Great addition to my dining room: The new toy box

 

This new addition to my furniture is handsome, snazzy, and somewhat unique. Made by my sight-impaired Albert, it arrived after some time of waiting for it.

Albert makes toy boxes for his grandkids and his friends. He is totally blind but it does not prevent him from using his natural talents.

The toy box is perfect and done in colours that I chose. It houses my pottery pieces and stands proudly in my living room.

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

A funny moment: When the kettle flipped its lid

 

I have to admit that this was, indeed, very funny.  I really did not pay much attention until I noticed 2 things.

First, the kettle was taking a bit too long to boil its water. Then, I noticed that the sound of the kettle boiling was a bit odd. So, I decided to investigate and presto!

The lid of the kettle was up; the kettle was not closed! What a relief for me as I figured it out. I closed the lid and everything was fine from there on in.

Now, were I sighted, I would have seen this immediately.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly award-winning 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 at author_jodhan
And like me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/donnajodhan and at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan

Important notice from Donna J. Jodhan
If you're looking for a quick and easy way to share news and or info about yourself or about others, then please read on!
Donna J. Jodhan can help you reach a rapidly growing list of over 12,000 readers and listeners and counting!
All you need to do is to give a listen to her monthly shows and if you like what you hear then here's how it works!
For the very affordable price of $25, Donna will feature your info and news on 2 of her monthly shows.
Once on the Ask Donna show and once on the Dining with Donna show.
Both of these monthly shows run weekly.
This means that your info will be featured twice for the month.
No more having to worry about posting to Facebook!  
You'll be able to engage with ready made readers and listeners!
Your payment of $25 will be prorated as a monthly payment.
So you can either pay monthly, or you can pay as you go.
Just send your info or news to Donna at askdonnaonblindlife@gmail.com
No more than 150 words.
Donna will then post your info or news as soon as you remit payment to her at paypal@donnajodhan.com
To give a listen visit https://www.donnajodhan.com/askdonna and https://www.donnajodhan.com/dwd
Take advantage of this very quick and easy way to reach a ready made audience!

A disturbing sensation! When my ears clogged up

I can certainly tell you that as someone who is blind/vision impaired, it is almost always double jeopardy whenever my ears clog up, and why?  Because I lose my balance and, as I cannot see where I am going, it is difficult for me to concentrate on maintaining my balance while trying to find my way around both at the same time.

It is no fun and for anyone losing their balance it is not very pleasant. So, here is how I deal with this dilemma.

Whenever I lose my balance, I find a safe spot and sit and wait for this to pass.  Sometimes it does not take long for my balance to return but occasionally it takes quite some time and I just need to either wait it out if I can or gingerly move around without falling or bumping into things.

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 continuing frustration: Untrained census agents

 This is what happened on May 10, 2021 when I attempted to take our Canadian national census.  My misfortune to have encountered an agent over the phone who just did not understand what was meant when I said that I was blind and needed assistance to complete my census.

Three times in total I had to tell this agent that I could not see and was unable to take a picture of the census code number sent to me via mail with my iPhone.  I practically had to beg and plead with this agent to please listen to me.

Finally, after about 15 minutes they somehow understood.  Help was on the way but I'll say again: Government agents really need to be trained when dealing with callers with a disability.

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 sure necessity: Being careful when baking

I learned to be more careful a few weeks ago when I went to put a pan of ribs into my toaster oven for baking. I thought that I had cleared the oven of all unwanted pans but I did not. So, when I went to put my pan of ribs into the oven I found myself trying to put in a pan that would not fit.

Good thing that I had the presence of mind to place the pan of ribs on the counter; then I went to check on why I could not insert my pan into the oven which was already heated and waiting for me.

I took my pot holders and gingerly approached my toaster oven and then I gently went in. Voila! There was another pan already in the oven. So I had to remove it, place it on my stove, and then take my pan of ribs and insert into the oven.

All the time I was very careful not to burn my fingers. Just goes to show that as a vision-impaired person, I need to be doubly careful when working around my toaster oven.

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 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 at author_jodhan

And like me on Facebook at

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

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!

Finally, you can subscribe to my free let's talk tips monthly newsletter by visiting http://bit.ly/ADJSubscribe

Good memories: The family reunion

Coming from a small family on my mom's side, I find that it is very important for us to be able to keep in touch. Now that I can no longer see what each person looks like, it is even more vital for me.

I sure remember each voice and this helps me to interact smoothly and nicely.  The good thing is that my family does not appear to realize that I cannot see them.

They have always been a bunch who never seemed to be concerned that I am blind.  However, I remember when I had my first cornea transplant and they all came by for me to see what they looked like.  What a crazy bunch!

I’m Donna J. Jodhan your friendly accessibility advisor wishing you a terrific day.

If you would like to learn more about me as an author then I invite you now to visit
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.

And now my weekly podcast!
From recipes to apps, and 5 minute mysteries to tips for entrepreneurs and scam alerts!
www.donnajodhan.com/takeanother5.html.

Subscribe to my monthly newsletter!
'Let's Talk Tips' is my monthly resource for the most current and reliable informational tips available in the areas of Technology, Nutrition, Media, Business, and Advocacy.
http://bit.ly/ADJSubscribe

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

A very good aunt: Thinking of Auntie

Sometimes I can be held guilty of not thinking enough of those who have helped so much during my lifetime and this is the case with my God Mother, Auntie Enid.

Here is a lady who has had so much to deal with throughout her life and although I have had so much difficulty understanding a lot of what she has done, it does not take away from the fact that in her own way she has been good to me.

Auntie never discriminated against me as a blind child and this has expanded into my adult life.  She has always been so prompt to render help and seek help for me whenever I am around her.  Now it is time for me to return this precious favour.

I’m Donna J. Jodhan your friendly accessibility advisor wishing you a terrific day.

If you would like to learn more about me as an author then I invite you now to visit
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.

And now my weekly podcast!
From recipes to apps, and 5 minute mysteries to tips for entrepreneurs and scam alerts!
www.donnajodhan.com/takeanother5.html.

Subscribe to my monthly newsletter!
'Let's Talk Tips' is my monthly resource for the most current and reliable informational tips available in the areas of Technology, Nutrition, Media, Business, and Advocacy.
http://bit.ly/ADJSubscribe

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

A joy to work with: He is my favorite customer service techie

His name is Imad and it does appear to me that there is nothing that he cannot do.  He is smart and savvy but above all he knows how to explain things to me, especially so as to someone who is vision-impaired.

I have known Imad for many years now.  He is so aware of my requirements and he knows how to work with me.  He takes his time to explain things to me and he is so very patient.  The most important thing is that he is not afraid to work with me as someone who is vision-impaired.

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

If you would like to learn more about me as an author then I invite you now to visit 
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.

And now my weekly podcast!
From recipes to apps, and 5 minute mysteries to tips for entrepreneurs and scam alerts!
www.donnajodhan.com/takeanother5.html

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

Exercising my imagination: Synchronizing the colors

This is something that I continue to do and I believe that it all has to do with the fact that having had functional vision until 2004, I was able to see colors. Now, each time I encounter an object, especially if it is new, I go through the process of synchronizing the color to the object.

Colors shall forever remain in my mind.  Roses will forever be red, skies forever blue, floating clouds always white, and sunrises and sunsets forever yellow and pink, respectively.

I have found this to be a terrific reference point for me because each time I encounter new objects I am able to quickly put color to object.  Most times I ask what color something is and after being told I do the synchronization. But if I do not know, then I put my own color to the new object and this sure helps me to cope.

I try to have fun doing it and most times it puts a smile on my face. Truth be told, though, it also often makes me sad because it makes me realize how much I miss being able to see color.

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

If you would like to learn more about me as an author then I invite you now to visit
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.

And now my weekly podcast!
From recipes to apps, and 5 minute mysteries to tips for entrepreneurs and scam alerts!
www.donnajodhan.com/takeanother5.html

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

They are my dreams: 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 be just 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 jodhanmysterybook.club/about-the-author and you can even take advantage of my free downloads!
Or subscribe to my free monthly newsletter at 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!

An experience to remember: At the chess club with Nadia's young students

In February of 2017, I visited my chess coach's class to talk to her young students and the topic was to be: I play chess as a blind person.

Nadia had been asking me to do this for a while and I finally got around to it.  I can tell you that I fully enjoyed my time with these smart and intuitive young ones.  Their questions were right on the money and they were very intuitive questions.

They wanted to know how I played chess; how did I go about identifying the pieces from each other.  Whether or not I used a special board, how did I identify pages in my book, and how did I know what the teacher was writing on the blackboard.  Were Braille page numbers different from print page numbers and did I like playing chess?

These questions were but just a few and as they ate their lunch their questions kept coming, fast and furious.  The youngest was about six years old and the oldest was about 12 years old.  Nadia did not have to encourage them to ask anything and everything.

At the end of it all, as I walked out of the school with Sue, I could not help but muse to myself as to whether one of these smart youngsters could one day become Prime Minister of Canada?

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
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.

And now my weekly podcast!
From recipes to apps, and 5 minute 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

With much gratitude: Now I can really appreciate

I really do not know that many people who have had the privilege to be born with very limited vision, to get a whole amount of it as a teen, and then to lose it as an adult about 25 years later.  That's me, and this is probably what has enabled me to appreciate things so much more.

For me, I have had the opportunity to live in both worlds, so to speak.  I know what it is like to really appreciate very limited vision.  I know what it is like to savor and enjoy so many things with so much vision, and now I know what it is like to be plunged back into a world with almost complete darkness.

I am not saying that along the way things have been easy.  I have had to endure several bumps and roadblocks, but at the same time I have had the pleasure and privilege of enjoying so many things.

I do not think that I could ever fully describe how I felt when I received new vision for the first time but what I can say is that it all enabled me to appreciate things that so many others would normally take for granted. Then the feelings I experienced when I lost almost all of it in 2004.

Now I can really appreciate so much more.

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
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.

And now my weekly podcast!
From recipes to apps, and 5 minute 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: Setting the fan to blow on me

This is probably one of the most challenging things for me to do: being able to set the fan correctly so that its air blows directly on me.

Sometimes I can get it just right but at other times I have to try several times before I get it to be perfect.

It is all about being able to position the fan in the correct spot so that the air from it  blows directly on me.  I know that not being able to see does indeed play a part but I have no choice here. 

I have to persevere and hopefully I'll learn to do it just right some day soon.

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
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.

And now my weekly podcast!
From recipes to apps, and 5 minute 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 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!

Attitude barriers

They have been around for as long as I can remember and truth be told I really do not expect them to disappear in the very near future.

They have been shared and handed down from generation to generation.  They have been reinforced, expanded, and extended.  They have increased, for the most part. But every now and then, some of them may disappear and then reappear in a different form.

The problem is that in so many cases many of us are not even aware that we are part of their fabric.  This is what many of us who are blind face and will continue to do so until some day we'll wake up as a collective society and realize that barriers need to go.

They need to be pulled down and be replaced with solid bridges.  They need to be destroyed and be replaced with lush grasslands, and beautiful fields of flowers. I hope that my message is getting through.

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.
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

Learning card making by phone

I can tell you that thanks to my friend, Denise Sanders, I have now found a new way to be creative. Yes! It is all about card making and I am really enjoying it.

Denise and I have had several sessions via phone. She is probably one of the most patient teachers and she has once again shown that it is indeed possible for the blind to lead the blind!

You see, we are both blind and it has not stopped us from having so much fun with our card making hobby. Denise teaches and I follow her instructions. We exchange ideas and we allow our imagination to roam and wonder. I have so much fun with this wonderful lady and very good friend.

Thanks so much, boss, for having introduced me to this new hobby.

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

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 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!

Checking the mail carefully

This is exactly what I do each time I receive it but my way of doing this is a bit different to the regular person. It is what I do as someone without sight. I use my sense of touch to help me decipher it all. Windowed envelopes go into their own pile as I know that they are either bank or utility statements, invoices, bills or cheques. Envelopes with stamps go into a separate pile as I know them to be personal letters. Flyers are thrown out, and those smooth like envelopes are put into another pile for further inspection.

This is usually the regular way of checking my mail but there are times when this strategy does not always work. I can also tell the difference between cards in envelopes and other types of mail. In general, cards have their very own shape and their thickness is another way to tell them apart.

Junk mail usually have some tell tale signs to them. They are sometimes bulky, they come in smooth envelopes, or they may come in the form of booklets or loose folded sheets. Flyers are flyers. So this is it in a nutshell: my way of checking the mail.

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

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

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

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

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

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

As an audio mystery writer

What started off as a hobby has now turned into a thriving business for me, and boy am I enjoying it. The one thing that I would say is this: Being blind has not stopped me from pursuing my new part-time career.

I can use my imagination and the sky is the limit! I have created a character named detective DJ and I have patterned her after much of myself. This exciting character not only solves crimes in a unique way with her team of crime crushers, she writes and records Christmas mysteries that are thrilling, scintillating, and riveting. Mysteries that are refreshing and filled with hope, joy, and cheer and then there is more.

Detective DJ is heavily involved in campaigns against bullying! On behalf of kids who are blind, on behalf of women who are vulnerable, and on behalf of the true victims! Yes! Being blind is no barrier to my new part-time career.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 @www.facebook.com/donnajodhan
and at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan.
Come by and enjoy some of my audio mysteries at www.donnajodhan.com/store.html.
You can download a free sample, purchase, or subscribe to my unlimited access library pass.