I was thrilled to attend this year’s annual Pinot & Pups Gala at the Portland Art Museum. I could go on and on about what an amazing event this was, but I truly think you should attend one of Guide Dogs for the Blind’s auctions and experience it firsthand. Hence, my top 10 list of WHY you don’t want to miss GDB events such as Pinot & Pups. Continue reading “Pinot & Pups: Top 10 List”
Year: 2016
The Invention of Benjamina: A True Story of How I Outwit the Cable Company
I was reminded of Benjamina last night when a cable salesman came to our door. Fortunately, we now use Netflix and don’t even have to deal with Giant Cable Company any longer, but friends still teasingly call me Benjamina from time to time, especially when there is trickery involved. Please enjoy the legendary tale of Benjamina..]
45 minutes on hold.
5th phone attempt this week.
Just want to downgrade my cable.
Please, Giant Cable Company, hire just one more person. I’ll forgive you for routing the call to India. Please, just someone pick up the phone. I hate taking the phone into the bathroom with me. Please just pick up. Continue reading “The Invention of Benjamina: A True Story of How I Outwit the Cable Company”
Traveling Thank You Notes
June was a month filled with travel for me. As I maneuvered my way around bustling airports and unfamiliar hotels, my marshmallow-tipped white cane leading the way, I encountered the joys and challenges of blind travel. While the majority of the public are respectful and kind, there are some rare “gems” that inspired me to write another round of thank you notes.
Dedicated to my Daring sisters who met me in Salt Lake City in early June and know how to find the humor in blind travel.
Thank you public restrooms, for having such a variety of flushing mechanisms, causing me to fumble around in a small area where the dirtiest of germs are lurking on every possible surface. I am especially grateful for the toilets that flush before I have even finished doing my business.
Yours Truly,
On the Go Joe
Thank you stranger on my left, for keeping pace with me as I walk to baggage claim. Yes, YOU, the one who thinks that I cannot see you slowing down when I slow down, and speeding up when I speed up. Thank you for being my silent companion, ensuring that I get safely to my destination.
Gratefully,
Peeping Back at You Tom
Dearest Airport Security, Words can hardly express how thankful I am for your awkward gestures, vague instructions, and patronizing tone. I may not have graduated from the same Ivy League college as you, so I am grateful that you talk to me as if I am 5 years old. The way you instantly turn on your baby voice and say “good girl, good girl” as I walk through the screening process makes me wonder if you are about to tickle my chin. But instead, you swipe my palms and send me on my way with a look that assures me of your pity.
Fondly,
Lady GooGoo Gaga
The Dare
There were all the usual ingredients for a fantastic getaway weekend with the girls: gourmet cuisine, a scenic backdrop for an invigorating hike, shopping for matching Alex and Ani bracelets, endless peanut m&m’s, and lots of laughter. But this girl’s weekend also Continue reading “The Dare”
Women On The Move: Joy Thomas (repost)
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“I don’t understand why I didn’t get the job,”
I said to my supervising teacher, “You gave me such stellar reviews from my student teaching, and I feel like I described my teaching style and goals really well in my interview. I have a 4.0 GPA, and the students loved me! Did the principal say anything to you about why he didn’t hire me?”
Women on the Move: Jenelle Landgraf (repost)
Originally posted on Bold Blind Beauty on May 3, 2016
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Freedom in Acceptance
It’s 1983, and two curly-haired 5 year-old girls sit on their dad’s lap, staring into a screen of flashing lights. They hold their heads back as doctors place stinging drops into their matching hazel eyes, and they wonder what all the fuss is about. Continue reading “Women on the Move: Jenelle Landgraf (repost)”
Simple Soap Making For Kids
(with adaptations for moms who are visually impaired)
I’m not a crafty mom. I’m embarrassed to admit that I’m not even on Pinterest. I’m usually too tired for big projects that involve more than one or two steps. I also have a visual impairment, which doesn’t help. Basically, if I can do this with my kids, so can you!
Why the sudden desire to do a homemade project?
Well, I recently started homeschooling my 2 creative, amazing daughters, ages 6 and 9, and I feel like they deserve some fun, interactive projects. Continue reading “Simple Soap Making For Kids”
New Dog on the Block
The bonus? It was back where I was born. In fact, we even stayed in a room that looked just like the one I first met Joy in, back in training (if I weren’t at the top of my game, I would have been nervous she was exchanging me! But nope, she needs me too much. Yep, I’m THAT good….) Continue reading “New Dog on the Block”
A Mother’s Gift
Happy Mother’s Day from Doublevision Blog! In honor of Mother’s Day, we are sharing words of wisdom from mothers we respect and admire.
“Mothers don’t need to “see” in order to love; we simply “feel” it. The depths of emotion we have for our children takes root within each of our souls. Never let another person’s words cause you to doubt this unshakable bond. Always remember, loving your child requires no “special” accommodations.”
Holly Bonner
Staten Island, NY
www.blindmotherhood.com
Blind Motherhood
As a mother, I am guilty of comparing myself to other mothers, and sometimes judgement follows. Sometimes it is judgement towards myself (Why can’t I be more patient with my kids like that other mother at the park?), and sometimes my judgement is directed towards another mom (Wow, she sure lets her kids run the show!) But when I’m in a good healthy state of mind, I focus on learning from the mothers around me. I observe their empathetic language and attempt to use that same tone when my child is having a meltdown rather than fueling the tantrum with my own frustration. I observe how they put away their cell phones, and get down in the sand to build a sand castle with their child at the beach, and I feel encouraged to fully engage with my own children.
Most recently, I’ve been learning some amazing lessons about motherhood from a fellow blogger, Holly Bonner, author of “Blind Motherhood”. I’ve gleaned so much from this honest, witty, unstoppable mama, and knew instantly that our readers would want to meet her, too. If you haven’t met before, I’m pleased to introduce you to Holly Bonner.
Blind Motherhood by Holly Bonner
Welcome to Blindmotherhood.com! I’m Holly Bonner, a 36 year old, wife, mother and social worker! After completing chemotherapy for breast cancer in 2012, I became legally blind from a neurological condition. Thrust into a much darker world, I went from the role of social work practitioner to the part of disabled client in need of services. With months of training in technology, mobility and ADL (adult daily living) skills; I finally began to feel like I could confidently rejoin the land of the living with my trusty white cane by my side. Then, what doctors had said was impossible happened, I got pregnant! Doctors….LOL! What do they know, right? Continue reading “Blind Motherhood”