Radio Show news.

I've meant to blog about this on both of my blogs for quite some time now. I'm one of 3 co-hosts of a radio show by and for and about people with disabilities. All disabilities. Any disabilities. I am loving this volunteer opportunity and learning a great deal. Thanks to CKCU FM radio in Ottawa Canada 93.1 FM. Our show is called "Welcome to my world" and airs each Tuesday morning from 9:30 to 10 AM. You can find the link below where you can listen on demand. We have an e-mail address and twitter feed too. e-mail is ckcudisabilities@gmail.com and our twitter feed is @ckcuwtmw ,In the next few days, I plan to write more about how important radio has been and continues to be for me. Stay tuned for that. Here is the link for the radio station. From there, search for "welcome to my world" or tuesday at 9:30 AM. CKCU FM Radio

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.

Heard a cardinal today. That sound always makes me happy.

As I took my dog out this morning first thing, I heard a cardinal outside. I love that sound. It is so happy and makes me feel totally happy too. In the night, I also heard rain falling. I do like to hear that especially when I am lying in bed and don't have to go outside. When it snows in the night, you can't hear it falling unless it is blowing and hits the window. But if it is fluffy snow, it doesn't sound even when it hits the window. It has to be that sharp frozen snow to hear that tick tick sound. So the sound of rain and cardinals makes it finally feel like spring.

Happy world braille day.

Happy world braille day. Hard to believe in some ways that over 200 years ago, a blind man named Louis Braille invented Braille. A system of 6 dots which helps blind people to read with their hands. Even though technology has evolved and I can use a smart phone, a computer, a light detecter app, a scanner with software to read printed materials, GPS apps and programs, get audio books. I still love braille the most. How happy I was to be able to pair my braille display with my I devices and to be writing and reading this blog in braille. I firmly believe that all blind kids should learn braille. It is vitally important keeps us more literate and working and besides you can read braille in bed at night under the covers and not get told to stop reading your book. thank you Louis Braille.

Thankful to be blind in Canada.

It is Thanksgiving day here in Canada. I am thankful for many things. But, for the purposes of this blog, I am very thankful to be blind in Canada. Sometimes, I remember something and hear something about blind people in other countries. Developing countries. Here, I have computer equipment, a braille display, a guide dog, the ability to have learned how to get around independently, laws that protect my rights. Is it perfect here? No. Are there things we can do to improve? Yes. But, in some countries, blind people have no equipment, no ability to move about independently, not always support to be educated. So, on this thanksgiving day, I am thankful to live here in Canada and to have had a family who supported me in all of my adventures.

Finding stories.

It's odd that sometimes when you think you know what story you will create (or not create) it never works quite that way. Storytelling tonight at the tea party cafe 119 York street in the market from 7 to 8:30 PM with fellow storyteller Joanna Smith. Our set is about mythical creatures. i said, "No autobiographical stories this time. Just brownies and giants." As an intro to my brownie story, I was going to tell 2 lines about my own experience as a brownie. These two lines expanded and expanded into a story I had forgotten and actually did not know was a story until it came out of me. Much tweeking and reworking later, I am becoming happy with it. so interesting that the creative process is never quite what you think it is at the beginning.

So glad I have such varied work.

i have had a very busy week. It struck me today as I was going for a walk with my guide dog, how glad I am to have such varied work. This week for example, I worked on a script for our hallowene murder mystery show. I worked on stories for a performance at a local cafe this week. I gave a presentation at a technology fair. i toured the exhibits at the fair. I worked on some accessibility work, upcoming storytelling performances. I attended a meeting about historical storytelling and a video publicity project. I did some publicity work and updated my finances and work schedule. I received 1 school and 2 seniors bookings. I just love having a wide variety of things to do.

The 10 km swim.

So this morning they were swimming the 10 km open water swim. Even in my competitive swimming days, was trying to think how far I swam in our swimming marathon to raise money. 200 lengths I think it was and about 2 or 3 miles maybe. I wonder if I could swim 10 Kms. Just to see if I really could do it. Not in competition you understand just to do it. Can't believe they did it in about 2 hours. Very impressive. As a blind person, I find open water swimming a bit disorienting so will stick to pools and fun swims in lakes or rivers.

A blast from the past.

Last night when I took my dog out for the last time, I heard someone calling my name. Turns out it was a guy I worked with when we were 16 at my very first job. I was a camp counsellor for little kids. He recognized me and remembered my name. When you are the only totally blind person working at a camp and the first one ever to do so, I guess you stand out. He says he has seen me before but could never stop as he was driving. That was a very fun job and a great group to work with. I worked extremely hard but it was fun too and it got me launched into the world of work. For those who took a chance on a totally blind camp counsellor, you are awesome!

Sorry for junk mail posts and a cute Tulia story.

I am sorry that sometimes some post sneaks on here telling you to click or join or something. I may have to go in and change my blog settings so this doesn't happen. Don't click on anything unless it is in a blog post from me just to be on the safe side. Today, my guide dog and I were on the bus. A man across from me said, "That is an old old dog." I'm not sure if he was blind himself as no one but no one calls Tulia old. If anything, they say she looks like a young pup. I said that no she wasn't old. Others on the bus chimed in and said she didn't look old at all. Then, he said, "That dog is looking at you like oh it is so sad you are blind." I almost laughed out loud. Patiently, I said, "Well, I don't think so because if I wasn't blind, she'd be out of a job!" The people around us roared with laughter. Then he said, "That dog doesn't like being with you very much." At this, Tulia tilted her neck and kissed me right on the face. Everyone in the bus roared some more with laughter. So did I. Then of course, Tulia hammed it up. Tilted her head at the people and someone said raised and flicked her eye lashes. The man didn't make any more comments and we soon got off the bus with people around us still snickering. Takes all kinds I guess.

guide dogs in and out of harness. The differences.

Yesterday, I had a long day of working in various places and ways. i left the house early in the morning and got back near dinner time. My guide dog Tulia was in harness most of the day. when she is in harness, she is calm and professional. at one point yesterday, someone asked if they could pat my dog. about 6 or 7 people were in the room at that time. I took her harness off and she instantly became her off duty self. Wagging and rolling about. Wanting her stomach rubbed. the people were amazed at the change. not that our guides do not like working. They love it but they are working. so they are more serious and focused when working. And here is another myth. Our guides do not work when we are in our houses. They are loose and playing and sleeping and doing what dogs do. my dog is currently sleeping at my feet. And, there is nothing more comforting than a dog sleeping on your feet.

Mother's day.

My mom has recently embraced technology. She has an IPad and uses it all of the time. She now sends e-mails, takes and sends photos, looks up things on line. Yesterday I taught her how to put appointments in her calendar. She is doing so well with it. I am proud of her as a mom. She is strong and funny and caring and talented and smart and the best mom ever! And now she can read my blog too!

Find the bench.

Today, I was waiting for a friend outside of a coffee shop. It was nice and warm and so I decided to wait outside. There used to be a bench there to sit on so I figured I would find it. I told my guide dog to find the bench. She walked forward and stopped. I didn't think we were near the bench yet but I put out my hand and came across not a bench but a table and chairs. They had rearranged the outdoor furniture but Tulia found me a seat anyway. Smart dog!

We should all have dogs at our feet when working.

I am working on my blog and e-mails and learning a story. I know, it's early here but I am a morning person. Tulia is laying right by my feet. If I get stuck, a bit worried about my story learning, feeling like I have so much work and not enough time, I reach down and pat her. She thumps her tail, or goes right on snoring gently and somehow I feel better. I am less stressed. More centred and calm. I keep reading articles about work place stress. Maybe every office should have a dog?

Blogger's block.

I have no idea what to blog about. I'm sitting here in a comfortable chair with a cup of tea and listening to my washer spin as the laundry goes round and trying to think of something interesting to write about. Nothing odd or terribly out of the ordinary has happened. I've been working away at various projects, spending time with friends and family, and enjoying the spring weather. My dog is dreaming right now. Making some strange smacking noises with her mouth, running her paws against her bean bag bed with a swish swish and wagging her tail furiously. I always wish I knew what they dream about. I wonder if they dream about us as we dream about them. Last night I dreamed Tulia was small enough that I could pick her up and hold her on the crowded bus. That would come in handy but think it would make it tough for her to guide me around. Anyone have any questions or suggestions for blog topics?

Great things about being blind. Accessible technology right out of the box.

I have loved technology and how it has helped me to stay equal with my non-disabled friends and colleagues. I've been lucky to obtain funding and have money for some technology which can be very expensive if you have to buy it yourself. Up until recently, the technology I used was specialized. I couldn't walk into a store and buy it. I had to send it back to fix it. Last winter, I got an ipod touch. Totally accessible out of the box. The apple store people set it up to talk for me. Yesterday, it crashed. I paniced a bit. I have used it so much. I went to the apple store and he fixed it very quickly. They were courteous and kind. Knew what voiceover software is and fixed it easily and quickly. It had been refusing to talk but now chatters on. I am so grateful that I can walk into a store and get service for my technology just like everyone else. It's about time!

Great things about being blind. Audible bus stop announcements.

A few times in the past few weeks, I had to go to an unfamiliar destination on the bus. This has gotten easier than it used to be for me. For one thing, traveling with a guide dog makes these trips easier and more fun and adventurous. also, our bus system here now finally has audible announcements of each stop. No more worrying about whether or not the bus driver will remember to tell me where my stop is. I just listen for the announcements and get off when I need to. I still need to ask sometimes but not nearly as much. Of course, with any technology, these announcements might not always be working but it is nice to be able to be even more independent when riding the buses.

Great things about being blind. Being read to by great readers.

I love reading braille books.  But, I also use audio books.  I read them as I fall asleep, when I'm brushing the dog, exercising, cooking, doing dishes, etc.
I have a very good reader at the moment.  Having a good reader is such a pleasure.  Someone who reads naturally and does not over dramatize.  Someone who does not stumble over words.  Someone who seems and sounds interested in the book.  It used to be I think that people read to each other out loud.  That doesn't seem to happen so much anymore.  Maybe reading aloud is a lost skill.  Tomorrow, I will tell you about the search for good readers when I was in University.  Happy summer reading to all.

Great things about being blind. Not being awakened by lightning

We had major thunder and lightning storms last night.  They went on for a couple of hours at least.  I love listening to the rain when I am lying in bed.  It is so nice to know that you don't have to be out in it.  The rain poured down.  It makes a clicking sound on the metal railings of our balcony, a tapping deeper sound on the window.  A pounding sound on the pavement.  Then the thunder came.  It was very loud and shook the house and there was bright lightning I was told but the lightning didn't keep me awake.  The thunder woke me up fully once but my guide dog slept peacefully on.  I love hearing a thunder storm when I don't have to travel in it.

Great things about being blind. Restaurant mascott?

Today, while driving back from a road trip with my mom, we stopped to eat lunch at a restaurant called the black dog.  Of course, Tulia being with us, we brought a black dog to the black dog!  And all of the staff at the black dog loved the black dog!  Does this make sense?  Anyone confused yet?  And of course, the staff at the black dog took pictures of the black dog and maybe they will use them as photos for the black dog restaurant!   Still with me?  So, if Tulia becomes famous at the black dog, will we humans get free meals in future?