Laughing as we go: Running through the rain with Mom

I have to admit that this was, indeed, a very amusing day. Here we both were, doing our best not to get too wet in the rain. Mom was actually running; doing her best not to fall and to go a bit more quickly than usual. Then here I was, doing my best not to fall and to make sure that we stayed in step.

The rain was coming down pretty hard and we needed to scurry out of the supermarket and then to run across the parking lot. I had to put all of my trust in her guidance because I could not see where we were going.

It was a matter of the blind leading the blind, in a way, despite Mom having full sight. My trust was severely tested but at the end of the day we did just fine.

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 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.

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Anxious times: Downtown at my Apple exam

  

In November 2018 I traveled to downtown Toronto with my friend Gabriella to take my ACSP exam.  It was a cold, blustery day in mid fall as we walked quickly towards the exam centre and as we walked I was ever so grateful that Gabriella was with me.

I was walking in unfamiliar territory and everything seemed so very confusing and a bit intimidating to me and despite my not being able to see those tall, forbidding buildings around me I could only imagine what they looked like given that I used my imagination to conjure up images.

Having previously had enough vision to see those imposing buildings enabled me to use my imagination.  The winds nipped at my coat as I hurried along beside Gabriella and at times I could actually feel my innermost thoughts starting to freeze up.

The walk from the underground parking lot took about 10 minutes and I was so very relieved when we got to the building.  It did not prevent me from shivering inwardly and I could only hope that I would not need to travel here again in a hurry.

For someone who is vision impaired, it is often a real challenge when they are required to walk in areas that are unfamiliar and then they need to trust the one guiding them.  Quite an experience.

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 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.donnajodhan.com/takeanother5.html

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A refreshing person: Working with George

It is such a refreshing experience when you meet someone who is always pleasant, always optimistic, and who is never hesitant to help find solutions. This is George; I met him in October 2018 when he started to drive for me.

George is one of those so-called old time folks.  He is committed, he is reliable, and such a joy to know.

It sure helps me to be less stressed when I can depend on someone who has all of these qualities.  Especially so when I live in a world that is so cluttered both physically and mentally.

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 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.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 @author_jodhan

And like me on Facebook at

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Placing my blind trust: At the therapist

In the summer of 2017, I took the time to look after my poor right shoulder and over the course of two months I visited a therapist several times.

This was quite a new experience for me as I literally had to place my blind trust, so to speak, in someone that I did not know.  I had to trust her to help me with the various exercises and I was not disappointed.

Christy was very good and went beyond the call of duty.  She was helpful, extremely accommodating and did not seem to mind working with someone with a vision impairment.

She took the time to show me what to do, kept close watch over me, and always told me what she was going to do with me.  Hats off to Christy!

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 
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

My experience: A funny sensation

It is always interesting to me whenever I visit my doctor after a surgical procedure.  I am never sure what to expect but this is nothing new for any of us.

For me, as a visually impaired person, it is a matter of me being able to trust my surgeon.  I cannot see what he is doing and I depend heavily on him to tell me what he is going to do and how he is going to do it.

It all starts the moment I sit in the chair and the examination begins.  On this occasion my examination took place after my nasal surgery and good thing that the doctor was a very good one who explained everything to me, step by step.

I closed my eyes tightly as he started and the sensation in my nostrils was extremely acute.  I guess that this is one time when I was glad that I could not see what he was doing but the good thing was that, as he worked, he explained things to me. 

It sure helps when you have a doctor who takes the time to explain things to you as they 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

Trusting the one you walk with

I was reminded of this in June 2014 when I attended the funeral of my mom's cousin. There we were in the church and the ushers were seating us. One of them who I did not know came up to me and offered me his arm and as we walked he said, "'I guess that you have to trust the one you walk with, right?"

I did not think of it right away but upon further reflection I conceded that he was absolutely correct. I have to trust the one I walk with and it does not matter whether or not I know them. Scary you say? Only if you let it be so.

Come to think of it, is this not what we all do each time we fly? We have to trust the pilot who flies the plane and chances are that we would not even know them. The same holds for a bus driver, a cab driver, and anyone else who we need to trust whenever we drive or fly.

Trust for me is very important but there are times when I have to put my hesitation aside and go with the flow. I guess that this is so for all, if not most, of us who are blind.

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

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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!"

Only the Sound of a Voice

That's literally all that I have to go on when I meet someone for the first time.  I have to listen carefully to the sound and tone of their voice.  How they sound to me will determine how I do such things as:  Analyze them, rate them, trust them, and so on.

 

In the same way that a sighted person uses their eyes to analyze, rate, and trust, so too I use the sound of a voice to help me navigate life.  The sound of some voices may encourage me to trust more while others may not but it's not just the tone; it also depends on what words are spoken by the person, phrases, and intonation.  Somewhat like a piano or electronic keyboard when I go to test one. 

 

In whatever I do, I do my best not to be too biased by the sound of a voice but in the final analysis, only the sound of a voice can help me to navigate my way around someone new.  You may learn more about how blind persons use the sound of a voice to help them by visiting www.nfb.org.

 

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

Guide Dogs Are Not for Everyone

Here is the truth about guide dogs; they are not for everyone and not every blind person is suited to have a guide dog.  I myself love dogs but a guide dog is not for me.  Why you may ask?  Because in order to have a guide dog, you need to put your trust completely in the dog and for me this is extremely difficult.  Some dogs make wonderful guides but there are others that do not.  Not every guide dog turns out to be a good guide; and not every blind person who seeks to have a guide dog is a suitable candidate.

 

In a mainstream world, the relationship between a dog and their owner is extremely crucial and in a world of a blind person it is even more so for a blind person.  Both dog and owner need to trust and like each other.  It's all about team work.  There are several guide dog schools scattered across North America and there are many in

England and across Europe as well.  I am going to give you two websites to visit; www.nfb.org, and www.rnib.org.  These two websites can provide you with very helpful information on guide dogs.

 

I'm Donna J. Jodhan your friendly accessibility advocate wishing you a terrific day and asking you to go out there and tell the rest of the world that guide dogs are not for everyone.