A real challenge: Small seats on aircrafts

It took quite a bit of getting used to and when it was all over I would say that it was not one of my favourite trips.  This occurred on my return trip to Britain at the end of January 2019 when I traveled with Air Transat.

I would say that it was probably one of the two things that made this trip a bit of a challenge.  For a vision-impaired person, it is difficult when you need to balance your food tray on a table that is smaller than usual and sit in a seat that is not the normal size.  Everything is very cramped and if you are unable to see things in front of you then you need to ensure that you do not bump the person sitting next to you, and that you know exactly where everything is so that you do not spill anything.

I managed and thank goodness for my traveling friends, Rebecca and Immanuel.

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

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

Will always be in my heart: The Liverpool Cathedral

The experience was deep, moving, touching, and most memorable and as I walked with Jilla and Angie through this enormous church, I knew that my beloved dad was right there with me!

I could feel him walking beside me. I could smell him, the fragrance of his Old Spice cologne wafting over me. At times I felt as if I could literally reach out and take his warm and comforting hand.

As I walked with Angie and Jilla I felt as if I was in another world, taking in the sounds of the Cathedral with its tolling bells, people laughing and kids running around.  Jilla described so many things to me and in one fleeting memorable moment I sat in one of the pews and said a silent prayer, thanking God for having brought me here.

Then Tom guided my hands over various murals that depicted various milestones of the Bible.

What an experience for me, forever engrained in my mind.

Thank you, God, for having allowed me to spend this precious Sunday at this Cathedral and thank you to everyone for having given me this rare chance to be here.

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

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

A once in a lifetime experience! My Liverpool family

On February 3rd, 2019, I met my Liverpool family after so many years.  The last time that I had seen them was when Lorraine, Mark, and Carl were little ones. This was the first time that I was meeting Sally and her boyfriend Joe, and Angie, and Tom, Carl's husband!

I am not sure what I was expecting but at the end of it all I could only utter the word, "Wow!"  For this is exactly what it was!  A dream come true! A family that I was so happy to have renewed acquaintances with!  A warm, loving, jolly, and welcoming family who accepted me for what I was! A long- lost cousin who was vision impaired and this did not bother them in the least.

We started by meeting at Tom and Carl's house where we had tea. Then it was off to visit the Liverpool Cathedral and then on to visit Christopher Grange. Everyone went to the Cathedral with me but only Lorraine, who drove, and Jilla came with me to the Grange.

The bulk of the evening was spent catching up at a wonderful pub where we sat for hours; chatting, exchanging stories, and promising to stay in touch!

The next morning found us around Tom and Carl's table. Tom, Carl, Angie, and Sally and her boyfriend Joe along with Jilla, having a sumptuous breakfast prepared by Tom.

Then we were on our way back to London with Jilla driving me.  What an experience for me!  What a wonderful time for me!  I'll never forget you, my Liverpool family!

Take care of yourselves now and I'll be seeing again soon!

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

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

A truly tremendous experience: Navigating Jilla's house

I can tell you that I thoroughly enjoyed navigating Jilla's house when I visited her in London, England at the end of January 2019.  In short, it was an experience to remember.

With Jilla acting as tour guide and her family to watch over me, it was not as intimidating as I had first thought it would be.  Jilla had warned me about all of the steps that I would need to navigate and as a vision-impaired person I felt that I would need to be extra careful. But everything worked out just fine.

I enjoyed going up and down the steps and learning how to hold on and walk sideways.  I enjoyed the challenge and I always knew that Jilla and her family would be there to catch me if I ever ran into difficulty.

Jilla and her family were simply super when it came to showing me the way. An experience to cherish and keep forever.

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

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

Memories for a lifetime: My visit to Christopher Grange

I stayed at this very posh British place when I studied in England so many years ago. So, on this return trip to England I decided to pay a return visit.

Did I regret it? No! However, there were so many memories that came out to greet me. Some were happy while others were very moving.

With my cousin, Lorraine, and friend Jilla as escorts, I walked through the Grange remembering as I walked. I described things that I remembered along the way to Lorraine and Jilla and they told me that things were still the same.

I practically lead them on a tour and Jilla was so impressed as to how much I remembered.  The little chapel with its organ.  The long passage way between the main building and Greenside where I lived. Then Greenside itself.

We walked past the kitchen and dining room and the garden outside the dining room was still there. Then we walked up the steps and into the corridor where our bedrooms were but they were all closed.  Then back downstairs to visit the lounge and the snuggery.

Nothing much had changed. I remember where Sister Christina's office was and I also remembered the colors of the doors. Lorraine and Jilla did not say much but Lorraine sure remembered the times when her parents used to bring her and her brothers, Mark and Carl, to visit me.

I asked about Jackie and Anne but did not have the courage to visit them. Too much sadness there. Finally, I met the head nun who put me in touch with Sister Christina.

That was the Grange, then and now, and maybe one day I'll return for another visit.

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

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

Fond memories: At the Windermere Manor

I was there in 2014 when Jackie and I spent a week there for a chess tournament. Returning this time was simply another memorable visit.

On this visit, Rebecca and I visited and my friend Jilla came along to be my escort.  Jilla drove me all the way from London and when we got there I was simply tuckered out.  Sunday evening was a good time to meet up with old friends: Peter and Celia and others. I had met Peter earlier in the afternoon and we had played a game together.

However, later on Sunday evening I became really sick and unfortunately this ruined a lot of my plans for the rest of the week.

It did not stop me, though, from meeting old acquaintances and playing some friendly games against Mark Kirkham, who has now become a chess friend.  His mom, Liz, was very good to me while I was sick and I sure appreciated this.  Jilla was very attentive, too, and Rebecca was always there watching over me.

The staff was great and helpful but the one thing that I was not too keen on was that there were so many stairs to navigate.  The meals were also quite delicious.

Windermere Manor has not really changed.  Still the same old welcoming place with a great ambiance.  Great grounds and birds to wake you up on mornings.

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

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

In anticipation: Traveling to Britain

On January 25, 2019, I traveled to Britain to play chess at Windermere. It was the second time that I had done so; my first time was in 2014 when I traveled with my good friend, Jackie.  This time it was with Rebecca and her husband, Immanuel.

For some reason I never slept on my way over to Britain!  I was so very excited and so expectant because not only was I going to play chess with my fellow blind and vision-impaired friends, I was also going to meet family in Liverpool.  Some that I had never met and others that I had not seen in such a long time.  Most of all, I was going to meet my good friend, Jilla, who I had also not seen in years and she was going to be my escort for the visit.

Nothing disappointed me! Despite having been sick at the start of my trip, it did not dampen things for me. The flight was great with no major accessibility hiccups.

Jilla went way above the call of duty to be a better than perfect host, and her son Doug, girlfriend Rowen, and family friend Mo, were all so very great to me.  They reached out in so many ways to make me feel at home.  Even her dog, Khalua, was simply fantastic!

Ah, yes!  Such a rare opportunity to have once more visited Old England and to have appreciated so much. So many memories: great East Indian cuisine, and meeting old friends once more!  Simply being able to smell the air, listen to those wonderful British accents, and appreciate the service at Gatwick Airport, all helped to make my trip a memorable one.

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

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