Davia and I at practice: What about my piano?

 

At the end of the day I feel that I could have done more to play my piano keyboard while visiting Mom. Thank Goodness for Davia’s gentle persona and patience.

I played some days with Davia listening and coaching and I played Christmas carols. I played about 17 all together.

Davia and I had lots of fun doing this and I plan to play again when I return.

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 at author_jodhan
And like me on Facebook at
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I always know where she is headed: Mom’s walker

 

It is so very easy for me to track Mom whenever she gets out of her chair to do something. The walker makes enough noise so that I can hear her as she moves.

Easy as she goes. Her steps are gentle and measured. She even has a sort of rhythm to her steps. The walker is sturdy and steady as she goes.

I really appreciate the noise that it makes.

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 at author_jodhan
And like me on Facebook at
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Just making sure: Arranging my meal on the dining counter

 

This continues to be a very interesting experience each time I visit Mom. Her care givers serve me my meals on the dining counter. Each care giver does it differently.

Three of them tell me each time my meal is served but they each lay out the meal differently.
The fourth one never tells me when she serves it.

The main thing for me to do, before I start eating, is to make sure where everything is. That way I don’t have any unnecessary accidents.

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 at author_jodhan
And like me on Facebook at
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There's a technique to this: Centering the fan

 

As I learned that night, it was a very interesting task to ensure that the fan was correctly centered so that Mom could enjoy the fan’s breeze. Just like how Mom’s care giver did it for me so that I could stay cool while working at Mom’s home.

I tried to do the centering on my work table but just did not get it quite right.
I started by going back and forth from table to chair but at the end it was Mom’s care giver who got it just right 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 at author_jodhan
And like me on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/donnajodhan and at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan

Good old memories: In the mall again

 

Boy oh boy, I just cannot remember the last day I took a nice leisurely walk through this particular mall. What a treat and in very good company!

Mom in her wheelchair with Moya in attendance and Gayle and I walking together. It was a lovely day for doing this.

We shopped and then had lunch in the food court.

It felt so very good to simply have a relaxing few moments.

I just cannot remember the last time that I could do this. Everyone was in good spirits.

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

Refreshing! Going shopping for new glasses

I just cannot remember the last time that I went shopping for glasses. Maybe it was just before Covid when Mom bought me 2 pairs of glasses for my birthday.

We bought them at the Sears store at the Fairview Mall in North York. This time it was at a different mall. Mom, Gayle, and Mom’s care giver Moya were all spectators as the wonderful ladies at the optical outlet patiently helped us to choose 2 wonderful pairs of glasses.

It did not take very long and at the end of it all?  These 3 ladies and the attendants managed to change my appearance. At the end of the day I was very pleased.

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

 

My precious priceless Mom! Seeing Mom again

After six months I was back to visit my precious Mom! I raced up the steps to her home and Moya met me at the door.

Then I was walking quickly towards Mom's chair and she was crying with joy and so was I.

I would spend the next six weeks with her; chatting, laughing, watching TV together and so much more.

Mom never complained about her new status, instead choosing to tell me what she wanted to do, what she hoped to do, and so much more.

Her comments on things read in the newspapers were priceless.  Her words of wisdom were ever so welcomed and at the end of the day? She remained my precious and priceless Mom!

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

 

He walked the walk with me! Saying so long to John Rafferty

 It was with a very heavy heart and a lump in my throat that day when I said my final goodbye to John Rafferty.

I have known John since 2009 when he first became the CEO of the CNIB. I first met him on a very cool spring day in 2009 when he invited me to visit him at his office to discuss an editorial that I had written about his becoming the first sighted CEO of the CNIB.

This was the beginning of a very fruitful friendship for me and if history judges him otherwise I will judge him as a dynamic, warm, welcoming leader who never turned me down on any idea. He always had time to take my phone calls and to visit with me.  He listened, and made me feel that my words mattered.

John was positive, pragmatic, and never ceased to share his worldly advice with me.

Now John is gone; walking out into a new, different world and I wish him the very best in his new endeavors.  Thank you, John.

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

Pleased as punch! My pottery pieces

 

Oh, what a complete joy for me!  Just the ability to create any and everything through my pottery! I work with my pottery instructor, Shaun Kelly, who is simply marvelous. Together we discuss, imagine, and then Shaun puts the final touches to my imaginations.

We have lots of fun at the studio. We chat, imagine, and then my hands go to work.

Shaun makes me a nice mug of flavoured tea and shares cookies with me.

This is truly a great outlet for me to put my mind to work outside of work!

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

Forever in my memory bank: Memories of trip 2024

What more can I really say?  Words cannot and will not ever describe everything here! From beginning to end, what a priceless, precious, and never to forget experience.

A river boat cruise always to cherish, and despite Jilla and I suffering from some sort of bug, it all just turned out right.

Great fellow travelers, great tour guides, great ship staff, and yummy and delicious food! Forever grateful! The sites, sounds, smells, and tastes! Never to forget.

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

 

I can never repay you! Thank you, Jilla

I can never say enough thank you's to my dear friend Jilla. For the things that she has done for me!

Accompanying me on so many trips, guiding me through thick and thin, and always so mindful of my needs as a vision-impaired person.

Oh, yes!  Patient and kind, generous and so very gentle! What a friend and what a lady! Thank you, Jilla!

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

 

A lifetime dream come true! The hot air balloon ride

 This was another dream come true for me! I don’t think that I had any expectations, so when it was all over, I sighed!  I thanked God!  And I stored this memory away in my memory bank!

I was never afraid as the balloon rose gracefully into the early morning Lucerne, Switzerland air. The sun shone brightly and the air was so fresh, pure, and cool!

I enjoyed our 2 staff members and cherished Jilla’s running commentary of what she was seeing.  Everything from white, black, and brown cows in the lush fields to people looking up at us and waving. Houses, churches, and other buildings.

The balloon cruised effortlessly at 5 miles per hour, 1,200 feet above ground and traveled for 12 miles!

Oh, what a dream come true for me!  I gazed skywards, prayed with gratitude and hoped that Dad, Granny, and Robs were looking down on 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 at author_jodhan
And like me on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/donnajodhan and at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan