My precious Pearl! Thanksgiving with Pearl 2021

Pearl and I started this tradition a few years ago and Thanksgiving 2021 continued this very precious tradition.

Pearl and I ventured out to the Rosemary and Thyme restaurant and on a rainy day we dined together at a lovely little table for two.  We ate inside because it was a bit cold but the company made up for everything.

We enjoyed a yummy and delicious turkey dinner with all of the trimmings.  We laughed, shared jokes, and we  even took time to be a bit serious at times.

We avoided politics and did not even talk about the continuing pandemic.  At the end of it all Pearl took a photo of me outside my condo building.  All ended well after a lovely Thanksgiving 2021 day.

Satisfied tummies and just sharing Thanksgiving with my precious Pearl.

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 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 forever.

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan
And like me on Facebook at
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Anxious moments ahead: Preparing to travel internationally

 

This is going to and will continue to be a thorn in my side for as long as countries continue to require travel documents to prove that a traveler has been fully vaccinated.  No getting around this.

There is the document containing the results of the PCR test followed by requirements to produce proof of a health card, passport photo, and maybe more.

For me, I have great difficulty dealing with printed documents and forms to be uploaded because it means that I need to have someone take an image of said document or form and then to upload it for me to the required website.  There goes my independence and right to confidentiality, and privacy.

A blind/vision-impaired person cannot accurately take an image of a printed form and then there is the added challenge of being able to upload to the website.  It can be done with some work but the main part of this entire process is being able to take an image of the printed document or form.

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 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 tedious task: Rearranging my fridge

 

Every so often I take time to rearrange my fridge, and trust me when I tell you that this is one of the best time savers for me.

It keeps me on my toes and it also keeps my memory up to date and in check.  By rearranging my fridge I am able to keep tabs on things and when I go to fetch anything I know exactly where to look.

This cuts down on my stress and frustration levels.  I get to arrange my fridge in a logical order that I can make sense of.

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 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 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

Having some fun: Getting rid of old stuff

This is probably one of my favourite activities but again, as a blind/vision impaired person, I need to make doubly sure that I am really getting rid of what I really want to get rid of.

Yes, in the past I have inadvertently thrown out something that I had previously wanted to keep but thank goodness it was not a very important item and I soon got over it.  I also managed to replace said item.

This means that I need to be extra super careful when I label my stuff and it does not matter whether it is clothes or papers or anything else.  Taking care is the order of the day.

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 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 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

Big challenges: Communicating through a mask

 Talk about challenges and for me, as a blind/vision impaired person, it is an additional challenge. And why?  Because I need to ensure that my spoken words are heard.  In addition I need to ensure that I am clearly understood because I am unable to communicate by facial expressions.

In addition, I need to try my level best to use some body gestures and anything else to ensure that I am communicating effectively, concisely, and meaningfully.  I also need to ensure that when communicating I am adhering to the social distancing rules.  

One strategy that I have developed is to use my head to nod yes and no whenever I need to punctuate my communication.

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 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

Might as well accept it! The continuing saga with technology

 

This is not going to end any time soon or I should say that it will probably never end!  And for me as a blind/vision impaired person, there are days when I can almost pull out my hair!

In short, two steps forward and one back, as they say!  I see so many times when my access technology software catches up with mainstream technology, then oh no!  Mainstream technology forges ahead and leaves my access technology again struggling to keep up!

Nothing to be done but to grin and bear it all!

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 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 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 anxious moment: Searching for the missing bags

This is not much fun when you have to go searching for bags which you are almost very sure you had placed into your shopping cart.  Then you realize that they are missing.

This is what occurred a few months ago.  This particular bag was filled with magazines for Mom along with my prescription medication.  I only realized that they were missing when I came home.

Thank goodness for technology as I was able to call Stephanie and together we were able to find the precious bag. We had left it close to where we were sitting in the mall.  Someone had found it and had turned it in to the pharmacy.

They called me and Stephanie ran to the pharmacy to retrieve it.  This is something that can happen to anyone and it does not matter if you are blind/vision impaired or not.

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 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 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 great experience: My latest physiotherapist

It is of the utmost importance to me, as a blind/vision impaired person, that whenever I interact with a medical professional that I can engage and communicate comfortably and in the friendliest and most welcoming way.  And this is exactly how I felt when I met and engaged and communicated with my latest therapist, Peter Anders.

I had gone to Peter’s clinic for some physiotherapy and the entire session was a complete joy and so very refreshing.  

The receptionist communicated with me without any difficulty.  Peter met me and escorted me to his working area.  Then he proceeded to show me how to do each individual exercise.  No problem showing me as a blind/vision impaired person.

Then, at the end of it all he escorted me back to the reception desk and later emailed me a detailed description of how to do my exercises. Bravo to you, Peter, and your staff.

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 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

How much longer? Those challenging vaccine certificates

This has become another challenge for me during the pandemic but I am not alone.  No, we are all in this together.

We need to produce them each time we visit such places as restaurants and anywhere else that requires them.  We need to make sure that these certificates are always close at hand before we leave our homes; in our purses and wallets.  

No getting away from it so we might as well get used to this new norm.

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 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 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

Most important: Identifying a package

 

 If I want to ensure that I know what is in a package after I have wrapped it and before putting it in my freezer, then I need to find a way to identify its contents before packing it away in my freezer.  

This is what most of us do, sighted or not.  So, no concern  about removing the wrong package if we follow this rule.  No excuses.

When it comes to packages in my freezer, I normally label them with Braille labels or I find another way to do so. This does not mean that on occasion I do not slip up and forget and then I run into big trouble.

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 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 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 refreshing experience: Wonderful lab technicians

No one can deny that this pandemic has brought out the finest in so many of our front line workers and today I salute those wonderful lab technicians.

Over the past two years, these tireless technicians have visited my home several times to take my blood as part of my every three months' need to have blood tests taken.  They are always so very cheerful, always smiling, and so very efficient.

Their attitude is very positive and as a vision-impaired person I am truly grateful that I do not need to go to the lab and face the challenges of social distancing and hand sanitizing.

Thank you lab technicians!

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 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

Scary moments: Howling dogs

Please do not get me wrong.  I love dogs as I grew up with them constantly around me, but whenever they come rushing towards me in the common areas of my condo building, I become extremely scared.

I continue to hope that owners in our condo complex will find a way to discipline their dogs and keep them on their leashes.  For me, it is almost impossible to defend myself when they come rushing at me and I have no idea of their size and which direction they are coming from.  All I can depend on is my sense of hearing to tell me as much as I can decipher.

I believe that dogs these days are not just nervous at seeing a white cane, they also seem to take umbridge against someone wearing a mask.

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 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 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 pandemic problem: Filing during a Pandemic

 

Like everything else, filing governmental related papers during the pandemic has also been affected.  Prior  to the pandemic, we used to be able to visit an office to conduct business face to face but now one has to either do it online or via the phone.  

For me, as a blind/vision impaired person, this can be a double-edged sword.  For, if I am able to do it via phone it is easy enough.  But, if I have to do it via the online route, then here is where I require sighted assistance if the website is not accessible/navigable/usable.  

Going the online route means that I need to give up my privacy and independence in order to complete said process and I truly understand that with the changing landscape this needs to be so.  

So, what is the solution?  A call for more accessible/navigable/usable websites.

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 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 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 challenge forever: Those invisible stains

 

Personally, I find those invisible stains one of the biggest challenges to deal with on a daily basis.  They can be any and everywhere.  From the counter top in the kitchen, to the floor, carpet, stove, and finally, on my clothes.

They are silent.  They do not alert me of their presence, they can be tiny to large.  In short, they only make me aware of their existence when a sighted person tells me of them.  

They are so very difficult to locate, especially for me with precious little vision.  They have no smell; I cannot feel them and I cannot even touch them.

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 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