Always be prepared: Unexpected changes

 

At the best of times, changes and those unexpected ones are almost impossible to adapt to quickly. And this is now the case for me as I rise to adapt to Mom’s new environment.

Yes, these changes were unexpected for both Mom and me, but they are here to stay and as a vision-impaired person I must summon even more strength to engage with them.

Mom will probably never greet me again at the airport nor will she probably ever be able to see me off at the airport.

I now need to adapt to her reduced mobility and to assist in making her more comfortable.

However, there is one thing that has not changed. Our daily interaction and lively conversations. Our regular banter and chatter.

I love waiting for her when we are getting ready to retire for the night. I love hearing her on mornings as she rises and prepares to greet a new day!

Most of all? When she receives her newspapers and proceeds to read the headlines and to comment on the latest news! Then she settles down to watch the daily Mass on TV.

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.

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and  @author_jodhan
And like me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/donnajodhan and at
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A shock for me: Seeing Mom in her new environment

 

I will openly admit that this was probably the hardest visit for me to make to my mom's. Poor Mom fell on June 28, 2023, and due to business travel commitments I was not able to reach her until a few weeks later.

I was so very nervous and anxious in anticipation of seeing her. I prayed for strength and faith and upon entering her home I was greeted by one of her care givers.

I kept calling to her as I ran towards her but she did not respond. The care giver told me to walk straight and when I finally located her, she did not say a word.

I held her tightly and kissed her. I placed my cheek against hers and told her how sorry I was. It took Mom a minute or so before she responded to me.

What a shock!  One of the saddest moments of my life. But soon Mom and I were moving towards the master bedroom. She was so very composed and this sure made it easier for me to settle down and to gather my thoughts.

It continues to be a very long and winding road ahead but my Miracle Mom will definitely never give up or give in.

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.

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and  @author_jodhan
And like me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/donnajodhan and at
www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan

This is a must: Identifying the soap dishes

 

For me, it is really important to be able to identify soap dishes, especially so when I am not in my own bathroom.  Whenever I am in an unfamiliar bathroom, I take time to find where the soap dishes are.

When in a hotel’s bathroom, I spend time locating the soap dish and making sure that the bar of soap is in the dish. If I am in a friend’s bathroom, I make sure to locate either the soap dish or the soap dispenser. Whenever I visit a washroom at a restaurant or at any other public place, I only search for the soap dispenser.

As someone with a vision impairment, and ever since the birth of the Covid era, this has become even more important for me.

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.

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and  @author_jodhan
And like me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/donnajodhan and at
www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan

Thank you Jilla: Showing Jilla's travel souvenirs

I  was really proud to show off Jilla’s book of our travels in Europe in July 2023. She did a terrific job with this and in addition to the souvenir book I also had dolls to add to my collection.

Jilla was so very good at helping me out with all of this. The book showed off, or rather reflected, our travels. And the dolls?  More to add to my collection!

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.

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and  @author_jodhan
And like me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/donnajodhan and at
www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan

Got to get used to this: My new door key

 

Now, this is a big change for me!  A door key that is probably 3 times the size of my original door key. Now I only have 1 door key instead of 2 door keys.

It is all part of the grand renovations of our condo complex. I will say that this new door key looks really snazzy with an inscription of a Maple Leaf on it.

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.

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and  @author_jodhan
And like me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/donnajodhan and at
www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan

Another new addition: My new doorbell

 

Believe it or not I really like my new doorbell.  I had to follow the rule and accept this new doorbell. Now I just need to get used to it.

It is nice and clear and is really loud enough.  I think that most of the other residents of our complex have the same ring to their doorbell.

Sure, I am going to miss my old doorbell but it’s time for a nice and refreshing change.

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.

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and  @author_jodhan
And like me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/donnajodhan and at
www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan

They linger in my mind! Thoughts of Europe

 

Ah, yes!  Such refreshing thoughts of my visits to Europe! I have no regrets in the least. Jilla and I have done a lot of traveling across Europe together and once more? Great memories to add to my overflowing memory bank.

The European culture is so much more easy going than the North American culture. People seem to be more laid back, so much more aware of accessibility. It is such a pleasure and refreshing experience when I don’t have to be concerned about folks reaching out to me.

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.

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and  @author_jodhan
And like me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/donnajodhan and at
www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan