My neighbour and my friend: Sandra to the rescue

 Even now, after having developed ways to get my cable box back on track after an outage, I still have problems from time to time whenever my temperamental box decides to show me who is the boss, so to speak.  

Things have improved but whenever I am unable to get the box back on track I need sighted assistance. After the blackout of a few months ago, my dear neighbour Sandra came to my rescue.  

Good thing she was home.  She came as soon as I called her and quickly got the temperamental box back on track.  Somehow I always feel so out of sorts whenever my cable fails me but I am getting more used to dealing with this.

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

Dealing with a surprise: When the blackout came

It was totally unexpected and when it came the entire place went dead silent.  Not being able to see when the lights went out I knew that it had come upon us because my fridge and my TV had been making loud sounds.  Yes, loud sounds and then everything went dead silent.  Thank goodness that my computer was off.  

I sat there and hoped that the electricity would soon return but it did not.  It lasted for a few hours and during that time I took advantage of the quiet time to just relax, recharge, and regenerate.  Truth be told, I enjoyed the down time and when the electricity did finally return I had to fight to get my cable back up and running.

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

Great to know! The international signs

It is always good whenever I am able to find a way to attract a waiter’s attention at a restaurant.  Especially if I am on my own with no sighted assistance to call upon.

Some time ago, my friend Gabriella taught me these two signs:
To ask for the bill – hold up an open palm and pretend to be writing with 1 finger.
2 separate bills – hold up 2 fingers.

I found this to be very useful and interesting, especially so as a person with a vision impairment. Although I may never need to use it, it does not hurt to have a backup in my back pocket, so to speak.

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

Can't wait to flap my wings! Getting ready for Portugal

 

It is always crunch time whenever I prepare to travel and this time it was no different when I prepared to travel to Portugal.

I carefully chose what I was going to bring along with me.  I laid out all of my stuff beforehand, then I packed.  All of this is no different for someone with sight but as a vision-impaired person I need to ensure that my clothes are coordinated, that I know where to find what I need at any given time in my suitcase, and that I know how to repack if I need to unpack while there.

Everything in my suitcase has its own little corner or spot and I group things together in a logical order that I understand.  Call me fussy but that’s just me.

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

Happy days are here again! Celebrating with Gubby

 This pandemic period has sure left us struggling to reconnect with our nearest and dearest and for me I have found it difficult at times to readjust.

Yet I am most determined to get myself back on track, and celebrating with Gubby was no different.  She picked me up from home and we went to one of our favourite patio restaurants.  The lunch was yummy and our engagement and communication was just like old times. Here’s hoping for more of these visits.

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

Makes for pleasant dining: The Old Country Inn

This is probably one of my favourite restaurant haunts to visit as often as I can and why?  Both building and staff are so very welcoming, friendly, and most of all accessible.

There is more than enough space between the tables for me to maneuver.  Access into the restaurant is great and the staff is so very attentive to duty and to ensuring that needs and requirements of customers are met.  Especially so for those of us with accessibility needs.

They do not make me feel that I am asking too much of them. They are quick to anticipate what I need with regard to descriptions of the food dishes and when I need to know where they have placed my food on the table.  They ask me what else I would need and they seem to be always watchful of what’s going on.  

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

One step at a time: Being careful with the dishes

I think that this would pertain to almost anyone when working in the kitchen.  That is, when accessing shelves in order to remove dishes.  Especially so when the dishes are at a higher level.  

I can share that I have never broken a dish as long as I have been working in the kitchen and hopefully it will remain this way.  I do not overreach when it comes to accessing dishes from shelves at a higher level.  I take my step stool, climb carefully onto it, and then proceed to find my required dish.  

Next, I place the dish on a sturdy surface close by.  Then I step off of my stool and the rest is okay.

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

Familiarity is comforting: Choosing what you know

And I am not the only one who more often than not falls onto this path.  I think that on the whole most of us choose what we know instead of trying something new and I am thinking of grocery shopping as I write this.  

I believe that, as a vision impaired person, this option is more heavily used than otherwise.  Whenever I am uncertain or unsure of what to choose, be it choosing something new, trying something new, or returning to what I am familiar with, I almost always return to what I know.  

I do not mind trying new things because I know that it is the only to learn new things but truth be told I am much more comfortable choosing what I know.

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

 

Scary and intimidating! Those large hospitals

Even after all of these years, those large hospitals in Toronto continue to intimidate me!  I know, it seems as if I  have spent a lifetime in and out of them but nothing has changed for me.

They are huge, intimidating, and I can only pray not to stay too long within their rooms and corridors each time I visit.  On the whole, many staff are kind and helpful but once in a while I encounter some who are unpleasant and not very understanding.

So, what is my wish?  That I stay out of these intimidating places for as much as I can!  I stay healthy but those scans and tests are not always avoidable.  Neither are those necessary consultations!

The parting thought is that I am not the only one who feels this way!  Vision impaired or not, even the sighted feel this way!

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

 

Lots of fun: Making a new dish

 

I am always very excited anytime I decide to make a new dish.  I may either create something new or ask Mom to give me some ideas.

Whatever it is, it is always very exciting for me.  I take my time to gather the ingredients and carefully arrange them on my limited space counter.

Next, I gather the implements that I would need and then it is time to chop and cook.  I usually take my phone off the hook while I am cooking as I need to make sure that I am fully focused.  I concentrate deeply and put my all into all that I do!  

Of course, as a blind/vision-impaired person it would probably take me longer, but that’s just fine with me.

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

Got to take extra care: Shredding the important papers

Oh, yes and I do my best not to get too upset with my very unreliable paper shredder. You see, my paper shredder is very unreliable and often gets all jammed up each time I start to shred my important papers.  So, what do I do?

I hand shred my important papers.  I am very careful!  I take my time and make sure that pieces are finely shredded or as fine as I can do it.  I would say, though, that hand shredding is really not that much more difficult or more time consuming than using a paper shredder.

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

 

My trusty kitchen friend: My microwave

 I refer to her as she and she is one of the most important things in my kitchen.  In fact, she is not just a thing!  She is the lady of my kitchen!

She talks and works very hard.  She announces my choices whenever I go to warm or cook food.  She keeps wonderful time and her voice is very clear and easy to understand.

I have had her now for many years and although I know that some day soon she will be leaving me, I can only hope that she sticks around for as long as she can.

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