She was unique: Remembering Kathy Gooch

Sometimes I am forced to sit back for just a few precious moments and to say, "Thank you."  Sometimes I am truly touched by the good deeds of others but most of all I am always cognizant of those who are true Human Beings.

This is what Kathy Gooch meant to me.  She was not just the admin assistant to her boss, Jim Karygiannis, past MP and now Counselor!  She was a person who got it when it came to understanding the trials and tribulations of persons who are blind and visually impaired. 

Kathy played a huge role in helping me to refine my patience, dedication, and commitment.  She helped me to find ways to deal with the enormous system called Government and she showed me how to find ways to work with rather than work against.

Kathy knew the right things to say at the right times.  She knew how to put me in touch with the right people and together she and I navigated many a rough sea over the years.

Kathy was instrumental when it came to her boss, Jim Karygiannis, leading the charge to have Toronto City Council pass a motion to support my initiative to lobby the Federal Government to pass a Canadians With Disabilities Act and for this I am eternally grateful.

2009 - Kathy led the charge to have Jim Karygiannis issue a press release on Blind Canadians not receiving important info in a timely manner.
2010 - Kathy led the charge to have the Federal Liberal Party make their website accessible.
2011 - Kathy was instrumental in arranging for me to meet with the Federal Liberal Caucus.
2015 - Kathy arranged for Jim Karygiannis to put forward a motion at Toronto City Council to support my initiative for the passage of a Canadians With Disabilities Act.
Of course there was much more.

Thank you, Kathy!  Thank you for all that you did for me!  Until we meet again!

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
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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