Thanks so much to the kind person who helped me out the other day.

The other day, I was waiting to cross a street near me that I cross almost every day. This street has a regular traffic light. When you are blind, you listen for traffic patterns. When the cars travel in the same direction you wish to travel, you go forward. Or at least in my case, then I tell my guide dog to go forward. The other day, I could not hear a pattern in the traffic. I stood there for a while listening. Then, a man crossed the street and told me that the lights were on flashing cycle. They were not working. Thanks to him for helping me solve the puzzle in a kindly and straight forward way. He also asked if he could help and how best he could do that. Great that he talked to me like a competent adult and did not try to pet my working dog! Thank you so much whoever you are! Made my day!

Have I walked through your photo opps?

This morning, my guide dog and I were moving along a sidewalk. Up ahead, there was commotion. Lots of talking. Walkie talkies and things like that. A man offered to help get me around the chaos. I asked if it was construction. This is construction season after all. But no, they were making a movie. I asked if they would like a very cute and well behaved dog in their movie. He laughed but said no. Poor Tulia! She could have been famous. after moving on, I got to thinking. How many times have I obliviously barged through people's photo opps, wedding pictures, video highlights, etc? If I have inadvertently done this, I am truly sorry. Maybe I should brush Tulia, dress myself up and go back and see if we can be in a movie? But, I've got workto do here and Tulia is sleeping in the sun. So, no movies for us.

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

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.

Even at the dentists, my dentists, the dog gets more attention!

This morning, my guide dog and I went to my dentists for my regular cleaning. My dog first tried to turn down a street instead of going straight. I made her go back the way I wanted only to find that the sidewalk was blocked and there was major construction. Should have listened to her. She found the medical building. Have not been there in 6 months. She found the elevator. She found the dental office. She found me a chair. We went into the back to get my teeth done. So then, my hygienist asked if she could pat Tulia. The receptionist too. They are dog people. I took her harness off and they came and patted her and she rolled about. But, what did the dental people say and do? Oh yes they patted her belly ETC but then looked at her mouth. Commented on her perfect front teeth that I brush and her under bite. Smile! After a time, I asked if they might get back to cleaning my teeth! That Tulia is so darn cute! And smart! After we left there, she found a coffee shop. thenot, I had to go and teach someone to use their IPHONE. She found the building, the office and everything. She's home now lying at my feet snoring contentedly. She brightens all my days and those of others around me too.

The guide dog memory.

Yesterday, my guide dog and I were looking for a bus stop we have not used often and maybe only been to once. I knew it's possible location. But, not exactly where. I knew it was either in one block or the next. I thought the first block but I wasn't totally sure. But my guide dog stopped and sat down. I let her do it while I waited and listened for someone to ask. Because it was the hkliday weekend, and it was cold and fairly early in the day, no one seemed to be out walking. I listened and then my heart sank because I heard a bus approaching. Since buses were on holiday schedule, I knew that if I missed that one, I would have to wait a while in the cold. But, the bus pulled up and stopped beside us. I asked if I was standing at the bus stop. The driver seemed a bit surprised when he said, "Yes you are." My dog knew exactly where we were. Smart girl.

Training in public. Reasons why it is good!

Today, I was doing some training helping someone who is blind to learn more about her IPHONE. We did this in a coffee shop. Sometimes I am not sure whether or not this is the right environment to do this in. After all, it can be noisy and we need to hear the screen reader on our phones (in this case voiceover). But after today, I thought how good it is too. The other person had left for a meeting and I was getting ready to go too and walk home in the freezing cold wind with my guide dog. Someone beside me said, "Excuse me. I couldn't help but watch you with your phone. Do you have special software put on it?" I explained that Apple has made Idevices and macs accessible right out of the box. the man was so glad to hear it. A family member of his is losing vision and loves her iphone. I explained how to get voiceover or zoom (large print software) running. he thanked me so much!

Walking in shoes for the first time outside in ages.

I thought spring might be approaching yesterday. For the first time in what feels like ages, went out in shoes yesterday. Tulia (my guide dog) did not have to wear her boots either which made her happy. I realized as I walked, that I can feel so much more through shoes than I can through boots. the sidewalk cracks and dips, driveway slopes, changes in surfaces. How wonderful it was to not have heavy boots on. But now they are saying a big dump of snow for today and tonight so human and dog boots come out again! But hopefully spring really is just around the corner.

Not in the dark.

I was trying to describe to one of my blog readers yesterday about what I see. In one eye, I see light and dark and shadows if they are within maybe a foot of my eye. In the other I see nothing. People say, "Does it look like dark?" No, it is just nothing. Not a scary nothing. But nothing. They asked if it was emptiness. Well, maybe. But the thing is that I am focusing on my other senses so even dark does not feel dark. When I walk around the house at night in the dark, I hear the furnace, the floor creeking, sounds from outside. I feel the carpet or the floor under my feet. I smell whatever scents are about. And I can touch everything I would touch in the daytime and know what it is. So it doesn't feel dark in a bad way as my world is full of the other senses. Hope this description makes sense. Thanks to all for your questions and reading of this blog. Another new parent of a blind child has found it. Welcome! Glad I have made you feel more positive about blindness. an aspiring song-writer is now here too. People working on school projects. Friends, family, and others. Glad to have you all here.

Reading the newspaper.

I've always liked keeping up with the latest news. I like to know what is going on in the world. up until the last few years, I listened to radio and sometimes tv news but could not read news articles too easily. Someone would have to read them to me. I would have to ask them to read an article and would not necessary know which articles were available to me. But, now with my I device, internet, and braille display, I can read articles from all over with ease. I can pick what to read, I can read using synthetic speech or braille, and I can read it now or later. It has really increased my freedom of information which is very important to me.

Only by teaching do I realize how much I know.

I was helping someone learn to use her Iphone yesterday. I was teaching how to text message, set the phone into portrait mode' and some tricks about using voiceover which is the software that makes all things apple accessible for blind people. As we worked, I started to realize how much I have learned myself about this. How much I know. How far I have progressed since I first touched that flat smooth screen and thought there was no way for me to use it. So so glad to teach and learn about accessibility!

Are you blind?

On the phone the other day, I had an interesting conversation with a sales representative. At the end of the discussion, I had to explain that I was blind and could not see the picture on my computer screen. There was a silence. "you're blind." "Yes." "Half blind?" "No. Really blind." "Fully blind?" "Yes." "All the way blind?" "Yes." "Oh." So I got to wondering, does half blind mean blind in one eye or blind in both eyes half way. She finally finished asking how blind I was. smile! She was nice and not condescending but seemed totally perplexed by my blindness.

Everyone is talking about the blackberry. But is it accessible?

Everyone is talking about RIM and the launch of the new blackberry's and blackberry operating system today. Being Canadian, I do always feel proud when Canadian companies succeed. But, no where have I read anything about accessibility of the new blackberries. For a while now, people who are blind have begun to have more accessibility with smartphones and touch screen devices. Apple's iphone, ipads, ipods of all kinds are totally accessible to me right out of the box. android accessibility keeps improving with its now jelly bean operating system being very accessible I am told. However, I have heard or read nothing from RIM. Does anyone know about the accessibility of their new products? I hope they jump on the accessibility band wagon.

So many choices for typing on my touch screen.

Coming up this week, there will be a new app called "braille touch" which will allow me to type in braille on my I device's touch screen. It is hard to believe that not so many years ago, I did not even imagine how I would even use a touch screen as someone who is totally blind. When I first tried it, I was confused. I'm so used to a keyboard. I learned to touch type at a very young age but felt I needed the physical keys to type. i have gotten faster with typing on screen. Then there was an app called type in braille which I still use sometimes. It lets you type in braille on screen but is a little complicated in how you have to do it. Next came an app called fleksy which allows you to type where you think the letters may be and it predicts words for you. It does a pretty good job really. Next, I tried apple's dictate feature which works really quite well. I also use a refreshable braille display to type and read. I am using it right now. I can read everything on my phone's screen in braille and type in braille too. So, will I try Braille Touch? Probably. I'm just amazed at how quickly things have changed.

So thankful for those around me.

My one woman storytelling show "Flying in the dark" is being performed on January 17 at the NAC Fourth Stage in Ottawa. I am a little jittery and excited today. But, as I practice and think about the show, I keep coming back to how thankful I am for the family and friends who have always surrounded me.
My parents and relatives had never met a blind person before I was born. But, they carried on. They treated me like I was smart, capable, and loved. Blindness was there but it didn't hinder what I did. Instead of saying, "We can't. You can't." They said, "How can we. How can you." There was laughter and humour. There was always support of who I am. My friends too. My blind friends get it in a way others don't. I'm grateful to them for that and for their support always. My sighted friends may not have known a blind person before me but jumped in. Offer me help when I need it. Describe things to me. Laugh with me and treat me like a friend who happens to be blind. Thank you to you all. Thanks to Caitlyn and to those at two women for helping with the creation of this show. The times we've spent working on it are precious to me as is your friendship. On with the show! Deep breaths!

Sorry for what?

Yesterday, we went briefly to the mall so that I could get some pants hemmed and fixed. I don't like braving the boxing day crowds that much but we did it anyway. I left my guide dog home as it was so crowded and went sighted guide. I went into the change room and put on my new pants, came out and stood on the step so that the woman could see them. She pinned them up and then asked me to turn sideways to see the mirror. I was not sure if that meant she wanted me to see the mirror or if she wanted to see it. I turned sideways anyway. The length felt good to me so when she asked if that was okay, I said yes. then as I reached for the wall ! touch it and orient myself, I think she finally realized I was blind. She said, "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." This happens a lot. It got me thinking. She probably was embarrassed for telling me about the mirror. Yes, but I find those things funny and refreshing actually. Was she sorry I was blind? Not sure! Was she sorry she didn't realize I was blind? Not sure. She had given me good service and was very nice and respectful so I saw no problem.

Snow and kindness

We have had a lot of snow here. It is still coming down. Early this morning, I put on coat and boots and took the guide dog out. Winter travel can be somewhat challenging. When it is snowing, it muffles sounds. Cars sound quieter. People's footsteps are quieter. there is something peaceful about that but it can be challenging too. Also, banks of snow at driveways and corners make it challenging to move about. We had taken a short walk and I was coming back home when I met someone I don't know well but have chatted with before. She said how great my dog was and that she was watching closely as we walked and looking back at me to make sure I was okay. I'm not sure that was what she was doing actually. She probably was but she might have also been saying, "Hurry up. Let's get inside." then, she passed me a dog biscuit and said she knew she could not feed or interact with my dog in harness but she wanted her to have it. Snow, kindness, christmas spirit. What could be better than that?

The reason to walk through the slushy world.

Yesterday we had freezing rain. Last night we had rain. Today we have snow. I was working on some stories and other paper work. I was going to stay in working on it but felt I needed a walk and my dog did and so we set off. It was very slushy and wet and a bit icy on the sidewalks. My dog wasn't happy with her boots or the slush really. I considered turning back after a bit but needed to get a few things and so kept going. I'm glad I did. After picking up a few things, I took a short cut through a building and as soon as I opened the door, heard the live sounds of a wonderful choir. We stood and listened for a while. What a good choir they were and what a nice surprise. Loved it and made the trip home enjoyable as their songs and harmonies stayed in my head!

Three funny things done by the dog!

My guide dog is a character. She has always been a character. I always love having guides with great senses of humour and great self possession and she has it all. So, yesterday, she did three funny things. I was out for lunch with my mom. We entered the restaurant. Mom was guiding me and Tulia was walking beside me but not working. As we passed a table, she gently placed her little black head in a lady's lap. She's never done this before. The lady let out a little squeak but then said how beautiful Tulia was. How much she loved dogs. Tulia then sat down right beside my leg. "Did I do that? did I?" After a while, it was pretty funny. Next funny thing. After the lunch, I was home and went looking for my slippers. Who was lying on them both warming them up, yes it was the Tulia. They were nice and warm when I put them on. Next funny thing. All weekend I have had internet trouble. In fact, 2 times my mac computer shut off by itself. The internet was not working. I was about to call my service provider and also apple about my mac. When, I discovered that one of the many dog beds around here, had moved slightly and was up again the wall where a plug to the power bar was. so when Tulia would flop herself down on her bed, she ended up turning off power to the computer and also to the router. Problem solved. Moved the dog bed over.

Very exciting tech group last night.

We had our second monthly tech user group for people who are blind here last night. We had 20 people and six guide dogs in the room. Lots of laughter, lots of lively discussion, lots of knowledge sharing. I so love coordinating this program. It meets a real need in our community. It shows that people who are blind can assist others and help them learn. We can show each other what tech works, what apps work, and what we do. All age groups were represented. It was wonderful. You can follow us on twitter at @gttprogram. There is nothing like coordinating a program that touches your heart and that you feel passionately about. Thanks to everyone who makes this possible. Our next meeting on Monday Dec 17 we share our favourite apps with each other.