When the curtains got rearranged

This happened to me in late 2013 after our renovation. The curtains had to be taken down during the renovation and then hung again after work had been completed. Of course, it was not put back in the same way so that when I went to inspect things I discovered that they had closed it in the wrong spot.

For whereas before, the opening was much wider, now it was much narrower and this meant that less light was now coming into my bedroom. Believe it or not, this new change had thrown me off and I had to ask for sighted assistance to try and recreate the former format.

I am not sure if those with vision are in tune with this or maybe I am in the minority but this is what happened. Rearranging my curtains did indeed throw me off. Enough that it took me a bit of time to readjust and re-orientate myself. Once this was done then things were just fine.

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

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan
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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!"

In an unfamiliar fridge

This is one of the most challenging areas for me: when I have cause or need to enter into an unfamiliar fridge. When I do not know where things are and where and how they have been placed, then I need to be so very careful and it is like walking on egg shells for me.

First off, I need to ensure that I do not knock over opened bottles, uncovered jugs, glasses or mugs, and the same for uncovered dishes. It could be a nightmare for me if I was to knock over the contents of any of these and then everything would go haywire.

Then there is the problem of locating things. We all arrange our things in our fridges differently but truth be told, there are some things that would retain familiar places in our fridges.

What are these? Standard jars that would normally reside in the door of almost every fridge. Jars of jam, condiments, and sauces. The bread bin is another place where you would normally find bread, of course, and then there are the drawers for greens and vegetables. Apart from this, the fridge is a place for almost anything else.

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
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 heros 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!"

Being careful with full cups and glasses

This should not come as a surprise to anyone reading this blog and it should hold true for anyone, blind or sighted. For me personally, I am always extra careful when I am interacting with full cups and glasses.

I make sure that I know where the full cup or glass is at all times: on a counter, on a table, on a dresser, anywhere. Then, after I have located the said cup or glass, I take a firm grip on it and make sure that I have it covered all the way. That is, that I can easily lift it, put it back down from where I retrieved it, and most of all, carry it to wherever I wish to take it.

It does not matter whether or not the contents of said cup or glass are hot or cold, my strategy is the same. But I am probably a bit more careful if the contents are hot.

So far, so good. I have never really gotten myself into any trouble locating and transporting full cups or glasses. I am very careful when I attempt to locate and I make sure that my path to my destination with said cup or glass is a clear one so that I don't spill anything.

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
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!"

Finding fallen objects with my cane

This is a method, or strategy, that I have developed to perfection since losing my vision in 2004. Now that I can no longer see to find fallen objects, I use my cane as an extra long arm to do so.

It works almost all of the time. If I am unable to find a fallen object when going on my hands and knees, I use my cane. I use the soft touch technique which is to go light with the cane, swish in small circles, and do this very gently.

The cane technique can help me to find objects under furniture, fridges, and even washers and dryers. It is a great way for me to find what I seek. However, the one thing that I would caution is to go very gently when using a cane. For if you don't then your cane could or would probably move the fallen object out of your search area and could end up dispatching it to unknown territory for you.

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
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!"

Buying jeans with Mom

This was another very interesting experience for me and now that I can no longer see I have to depend on Mom or any other sighted assistance whenever I go clothes shopping. I will say that on this day the sales lady was very helpful and informative, especially so when she realized that I was blind.

This is how things went. I told Mom what I was looking for. Then she and I told the sales lady. The sales lady then went to her racks and stocks to look and came back with several pairs of jeans. Mom showed me each in turn and I chose what I wanted to try on.

While I was trying on my choices the nice sales lady went back to her racks and stocks and came back with other pairs of jeans. Whenever I liked anything that I tried on, Mom would then call the sales lady to get her opinion. They both gave their opinion but it was up to me to choose. In most cases we all agreed on my choice or sometimes the sales lady would say no to my choice and I would end up agreeing with her. All in all it was a very pleasant shopping experience on that day.

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
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 heros 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!"

Renewing the passport with Mom

It was a warm and sunny day as Mom and I ventured down to the passport office to have her passport renewed. I was most interested in going with her because I wanted to see if anything had changed since the last time that I had gone with her, given that on that occasion I had functional vision to see reactions around me.

This time I had to depend solely on my sense of hearing as she and I navigated our way through the crowd and up the steps to the office. Things went very well and I perceived that when folks realized I was blind they were extra friendly and nice to us. Even when we proceeded to find seats there were people giving up theirs for us.

I went out of my way to be friendly to those around me but at times I am not sure if they realized that I could not see. If they did they did not let on and they talked to us without asking whether or not I could see.

At the counter, the service reps were really nice and did not mind when I intervened at times to answer questions on Mom's behalf. All in all a very pleasant experience.

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
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!"

When the slipper became unstuck

Looking back at this particular instance I could only now smile to myself. In the normal scheme of things, a sighted person would probably be able to realize that their slipper has become unstuck by seeing it or maybe if they did not see it first they would be like me, realizing that it was so when the poor old slipper failed to move in sync with my foot.

So there I was, walking along in my mom's home, and then! My foot was moving forward and the slipper was not. I bent down to investigate and sure enough! The poor old slipper had become unstuck. The left side of the right slipper was coming loose.

Not anything unusual to report here but for me just another smile in my life. You just need to pick up the unstuck slipper and go look for a new pair of healthy ones. Then say thank you and so long to the old ones.

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
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!"