My perspective: Who is Santa Claus?

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 and 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!

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan
Like me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan
Visit my 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 my free downloads!
Or subscribe to my free monthly newsletter at http://www.donnajodhan.com.

Dear Readers:
This is a personal request from me for you to join my campaign against bullying (CAB).

In 2012 I launched my own campaign against bullying in response to appeals from friends and associates.  I decided to try something new and here it is.

You can support my campaign against bullying (CAB) and in return for your valuable contribution I will send you a thank you gift.  Visit www.jodhanmysterybook.club to learn more. I will use all contributions to promote workshops to help others protect themselves from bullying and teach them how to launch their own anti-bullying campaigns.

In addition, I will produce blogs and podcasts to help me spread my campaign and to convince others to do the same.

You may also visit my online store at www.donnajodhan.com/store.html and browse through my selections.

Help me to stop the spread of bullying  and to show others how to combat bullies.

About my audio mysteries: Patterned after the "Murder she wrote!" and "Murdoch mysteries!"
Where mystery is the order of the day.
Meet Detective DJ and the Crime Crushers.  You won’t want to miss out on any of her audio mysteries!  Filled with gripping drama and unbelievable plots, you won’t be able to stop listening until the very end and then you’ll be craving for more – there is mystery behind every mystery!

Detective DJ writes and records her own audio mysteries. She uses the power of words to create and solve her crimes, and then she draws you in and before you know it – you’re all caught up in the plot!  But alas, at the end of it all, when you think you’ve identified the perpetrator, she surprises you once more and you’re left absolutely stunned and amazed!

A favorite feeling: 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!

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan
Like me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan
Visit my 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 my free downloads!
Or subscribe to my free monthly newsletter at http://www.donnajodhan.com.

Dear Readers:
This is a personal request from me for you to join my campaign against bullying (CAB).

In 2012 I launched my own campaign against bullying in response to appeals from friends and associates.  I decided to try something new and here it is.

You can support my campaign against bullying (CAB) and in return for your valuable contribution I will send you a thank you gift.  Visit www.jodhanmysterybook.club to learn more. I will use all contributions to promote workshops to help others protect themselves from bullying and teach them how to launch their own anti-bullying campaigns.

In addition, I will produce blogs and podcasts to help me spread my campaign and to convince others to do the same.

You may also visit my online store at www.donnajodhan.com/store.html and browse through my selections.

Help me to stop the spread of bullying  and to show others how to combat bullies.

About my audio mysteries: Patterned after the "Murder she wrote!" and "Murdoch mysteries!"
Where mystery is the order of the day.
Meet Detective DJ and the Crime Crushers.  You won’t want to miss out on any of her audio mysteries!  Filled with gripping drama and unbelievable plots, you won’t be able to stop listening until the very end and then you’ll be craving for more – there is mystery behind every mystery!

Detective DJ writes and records her own audio mysteries. She uses the power of words to create and solve her crimes, and then she draws you in and before you know it – you’re all caught up in the plot!  But alas, at the end of it all, when you think you’ve identified the perpetrator, she surprises you once more and you’re left absolutely stunned and amazed!

I will always remember: Some day at Christmas

One of my favourite Christmas carols is "Some day at Christmas," made popular by the late Michael Jackson.  Yes, some day 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!

Some day 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. 

Some day 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 on board aircraft, and no more problems at airports, train stations, and bus terminals for them."

Some day 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 wrong with them is that they are unable to see."

Some day 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 are 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!

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan
Like me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan
Visit my 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 my free downloads!
Or subscribe to my free monthly newsletter at http://www.donnajodhan.com.

Dear Readers:
This is a personal request from me for you to join my campaign against bullying (CAB).

In 2012 I launched my own campaign against bullying in response to appeals from friends and associates.  I decided to try something new and here it is.

You can support my campaign against bullying (CAB) and in return for your valuable contribution I will send you a thank you gift.  Visit www.jodhanmysterybook.club to learn more.
I will use all contributions to promote workshops to help others protect themselves from bullying and teach them how to launch their own anti-bullying campaigns.

In addition, I will produce blogs and podcasts to help me spread my campaign and to convince others to do the same.

You may also visit my online store at www.donnajodhan.com/store.html and browse through my selections.

Help me to stop the spread of bullying  and to show others how to combat bullies.

About my audio mysteries:Patterned after the "Murder she wrote!" and "Murdoch mysteries!"
Where mystery is the order of the day.
Meet Detective DJ and the Crime Crushers.  You won’t want to miss out on any of her audio mysteries!  Filled with gripping drama and unbelievable plots, you won’t be able to stop listening until the very end and then you’ll be craving for more – there is mystery behind every mystery!

Detective DJ writes and records her own audio mysteries. She uses the power of words to create and solve her crimes, and then she draws you in and before you know it – you’re all caught up in the plot!  But alas, at the end of it all, when you think you’ve identified the perpetrator, she surprises you once more and you’re left absolutely stunned and amazed!

Forever my memory: 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 sights and events!  For after all, was it not then when the greatest and most famous kid was born?  Our Lord, Jesus Christ? 

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan
Like me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan
Visit my 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 my free downloads!
Or subscribe to my free monthly newsletter at http://www.donnajodhan.com.

Dear Readers:
This is a personal request from me for you to join my campaign against bullying (CAB).

In 2012 I launched my own campaign against bullying in response to appeals from friends and associates.  I decided to try something new and here it is.

You can support my campaign against bullying (CAB) and in return for your valuable contribution I will send you a thank you gift.  Visit www.jodhanmysterybook.club to learn more. I will use all contributions to promote workshops to help others protect themselves from bullying and teach them how to launch their own anti-bullying campaigns.

In addition, I will produce blogs and podcasts to help me spread my campaign and to convince others to do the same.

You may also visit my online store at www.donnajodhan.com/store.html and browse through my selections.

Help me to stop the spread of bullying  and to show others how to combat bullies.

About my audio mysteries: Patterned after the "Murder she wrote!" and "Murdoch mysteries!"
Where mystery is the order of the day.
Meet Detective DJ and the Crime Crushers.  You won’t want to miss out on any of her audio mysteries!  Filled with gripping drama and unbelievable plots, you won’t be able to stop listening until the very end and then you’ll be craving for more – there is mystery behind every mystery!

Detective DJ writes and records her own audio mysteries. She uses the power of words to create and solve her crimes, and then she draws you in and before you know it – you’re all caught up in the plot!  But alas, at the end of it all, when you think you’ve identified the perpetrator, she surprises you once more and you’re left absolutely stunned and amazed!

My cherished memory: 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! 

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan
Like me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan
Visit my 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 my free downloads!
Or subscribe to my free monthly newsletter at http://www.donnajodhan.com.

Dear Readers:
This is a personal request from me for you to join my campaign against bullying (CAB).

In 2012 I launched my own campaign against bullying in response to appeals from friends and associates.  I decided to try something new and here it is.

You can support my campaign against bullying (CAB) and in return for your valuable contribution I will send you a thank you gift.  Visit www.jodhanmysterybook.club to learn more. I will use all contributions to promote workshops to help others protect themselves from bullying and teach them how to launch their own anti-bullying campaigns.

In addition, I will produce blogs and podcasts to help me spread my campaign and to convince others to do the same.

You may also visit my online store at www.donnajodhan.com/store.html and browse through my selections.

Help me to stop the spread of bullying  and to show others how to combat bullies.

About my audio mysteries: Patterned after the "Murder she wrote!" and "Murdoch mysteries!"
Where mystery is the order of the day.
Meet Detective DJ and the Crime Crushers.  You won’t want to miss out on any of her audio mysteries!  Filled with gripping drama and unbelievable plots, you won’t be able to stop listening until the very end and then you’ll be craving for more – there is mystery behind every mystery!

Detective DJ writes and records her own audio mysteries. She uses the power of words to create and solve her crimes, and then she draws you in and before you know it – you’re all caught up in the plot!  But alas, at the end of it all, when you think you’ve identified the perpetrator, she surprises you once more and you’re left absolutely stunned and amazed!

A cherished memory: Under the Christmas tree

It may not be yet Christmas 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 the packages 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. 

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan
Like me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan
Visit my 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 my free downloads!
Or subscribe to my free monthly newsletter at http://www.donnajodhan.com.

Dear Readers:
This is a personal request from me for you to join my campaign against bullying (CAB).

In 2012 I launched my own campaign against bullying in response to appeals from friends and associates.  I decided to try something new and here it is.

You can support my campaign against bullying (CAB) and in return for your valuable contribution I will send you a thank you gift.  Visit www.jodhanmysterybook.club to learn more.
I will use all contributions to promote workshops to help others protect themselves from bullying and teach them how to launch their own anti-bullying campaigns.

In addition, I will produce blogs and podcasts to help me spread my campaign and to convince others to do the same.

You may also visit my online store at www.donnajodhan.com/store.html and browse through my selections.

Help me to stop the spread of bullying  and to show others how to combat bullies.

About my audio mysteries:Patterned after the "Murder she wrote!" and "Murdoch mysteries!"
Where mystery is the order of the day.
Meet Detective DJ and the Crime Crushers.  You won’t want to miss out on any of her audio mysteries!  Filled with gripping drama and unbelievable plots, you won’t be able to stop listening until the very end and then you’ll be craving for more – there is mystery behind every mystery!

Detective DJ writes and records her own audio mysteries. She uses the power of words to create and solve her crimes, and then she draws you in and before you know it – you’re all caught up in the plot!  But alas, at the end of it all, when you think you’ve identified the perpetrator, she surprises you once more and you’re left absolutely stunned and amazed!

My favorite time of the year: The color of Christmas

As Andy Williams used to sing out each year, "It's the most wonderful time of the year," 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!

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan
Like me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan
Visit my 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 my free downloads!
Or subscribe to my free monthly newsletter at http://www.donnajodhan.com.

Dear Readers:
This is a personal request from me for you to join my campaign against bullying (CAB).

In 2012 I launched my own campaign against bullying in response to appeals from friends and associates.  I decided to try something new and here it is.

You can support my campaign against bullying (CAB) and in return for your valuable contribution I will send you a thank you gift.  Visit www.jodhanmysterybook.club to learn more. I will use all contributions to promote workshops to help others protect themselves from bullying and teach them how to launch their own anti-bullying campaigns.

In addition, I will produce blogs and podcasts to help me spread my campaign and to convince others to do the same.

You may also visit my online store at www.donnajodhan.com/store.html and browse through my selections.

Help me to stop the spread of bullying  and to show others how to combat bullies.

About my audio mysteries: Patterned after the "Murder she wrote!" and "Murdoch mysteries!"
Where mystery is the order of the day.
Meet Detective DJ and the Crime Crushers.  You won’t want to miss out on any of her audio mysteries!  Filled with gripping drama and unbelievable plots, you won’t be able to stop listening until the very end and then you’ll be craving for more – there is mystery behind every mystery!

Detective DJ writes and records her own audio mysteries. She uses the power of words to create and solve her crimes, and then she draws you in and before you know it – you’re all caught up in the plot!  But alas, at the end of it all, when you think you’ve identified the perpetrator, she surprises you once more and you’re left absolutely stunned and amazed!

A cherished memory forever: 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, oh 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 then.  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!

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan
Like me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan
Visit my 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 my free downloads!
Or subscribe to my free monthly newsletter at http://www.donnajodhan.com.

Dear Readers:
This is a personal request from me for you to join my campaign against bullying (CAB).

In 2012 I launched my own campaign against bullying in response to appeals from friends and associates.  I decided to try something new and here it is.

You can support my campaign against bullying (CAB) and in return for your valuable contribution I will send you a thank you gift.  Visit www.jodhanmysterybook.club to learn more. I will use all contributions to promote workshops to help others protect themselves from bullying and teach them how to launch their own anti-bullying campaigns.

In addition, I will produce blogs and podcasts to help me spread my campaign and to convince others to do the same.

You may also visit my online store at www.donnajodhan.com/store.html and browse through my selections.

Help me to stop the spread of bullying  and to show others how to combat bullies.

About my audio mysteries: Patterned after the "Murder she wrote!" and "Murdoch mysteries!"
Where mystery is the order of the day.
Meet Detective DJ and the Crime Crushers.  You won’t want to miss out on any of her audio mysteries!  Filled with gripping drama and unbelievable plots, you won’t be able to stop listening until the very end and then you’ll be craving for more – there is mystery behind every mystery!

Detective DJ writes and records her own audio mysteries. She uses the power of words to create and solve her crimes, and then she draws you in and before you know it – you’re all caught up in the plot!  But alas, at the end of it all, when you think you’ve identified the perpetrator, she surprises you once more and you’re left absolutely stunned and amazed!

My favorite time of the year: 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.

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan
Like me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan
Visit my 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 my free downloads!
Or subscribe to my free monthly newsletter at http://www.donnajodhan.com.

Dear Readers:
This is a personal request from me for you to join my campaign against bullying (CAB).

In 2012 I launched my own campaign against bullying in response to appeals from friends and associates.  I decided to try something new and here it is.

You can support my campaign against bullying (CAB) and in return for your valuable contribution I will send you a thank you gift.  Visit www.jodhanmysterybook.club to learn more.
I will use all contributions to promote workshops to help others protect themselves from bullying and teach them how to launch their own anti-bullying campaigns.

In addition, I will produce blogs and podcasts to help me spread my campaign and to convince others to do the same.

You may also visit my online store at www.donnajodhan.com/store.html and browse through my selections.

Help me to stop the spread of bullying  and to show others how to combat bullies.

About my audio mysteries:Patterned after the "Murder she wrote!" and "Murdoch mysteries!"
Where mystery is the order of the day.
Meet Detective DJ and the Crime Crushers.  You won’t want to miss out on any of her audio mysteries!  Filled with gripping drama and unbelievable plots, you won’t be able to stop listening until the very end and then you’ll be craving for more – there is mystery behind every mystery!

Detective DJ writes and records her own audio mysteries. She uses the power of words to create and solve her crimes, and then she draws you in and before you know it – you’re all caught up in the plot!  But alas, at the end of it all, when you think you’ve identified the perpetrator, she surprises you once more and you’re left absolutely stunned and amazed!

A definite challenge: When the ball of wool went haywire

This is what happened to me when I decided to do some knitting during the summer of 2016.  I had carefully packed my knitting needles and wool into a bag and off I went.

All was going well until I discovered that something was not right. There were knots in the wool and I seemed to have been finding two ends to the wool instead of only seeing one end.

Then stitches began to go astray and things just simply went from bad to worse.  My poor mom decided to help me and spent hours trying to unravel the wool.  This worked for a bit but then the same old problem returned and before long I decided to abandon ship, so to speak.

Throughout the summer I kept glancing into my knitting bag from time to time to see if I could solve the problem but no go. I was really sorry.

Upon my return to home in Toronto I went to knitting class and my teacher, Robbie, quickly found the reason for my having gotten into trouble. The wool had snagged on the sticky ends of an empty package of needles. Ouch!  I had no idea and now I am much more careful when putting away my knitting.

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

If you would like to learn more about me as an author then I invite you now to visit  jodhanmysterybook.club/about-the-author
There you will not only learn about me as an author but you will also gain insights into my campaign against bullying and why I strongly believe that you need to consider joining me in order to insure that the future of our kids with their wide-eyed smiles and infectious laughter is secured forever.

And now my weekly podcast!
From recipes to apps, and 5 minutes mysteries to tips for entrepreneurs and scam alerts!
www.takeanother5.com
And available for download from iTunes and Google music play

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and at author_jodhan
And like me on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/donnajodhan and at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan

My perspective: Why I prefer to walk

This is a question that I am often asked by agents when I go to the airport.  Hopefully my response will make sense.  At least it does to me.

I believe that everyone, including me, has a right to choose how I wish to be assisted when I get to an airport.  I personally find that walking is easier for me and for the agent assisting me and that it is also faster.

I know that this is a very common problem for blind and vision impaired travelers and I still cannot understand why agents feel that it is easier for them to push me in a wheelchair rather than let me take their arm.  I have some thoughts but I am going to keep those under my thumb for now.

Suffice it to say that I prefer to walk beside someone as opposed to being pushed in a wheelchair.

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

If you would like to learn more about me as an author then I invite you now to visit  jodhanmysterybook.club/about-the-author
There you will not only learn about me as an author but you will also gain insights into my campaign against bullying and why I strongly believe that you need to consider joining me in order to insure that the future of our kids with their wide-eyed smiles and infectious laughter is secured forever.

And now my weekly podcast!
From recipes to apps, and 5 minutes mysteries to tips for entrepreneurs and scam alerts!
www.takeanother5.com
And available for download from iTunes and Google music play

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and at author_jodhan
And like me on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/donnajodhan and at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan

A shaky experience: When I was deserted at security

I can definitely tell you that this is probably one of the worst experiences that I have ever had at an airport.  It is definitely one for the nightmare category and it occurred in June of 2016 as I was traveling from Toronto to the Caribbean.

From the outset, the agent was extremely poor when it came to providing me with assistance.  Her guiding techniques were non existent, her communications skills were lacking, and
throughout the journey, from the curb to the security area, she left me several times just standing there with the excuse that she had to take care of others.

The worst came when she simply left me standing at the security carousel.  I had no idea where she went and I had to end up asking for assistance from someone standing nearby.

I do not wish this on anyone and I can only hope that this never happens to me again.

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

If you would like to learn more about me as an author then I invite you now to visit  jodhanmysterybook.club/about-the-author
There you will not only learn about me as an author but you will also gain insights into my campaign against bullying and why I strongly believe that you need to consider joining me in order to insure that the future of our kids with their wide-eyed smiles and infectious laughter is secured forever.

And now my weekly podcast!
From recipes to apps, and 5 minutes mysteries to tips for entrepreneurs and scam alerts!
www.takeanother5.com
And available for download from iTunes and Google music play

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and at author_jodhan
And like me on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/donnajodhan and at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan

A special experience: Mom showing me where she has put things

It always helps whenever you have someone who is so willing and ready to show you where they have placed things.  Especially so when they have moved them in the first place.

That's my mom and I am eternally grateful that she is so willing and ready to do this.  Whenever there is something to be worked on that I need to know where something has been placed, or something that has been moved from one location to another, I call on good old Mom who comes to my rescue.

With the most gentle hands she guides me to the appropriate spot and shows me what she has done, where she has put something and she ends by telling me why she has moved it there.

As long as I know why she has done it then I am fine and good to go.

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

If you would like to learn more about me as an author then I invite you now to visit  jodhanmysterybook.club/about-the-author
There you will not only learn about me as an author but you will also gain insights into my campaign against bullying and why I strongly believe that you need to consider joining me in order to insure that the future of our kids with their wide-eyed smiles and infectious laughter is secured forever.

And now my weekly podcast!
From recipes to apps, and 5 minutes mysteries to tips for entrepreneurs and scam alerts!
www.takeanother5.com
And available for download from iTunes and Google music play

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and at author_jodhan
And like me on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/donnajodhan and at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan

Just trying to envision: Imagining the plane seeking a vacant gate

That is exactly what I had to do as I sat waiting for my plane to land in Toronto.

This had been a very long flight from Ottawa to Toronto and as we landed we were told that it would take a few minutes for the pilot to find a vacant gate.

Bad weather had played havoc with our flight and we had been delayed for over three hours at Ottawa's airport and we had to wait for the storms to blow by before taking off.  Then, when we landed in Toronto, we had to wait for a free gate for the plane to be parked.

Most people sitting in window seats were looking out to see what they could see, but for me I had to use my imagination.  Not sure how close my imagination came to reality but here is what I imagined.

A gigantic plane moving slowly along a huge strip looking for some sort of parking lot.  Each parking lot is huge and in order for our plane to be able to enter the lot it has to ensure that there is no other plane there.

Everything is huge and looks so imposing but the pilot knows exactly what he is doing and we all need to be patient.

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

If you would like to learn more about me as an author then I invite you now to visit  jodhanmysterybook.club/about-the-author
There you will not only learn about me as an author but you will also gain insights into my campaign against bullying and why I strongly believe that you need to consider joining me in order to insure that the future of our kids with their wide-eyed smiles and infectious laughter is secured forever.

And now my weekly podcast!
From recipes to apps, and 5 minutes mysteries to tips for entrepreneurs and scam alerts!
www.takeanother5.com
And available for download from iTunes and Google music play

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and at author_jodhan
And like me on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/donnajodhan and at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan

A frustration: When some waiters do not get it

This is what happened to me a few months ago when I had dinner at a restaurant in a well-known hotel in Gatineau, Quebec.  I will say that the food was simply out of this world but it was all ruined when the waiter failed to pay attention to the fact that I was vision impaired and needed help to have the menu read to me.

Even after I told him that I was, indeed, vision impaired, he simply placed the menu in front of me and walked away. When we managed to catch his attention through the kind help of a fellow diner, he still did not get it. What did he do?  He came to the table, opened up the menu, and then proceeded to point to the various categories.

He did the same thing with the wine list and at the end of it all, I was simply too tired to order dessert.

Finally, he placed the bill in front of me and I had to ask him twice to read it to me and after paying, he simply walked away not listening to my request for him to help me to the door.

An almost perfect evening was ruined by a waiter that did not pay attention.

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

If you would like to learn more about me as an author then I invite you now to visit  jodhanmysterybook.club/about-the-author
There you will not only learn about me as an author but you will also gain insights into my campaign against bullying and why I strongly believe that you need to consider joining me in order to insure that the future of our kids with their wide-eyed smiles and infectious laughter is secured forever.

And now my weekly podcast!
From recipes to apps, and 5 minutes mysteries to tips for entrepreneurs and scam alerts!
www.takeanother5.com
And available for download from iTunes and Google music play

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and at author_jodhan
And like me on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/donnajodhan and at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan

What a pleasure: Meeting Mary-Jane for the first time

As I always say to anyone: I am always surprised whenever I try to match a voice to the person as I meet them for the first time.  In fact, I have given up trying to do this as I have come to enjoy it.

This was the case when I met Mary-Jane for the first time a few months ago. I deliberately tried not to form any preconceived images of her and it worked.

I had no difficulty identifying her by her voice and her handshake was very warm and welcoming and this is where it ended.

Not being able to see what Mary-Jane looked like did not matter to me. Just the sound of her voice and her handshake were more than enough for me.

I know that the world, as a whole, places a lot of emphasis and importance on what people look like and I guess that when I had good vision it was probably the same for me. But now I am in a different orbit and this does not matter.

It's all about one's voice, their handshake, and any other audio cues that I can gather.

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

If you would like to learn more about me as an author then I invite you now to visit  jodhanmysterybook.club/about-the-author
There you will not only learn about me as an author but you will also gain insights into my campaign against bullying and why I strongly believe that you need to consider joining me in order to insure that the future of our kids with their wide-eyed smiles and infectious laughter is secured forever.

And now my weekly podcast!
From recipes to apps, and 5 minutes mysteries to tips for entrepreneurs and scam alerts!
www.takeanother5.com
And available for download from iTunes and Google music play

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and at author_jodhan
And like me on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/donnajodhan and at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan

A shaky experience: When I misplaced my jade ring

I never missed it until well into the afternoon and when I discovered it missing I almost had a heart attack!

When I arrived the evening before at the hotel, I had taken it off and had placed it on the night table and then I had gone off to dinner with a friend.  Upon my return I had gotten ready for bed and then that was it for the day.

The next morning I thought that I had gathered up everything but I was definitely not on the money this day.

Yes, I thought that I had everything in my possession, everything that I had arrived with, but I was wrong.

After lunch, as I sat listening to the parade of speakers, I sort of allowed my mind to wander and then suddenly there it was!  My treasured jade ring was missing.

I started to search frantically through my purse and the more I looked the more frantic I became.  The nice lady sitting next to me even tried to help me but without any success.

Then, after the meeting was over, I had to scurry to another meeting and after that I managed to meet someone that I knew. After explaining my predicament to him he readily took me to the reception desk.

Success!  I explained my missing ring to the receptionist and she told me that someone had brought it to the desk.  It was mine, my beloved jade ring!

The thing here is that it does not matter whether or not a person is blind, this could definitely happen to anyone.  For me, I need to be that much more careful when placing things on surfaces and then remembering where I placed them.

For a sighted person it is always easier to see things, but for me it comes down to remembering.

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

If you would like to learn more about me as an author then I invite you now to visit  jodhanmysterybook.club/about-the-author
There you will not only learn about me as an author but you will also gain insights into my campaign against bullying and why I strongly believe that you need to consider joining me in order to insure that the future of our kids with their wide-eyed smiles and infectious laughter is secured forever.

And now my weekly podcast!
From recipes to apps, and 5 minutes mysteries to tips for entrepreneurs and scam alerts!
www.takeanother5.com
And available for download from iTunes and Google music play

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and at author_jodhan
And like me on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/donnajodhan and at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan

A new experience: Meeting Janet at the luggage carousel

Talk about a really funny experience. Here I was on June 19, 2016, preparing to meet someone that I had never met before and it was the same for her.

I had traveled to Ottawa for a meeting and Janet was going to meet me at the luggage carousel.  I had to give her a description of what I was wearing but in addition I had to let her know that I would be walking with my cane.

This strategy worked out very well as Janet had no difficulty identifying me and as soon as she came up beside me and spoke to me I knew that she was, indeed, Janet.  So, no need to worry if I am going to meet someone that I have never met before, even if I am unable to see them.

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

If you would like to learn more about me as an author then I invite you now to visit  jodhanmysterybook.club/about-the-author
There you will not only learn about me as an author but you will also gain insights into my campaign against bullying and why I strongly believe that you need to consider joining me in order to insure that the future of our kids with their wide-eyed smiles and infectious laughter is secured forever.

And now my weekly podcast!
From recipes to apps, and 5 minutes mysteries to tips for entrepreneurs and scam alerts!
www.takeanother5.com
And available for download from iTunes and Google music play

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and at author_jodhan
And like me on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/donnajodhan and at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan

My insight: Doing the cheques with Mom

We now have this down to a simple but very effective strategy.  Whenever I need to have my cheques made out, and if Mom is around, she and I work as a well-oiled team to get things done.  This is how we do it.

I go to my computer and type out my info in either a word or text document.  Name of person to whom the cheque is to be made out, date, and amount in dollars (figures and words).

Next I print this out and then I go to Mom who is patiently waiting to do her part.  She sits down at our kitchen table and writes out the cheque, and voila!  It is done and all I need to do now is to sign it.

I give her my signature guide and she gently places it on the line and hands me her pen.  I sign my name and it is all over.  The cheque has been made out.

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

If you would like to learn more about me as an author then I invite you now to visit  jodhanmysterybook.club/about-the-author
There you will not only learn about me as an author but you will also gain insights into my campaign against bullying and why I strongly believe that you need to consider joining me in order to insure that the future of our kids with their wide-eyed smiles and infectious laughter is secured forever.

And now my weekly podcast!
From recipes to apps, and 5 minutes mysteries to tips for entrepreneurs and scam alerts!
www.takeanother5.com
And available for download from iTunes and Google music play

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and at author_jodhan
And like me on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/donnajodhan and at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan

An interesting experience: Shredding documents with Mom

One of the necessary annual tasks for me is to shred old income tax documents and in 2016 I was sure glad to have Mom on hand to help out.

On a quiet Saturday evening in early June, we both sat on our dining room carpet and painstakingly and methodically shredded a ton of old income tax documents.

We lined up the documents; Mom passed them to me and I put them through the shredder.  Each time the container became full, Mom took it and emptied it into a rapidly-filling garbage bag and as she did so she had to keep picking up the pieces of shredded paper from the carpet.

It was slow, tedious, and quite a chore, but after an hour or so our work was finally done.

The carpet was clean and void of bits of paper; the garbage bag was filled to the brim but securely tied, and all ended well.  Nothing for me to be concerned about when it came to not having bits of stray paper floating around my condo.  This is what a pair of eyes does for me.

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

If you would like to learn more about me as an author then I invite you now to visit  jodhanmysterybook.club/about-the-author
There you will not only learn about me as an author but you will also gain insights into my campaign against bullying and why I strongly believe that you need to consider joining me in order to insure that the future of our kids with their wide-eyed smiles and infectious laughter is secured forever.

And now my weekly podcast!
From recipes to apps, and 5 minutes mysteries to tips for entrepreneurs and scam alerts!
www.takeanother5.com
And available for download from iTunes and Google music play

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and at author_jodhan
And like me on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/donnajodhan and at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan

A funny experience: Picking up the wrong shoe

I have to tell you that this was probably one of the funniest experiences for me.  It happened a few months ago and thank God that Mom was there to save the day for me!  Or else I am not sure what would have ended up happening.

There were about four pairs of shoes lined up close to my front door and two of these pairs belonged to me.  One pair was black and the other was brown.

Now then, as I can no longer see enough to decipher colors I always try to ensure that I know which color I am wearing, but on this day I had a lapse and placed both pairs right next to each other.  Then, when I went to put them away, I quickly learned before catastrophe could strike, I had inadvertently picked up the left side that was black and the right side which was brown.

I was just about to put them away and then return for the other pair when Mom happened to be walking by and she halted me in my tracks.  She told me what I had done and after that we both had a great laugh.

Ah, yes!  All in the day of someone who is vision impaired.

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

If you would like to learn more about me as an author then I invite you now to visit  jodhanmysterybook.club/about-the-author
There you will not only learn about me as an author but you will also gain insights into my campaign against bullying and why I strongly believe that you need to consider joining me in order to insure that the future of our kids with their wide-eyed smiles and infectious laughter is secured forever.

And now my weekly podcast!
From recipes to apps, and 5 minutes mysteries to tips for entrepreneurs and scam alerts!
www.takeanother5.com
And available for download from iTunes and Google music play

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and at author_jodhan
And like me on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/donnajodhan and at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan

My perspective: More access technology vendors needed

That's just my wish for today.  For a visually impaired person, the choices are extremely limited when it comes to being able to buy from an access technology vendor.  There are simply too few of them in my neck of the words and this makes the choice completely out of my hands.

Then I have no other alternative than to purchase what they sell and if I want to go outside of my city then I am forced to pay more.

This is just another challenge for me.  I do not have the same number of choices as someone with sight.  I am forced to accept what is sold by these types of vendors.  I am forced to make choices based on what these vendors can and are willing to sell.  In short, I can only buy what they can offer to me.

The picture of this circumstance is that I do not have the luxury of choosing from a great number of vendors.  I am limited in my scope.

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

If you would like to learn more about me as an author then I invite you now to visit  jodhanmysterybook.club/about-the-author
There you will not only learn about me as an author but you will also gain insights into my campaign against bullying and why I strongly believe that you need to consider joining me in order to insure that the future of our kids with their wide-eyed smiles and infectious laughter is secured forever.

And now my weekly podcast!
From recipes to apps, and 5 minutes mysteries to tips for entrepreneurs and scam alerts!
www.takeanother5.com
And available for download from iTunes and Google music play

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and at author_jodhan
And like me on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/donnajodhan and at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan

Using my imagination: Imagining the Queen's birthday celebrations

Now that I no longer have sight to be able to see a TV screen, I leave it all up to my imagination to do its thing for me. Or, whenever my mom is around to describe things to me, I use her descriptions to help bolster my imagination.

This is exactly what happened when the Queen's 90th birthday was shown on TV in 2016.  Mom described and I used it all to help me imagine.

I could see so much through my mind's eye: the parades, the crowds, the horses and carriages, and finally the Royal Family on the balcony.

I can tell you that I am still able to have lots of fun doing this.  My imagination simply runs away like an unstoppable freight train.  I can imagine so much and I will bet anything that what I imagine is probably much better than reality.

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

If you would like to learn more about me as an author then I invite you now to visit  jodhanmysterybook.club/about-the-author
There you will not only learn about me as an author but you will also gain insights into my campaign against bullying and why I strongly believe that you need to consider joining me in order to insure that the future of our kids with their wide-eyed smiles and infectious laughter is secured forever.

And now my weekly podcast!
From recipes to apps, and 5 minutes mysteries to tips for entrepreneurs and scam alerts!
www.takeanother5.com
And available for download from iTunes and Google music play

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and at author_jodhan
And like me on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/donnajodhan and at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan

My opinion: Why I like these restaurants

It's very simple for me. I like these particular restaurants because their staff know how to interact with a visually impaired person.  They know how to do it with class and style and not make a fuss doing it.  They know how to make you feel comfortable and welcomed.  In short, they know their business!

In the case of Charles, the waiter from Cora's in Markham, Ontario, he simply interacted with me in the most comfortable and simple way.  No fuss, no muss, and did not even bat an eye when he decided to read me the menu, serve me, and answer my questions.

In the case of Frank, the manager at La Grotta in Unionville, Ontario, he simply took matters into his own hands and made my day when he provided service that went way beyond the call of duty.  No fuss, no muss!  Frank was creative and friendly and was never afraid to ask me how I wanted him to explain things to me.

Then, finally, the Memories of Japan restaurant in North York, Ontario, with the chef at the open-cook table where meals are prepared in front of the customer. This wonderful man simply made my day when he described where he was putting various servings of food on my plate.  No fuss, no muss, and just someone who knew exactly how to communicate with me.

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

If you would like to learn more about me as an author then I invite you now to visit  jodhanmysterybook.club/about-the-author
There you will not only learn about me as an author but you will also gain insights into my campaign against bullying and why I strongly believe that you need to consider joining me in order to insure that the future of our kids with their wide-eyed smiles and infectious laughter is secured forever.

And now my weekly podcast!
From recipes to apps, and 5 minutes mysteries to tips for entrepreneurs and scam alerts!
www.takeanother5.com
And available for download from iTunes and Google music play

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and at author_jodhan
And like me on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/donnajodhan and at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan

Very frustrating: It's census time

Yes, indeed!  This is what it was a few months ago and as I got ready to do my civic duty to complete my census form I could not help but be apprehensive and hesitant. My gut feelings were, indeed, bang on the money.

Nothing had really changed for me.  I had to enlist the assistance of friends to help me locate the number to call if I needed help.  The forms appeared in my mailbox in print format and if I wanted to do my duty then I had to ask someone to read me the code contained in said form.

So I took the route of calling the number which I will say was displayed on TV screens across the country, but alas!  There was no audio version of the number to call.  In short, someone had to read the number on the TV screen to me.

I won't go on and on here but suffice it to say that at the end of it all, my privacy and confidentiality were once again trampled upon as I had to depend on an agent on the phone to help me complete my census form.

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

If you would like to learn more about me as an author then I invite you now to visit  jodhanmysterybook.club/about-the-author
There you will not only learn about me as an author but you will also gain insights into my campaign against bullying and why I strongly believe that you need to consider joining me in order to insure that the future of our kids with their wide-eyed smiles and infectious laughter is secured forever.

And now my weekly podcast!
From recipes to apps, and 5 minutes mysteries to tips for entrepreneurs and scam alerts!
www.takeanother5.com
And available for download from iTunes and Google music play

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and at author_jodhan
And like me on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/donnajodhan and at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan

Not very pleasant: Taking a blood test

At the best of times and like so many other people, taking a blood test is really no fun and for me I would really rather be doing something else.

It is one thing to have a technician struggling to take blood from you but it is quite another when said technician spends more than a few minutes struggling to do so.  Then, when they try to do this at least three times and can't seem to find a suitable vein, I begin to get really worried.

The technician does her best to reassure me but not being able to see only causes my imagination to start running rampant and then it all culminates in her having to call her supervisor to do the job.

I guess that what I am trying to say is this!  When you are unable to see what is going on, you start to wonder and imagine.  You conjure up images of the poor old technician with a huge needle in her hand poking around in your arm for a vein.  Then, when it hurts each time she makes an attempt, it only makes things that more dubious.

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

If you would like to learn more about me as an author then I invite you now to visit  jodhanmysterybook.club/about-the-author
There you will not only learn about me as an author but you will also gain insights into my campaign against bullying and why I strongly believe that you need to consider joining me in order to insure that the future of our kids with their wide-eyed smiles and infectious laughter is secured forever.

And now my weekly podcast!
From recipes to apps, and 5 minutes mysteries to tips for entrepreneurs and scam alerts!
www.takeanother5.com
And available for download from iTunes and Google music play

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and at author_jodhan
And like me on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/donnajodhan and at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan

A lovely time: Charles, the waiter

I always enjoy my meal that extra bit at a restaurant whenever I encounter a waiter who really gets it. This was the case with Charles, the waiter, at the Cora's restaurant in Markham, Ontario a few months ago.

It was a crowded lunch hour that day as Mom, Gabriella, and I walked into Cora's to have a quick meal and no sooner than we had sat down when the wonderful experience began.

There was Charles, making it all happen.  He came sauntering up to our table with a smile on his face and ready to go to work.  He did not miss a beat as he proceeded to tell me what was on the menu.  He was attentive and extremely friendly and went the extra mile to describe things to me.  His service was way beyond first class.

The thing that impressed me most is that he did not make a fuss over me.  He simply did his job without letting on that he knew that I was visually impaired.  He went about his business with such ease and poise.

Thank you, Charles, for having made my day.

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

If you would like to learn more about me as an author then I invite you now to visit  jodhanmysterybook.club/about-the-author
There you will not only learn about me as an author but you will also gain insights into my campaign against bullying and why I strongly believe that you need to consider joining me in order to insure that the future of our kids with their wide-eyed smiles and infectious laughter is secured forever.

And now my weekly podcast!
From recipes to apps, and 5 minutes mysteries to tips for entrepreneurs and scam alerts!
www.takeanother5.com
And available for download from iTunes and Google music play

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and at author_jodhan
And like me on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/donnajodhan and at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan

A funny experience: Speaking to the wrong person

I have come to accept and enjoy this experience and now that I think of it, it can only occur so many times in a day.  It cannot be helped and I can only say that the best way to deal with this type of experience is to accept that it is going to happen over and over again.

For so many times at a service desk a person will walk away while I am speaking to them to either find something or to answer the phone and I am left either speaking to emptiness or to someone else who may be close by.

Or, how about this?  I may think that I am speaking to a specific person but in reality I am speaking to someone completely different.  This would usually occur when there is more than one person around.  I am speaking to one person but they leave to do something else and I don't know this and I continue to speak.

Or, here is this one!  I think that I am speaking to someone and in reality there is no one in front of me. All in a day's life.

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

If you would like to learn more about me as an author then I invite you now to visit  jodhanmysterybook.club/about-the-author
There you will not only learn about me as an author but you will also gain insights into my campaign against bullying and why I strongly believe that you need to consider joining me in order to insure that the future of our kids with their wide-eyed smiles and infectious laughter is secured forever.

And now my weekly podcast!
From recipes to apps, and 5 minutes mysteries to tips for entrepreneurs and scam alerts!
www.takeanother5.com
And available for download from iTunes and Google music play

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and at author_jodhan
And like me on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/donnajodhan and at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan

A challenge: When English is not the first language

This is a challenge that continues to grow and it will only do so for as long as I continue to live in Toronto.

Toronto is probably one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world and home to hundreds of thousands of people from many different cultures speaking several languages in addition to English. This is why whenever I need to communicate with someone whose first language is not English, I run into additional challenges.

If you are sighted and able to communicate visually, then it is more than likely not a problem for you, if you and the one that you are communicating with do not speak the same language.  You can use your eyes along with hand gestures and body language to communicate with each other.  However, when you are blind or partially sighted and unable to use these methods then it is a problem indeed.

For me, it is a huge problem whenever I am unable to communicate verbally. I do not have any other means of communicating and if they are unable to understand what I am trying to say then there goes my day.

How can I remedy this?  I can only try!

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

If you would like to learn more about me as an author then I invite you now to visit  jodhanmysterybook.club/about-the-author
There you will not only learn about me as an author but you will also gain insights into my campaign against bullying and why I strongly believe that you need to consider joining me in order to insure that the future of our kids with their wide-eyed smiles and infectious laughter is secured forever.

And now my weekly podcast!
From recipes to apps, and 5 minutes mysteries to tips for entrepreneurs and scam alerts!
www.takeanother5.com
And available for download from iTunes and Google music play

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and at author_jodhan
And like me on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/donnajodhan and at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan

Great memories: Summer shopping with Mom

2016 was the first time in four years since I was able to go summer shopping with Mom and boy oh boy, what a great time we had.

We visited our favorite stores and she took such delight in helping me to choose clothes and shoes.  She would describe stuff to me and then tell me which colors were available and then I would tell her which ones I was interested in.

She would let me touch and examine the clothes and shoes and I would tell her which styles interested me and then we would go off to the changing rooms to try on our choices.  Our arms would be loaded with all kinds of stuff.

I would end up choosing most of what mom had brought to my attention and then we would go off to the desk to pay.  I truly enjoyed these wonderful shopping days and I know that nothing could ever replace these cherished experiences.

After a morning of shopping we would end up at one of our favorite restaurants to dine leisurely and then it would be off to the supermarket to do our shopping.

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

If you would like to learn more about me as an author then I invite you now to visit  jodhanmysterybook.club/about-the-author
There you will not only learn about me as an author but you will also gain insights into my campaign against bullying and why I strongly believe that you need to consider joining me in order to insure that the future of our kids with their wide-eyed smiles and infectious laughter is secured forever.

And now my weekly podcast!
From recipes to apps, and 5 minutes mysteries to tips for entrepreneurs and scam alerts!
www.takeanother5.com
And available for download from iTunes and Google music play

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and at author_jodhan
And like me on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/donnajodhan and at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan

Great memories: Birthday time

I am one of those who deliberately chooses not to make a fuss about my birthday.  I just wish that this special day of mine would end as quickly as it begins.

However, there are those who do not allow me to forget it so easily.  Mom is the leader followed by my twin brother, Jeffrey, my sisters-in-law, nephews and nieces, and those special friends.

Mom leads the charge with her customary flowers and now that I am no longer able to see what they look like, I still take delight in gently touching them and smelling their wonderful fragrances.

Then, my good friend Gabriella takes me out for a sumptuous lunch and for this year she and I went to a great restaurant in Unionville called La Grotta.  The waiter, Frank, was extremely attentive to us, taking additional care to ensure that mine was an extra special lunch.

Then the rest of the day went by uneventfully with no incidents except the phone calls.  I will tell you honestly, when I had limited vision until I received a whack of sight and now with precious little, my birthdays are all the same for me.  Celebrating privately with special ones and treasuring the memories that come with them.

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

If you would like to learn more about me as an author then I invite you now to visit  jodhanmysterybook.club/about-the-author
There you will not only learn about me as an author but you will also gain insights into my campaign against bullying and why I strongly believe that you need to consider joining me in order to insure that the future of our kids with their wide-eyed smiles and infectious laughter is secured forever.

And now my weekly podcast!
From recipes to apps, and 5 minutes mysteries to tips for entrepreneurs and scam alerts!
www.takeanother5.com
And available for download from iTunes and Google music play

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and at author_jodhan
And like me on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/donnajodhan and at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan

My best friend: When Char fell

She is my best friend and an almost perfect lady.  At least, as perfect as anyone in this world could be.  I have known her for more than half my life and there is nothing in the world that I would not do for her.

She never complains and despite her hearing challenge, along with her vision impairment, she still smiles at the world every day.  So much so that when she fell a few months ago she did not even tell me. But when I eventually found out a few days later I can tell you that her pain became mine.

When I got to speak to her on the phone, the first thing that I did was to scold her for not having told me but she only laughed.  Then, when I asked her to tell me about it all, she simply told me with no complaint.  Just a slight chuckle in her voice, tinged with hope for a quick recovery.

Char told me that she simply missed the large hole with her cane and down she went.  She broke her right wrist and fractured her left thumb.  She was placed in a wrist cast.

Happy to say now that she is on the mend.

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

If you would like to learn more about me as an author then I invite you now to visit  jodhanmysterybook.club/about-the-author
There you will not only learn about me as an author but you will also gain insights into my campaign against bullying and why I strongly believe that you need to consider joining me in order to insure that the future of our kids with their wide-eyed smiles and infectious laughter is secured forever.

And now my weekly podcast!
From recipes to apps, and 5 minutes mysteries to tips for entrepreneurs and scam alerts!
www.takeanother5.com
And available for download from iTunes and Google music play

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and at author_jodhan
And like me on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/donnajodhan and at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan

My perspective: Getting ready for the new windows

When our management office announced to us that we would be getting new windows and balcony doors, I knew that some challenges would definitely be ahead for us. As someone who places a lot of emphasis on organizing I immediately told myself that I had to get things in order as quickly as possible, given that I would be away at the time of this project.

I do not believe that being visually impaired has anything to do with my high propensity for organization.  I believe that in my case it would be the same no matter what.  I love things to be in order and I love to know at all times where things are so that at a moment's notice I could find what I am seeking.

This particular project means that all of my curtains will need to be taken down before the new windows and doors are installed.  Furniture will need to be moved away from the windows and placed as close as possible to each other.  Furniture will also need to be securely covered up so as to be protected from flying dust.

Thank God for my mom and my good friend, Sue, and with their assistance I have drawn up a plan of action and Sue will take charge of things while I am away.  She will cover up all of the furniture and move whatever needs to be moved away from the windows.  She will also arrange to have the curtains taken down and cleaned and to have the new tracks put up.

This is going to be a very large job and not having vision is definitely a challenge for me but with sighted help I hope and pray that things will go as smoothly as possible.

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

If you would like to learn more about me as an author then I invite you now to visit  jodhanmysterybook.club/about-the-author
There you will not only learn about me as an author but you will also gain insights into my campaign against bullying and why I strongly believe that you need to consider joining me in order to insure that the future of our kids with their wide-eyed smiles and infectious laughter is secured forever.

And now my weekly podcast!
From recipes to apps, and 5 minutes mysteries to tips for entrepreneurs and scam alerts!
www.takeanother5.com
And available for download from iTunes and Google music play

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and at author_jodhan
And like me on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/donnajodhan and at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan

A challenge: Finding the box

This is exactly what happened to me a few months ago when Mom and I were packing some clothes to be sent off to an agency that collects clothes.

There were things everywhere and my path was now cluttered with everything. In short, I had lost my way among the packages and boxes and I needed help to find the box that I was looking for.

So I had to call on my mom who patiently directed me through the maze of objects, safe and sound, to my box.

If she was not there and if there was no one to direct me then I probably would have had to spend much more time locating what I was looking for.  This is probably one of the most frustrating things for me: locating something that I am not sure where it is.

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

If you would like to learn more about me as an author then I invite you now to visit  jodhanmysterybook.club/about-the-author
There you will not only learn about me as an author but you will also gain insights into my campaign against bullying and why I strongly believe that you need to consider joining me in order to insure that the future of our kids with their wide-eyed smiles and infectious laughter is secured forever.

And now my weekly podcast!
From recipes to apps, and 5 minutes mysteries to tips for entrepreneurs and scam alerts!
www.takeanother5.com
And available for download from iTunes and Google music play

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and at author_jodhan
And like me on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/donnajodhan and at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan

My perspective: Just enough to imagine what was happening

This is probably one of the biggest challenges for me when watching TV and there is either no sound or no descriptive video or no one to tell me what is going on.

Here is where my imagination kicks in and sometimes I am in the right area but most times I am not.  It can become very frustrating for me but I have learned to treat it as a mind game. I sit there and imagine away and then I wait to see if I am correct.

If my mom is around and has been watching TV with me, she helps me to retrieve the scene if she has seen it but if she is not then I am on my own. Ah, yes!  All in a day's work!

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

If you would like to learn more about me as an author then I invite you now to visit  jodhanmysterybook.club/about-the-author
There you will not only learn about me as an author but you will also gain insights into my campaign against bullying and why I strongly believe that you need to consider joining me in order to insure that the future of our kids with their wide-eyed smiles and infectious laughter is secured forever.

And now my weekly podcast!
From recipes to apps, and 5 minutes mysteries to tips for entrepreneurs and scam alerts!
www.takeanother5.com
And available for download from iTunes and Google music play

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and at author_jodhan
And like me on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/donnajodhan and at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan

A new experience: Mom showing me the new mailbox

Some time ago Canada Post installed new mailboxes in our building and these mailboxes are for us to pick up our larger parcels.  It helps us avoid having to go to the post office to pick them up.

I, for one, welcomed this move on the part of Canada Post.  It is more convenient and saves me having to walk to the post office to pick up stuff.

So what else did I need in order to take advantage of this new mailbox? Just Mom to show me where it was.  She helped me to count down and across in order to find the box.  Fortunately, all of the boxes are labeled with raised print so that it is even easier to find them.

This is how things work.  The post person deposits a key in our mailbox. The key is labeled with a raised letter and now all I have to do is to read the letter and then go and locate the matching mailbox.  Much easier and I thank Canada Post for this.

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

If you would like to learn more about me as an author then I invite you now to visit  jodhanmysterybook.club/about-the-author
There you will not only learn about me as an author but you will also gain insights into my campaign against bullying and why I strongly believe that you need to consider joining me in order to insure that the future of our kids with their wide-eyed smiles and infectious laughter is secured forever.

And now my weekly podcast!
From recipes to apps, and 5 minutes mysteries to tips for entrepreneurs and scam alerts!
www.takeanother5.com
And available for download from iTunes and Google music play

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and at author_jodhan
And like me on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/donnajodhan and at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan

A great memory: At the photo shoot

In May 2016 I experienced my very first photo shoot and as someone who is used to determining where I go and how I get there, this was quite an experience for me.  This was the Accessible Media Inc's photo shoot day.

The staff was extremely good when it came to giving me directions as to where I needed to sit or stand, how I needed to position my body, and how to position my head and whether or not I needed to smile or laugh.  The shoot consisted of my having to sit, stand, walk, and at times do a quick run through the park.

The weather definitely cooperated with us as the sun shone beautifully, the temps were extremely pleasant, and the session in the park was most enjoyable.

I especially loved listening to the birds and being able to sniff the fresh cool air and enjoyed hearing the young kids around me playing and shouting nearby.  They were having their break at the same time as we were doing our shoot.

I also met new people and was lucky enough to meet Terry Bray, someone that I had not seen in so many years.  All in all a great day away from the pressures of work.

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

If you would like to learn more about me as an author then I invite you now to visit  jodhanmysterybook.club/about-the-author
There you will not only learn about me as an author but you will also gain insights into my campaign against bullying and why I strongly believe that you need to consider joining me in order to insure that the future of our kids with their wide-eyed smiles and infectious laughter is secured forever.

And now my weekly podcast!
From recipes to apps, and 5 minutes mysteries to tips for entrepreneurs and scam alerts!
www.takeanother5.com
And available for download from iTunes and Google music play

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and at author_jodhan
And like me on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/donnajodhan and at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan

Reflecting: Waiting for the cab at Seneca

This usually occurs after I have completed my annual exams at Seneca College.  For the past three years I have been writing my annual law exams at this location as part of the University of London, England's program.

Upon completion of my exam a member of the very friendly staff at Seneca from the testing centre escorts me up to the security desk and there I wait for them to call a cab for me.

Everything usually goes very smoothly.  I stand close to the desk and listen as the security folks call the cab.  Within minutes the cab is here and one of the security guards walks with me to the front of the building where the cab is waiting.  They ensure that I get safely into the cab and then it is home.

All in a day's work and I am happy that I, as a visually impaired person, have been able to get through the challenges of yet another day.

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

If you would like to learn more about me as an author then I invite you now to visit  jodhanmysterybook.club/about-the-author
There you will not only learn about me as an author but you will also gain insights into my campaign against bullying and why I strongly believe that you need to consider joining me in order to insure that the future of our kids with their wide-eyed smiles and infectious laughter is secured forever.

And now my weekly podcast!
From recipes to apps, and 5 minutes mysteries to tips for entrepreneurs and scam alerts!
www.takeanother5.com
And available for download from iTunes and Google music play

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and at author_jodhan
And like me on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/donnajodhan and at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan

Crunch time! Before my exam

It's probably not the best of times for me. Before my exam, and I can tell you that the time prior to the exam is about a month before the actual day.

It is the time when my brain is going full tilt.  When my emotions are a bit out of whack and my sleep patterns are really crazy.  It is the time when I am probably most vulnerable and when my daily schedule goes through the ceiling.

I am doing my best to finish up all of my studying and I do this through countless hours of electronic reading.  Who says that this is all for the soul?

I read electronically.  I write my essays on my desktop computer.  All of my exam preparations are done on my desktop and the rest is all in my mind's eye.

I can practically see the text in my mind and I can hear it all through the robotic voice of my computer.  All is on full alert.

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

If you would like to learn more about me as an author then I invite you now to visit  jodhanmysterybook.club/about-the-author
There you will not only learn about me as an author but you will also gain insights into my campaign against bullying and why I strongly believe that you need to consider joining me in order to insure that the future of our kids with their wide-eyed smiles and infectious laughter is secured forever.

And now my weekly podcast!
From recipes to apps, and 5 minutes mysteries to tips for entrepreneurs and scam alerts!
www.takeanother5.com
And available for download from iTunes and Google music play

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and at author_jodhan
And like me on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/donnajodhan and at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan

A challenge: Dealing with nausea

Dealing with nausea for anyone is not the best of times, but for me as one who is visually impaired, I need to ensure that I can get to a bathroom as quickly as I can, safely and without accident.

This was the case for me after surgery in April 2016.  I had to ensure that at all times I was within striking distance of a bathroom each time I felt the nausea coming on.  I was determined not to have any accidents that would entail having to have my mom clean up things for me.

I am always particularly concerned at times like these to ensure that I do not leave things for anyone to clean up.  For me, as someone who is visually impaired, it is always that extra little step that needs to be taken to make sure that nothing is left behind.

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

If you would like to learn more about me as an author then I invite you now to visit  jodhanmysterybook.club/about-the-author
There you will not only learn about me as an author but you will also gain insights into my campaign against bullying and why I strongly believe that you need to consider joining me in order to insure that the future of our kids with their wide-eyed smiles and infectious laughter is secured forever.

And now my weekly podcast!
From recipes to apps, and 5 minutes mysteries to tips for entrepreneurs and scam alerts!
www.takeanother5.com
And available for download from iTunes and Google music play

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and at author_jodhan
And like me on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/donnajodhan and at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan