I am not your good deed for the day!

I had one of those experiences yesterday that even just a few years ago, I would have just accepted.  Tried to move on and said nothing.  But somehow, I won't do this anymore.  I think part of the reason for this is my creation of my one woman show "Flying in the dark"  That made me stronger and more confident as a woman who is blind.  Also, I feel I need to be a voice for myself and sometimes others who did what I would have done and said nothing.

Yesterday, on my way to teach someone how to use her iPhone, I stopped in a cafe for an iced tea.  I had a few minutes and thought that I would sit down, sip my tea, go over my lesson plan or read a book.

I found the cafe by myself with the assistance of my trusty guide dog.  I entered.  Found the line up.

I got to the counter and ordered.

I also asked if the person could carry my tea for me.  I did request it in a take out cup which turned out to be smart.

As I stood there, a man approached the counter.  He did not talk to me.  He said, "I have a seat for her."

The woman at the counter (bless her) said, "Are you going to sit down?"

"Yes." I said.

"I will take you to my table." he said.  Then proceeded to grab me and push me towards the table.

He shoved me into a chair and said, "I did my good deed for the day."

Just then, the poor server came with my drink.

The man said to the server, "Now you will go to heaven."

What?  Heaven?  For doing your job and delivering a drink to someone.

I almost put my head phones in and sat there.  Then, I thought, "No!  No!  I won't sit at a table with this person!  I won't be quiet!  I won't stay in this situation!"

I leaped to my feet, brandishing my iced tea!

The man said, "You are not staying?"  I said very loudly and clearly so everyone in the vicinity could hear.  "I am not an inanimate object.  I am not your good deed for the day!  ANd, I am not sitting at a table with someone who thinks like you!"

And I marched out of the cafe!  Tea in one hand.  Dog in the other!

So angry but yet so proud!

I was not silent!  I was not making a joke of it!  I said what I needed to say and I left!

High tech low tech both fascinate the public.

yesterday, two other hosts and I launched a radio show by and for and about people with disabilities. I will blog more about the show soon. I am still absorbing the launch and how it felt. However, I want to say this. We had media coverage from CBC radio and CBC television in Canada. The tv man was in the studio filming us as we did our show. This is community radio so we have to do all aspects of it. Conduct the interviews, play the music, operate the sound board. Everything. I had my iphone in the dock and was running music from it. I turned the speech off and ran it from my braille display so radio audiences don't hear the sound. The journalist was fascinated by this. And then, in the next breath he wanted to make sure he got a photo of the guide dog lying under the desk. What a contrast between two of the things that help me to lead an independent life. My guide dog (low tech in many ways) and my braille display and my phone (high tech) but both so important and essential. Here is the link to go and find our show. Once you get to the site, search for welcome to my world or tuesday at 9:30 AM. CKCU radio

Very exciting book news. Kindle app now accessible for me.

Anyone who knows me at all, knows that I love reading.  I've always been addicted to it.  My earliest memories are of people reading to me.  Their voice muffled behind the book, the squeak of a book cover, the turning of pages, the wonderful book smell.  this being read to was wonderful but not enough.  I wanted to read for myself. Audio books came but they came according to what was available and not always what I wanted to read.  Then, I learned braille.  Very wonderful.  Reading in the dark under the covers and not getting caught.  But bulky and again not too many books (especially new books) available to me.  And then came the scanner and special software.  Sure I could scan a book page by page which took time but was still better than not having that book at all.  Then i devices and ibooks came.  I got a special thrill out of buying a book from their store and reading it in braille with my braille display.  But iobooks does not have as many books as kindle has and kindle has never been accessible.  But now, the kindle app for I devices is totally accessible and now more books than ever are available to me.  I found several storytellers I know with their books on kindle which I shall gladly now buy to support them.  Thanks kindle.  Next step for  you, make the  kindle readers accessible please?

Reveling in my guide dog day walk.

On this dog anniversary day, had to write a second post. Working working on various things at home. But, when you have a dog and the spring has finally arrived, then you need to get out and walk. And so we did that. While out on a walk today, met some very badly behaved (not aggressive) dogs.
First dog was barking and lunging at the leash. Tulia glanced at it but kept going. The man was trying to get the dog moving but having little success.
Tulia found our crossing poles and a garbage can and a door and the coffee shop and mailbox.
Then, on the way home, another yapper coming right at us, barking and jumping. The woman said, "I have a dog here." I smiled and didn't say what I was thinking which was, "Yes I know you do." She said, "It is just a little dog." As it jumped and barked. I said, "Would you mind getting it under control please." "I have trouble doing that," she said. This whole time, Tulia is seated calmly beside me. She says, "YOur dog is better behaved than mine." Jump jump bark bark. "Perhaps," I said, "YOu could pick it up and carry it away." "Good idea." Like she had never thought of it. She did that. Away they went, barking and bouncing. Once they were gone, Tulia banged my leg with her head. Yes, I know, you are so civilized and good Tulia.
Home we went without further mishap.

Guide dog anniversary

Time sure flies. It was on this day in 1992 that I met my very first guide dog. Female black lab Gwenny. She was reserved and not sure about me. She whined a little and pined for her trainers. But, being a lab, once I fed her, she was more comfortable with me. Our first walk was scary. For me anyway. Fast and wild and I did not know whether to trust her. I've only had a few weeks of guide dogless travel since and really would never be without a guide again if I can help it. For as long as I can hold a harness I hope to have a furry friend by my side. Not just for the guiding. The guiding is great. For the team work. For the partnership. For the being beside you through everything. For the laughter. for the times when the dog gets you to play or cheers me up when I am sad. For those times when they have saved my life. And each one has at least once. For the sound of a dog's peaceful breathing while asleep. For the smiles they bring to others. For the stories they let me tell. I have had the pleasure of working with 4 wonderful guide dogs. At the moment, my second black lab is here. Lying on her bean bag. Snoring lustily. But it is of Gwenny I think today. She started me on ,this path andwhat a path it is. Love you Gwenny dog! And all of the others too. And love all of you who have given of your time and talents to help to create and train my wonderful guides. You know who you are. Thank you!

Belated happy international guide dog day.

I had a busy day yesterday. Out with my guide dog. She guided me across streets. She found a garbage can, an audible crossing pole, a bus stop, our house, two buildings, a chair, a bus seat, a counter, a table. She lay quietly beside me in a coffee shop while I worked. She lay beside me in a meeting. She was and is a part of my day. She played at home with her green rubber bone which once smelled like mint but now just smells like dog. She ate, she lay on her back tail wagging while I patted her stomach. She was there for me. Making me smile. Helping me move through the world. On Monday it will be my 21st anniversary with guide dogs. Really? Where does the time go? Tulia is my fourth. Happy happy international guide dog day and thanks to guide dogs for the blind (see link below) for training all of my wonderful guides. And thanks to the raisers who raise them. The trainers who trained them and matched them with me. And to Gwenny, Margaret, Gia, and Tulia for all that you are and for walking this path with me. Guide dogs for the blind Inc.

The ordinary to me is fascinating to others

I use a braille display paired with my phone. I can also use the device as a notetaker. It has a display on the bottom with little pins that pop up and down when I write or when I read and change lines. In a meeting this morning, someone asked about it and was fascinated. This happened a couple of weeks ago too and happens every time I use it. To me, it is a normal device like you might pull out a pen and paper. To others, it is fascinating. I always stop and think when someone finds something I do extraordinary. Because these things are so normal to me. Yes I listen to speech on my phone at 100 percent speed. Crazy I know! Yes I walk with a guide dog. Yes I have a braille display. Yes I have cool apps like light detector, colour identifyer, bar code reader ETC. To me they become part of my life. I am glad to share them with others so that they know that blind people can do everything sighted people can do if they have the right technology and resources and support.