A great way: Working with Aira

The Aira app has literally turned into a gold mine for me; simply wonderful and it's just too bad that I did not take advantage of this app before now.

As a vision-impaired user, I am simply in awe of how much Aira agents can help me.  Anything from identifying documents to creating images from them and sending them to me, to then putting the text into an email and sending them to me, and even to help with the identification of tins, cans, and boxes.

The Aira agents are so very  helpful, supportive, and so ready to go the extra mile.  They are warm and welcoming and I just can't say enough good things about them.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly sight-loss coach and advisor, wishing you a terrific day.

If you would like to learn more about me as a sight-loss coach and author then I invite you now to visit http://www.donnajodhan.com

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.

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

Happy to be back: Back to school

In January 2021 I returned to my law studies at the University of London, England after a wee break.  Things are different now when it comes to how the University is going to allow and enable us to write our exams.

My next exam is in June 2021 and instead of traveling to the Seneca Testing Centre to write my exam, I'll now be able to write it from the comfort of my home.  However, I'll need and require my friend Sam to come to my home to ensure that I can download my exam questions and to upload the completed exam paper.

It may sound straightforward but last October there was no audio or captioning for the instructional video and poor Sam had to read it all to me.  In addition, the page for downloading and uploading the exam presented challenges to us.

As a vision-impaired student, these are the things that really make me nervous: if there is no one around to assist me and I can only hope and pray that things improve in this area for my June exam.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly sight-loss coach and advisor, wishing you a terrific day!

If you would like to learn more about me as a sight-loss coach and author then I invite you now to visit http://www.donnajodhan.com

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.

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

A necessary task: Cleaning my Christmas tablecloth

This was part of my after-Christmas activities for 2020.  Yes; when I decided to clean my Christmas tablecloth after I had discovered some crumbs and bits of food on it when I went to fold and put it away.

I do not know if it was really soiled but I was not taking any chances.  So, after consulting my mom for her expertise and advice, I carefully placed my beloved tablecloth into a container of warm soap suds and let it soak for a few hours.

Then I rinsed it thoroughly and let it drain in my wash basin until all of the water had drained from it.  Then I folded it carefully and hung it on the clothesline over my bathtub.

I am happy to report that it dried without a wrinkle.  I then took it down and placed it in a box that I had had for it over the years and now it is back on my closet shelf, waiting for this year.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly sight loss coach and accessibility advisor, wishing you a terrific day!

If you would like to learn more about me as a sight loss coach and author then I invite you now to visit http://www.donnajodhan.com

There you will not only learn about me as a sight loss coach and 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 for ever.

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

How I long! Thoughts of a visit

It is the best that I can do while I wait to receive the two Covid vaccines; dream and have thoughts of a longed-for visit to see Mom.

Dreaming is not that bad, after all, and I believe that if one dreams hard enough it will eventually materialize.

I dream of arriving on a bright sunny day and Mom will be there to greet me at the airport along with Ramlall.  The birds will be singing sweetly and the air will be fresh and pure and the sun will be so warm and welcoming.

We will drive to Mom's home and along the way Ramlall will entertain Mom and me with all kinds of stories.  Then we will arrive at her home and after the suitcases are brought into the house I will proceed to change into my relaxing clothes and then settle down to a hearty breakfast that Mom has prepared for me before coming to the airport.

We will eat together and she will bring me up to date on so many things. Before this I will have unpacked her goodies and put them out on the counter.  She will be so happy to get everything.

Then, after breakfast, I'll crash into my bed and sleep for a few hours. Lunch will be another sumptuous meal followed by more time to sleep.  Later in the afternoon I'll unpack my computer, set it up, and then Mom and I will have a nice leisurely dinner.

This will be my first day and I cannot wait!

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly sight-loss coach and advisor, wishing you a terrific day.

If you would like to learn more about me as a sight-loss coach and author then I invite you now to visit http://www.donnajodhan.com

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.

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan

And like me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/donnajodhan and at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan

A major concern: Privacy protection during Covid

This should be a very huge concern for anyone. For me, as a vision-impaired person, it is paramount.

With my trusted friend not being able to visit me, I have to make very sure that I choose the right person to help me with confidential documents.

Thanks to my neighbour, Sandra, it is not as difficult but I am still very leery of ensuring that I am as protected as can be.

Of course, the Covid scams are increasing daily via automated phone calls and horrible emails.  I just need to be alert and to pay closer attention to my surroundings and not to fall into very slimy and sleazy traps.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly sight-loss coach and advisor, wishing you a terrific day!

If you would like to learn more about me as a sight-loss coach and author then I invite you now to visit http://www.donnajodhan.com

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.

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan

And like me on Facebook a t www.facebook.com/donnajodhan and at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan

Counting my blessings: All of my Christmas gifts

Christmas 2020 was definitely very different for me.  Without Mom to share and celebrate with me, I had to improvise and I did this by surrounding myself with some really nice gifts from me to me!

These were things that I enjoyed buying for myself.  First came the doll house which I had always wanted and never had as a child.  I won this in an online drawing and was simply ecstatic to have done so.

Next came the shopping splurge at the Showcase store where I bought a Christmas church with a beautiful Nativity scene in its interior, an angel and candle that lit up when turned on, and finally a lovely little Christmas tree.  All of these were adorned with lights and lit up when turned on.

Naturally,  I had to buy myself such things as body sprays, chocolates, and, of course, the cookies.  All of this helped to make my Christmas an enjoyable one, but here's hoping for my traditional Christmas in 2021.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly sight loss coach and accessibility advisor, wishing you a terrific day!

If you would like to learn more about me as a sight loss coach and author then I invite you now to visit

http://www.donnajodhan.com

There you will not only learn about me as a sight loss coach and 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 for ever.

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 learning experience: A different way to celebrate Christmas

I sincerely hope that Christmas 2020 will not be a repeat.  For whereas I am truly thankful that I was able to celebrate with enough to eat and drink and more than enough to share with others, it was different because I did not have Mom around to spend time with.

There was no going to church for 2020 but I watched Mass on TV.  There was no Christmas meal with Mom so I ate alone and made the best of my blessings. There was no traditional greetings to exchange with our workers but I sure thought of them all.

That was Christmas 2020 and here's to better times for 2021!

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly sight-loss coach and advisor, wishing you a terrific day.

If you would like to learn more about me as a sight-loss coach and author then I invite you now to visit http://www.donnajodhan.com

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.

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan

And like me on Facebook at

www.facebook.com/donnajodhan and at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan

A new experience: Decorating with Stephanie

I don't think that after all it went too badly.  This was new for both of us and it went off quite well.

I did my decorating on my own and then asked Stephanie to give her opinion. She gave it and the one thing that I enjoyed is when she helped me to choose a center piece for my dining room table.  We went to the Home Sense store and bought a very nice center piece made up of colourful Christmas balls, pine cones, and bows.

Then she helped me to choose my table top church, candle, tree, and angel. Stephanie also helped to assemble my doll house.

It all turned out very well.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly sight-loss coach and advisor, wishing you a terrific day!

If you would like to learn more about me as a sight-loss coach and author then I invite you now to visit http://www.donnajodhan.com

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.

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan

And like me on Facebook at

www.facebook.com/donnajodhan and at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan

A sobering memory: Decorating without Mom

I can honestly say that like so very many of us, Christmas 2020 was very different for me!  I had to decorate without the company and guidance of Mom.

It was sure different for me as I had to do it all on my own, depending heavily on what and how Mom and I would do this wonderful annual event together.  I always looked forward to this time of the year when we would come together to decorate her wonderful home.

Mom would put up her Christmas trees, wreaths, bows, candles, and all kinds of holiday decorations.  My job was to take down the boxes filled with decorations for her and then to help her put every piece in exactly its very own place as she wanted it to be.  The entire session took about an hour and when it was complete we would both be so happy and relieved.

For me, this year was very different.  I first did my best to picture what she would advise me to do and where to place everything.  I had to remember which pieces she would have wanted me to use as this was now my home and not hers.

I brought out what I thought she would have wanted plus some new pieces that I had bought.  It also took me about an hour to complete my decorating and when it was all done I asked my neighbour Sandra to take some photos to send to Mom in her monthly FedEx box.

The highlight for 2020 was my new doll house.  I think that Mom approved of my decorating.  I also added an electronic candle, angel, Christmas tree, and church.  They all lit up when plugged in.  Then there was the center pieces on my dining room and coffee tables.

Then, I added some sculptures of the manger and ice skaters along with a beautiful church that Sister Helen had made for me!

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly sight loss coach and accessibility advisor, wishing you a terrific day!

If you would like to learn more about me as a sight loss coach and author then I invite you now to visit

http://www.donnajodhan.com

There you will not only learn about me as a sight loss coach and 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 for ever

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

I could not contain myself: Anticipating my new doll house

I don't think that I'll ever forget the anticipation of my new doll house before it arrived.  From the day that it was ordered to the actual day when it arrived!

I had always wanted one as I never had one as a child.  So, when my friend Sue told me that it was available online I did not hesitate to ask her to order for me.

A huge box arrived outside my door two days after Sue had ordered it for me and two weeks later it was all assembled and placed in my living room, thanks to Stephanie and Sandra.

Now I can actually visit my doll house whenever I want. I can go there and spend time touching the figures and furniture.  There are the kids, baby and her brother and sister.  Mom and Dad, Granny and Grandpa.

Then there are the pets!  Kitty, puppy, and bunny in their little homes, and bones, fish, and carrot to go along.

My new doll house is a true keepsake and something to pass on to future generations.  It is a heritage piece!

There are four floors. Bathroom and living room on the ground floor. Kitchen and dining room on the second floor.  Bedroom and patio on the third floor. Play room and nursery on the fourth floor.  There is even a lovely staircase and the furniture is all made out of wood and magnificently crafted. Even the family of dolls are all superbly made out of wood.

Now I can use my imagination to help me return to childhood and wonderful times! I am like a kid in a candy shop!

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly sight-loss coach and advisor, wishing you a terrific day.

If you would like to learn more about me as a sight-loss coach and author then I invite you now to visit http://www.donnajodhan.com

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.

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan

And like me on Facebook at

www.facebook.com/donnajodhan and at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan

A treasured memory: Shopping for a Christmas Church

I have spent several moments over the last few years shopping for a Christmas Church, and finally!  I got my reward in December 2020!  I not only found a church, I bought one and was given a wonderful gift of another!

I found the first one at the Showcase store!  A lovely little church with the Nativity scene inside.  It lights up and it is very compact and lovely to the touch.  All I need to do is to turn it on, either through battery power or by plugging it in.

I was pleasantly surprised when I received my second church via a Christmas present from Sister Helen.  A true work of art!  A ceramic church built with Sister Helen's own hands!

This beautiful church has so much detail to it!  A red roof with a steeple! A white exterior, and inside?  Pews, the Nativity scene, doors and windows decorated with all kinds of Christmas things, steps with snow. In short: my dream come true! Thank you so much, Sister Helen!

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly sight-loss coach and advisor, wishing you a terrific day!

If you would like to learn more about me as a sight-loss coach and author then I invite you now to visit http://www.donnajodhan.com

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.

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan

And like me on Facebook at

www.facebook.com/donnajodhan and at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan

An enjoyable shopping trip: At Costco

I have visited this huge facility a few times now and I am always happy whenever I do so.  It does not matter that it is so huge. As long as I have sighted assistance and a friend to escort me, then it is okay.

The aisles are wide and the shelves are well-organized.  Things appear to be arranged in a logical order.  Sales persons are very helpful and knowledgeable.

All of this sure helps and even more so during the Covid. For me, as a vision-impaired customer, all of this is so very important whenever I seek an enjoyable shopping outing.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly sight loss coach and accessibility advisor, wishing you a terrific day!

If you would like to learn more about me as a sight loss coach and author then I invite you now to visit

http://www.donnajodhan.com

There you will not only learn about me as a sight loss coach and 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 insur ethat the future of our kids with their wide eyed smiles and infectious laughter is secured for ever.

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

The newest addition to my kitchen: My new toaster oven

I bought this nifty toaster oven over a year ago but recently decided to take it out of its box and start using it.

What makes it unique is that it talks.  There are buttons that when pressed tell me what menu I am on and I can also be guided by voice to set the temperature, choose my choice of bake, toast, broil, or warm, set the time, and much more.

I bought this in order to support fellow blind and vision impaired entrepreneurs as this oven was adapted by a blind entrepreneur. You can visit www.blindmicemegamall.com to learn more.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly sight-loss coach and advisor, wishing you a terrific day!

If you would like to learn more about me as a sight-loss coach and author then I invite you now to visit http://www.donnajodhan.com

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.

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan

And like me on Facebook at

www.facebook.com/donnajodhan and at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan

Out of the mouth of babes! Tyler's unique comment

Looking back now I can only smile to myself and say that it all has to do with "out of the mouth of babes"!  For this is exactly what it came down to.

You see, I recently went shopping with my friend Stephanie to find some new bath mats.  I told her that I wanted to ensure that the new bath mats matched the covers on the lids of the toilet seats.

As always, she was very sure to make this happen for me and I trusted that it would be so because I could not see enough to make sure myself.

Then she went home and told her son Tyler about our shopping trip and he had a very quick response to everything.  He told his mom that if I was so worried that my mats and covers should match all I had to do was  invite only my vision-impaired friends to my home so they would not be able to see if things matched.

Matter fixed!  Tyler had solved the problem!

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly sight-loss coach and advisor, wishing you a terrific day!

If you would like to learn more about me as a sight-loss coach and author then I invite you now to visit http://www.donnajodhan.com

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.

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan

And like me on Facebook at

www.facebook.com/donnajodhan and at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan