When determination calls:Taking my piano playing more seriously

This has been a struggle for me for the past few years but I am bound and determined to be better at this.  I have two lovely keyboards at home; a full electronic piano and an electronic multi purpose keyboard.

I got up to grade five in my piano playing as a student  and I know that Mom and Dad had always wanted me to go much further.  Truth be told, I do enjoy playing and I have composed quite a few songs.

So, onwards we go and this is going to be one of my top priorities moving forward.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly 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 at author_jodhan

And like me on Facebook at

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

A new and necessary technique: Taking photos of pictures

This is what I do these days when I need to identify some of my pictures.  I have Aira agents take photos of those pictures that I wish to have identified.

I now have it all down pat and down to a simple science. First, I use my app to phone the Aira agents. Next, I show them the picture or pictures that I wish them to identify. They describe said picture to me and if I wish them to send an email with the textual description they do this, too. Or they can just take an image, name it appropriately, and send this as an attachment in an email to me.

Nice and easy now!

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly sight-loss coach and 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

A humourous moment: What my neighbour discovered

Looking back on this now it surely makes me smile as my neighbour, Sandra, only recently discovered that there was a hairdressing salon in our favourite little strip mall, or plaza.

This hairdressing salon had been there for so many years until recently when those greedy developers bought the plaza for redevelopment of town houses and everyone was given notice to move out.  I am still very upset over this unnecessary action but it is as it is when City Council refuses to act in our best interest because they are spineless and boneless!

The irony for me is that my neighbour never knew about this little salon despite having total eyesight while I, who is vision-impaired, knew all about it.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly sight-loss coach and 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

Not a very nice surprise: Finding the onion ring

I should be used to this by now. Don't be surprised by what I may find on my counter, in my sink, or on my floor. That is, if I am not expecting to find said thing.

 This is what happened a few weeks ago when I discovered a wet onion ring sitting in my kitchen sink.  At first, said ring moved when I touched it and for one fleeting moment I thought that it was some sort of insect!  Then, reality kicked in.

It is not very common for us to find such things in our kitchen sinks here in Canada but, never the less, this is what it was.  I thought that the poor onion ring was some sort of insect and it was very early in the morning when all was very quiet. I screamed.  Thank God that no one heard me because our walls and doors are thick enough to prevent sounds like this from reaching the ears of our neighbours.

After I had collected my courage and thoughts, I gingerly felt around in my sink for what I had previously touched and quickly discovered that it was nothing more than a very wet onion ring. 

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly 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 at author_jodhan And like me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/donnajodhan and at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan

Refreshing and welcoming: A springtime tonic

Oh yes, and this is total tonic and such a refreshing time for me!  A time when my senses of hearing, smell, and touch simply wake up and go full tilt for me!

I can hear the birds singing their little hearts out!  I can smell the fragrant flowers, the freshly cut grass, and the cool fresh air!   I can hear children laughing and running in the park!  I can go out and touch the petals, the trunks of trees, and so much more!

Ah, yes!  The springtime tonic!

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly sight-loss coach and 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 may never end: The continuing challenges of technology

Every time I think that I have caught up to technology and can have some peaceful time to relax and enjoy the new changes, it is not really like that. No, absolutely not and this is how I compare things.

It's like swimming in the ocean.  You manage to jump over one wave and then you try to relax, but then?  Here comes another wave and you need to do it all over again!

This is how I view the moving target of technology!  You scramble to learn one thing but then it changes and then you need to either re-learn or simply put it aside for a bit and try again later.

For me, as a vision-impaired person, it is often difficult to weather the storm unless I have good support folks around me and a will to stand the bounces and cope with it all.

Thank God for Aaron, Shane, Michelle, Gabriella, Sandra, Stephanie, Sue, Sam, and so many more!

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly sight-loss coach and 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

A necessary challenge: Taking precautions with medications

I do not think that in the normal scheme of things that I am any different from anyone else.  Maybe the only big difference is that I must ensure that I do not mix up my bottles and that I know what is in each bottle or container at all times.

If I am super thorough and careful, I label my bottles and containers with Braille labels.  Most bottles are so much alike to the touch that one little slip of the hand, so to speak, and I'll get them mixed up.

The boxes may be a bit different and the same for containers but now that I can use my trusty Aira app to help me, things are much better.

So, what is the Aira app all about?  It is easy to use on one's iPhone.  Just sign up for it through the App Store and voila!  You now have access to round-the-clock agents in the States who can help you to identify almost anything.

Just go into the App, call Aira, and then they will do the rest for you.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly 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 at author_jodhan And like me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/donnajodhan and at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan

Helping me to stay sane: My letters to Mom

I have gotten into the habit of writing to Mom each time I send her a box via FedEx and this has turned into a monthly event.

I take my time to write to her, telling her how much I am looking forward to seeing her.  I reassure her that this is going to be soon and after crafting my letter I fold it and place it in an envelope with various photos that Sandra and Stephanie have taken of either me doing silly things or other interesting things.

I tell her how much I miss her and how much I am looking forward to being with her again; to laugh and chat together, share our meals together and to share stories.  This is my one true way for me to tell my mom how much I love her.

I know that she will keep each and every one of my letters as much as I will retain my copies.  This is what Covid has done but not to worry!  The light at the end of the tunnel is growing brighter every day. 

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly sight-loss coach and 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

Not my favourite gadget: My omelette maker

At the best of times, I am not a very good omelette maker and this is why I bought one from an ad that I saw on TV.  This omelette maker is nice and neat and easy to use and handle.  The instructions are easy to follow except that I had to ask a sighted friend to read them to me.

All I need to do is to pop it into the microwave and follow the directions. My first attempt was okay but I need to improve my cuisine skills in this area.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly sight-loss coach and 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

A new way: Identifying photos

I have come up with a comfortable work around to help me identify photos. First, I ask the sender to identify the photo, either by name and/or a brief description as part of the name.

If this is not possible then I use my Aira app to help me identify.  The Aira agents are so very good.  Extremely helpful and so very accurate.

I make sure to label each and every photo with the appropriate name and then I file each and every one in folders that are also appropriately named.

This is working wonderfully for me but I will say that it takes a lot of concentration and organizational skills.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly 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 at author_jodhan. And like me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/donnajodhan and at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan

The reality of a new world: Images and photos

At the best of times it is an interesting challenge for me to deal with images and photos, but the Covid chokehold has forced me to find ways to deal with all of this.

If I am unable to remember what a certain photo depicts, I can now use my Aira app to ask an agent in the US to identify it for me.  If I need to have an image of a document taken, such as a page in my passport or my health card, I can also use my Aira app.

The Aira agent takes a photo of the page or document, converts it to an image, and then emails it to me.  I then store this image on my computer for further use.

It is not as cumbersome as it may sound.  I just need to be very organized and to ensure that my images are appropriately named so that I know what they are and that I find ways to identify my photos through careful labelling.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly sight-loss coach and 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/authordonnajodha

She broke my heart! Remembering Whitney Houston

She had a voice as pure as an angel and how I wish that I could sing like her; but only in my dreams!  These were the thoughts that I resurrected to remember her on her passing in February 2021.

I remembered crying my heart out when I heard the news!  Oh, Whitney!  How could you have done this to me and to the world?  What went so very wrong  and why could you not have been saved from this horrible ship wreck?

You have left an unfixable void in the world of entertainment. But, most of all in the lives of so many, including me.

I never met you!  I only heard your pure and beautiful voice and I shall always carry images of you with me because I was able to see what you looked like when I had functional vision.

Rest well, Whitney.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly sight-loss coach and 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

An unexpected surprise: The black screen

I can laugh at this now but at the time it was a bit embarrassing for me. Yet again, it should not have been, given that I am vision impaired.

I discovered that my screen was black when I used my Aira app to phone an agent in the US to ask them to take an image of a document.  They informed me that the screen was black.  Sure!  Some may say that I should have known but my screen reading software reads what's on the screen no matter if the screen is lit up or not.

So, I had to find a workaround for the Aira agent to help me.  Then I asked my neighbour, Sandra, to verify the black screen for me and sure enough!  It was black!

The matter was solved when my technician, Shane, visited a few days later and fixed the problem.  There was a loose connection to the screen which he rectified.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly 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 at author_jodhan.   And like me on Facebook at

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