Forever in my mind: Memories of school days in England

Looking back on these memories I can only say that it was probably my first taste of real learning as they were all carried out so far away from home. I sure learned a lot.  I developed endurance, creativity, but above all I obtained an appreciation for the trials and tribulations of others.

As someone who is vision impaired, I learned that there were others with additional challenges, mental and physical challenges.  I learned to deal with all kinds of weather conditions ranging from dull and soggy days to wonderful spring mornings with fresh cool breezes blowing down my cheeks and through my hair as I walked to school.

I learned to cope with dark mornings and night-like afternoons as I went to and from school and I learned to appreciate a brand new culture, a very different British culture.

My classmates were all so helpful and encouraging to me.  I experienced so much with them and they were always so willing to share their knowledge, skills, and everyday activities with me.

I had to make friends with so many new kids of my age, and teachers, as well. At times I found it very overwhelming but it only made me appreciate more what I had left behind: my parents, brothers, Granny, dogs, and family and friends.

These were all learning memories for me; hard, realistic, and brutal but at the end of the day?  They were ones that were the beginning of the road to my independence!

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

School time: Remembering concert costumes

My first memory of concert costumes was when I was slotted to play Little Boy Blue at a Christmas concert. The next time was when I was dressed as an angel in a skit called the Eight Bells of Christmas.  Then I was dressed as Mother Hubbard and after that my days as a so called would-be child actress ended mercifully.

I will be honest here and let you know that being in concerts was not an easy task for me.  I did not like it. I was almost always very anxious and nervous and even when I was chosen to be in a choir or even perform a piano solo or duet, I would practically have bad dreams before the actual event.

Christmas concerts were the order of the day for our grade school and many of my classmates practically lived for these moments.  Not me!  Sure, I enjoyed the excitement but I would almost always be praying that I would not be chosen to be a part of it!

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 childhood reflection: Riding the tricycle in our yard

I can still remember the absolute delight as I used to zoom around our yard on my tricycle.  Oh,, how I loved to just get on my little tricycle and then pedal as fast as I could.  I am very certain that my parents were watching me very carefully to make sure that I did not bump into anything.  I could practically feel their eyes on me from their second floor lookout as I raced around the yard.

I usually did it on evenings when there were not too many cars coming in and out of the yard.  The good thing is that I always rode around using the parked cars as my guide and in those days I had enough vision to see the cars and their bright colors.

I sure worked up a sweat and by the time I was done my clothes were soaking wet and then it was time to have my evening shower.

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

Precious and perfect forever! Quiet evenings on the patio

These are some of the times that I treasure most, quiet times on Mom's patio with Mom sitting close by.

It is the time when I could hear myself think.  Times when I could forget all about ringing phones, persistent emails, and those insistent text messages.  It is the time when I shut out the world, so to speak, and even the news is way in the background.

Mom and I sit and chat quietly.  Often times we have our dinner, relaxing and savoring the cool evening's breeze.  The birds fly by on their way to their nests, chirping and calling to each other as they go by and the fragrance of the flowers wafts gently against my nostrils.

Mom often describes pictures of sunsets to me; she is always looking for things to describe to me.  Anything from Rico, our adopted cat, crossing the yard to a lizard creeping soundlessly along the wall.

There is always something for us to talk about, laugh about, and wonder about.  Ah, yes!  My quiet times on the patio.

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 new path: Going with Mom to the doctor

Now that my mom's hearing is starting to deteriorate, I am happy to accompany her whenever she has to visit the doctor.  I listen intently as the doctor speaks to her and whenever I feel that she has not heard a question or a response I am happy to jump in and help her understand.

Mom is extremely patient and never loses her cool.  She never raises her voice and does her best to hear what is going on.  Her doctors are also very good to her and are happy to repeat themselves whenever necessary.

So it is a new experience for me; she sees and I hear.

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

Reflections: The 2016 Olympics

I am not sure if it would be accurate to say that the degree of audio description would depend on which channel you choose. But what I would say is that when it comes to audio description we are still a very long way from being able to enjoy acceptable audio description.

I found this out when I followed much of the 2016 Olympics on more than one channel.  Sometimes the audio description was simply non-existent and at other times it was not too bad.

At the end of the day I would say that I hope and pray that with time there will be more audio description.

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

An interesting experience: When the pill rolled off the counter

Looking back, now, this particular memory was one that was a very interesting one.  I had brought my vitamin pills out to the counter and had laid them out but I needed to fetch some juice in order to wash them down.

So, off I went to get my juice and upon returning I discovered that I could only find two of the three pills.  At first I thought that the missing pill had just rolled away on the counter, but I was wrong.

The pill had actually rolled off the counter and had fallen onto the floor and now I had to use my logic to figure out where it was.  Sure, I could have asked my mom to help me locate it but this time I wanted to do my own searching.

So, I composed myself and then I began a methodical search on the floor, trying to figure out which direction the pill had taken.

This paid off quickly for me because before I knew it my fingers had found the missing pill.  Score one for me on this day.

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