My perspective: They are the good doctors

As a rule of thumb, most doctors lack a lot in the bedside-manners department when it comes to dealing with patients who are blind and visually impaired. I can tell you that over the years I have met many more who fall into this category as opposed to those who do not.

However, I am here today to highlight two wonderful doctors who are shining examples when it comes to the good ones who exemplify above and beyond bedside manners.

First:  Doctor Danielle Manis, my family Doctor since 2006.  This wonderful lady Doctor really knows how to deal with patients who are blind and visually impaired.  She has a very gentle demeanor.  She is ever ready to explain things to me.  She tells me exactly what she wishes me to know and before handing over prescriptions and requisite forms to me, she is very attentive to explain them to me.

Whenever she calls me she always says, "It's Dani Manis calling." She always escorts me from her office to the reception area when we are finished and she is always sure to say hi to whoever is with me. 

Then there is Doctor Everton Gooden, a truly wonderful ENT specialist who I met in October 2015.  From the word go I knew that this very soft-spoken doctor would be golden and I was right. 

From his office to the operating room, and then to the recovery room, Doctor Gooden has always been very sure to explain things to me.  He is very thorough at all times, telling me exactly what he is going to do and how he is going to do it. 

After my surgery in April 2016, there he was in the recovery room checking up on me and explaining things to me.  Then when I went to his office to have the packing removed a week later, there he was again explaining every step to me as he went.

These are the good doctors.  They exhibit the finest of bedside manners and as someone who is visually impaired I sure appreciate it all the way.

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

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

My experience: After surgery

I know that, for me, it sure helps if I am able to have someone with me after I have had surgery.  I never assume that the nurses will have enough time for me given their very busy schedules and the number of patients that they are responsible for.

As a blind person, I do my best to ensure that I do not impose too much on them.  I have always been lucky to have my mom with me and she is simply a Godsend. 

I never expect nurses to know how to interact with me as someone who is unable to see.  I do my best to not bother them too much and this has always worked for me.  I never assume and this is what keeps me on track in times of surgical procedures.

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

My experience: At the hospital

A few months ago I had to have some nasal surgery and I was accompanied by my mom and my friend, Sue.    As someone who has had several major surgeries I have had the opportunity to see how both nurses and doctors, along with other medical staff, interact with me as a blind person.

The staff at this particular hospital has always been very good when it comes to interacting with me.  They talk to me directly and ask me questions directly which is such a relief and joy for me.

There is nothing worse than having staff that finds it necessary to interact with those accompanying me rather than with me directly.  The nurses were very good at explaining things and my surgeon was extremely good when telling me what was going to happen. 

The pre-surgery and after surgery interactions all went very well.  Hats off to the North York General Hospital in Toronto, Canada.

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

My perspective: Is this my floor?

This is one of the more common questions that people ask me whenever the discussion arises re how do I know when I get to my floor after the elevator has come to a stop.

Over the years I have used several strategies.  When I had vision I used to look for visual landmarks but now that I am almost totally blind I depend more heavily on senses of smell and feel. 

Believe it or not, floors all have some sort of a unique smell to them and mine is no different.  In addition, I am able to use my senses of touch and feel to determine whether or not I am on the right floor.

I use my cane to test the texture of the carpet and this sure helps.  Sure, you may be thinking that these methods are a bit off track, but trust me when I tell you that 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.
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

It's a challenge: When the plate is too full

This is often a problem whenever someone offers to fetch a plate of food for me, either at a buffet or at any other function.

If the plate is too full then I need to be very careful when navigating around my plate.  I need to make sure that food does not fall off the edge of the plate.

Yes, it is like this for anyone, sighted or not, but for someone who is visually impaired the need is even more acute.  When you are unable to see what is on your plate and you know that your plate is a bit too full then you need to be very sure as to how to navigate and ensure that you do not lose any food.

So, how do I deal with this?  I am very careful.  I start at the edge of the plate and work my way inwards.  I try to determine where the larger pieces are as opposed to the smaller pieces.  Then I make my decision as to which I would choose to eat first.  

If the larger pieces are more towards the edge then I would probably take these first.  I would gingerly tackle the larger pieces and do my best not to disturb any of the pieces further inside.  If I make a slip then be sure to know that things could simply go scurrying across my plate and off the opposite edge.  So it is all a matter of making sure that I am careful and methodical.

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.
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 annoying event: When my clock stopped chiming

This was an interesting experience for me but good thing that Sandra, my dear neighbor and friend, was on hand to help me solve the problem and together we managed to put things right.

We had just set the clocks forward for spring 2016 and as always Sandra had to help me change my digital ones. As a blind person I cannot do them for myself.  All went well except for my favorite one in my den.

Sandra did everything as always but when it came to the chimes, my clock in the den had stopped chiming.  She came back at least three times to try and figure things out but at the end we had to take it to my neighborhood electronics store. My friendly technician, Imad, took one look at it and said that we had inadvertently moved the chimes switch out of position and this is why it was not chiming.

So he reset it for us and we returned home happy and smiling, but alas!  My clock was only chiming for part of the day.  Sandra and I were then forced to work together to figure out this one for ourselves and we sure did.

Yes, the switch was set to the chimes position but it was not sitting flush on the setting to have the chimes go off every quarter hour for 24 hours.  Sandra fixed it after she determined the problem. 

I was just happy and relieved and so was she.

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.
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

Remembering fondly: Collecting clams with the family

This is yet another favorite childhood memory for me and this memory is one filled with so much joy, pleasure, and simply great times. 

It all revolved around our holiday times at the beach.  There we were, the happy family!  Mom, Dad, Granny, brothers Robert and Jeffrey, and our beloved cousins and dogs.

Almost every day we would go swimming in the sea and part of our activities was to collect the clams.  We would take buckets with us and within an hour or so the buckets would be filled to the brim with the shellfish.

We used to call them chip-chip but in reality they were clams.  They came in all sizes and their shells were so pretty.  We had to dig into the sand and there they were, just waiting for us to gather them and throw them into our large buckets.

Then, at the end of our outing to the beach, we would haul the buckets back to the house and Mom and Granny would set about to boil them in their shells.  Then later on, after they had been cooled off, we would separate the clams from their shells. 

Then Mom and Granny would make so many delicious dishes with them: clam pelaus, omelettes, clam cakes and fritters, and so much more.  They even made cocktails, and oh yes!  Our dogs also participated in the feasts as they used to love to eat the boiled clams and we were only too happy to share with them.

Such wonderful memories. 

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.
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 cherished memory: Listening to the radio when I was but a kid

Another great memory for me: the number of hours that I spent listening to the radio when I was but a kid.

From the earliest of years, I used to sit under our radio which was mounted on the wall.  I would pull up a chair and there I would sit for hours just listening to any and everything.  There was the music, the news, and then those countless shows with all of their tips, hints, and contests.

I listened to them all and had so much fun.  In those days Braille books were just a luxury for me and they were  very scarce so the next best thing was the radio and oh how I loved just listening to it.

I can still hear the voices of those wonderful announcers in my mind.  There was Don, June, Valerie, Barbara, Jim, Dick, Ann, Chris, and oh so many others.

I especially loved listening to the recipes and the contests and I even won a few of them!  Then the radio was where I started to get interested in the news; local and international alike, and it was Dad who was my constant coach.

So many wonderful memories for me to remember and keep close to my heart, and oh yes!  Those ongoing soap operas with Mom, Granny and me listening in and my brothers dropping in and out to listen.

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.
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 treasured memory: My little blue piano

I can still remember this little gem and oh how much fun I had with it.  I am not sure how old I was when my parents bought it for me but I sure remember those wonderful times as a kid.

The notes were so clear.  There were only 2 octaves without the black notes or sharps.  I was able to pick tunes on it and my brother, Jeffrey, was always along for the ride.  He was also able to pick out a few tunes and we used to sit together as we had fun.

I even learned how to play the British Anthem on it and this was my pride and joy of the day as Mom and Granny were my faithful coaches.

Christmas time was the best for me.  I used to bang out those Christmas songs and carols and Mom and Granny were my audience along with Yella, our Labrador dog.  She used to come and lie close by and most of the time she would either fall asleep or spend time listening whenever she could keep her eyes open.

Ah yes!  That was my little blue piano with its notes as clear as bells.  Not sure whatever happened to it but I'll always remember 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  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.
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

In a day's work: My new vacuum cleaner

I must say that my new Hoover vacuum cleaner is much more friendly towards me, so to speak.  I decided to trade in my other one for this one and bought it a few months ago.

I can push it more easily along my carpet, without too much difficulty.  It is sleek and easy for me to handle and I do not have as much trouble guiding it along.

It is a bit noisy so that if the phone rings while I am vacuuming, then I cannot hear the phone's rings.  No problem: I simply take the phone off the hook when vacuuming.

I just need to make sure that I do not bump into my furniture while vacuuming but this is the case for anyone, with or without sight.

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.
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

One of my concerns: How good is my haircut?

The problem with this is that I am not really sure.  Not being able to view myself in a mirror is a definite drawback and so I need to depend on someone I trust to tell me.

Sure!  One's hairdresser is supposed to tell you how you look, but then again their opinion would most likely be different from those of others.  The other day, for example, my hairdresser styled my hair and told me that she gave me a fantastic hairdo, but when my mom saw it she was horrified. 

I can certainly feel my hair and see what I think but it is not enough.  This is a challenge that I have no control over so I have to live with it.

In other words, I am at the mercy of my hairdresser.

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.
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

Fond memories: Those beautiful bird sounds

Their voices are as pure as a breeze in a bottle, or maybe I should say that they are as pure as an angel's song.  They sing so freely and do it so eloquently.  They do not care who hears it and that's just fine with me.

There is nothing better than for me to hear these little songsters every day.  They do not know me but I sure as heck know them and now that my vision is almost gone, they are the ones that bring me the most joy. 

They help me to imagine.  They help me to think, dream, hope, and anticipate.  They help me to relax and recharge.

What more can I say about these little ones?

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.
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