raise our voice at someone else we are engaging in bullying! Each time we raise our hands to slap or punch someone else we are also engaging in bullying and each time we engage in actions to either manipulate or force someone else to do what we want we are also engaging in bullying!

There is no room in this world for bullying and each day we fail to take action against bullying it is another day that we allow others to bully us and our kids. Our heros and role models are the ones who have made us proud, those brave young men and women who gave their lives for us in past wars and those who continue to do so. They are not the ones who choose to be racists and those who believe that their bad behaviour in public is acceptable.

I write and record audio mysteries that are being used at such events as murder mystery evenings as well as at public awareness and team building events. I promote understanding, tolerance, and problem solving and my audio mysteries continue to be broadcasted around the world and you can listen to them anywhere! On the plane or train! In the car or right there in your home! On your i device or computer!

Please join my campaign against bullying (CAB) by supporting my efforts to keep on writing and recording!
If you truly care then you will certainly dare!"

Poking my head through the window

I suspect that there are many who often use the same strategy as me whenever they wish to hear better and it does not matter whether or not they are sighted or blind.

I poke my head through the window whenever I wish to hear better when I am standing at a counter and there is that opened window between me and the person on the other side of the desk or counter. Nothing to it and I do not think that many people would mind. It enables me to hear better what is being spoken in my direction and it is the most potent strategy for me to use.

I also poke my head through an open window when I wish to hear better what is going on outside. With very little vision now, it is the easiest way for me to independently know what is going on without having to ask for sighted assistance.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly accessibility advocate, wishing you a terrific day.

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan
Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan
Visit our online store to either purchase or subscribe for unlimited access to our library at www.donnajodhan.com/store.html
Or subscribe to our free monthly newsletter at www.donnajodhan.com.

This is a personal message from author Donna Jodhan
"Each time we raise our voice at someone else we are engaging in bullying! Each time we raise our hands to slap or punch someone else we are also engaging in bullying and each time we engage in actions to either manipulate or force someone else to do what we want we are also engaging in bullying!

There is no room in this world for bullying and each day we fail to take action against bullying it is another day that we allow others to bully us and our kids. Our heroes and role models are the ones who have made us proud, those brave young men and women who gave their lives for us in past wars and those who continue to do so. They are not the ones who choose to be racists and those who believe that their bad behaviour in public is acceptable.

I write and record audio mysteries that are being used at such events as murder mystery evenings as well as at public awareness and team building events. I promote understanding, tolerance, and problem solving and my audio mysteries continue to be broadcasted around the world and you can listen to them anywhere! On the plane or train! In the car or right there in your home! On your i device or computer!

Please join my campaign against bullying (CAB) by supporting my efforts to keep on writing and recording!
If you truly care then you will certainly dare!"

Why I shake things

No, I am not crazy, and yes, there is some logic to this strategy of mine. I shake things so that I can easily tell if a cup or glass is empty or not, and in addition, I can also get a handle on how much liquid or anything else is in said cup or glass.

I shake cups and glasses.I shake bottles, jars, boxes and bags, and I shake tins and cans. That is, I shake them all after I make sure that they are securely closed.

By shaking things, I can not only tell how full or empty they are, I can also tell what is inside of them. I listen carefully to the sound that emanates from said thing in order to determine what it is I am shaking. The sound of liquid is different from the sound of powder and the sound of grains is different from the sound of jelly.

By shaking a tin I can determine if it is soup or beans. By shaking a box I can determine if it is packages of tea or something else. Fun, and lots of fun for me!

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly accessibility advocate, wishing you a terrific day.

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan
Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan
Visit our online store to either purchase or subscribe for unlimited access to our library at www.donnajodhan.com/store.html
Or subscribe to our free monthly newsletter at www.donnajodhan.com.

This is a personal message from author Donna Jodhan
"Each time we raise our voice at someone else we are engaging in bullying! Each time we raise our hands to slap or punch someone else we are also engaging in bullying and each time we engage in actions to either manipulate or force someone else to do what we want we are also engaging in bullying!

There is no room in this world for bullying and each day we fail to take action against bullying it is another day that we allow others to bully us and our kids. Our heroes and role models are the ones who have made us proud, those brave young men and women who gave their lives for us in past wars and those who continue to do so. They are not the ones who choose to be racists and those who believe that their bad behaviour in public is acceptable.

I write and record audio mysteries that are being used at such events as murder mystery evenings as well as at public awareness and team building events. I promote understanding, tolerance, and problem solving and my audio mysteries continue to be broadcasted around the world and you can listen to them anywhere! On the plane or train! In the car or right there in your home! On your i device or computer!

Please join my campaign against bullying (CAB) by supporting my efforts to keep on writing and recording!
If you truly care then you will certainly dare!"

A hotel that gets it

I am always happy to acknowledge the great work of any organization whenever it succeeds in making its services and products accessible to those who are disabled or have special needs.

For this week, my huge congrats go out to the Southway Hotel of Ottawa. This hotel really gets it in every way and here's why.

At the end of February 2014 I booked a reservation to stay with this hotel and from start to finish the service was nothing less than excellent. As soon as I had told them that I was blind because I always do so before confirming my booking, they sprang into action. They went out of their way to reassure me that they provided services to accommodate my needs and as soon as I had set foot in the Southway, I was treated to some of the best services.

They told me that they would mark the door to my room with elastic bands on the door's handle. Their reception clerks went out of their way to explain everything to me and marked my key card in a way that I would have no
difficulty using it to open my door.

They went beyond the call of duty and even had great facilities for those wishing to take their dogs outside. I do not myself have a dog but I was extremely happy to see that my friend could take her dog without having to worry. Their gym was extremely accessible and there was always someone there to help.

Congrats to you, Southway, and to your staff!

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly accessibility advocate, wishing you a terrific day.

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan
Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan
Visit our online store to either purchase or subscribe for unlimited access to our library at www.donnajodhan.com/store.html
Or subscribe to our free monthly newsletter at www.donnajodhan.com.

This is a personal message from author Donna Jodhan
"Each time we raise our voice at someone else we are engaging in bullying! Each time we raise our hands to slap or punch someone else we are also engaging in bullying and each time we engage in actions to either manipulate or force someone else to do what we want we are also engaging in bullying!

There is no room in this world for bullying and each day we fail to take action against bullying it is another day that we allow others to bully us and our kids. Our heros and role models are the ones who have made us proud, those brave young men and women who gave their lives for us in past wars and those who continue to do so. They are not the ones who choose to be racists and those who believe that their bad behaviour in public is acceptable.

I write and record audio mysteries that are being used at such events as murder mystery evenings as well as at public awareness and team building events. I promote understanding, tolerance, and problem solving and my audio mysteries continue to be broadcasted around the world and you can listen to them anywhere! On the plane or train! In the car or right there in your home! On your i device or computer!

Please join my campaign against bullying (CAB) by supporting my efforts to keep on writing and recording!
If you truly care then you will certainly dare!"

Please let me know verbally

This is something that I am constantly having to tell the sighted world about and it applies primarily to persons such as sales persons and support staff at stores.

Whenever you shake your head in response to a question that I have asked I am unable to know because I cannot hear when you shake your head. Whenever you point to something in the store or point to let me know where something is I am unable to understand what or where you are pointing to because I am unable to hear what or where you are pointing to, and whenever you place a sheet of paper in front of me without telling me that it is in front of me, the same thing happens.

The same applies whenever you ask me to sign something without showing me where to sign. It does not do any good for you to place the sheet of paper in front of me, place the pen on the sheet of paper, and then point to the spot. I need verbal cues from you from start to finish.

I know, things have improved over the years but I also know that this will continue to be a learning process for everyone.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly accessibility advocate, wishing you a terrific day.

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan
Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan
Visit our online store to either purchase or subscribe for unlimited access to our library at www.donnajodhan.com/store.html
Or subscribe to our free monthly newsletter at www.donnajodhan.com.

This is a personal message from author Donna Jodhan
"Each time we raise our voice at someone else we are engaging in bullying! Each time we raise our hands to slap or punch someone else we are also engaging in bullying and each time we engage in actions to either manipulate or force someone else to do what we want we are also engaging in bullying!

There is no room in this world for bullying and each day we fail to take action against bullying it is another day that we allow others to bully us and our kids. Our heroes and role models are the ones who have made us proud, those brave young men and women who gave their lives for us in past wars and those who continue to do so. They are not the ones who choose to be racists and those who believe that their bad behaviour in public is acceptable.

I write and record audio mysteries that are being used at such events as murder mystery evenings as well as at public awareness and team building events. I promote understanding, tolerance, and problem solving and my audio mysteries continue to be broadcasted around the world and you can listen to them anywhere! On the plane or train! In the car or right there in your home! On your i device or computer!

Please join my campaign against bullying (CAB) by supporting my efforts to keep on writing and recording!
If you truly care then you will certainly dare!"

What happens when things are moved around?

In one sentence! All hell breaks loose and confusion reigns! If things are moved around without my knowing then I run into big problems. It means that I need to reacquaint myself with my environment. If I move them around myself then that is an entirely different story.

Moving things around on me without telling me is really not good for me. It means that I need to re-familiarize myself with where everything is and then map this image in my mind. You would be amazed to know how things could get
out of focus for me by moving just one thing around. Take one thing from here and place it there and then I need to learn where it has been placed and what is closest to it.

In order to avoid all of this, I am constantly telling my sighted friends and family that whenever they move things around they need to tell me and to show me what they have done.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly accessibility advocate, wishing you a terrific day.

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan
Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan
Visit our online store to either purchase or subscribe for unlimited access to our library at www.donnajodhan.com/store.html
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This is a personal message from author Donna Jodhan
"Each time we raise our voice at someone else we are engaging in bullying! Each time we raise our hands to slap or punch someone else we are also engaging in bullying and each time we engage in actions to either manipulate or force someone else to do what we want we are also engaging in bullying!

There is no room in this world for bullying and each day we fail to take action against bullying it is another day that we allow others to bully us and our kids. Our heroes and role models are the ones who have made us proud, those brave young men and women who gave their lives for us in past wars and those who continue to do so. They are not the ones who choose to be racists and those who believe that their bad behaviour in public is acceptable.

I write and record audio mysteries that are being used at such events as murder mystery evenings as well as at public awareness and team building events. I promote understanding, tolerance, and problem solving and my audio mysteries continue to be broadcasted around the world and you can listen to them anywhere! On the plane or train! In the car or right there in your home! On your i device or computer!

Please join my campaign against bullying (CAB) by supporting my efforts to keep on writing and recording!
If you truly care then you will certainly dare!"

Re-acquaintance with my fridge

Each time I go away on an extended trip and after returning to my home, I need to reacquaint myself with my fridge. I need to remember where I put things before I left and how I placed things in my fridge at that time.

Sometimes, I may start all over again and order things differently so as to speed up the process but most of the time I am able to remember and then continue on from there.

Sometimes it is fun but at other times it could be a challenge. I guess that it depends on the mood that I am in at the time. One thing that I would say is this: it is always best for me to do it myself because if others were to do it for me then it would put more stress on me to learn how they have done it.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly accessibility advocate, wishing you a terrific day.

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan
Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan
Visit our online store to either purchase or subscribe for unlimited access to our library at www.donnajodhan.com/store.html
Or subscribe to our free monthly newsletter at www.donnajodhan.com.

This is a personal message from author Donna Jodhan
"Each time we raise our voice at someone else we are engaging in bullying! Each time we raise our hands to slap or punch someone else we are also engaging in bullying and each time we engage in actions to either manipulate or force someone else to do what we want we are also engaging in bullying!

There is no room in this world for bullying and each day we fail to take action against bullying it is another day that we allow others to bully us and our kids. Our heros and role models are the ones who have made us proud, those brave young men and women who gave their lives for us in past wars and those who continue to do so. They are not the ones who choose to be racists and those who believe that their bad behaviour in public is acceptable.

I write and record audio mysteries that are being used at such events as murder mystery evenings as well as at public awareness and team building events. I promote understanding, tolerance, and problem solving and my audio mysteries continue to be broadcasted around the world and you can listen to them anywhere! On the plane or train! In the car or right there in your home! On your i device or computer!

Please join my campaign against bullying (CAB) by supporting my efforts to keep on writing and recording!
If you truly care then you will certainly dare!"

Rearranging my counter

Whenever my counter is rearranged then here is where my challenges start. With very little vision left to me now I have to keep telling others not to rearrange my counter without first telling me. Believe it or not, move just one item and then everything goes haywire for me.

Each time I arrange and rearrange my counter I form a mental picture in my mind. I place things in order of some sort of logic in my mind and everything has a specific place on my counter. Remove anything or insert anything and I have to reorder things in my mind.

The kitchen counter is the most important for me. If I am to function quickly and efficiently in my kitchen then my counter needs to be orderly at all times. My bathroom space comes next and of course there is my office space and I would say that each has its particular importance.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly accessibility advocate, wishing you a terrific day.

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan
Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan
Visit our online store to either purchase or subscribe for unlimited access to our library at www.donnajodhan.com/store.html
Or subscribe to our free monthly newsletter at www.donnajodhan.com.

This is a personal message from author Donna Jodhan
"Each time we raise our voice at someone else we are engaging in bullying! Each time we raise our hands to slap or punch someone else we are also engaging in bullying and each time we engage in actions to either manipulate or force someone else to do what we want we are also engaging in bullying!

There is no room in this world for bullying and each day we fail to take action against bullying it is another day that we allow others to bully us and our kids. Our heroes and role models are the ones who have made us proud, those brave young men and women who gave their lives for us in past wars and those who continue to do so. They are not the ones who choose to be racists and those who believe that their bad behaviour in public is acceptable.

I write and record audio mysteries that are being used at such events as murder mystery evenings as well as at public awareness and team building events. I promote understanding, tolerance, and problem solving and my audio mysteries continue to be broadcasted around the world and you can listen to them anywhere! On the plane or train! In the car or right there in your home! On your i device or computer!

Please join my campaign against bullying (CAB) by supporting my efforts to keep on writing and recording!
If you truly care then you will certainly dare!"

When the curtains got rearranged

This happened to me in late 2013 after our renovation. The curtains had to be taken down during the renovation and then hung again after work had been completed. Of course, it was not put back in the same way so that when I went to inspect things I discovered that they had closed it in the wrong spot.

For whereas before, the opening was much wider, now it was much narrower and this meant that less light was now coming into my bedroom. Believe it or not, this new change had thrown me off and I had to ask for sighted assistance to try and recreate the former format.

I am not sure if those with vision are in tune with this or maybe I am in the minority but this is what happened. Rearranging my curtains did indeed throw me off. Enough that it took me a bit of time to readjust and re-orientate myself. Once this was done then things were just fine.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly accessibility advocate, wishing you a terrific day.

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan
Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan
Visit our online store to either purchase or subscribe for unlimited access to our library at www.donnajodhan.com/store.html
Or subscribe to our free monthly newsletter at www.donnajodhan.com.

This is a personal message from author Donna Jodhan
"Each time we raise our voice at someone else we are engaging in bullying! Each time we raise our hands to slap or punch someone else we are also engaging in bullying and each time we engage in actions to either manipulate or force someone else to do what we want we are also engaging in bullying!

There is no room in this world for bullying and each day we fail to take action against bullying it is another day that we allow others to bully us and our kids. Our heroes and role models are the ones who have made us proud, those brave young men and women who gave their lives for us in past wars and those who continue to do so. They are not the ones who choose to be racists and those who believe that their bad behaviour in public is acceptable.

I write and record audio mysteries that are being used at such events as murder mystery evenings as well as at public awareness and team building events. I promote understanding, tolerance, and problem solving and my audio mysteries continue to be broadcasted around the world and you can listen to them anywhere! On the plane or train! In the car or right there in your home! On your i device or computer!

Please join my campaign against bullying (CAB) by supporting my efforts to keep on writing and recording!
If you truly care then you will certainly dare!"

In an unfamiliar fridge

This is one of the most challenging areas for me: when I have cause or need to enter into an unfamiliar fridge. When I do not know where things are and where and how they have been placed, then I need to be so very careful and it is like walking on egg shells for me.

First off, I need to ensure that I do not knock over opened bottles, uncovered jugs, glasses or mugs, and the same for uncovered dishes. It could be a nightmare for me if I was to knock over the contents of any of these and then everything would go haywire.

Then there is the problem of locating things. We all arrange our things in our fridges differently but truth be told, there are some things that would retain familiar places in our fridges.

What are these? Standard jars that would normally reside in the door of almost every fridge. Jars of jam, condiments, and sauces. The bread bin is another place where you would normally find bread, of course, and then there are the drawers for greens and vegetables. Apart from this, the fridge is a place for almost anything else.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly accessibility advocate, wishing you a terrific day.

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan
Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan
Visit our online store to either purchase or subscribe for unlimited access to our library at www.donnajodhan.com/store.html
Or subscribe to our free monthly newsletter at www.donnajodhan.com.

This is a personal message from author Donna Jodhan
"Each time we raise our voice at someone else we are engaging in bullying! Each time we raise our hands to slap or punch someone else we are also engaging in bullying and each time we engage in actions to either manipulate or force someone else to do what we want we are also engaging in bullying!

There is no room in this world for bullying and each day we fail to take action against bullying it is another day that we allow others to bully us and our kids. Our heros and role models are the ones who have made us proud, those brave young men and women who gave their lives for us in past wars and those who continue to do so. They are not the ones who choose to be racists and those who believe that their bad behaviour in public is acceptable.

I write and record audio mysteries that are being used at such events as murder mystery evenings as well as at public awareness and team building events. I promote understanding, tolerance, and problem solving and my audio mysteries continue to be broadcasted around the world and you can listen to them anywhere! On the plane or train! In the car or right there in your home! On your i device or computer!

Please join my campaign against bullying (CAB) by supporting my efforts to keep on writing and recording!
If you truly care then you will certainly dare!"

Being careful with full cups and glasses

This should not come as a surprise to anyone reading this blog and it should hold true for anyone, blind or sighted. For me personally, I am always extra careful when I am interacting with full cups and glasses.

I make sure that I know where the full cup or glass is at all times: on a counter, on a table, on a dresser, anywhere. Then, after I have located the said cup or glass, I take a firm grip on it and make sure that I have it covered all the way. That is, that I can easily lift it, put it back down from where I retrieved it, and most of all, carry it to wherever I wish to take it.

It does not matter whether or not the contents of said cup or glass are hot or cold, my strategy is the same. But I am probably a bit more careful if the contents are hot.

So far, so good. I have never really gotten myself into any trouble locating and transporting full cups or glasses. I am very careful when I attempt to locate and I make sure that my path to my destination with said cup or glass is a clear one so that I don't spill anything.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly accessibility advocate, wishing you a terrific day.

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan
Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan
Visit our online store to either purchase or subscribe for unlimited access to our library at www.donnajodhan.com/store.html
Or subscribe to our free monthly newsletter at www.donnajodhan.com.

This is a personal message from author Donna Jodhan
"Each time we raise our voice at someone else we are engaging in bullying! Each time we raise our hands to slap or punch someone else we are also engaging in bullying and each time we engage in actions to either manipulate or force someone else to do what we want we are also engaging in bullying!

There is no room in this world for bullying and each day we fail to take action against bullying it is another day that we allow others to bully us and our kids. Our heroes and role models are the ones who have made us proud, those brave young men and women who gave their lives for us in past wars and those who continue to do so. They are not the ones who choose to be racists and those who believe that their bad behaviour in public is acceptable.

I write and record audio mysteries that are being used at such events as murder mystery evenings as well as at public awareness and team building events. I promote understanding, tolerance, and problem solving and my audio mysteries continue to be broadcasted around the world and you can listen to them anywhere! On the plane or train! In the car or right there in your home! On your i device or computer!

Please join my campaign against bullying (CAB) by supporting my efforts to keep on writing and recording!
If you truly care then you will certainly dare!"

Finding fallen objects with my cane

This is a method, or strategy, that I have developed to perfection since losing my vision in 2004. Now that I can no longer see to find fallen objects, I use my cane as an extra long arm to do so.

It works almost all of the time. If I am unable to find a fallen object when going on my hands and knees, I use my cane. I use the soft touch technique which is to go light with the cane, swish in small circles, and do this very gently.

The cane technique can help me to find objects under furniture, fridges, and even washers and dryers. It is a great way for me to find what I seek. However, the one thing that I would caution is to go very gently when using a cane. For if you don't then your cane could or would probably move the fallen object out of your search area and could end up dispatching it to unknown territory for you.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly accessibility advocate, wishing you a terrific day.

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan
Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan
Visit our online store to either purchase or subscribe for unlimited access to our library at www.donnajodhan.com/store.html
Or subscribe to our free monthly newsletter at www.donnajodhan.com.

This is a personal message from author Donna Jodhan
"Each time we raise our voice at someone else we are engaging in bullying! Each time we raise our hands to slap or punch someone else we are also engaging in bullying and each time we engage in actions to either manipulate or force someone else to do what we want we are also engaging in bullying!

There is no room in this world for bullying and each day we fail to take action against bullying it is another day that we allow others to bully us and our kids. Our heroes and role models are the ones who have made us proud, those brave young men and women who gave their lives for us in past wars and those who continue to do so. They are not the ones who choose to be racists and those who believe that their bad behaviour in public is acceptable.

I write and record audio mysteries that are being used at such events as murder mystery evenings as well as at public awareness and team building events. I promote understanding, tolerance, and problem solving and my audio mysteries continue to be broadcasted around the world and you can listen to them anywhere! On the plane or train! In the car or right there in your home! On your i device or computer!

Please join my campaign against bullying (CAB) by supporting my efforts to keep on writing and recording!
If you truly care then you will certainly dare!"

Buying jeans with Mom

This was another very interesting experience for me and now that I can no longer see I have to depend on Mom or any other sighted assistance whenever I go clothes shopping. I will say that on this day the sales lady was very helpful and informative, especially so when she realized that I was blind.

This is how things went. I told Mom what I was looking for. Then she and I told the sales lady. The sales lady then went to her racks and stocks to look and came back with several pairs of jeans. Mom showed me each in turn and I chose what I wanted to try on.

While I was trying on my choices the nice sales lady went back to her racks and stocks and came back with other pairs of jeans. Whenever I liked anything that I tried on, Mom would then call the sales lady to get her opinion. They both gave their opinion but it was up to me to choose. In most cases we all agreed on my choice or sometimes the sales lady would say no to my choice and I would end up agreeing with her. All in all it was a very pleasant shopping experience on that day.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly accessibility advocate, wishing you a terrific day.

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan
Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan
Visit our online store to either purchase or subscribe for unlimited access to our library at www.donnajodhan.com/store.html
Or subscribe to our free monthly newsletter at www.donnajodhan.com.

This is a personal message from author Donna Jodhan
"Each time we raise our voice at someone else we are engaging in bullying! Each time we raise our hands to slap or punch someone else we are also engaging in bullying and each time we engage in actions to either manipulate or force someone else to do what we want we are also engaging in bullying!

There is no room in this world for bullying and each day we fail to take action against bullying it is another day that we allow others to bully us and our kids. Our heros and role models are the ones who have made us proud, those brave young men and women who gave their lives for us in past wars and those who continue to do so. They are not the ones who choose to be racists and those who believe that their bad behaviour in public is acceptable.

I write and record audio mysteries that are being used at such events as murder mystery evenings as well as at public awareness and team building events. I promote understanding, tolerance, and problem solving and my audio mysteries continue to be broadcasted around the world and you can listen to them anywhere! On the plane or train! In the car or right there in your home! On your i device or computer!

Please join my campaign against bullying (CAB) by supporting my efforts to keep on writing and recording!
If you truly care then you will certainly dare!"

Renewing the passport with Mom

It was a warm and sunny day as Mom and I ventured down to the passport office to have her passport renewed. I was most interested in going with her because I wanted to see if anything had changed since the last time that I had gone with her, given that on that occasion I had functional vision to see reactions around me.

This time I had to depend solely on my sense of hearing as she and I navigated our way through the crowd and up the steps to the office. Things went very well and I perceived that when folks realized I was blind they were extra friendly and nice to us. Even when we proceeded to find seats there were people giving up theirs for us.

I went out of my way to be friendly to those around me but at times I am not sure if they realized that I could not see. If they did they did not let on and they talked to us without asking whether or not I could see.

At the counter, the service reps were really nice and did not mind when I intervened at times to answer questions on Mom's behalf. All in all a very pleasant experience.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly accessibility advocate, wishing you a terrific day.

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan
Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan
Visit our online store to either purchase or subscribe for unlimited access to our library at www.donnajodhan.com/store.html
Or subscribe to our free monthly newsletter at www.donnajodhan.com.

This is a personal message from author Donna Jodhan
"Each time we raise our voice at someone else we are engaging in bullying! Each time we raise our hands to slap or punch someone else we are also engaging in bullying and each time we engage in actions to either manipulate or force someone else to do what we want we are also engaging in bullying!

There is no room in this world for bullying and each day we fail to take action against bullying it is another day that we allow others to bully us and our kids. Our heroes and role models are the ones who have made us proud, those brave young men and women who gave their lives for us in past wars and those who continue to do so. They are not the ones who choose to be racists and those who believe that their bad behaviour in public is acceptable.

I write and record audio mysteries that are being used at such events as murder mystery evenings as well as at public awareness and team building events. I promote understanding, tolerance, and problem solving and my audio mysteries continue to be broadcasted around the world and you can listen to them anywhere! On the plane or train! In the car or right there in your home! On your i device or computer!

Please join my campaign against bullying (CAB) by supporting my efforts to keep on writing and recording!
If you truly care then you will certainly dare!"