It's not going to get any better: Leaving with a heavy heart

 

I just need to get used to this. Each time I leave my precious Mom after a visit, my heart only seems to get heavier and heavier.
This is how it was when I left her on May 31, 2023.

She tried so hard not to cry.
However, I know that it told me everything when she said her parting words to me.
Her voice quivered and sounded so very sad.
I, in turn, did my best not to show my emotions.
Guess that my facial expression showed it all.
Something that I, as a vision-impaired person, needs to always remember. Keep my facial expressions in check.  It is the best way to hide my emotions.

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.

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This is a growing concern: The challenge of communicating when it is a second language

As a vision-impaired person it is always doubly difficult whenever I need to communicate with someone whose second language is English.  I think that it is difficult for all of us, the communicator and the communicatee.

We find it difficult to understand each other and it only makes things more challenging because I cannot read facial expression, am unable to communicate visually, and then there is the additional barrier of various cultures who are not used to interacting with persons who have a disability. 

There is no fast and hard solution for this except to continue to persist and build awareness. In addition, to find ways to better understand each other.

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
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Learning how to interact

I guess that so many of us take this part of our lives for granted, but when you are blind it is my belief that we do need to learn how to interact. Having had some vision before, I learned that gestures and expressions sure play an important part in how and when we interact. Then add the eye contact to this mix and you have a huge learning curve.

When I had vision I sure learned how to do it in an acceptable manner. I copied gestures from others and learned how and when to use them. I had a bit more difficulty with expressions because I was never able to see them clearly so I had to get others to help me.

I learned fast and I asked many questions. In addition, I had great family and friends to help me out. Now that I do not have enough vision to see gestures and expressions, I have to rely on my previous experience, visualizing as I go along and I use my powers of listening to seal the deal.

I’m Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly accessibility advocate, wishing you a terrific day and encouraging you to go out there and share my blogs with others. Visit www.nfb.org to learn more.

The challenge with facial expressions

For the most part, I depend on one’s voice to help me determine and decipher expressions. For those who do not have enough sight to read facial expressions, it is the only method for us to use. When I had enough vision, I could read some body language but now that is gone, I have to depend solely on the inflections in one’s voice to help me out.

The reading of body language and facial expressions is so important when it comes to communicating and you can add how so many use their eyes to express themselves and you have the picture. Blind persons for the most part are unable to use their eyes to express themselves but they can certainly use facial expressions and body language to do so.

I refer to this whole thing as a one way communication path. For whereas I can use my face and body to express myself, I am unable to read the return expressions. Just another challenge to deal with.

I’m Donna J. Jodhan your friendly accessibility advocate wishing you a terrific day and inviting you to come visit me at www.sterlingcreations.ca.