An Okie At Heart

The sound of the whistling winds, brisk breeze hitting you so hard that it almost knocks you over, lets a person know that they have arrived in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. It is the land of the ice storms, tornados, and oddly enough, lately earthquakes. For those of you who may not know this, I had the opportunity to attend my freshman year of college in this inimitable city. I always enjoy visiting Oklahoma City. Oklahoma City reminds me of many pleasant moments revolving around some of my family and friends; moments that always bring a smile to my face. With this said, my good friends, Jenny and Curtis, always go out of their way to make my trip extra special. I met them over ten years ago, before the loss of my sight, and they have continued to stick by my side. Upon my arrival to Oklahoma City, Jenny and Curtis prepared one of my favorite meals, took me to visit my favorite ice cream place, then I had a trip down memory lane, while visiting my former school. Jenny and Curtis’ overall amazing descriptive skills, and awareness for the need to verbalize descriptions, resulted in nothing but smiles for all of us.
In addition to the visiting with my family and friends, a highlight of my trip was discovering Oklahoma City’s talking crosswalks, in the downtown area. Talking crosswalks are automated street crossing signals that allow a blind/visually impaired person to know when it is safe to cross. When I pressed the crosswalk button on the pole, if it was safe to cross, the voice would announce the following: name of the street, walk to cross, and then the remaining seconds left to arrive to the other side of the street. When crossing the street, there is another system still counting down the time, allowing a person to know how much time they have left to travel and what direction to go towards. However, if it was not safe to cross, the automated voice would repeatedly announce wait. I was so excited after my experience with the talking crosswalks, that I became giddy, to say the least. LOL. I wish Denver would install this type of system. I believe it would make traveling safer compared to the beeping signals. Well, I hope you enjoyed reading this post as much as I did embarking on the trip.

Pardonez Moi.....

OK readers I need you to help your girl out! I am baffled and need some understanding. Is common courtesy nonexistent? I mean if you saw someone in your path with a bright white cane, wouldn't you think to move out of the way? Remember this blog is based on the perceptions of 2 sisters; one blind, one sighted; Robin seemed to find my irritation funny, but I was quite flabbergasted! I was not a happy shopper and usually shopping brings me great joy! Here's what happened, *sigh*, so we're at the mall getting our mom's Christmas gift, Thursday evening, the mall wasn't too crowded, normal mall crowd and people still continued to walk straight into us. WTH?! Not just once, not just twice...multiple times! This girl had to pull her boyfriend out of the way! We're walking, they see us...keep walking...I'm thinking are they gonna shift to the side...nope, they keep coming. I'm telling Robin, "These people see us, headed straight towards us and they are not gonna move". Robin's laughing, "Yeah, it happens all the time." So, now I'm at the point where I'm refusing to move, they are going to have to get out of our path. Can you believe these people still would not move?! They got right up on us to the point we're all doing a two step shuffle to get around each other! Again, WTH?! Maybe I'm a bad guide. I know, I know, Robin's talked trash about my guiding skills, but I've gotten better! Seriously, I have lol! I don't know, maybe I'm confused, maybe I missed the memo that courtesy went out with last years fashion. Call me crazy, but doesn't it just make plain ol' good sense for someone to go around if they see someone is blind? Or were we supposed to move out of the way? Oh pardon me sighted person, although you see us and are walking directly in our path, let me guide my blind sister around you at the last minute to not inconvience you. All you, sighted person, had to do was take a few steps over to the side, while I have to direct my sister to go to the right, keep going, oh wait, hold on here's some more ding dongs who don't want to move out of the way...geez! My thinking is whoever has to make the less effort should move. If I see someone with a stroller, in a wheelchair, that's blind, on crutches, or someone who has shopped until they can't shop anymore and has more bags than they know they need, etc., I'm moving out of the way because it takes less effort for me to move than to make them move. C'mon people, let's keep down all of the unnecessary scuffle...share the mall hall! It could just be that some people are just rude and are that way regardless and it's more noticeable when their rudeness is towards someone with different abilities. They better not be shocked when they find a lump of coal in their stockings this year, lol!

It's the holidays, so while out and about, be kind, be courteous and most of all be fabulous! Smooches!!!

Giving Thanks

Thank you for your unwavering love.
Thank you for your ongoing support.
Thank you for your undeniable devotion.
Thank you for your compassion,
which flies freely like a dove.
Thank you for your listening ear.
Thank you for your soothing voice.
Thank you for the big hugs.
But most importantly,
thank you for being so dear.

Tis’ the season to reflect back on your life and offer thanks for the blessings you have received. As Thanksgiving rapidly approaches, many people are gearing up to celebrate with their family and friends. The preparing of food, feasting together, sharing of stories, and the overall quality time spent together, will create a lifetime of memories. But the reality is, the offering of thanks should not be limited to one season, it should be everyday. Even when times are hard, try to pinpoint one positive thing that has gone right. It will be difficult, but it is possible. When I was losing my eyesight, of course with the help of my family, I had to keep reminding myself to be thankful for what I do have instead of what I don’t. My challenge to you is every morning before you start your day, think about one thing that you are thankful for; it will impact your outlook on life and others. I will start by saying how thankful I am for my family. What are you thankful for?

An Innovator, A True Leader Will Forever Be Remembered

October 5, 2011 was a sad, sad day for millions of people across the world. It was a day that many knew was coming, but did not want to see for a long time. After his resignation as CEO of the Apple corporation in August, the company lost a major force behind their most thriving products, and now the world has lost him forever. Yes, you probably already know who I’m talking about; Founder and former CEO of Apple, Mr. Steve Jobs. When I heard the news, I was loss for words because Mr. Jobs was not only an innovating businessman, but he was also an empathetic, caring, strong, determined, and wise person who tried to take EVERYONE’S needs into consideration. From the development of the Mac computers, iPod, iTunes, iPhone, Apple TV, to the ever popular iPad; Mr. Jobs made great strides to guarantee satisfaction for users, including accessibility options for all.
Within the past few days, I have heard the media describe the Founder of Apple as being a perfectionist because of his detailed oriented persona. However, instead of calling him a perfectionist, I would use the word genuine to describe him. In my opinion, paying close attention to details in his work, shows that Mr. Jobs took pride in every endeavor, and did not want to leave any stone unturned. As a technical leader in the mainstream, Apple has brought more awareness to the public about the needs of assistive technology in conventional products. In a matter of fact, Apple has shown other corporations that if they take the time to be inclusive, their products can be accessible and affordable to a wider range of customers.
It can be said that every member of my immediate family has an iPhone, and it is something that I am very proud of. As a blind individual, when it comes to technology, I often feel left out and discouraged. However, thanks to Mr. Jobs, Apple has changed my technical experiences. With voiceover on my iPhone, I now have access to my email, internet, text messaging, menu options, and a range of applications. From the bottom of my heart, thank you Mr. Jobs for giving me the opportunity to enjoy my life in the world of technology, by utilizing the products you invented. Mr. Jobs is an inspiration to many, including myself. He has impacted my life beyond measure on a professional and personal level. Through adversity, Mr. Jobs shined. Mr. Jobs once said, “I want to put a ding in the universe.” Well done Mr. Jobs, well done! Your legacy will live on forever. Rest in Peace.

AN ADVENTUROUS JOURNEY WITH TONY

Is your bag packed? Do you have your passport? Did you remember your imagination? Are you geared up for a sense of adventure? If you answered yes to all of these questions, then you are ready to set out on a trip with UK traveler and author, Tony Giles, so let’s go! We’re going to the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Vietnam, and Thailand. In his nonfiction book titled, “Seeing the World My Way”, Tony takes us with him on his journey as he navigates through various obstacles within these countries. While reading the book, very descriptive details may cause one to feel as though they were there with Tony in person.
“Seeing the World My Way” offers a unique and interesting perspective from across the globe. What is so unique about the book? Well, Tony Giles not only went on a solo journey across various countries, but he did it all while being completely blind and eighty percent deaf. It is apparent that Tony Giles has no limits when it comes to conquering his dreams, leaving no stone unturned. For example, I asked Tony to describe himself in one word, and he replied by saying, “The one word to describe me would be 'Alive'! I want to live life to the full, do everything, feel it, do it, taste it... My mind is constantly active, learning and dreaming, searching for the next challenge.” Wow, Tony Giles is taking advantage of all the opportunities life has to offer.
In addition to creating opportunities for himself, Tony would like others to realize that their dreams can be possible as well. Specifically, Tony stated that, “No matter their disability, problems or challenges’, they can be overcome, anything is possible and life is for living.” I agree with Tony, disability does not mean inability!
After reading the book, my favorite part was chapter two titled, “The Question Why?” When it comes to traveling, some people are baffled why a completely blind and partially deaf person would want to travel if they can’t see what’s around them. Tony answers his spectators by asking in return, “why not?” In fact, sight is not a requirement for traveling, one can compensate through the other senses; sense of smell, touch, taste, and hearing. Traveling is all about the person taking in the culture around them, which can be done in various ways, as seen in Tony’s book. In the interview, Tony stated that, “As I matured and travelled further, I realized my blindness enabled me to do more, not less. It gave me a view of the world vastly different from other travelers. It enabled me to overcome other fears and emotions by discovering that being blind didn't stop me from participating. My blindness allowed me to use my other senses and train them to their maximum.” Tony not only trained his senses to the maximum, but he’s also helping others learn how to do so through his experiences.
To learn more about Tony Giles and his book, “Seeing the World My Way”, check out: http://www.tonythetraveller.com/ All proceeds from the book will go to a charity helping those with Muscular Dystrophy.

Get Your Bowl On....

Could you imagine not being able to do something that you once enjoyed but were unable to do now or thought you were unable to do? Until recently, it had been over 9 years since Robin had went bowling...9 years ago she lost her eyesight. What does losing her eyesight have to do with her not being able to bowl? Good question, I asked her the same thing! Once you become blind is there a document stating all of the things that you can no longer do??? Um no..so we're going bowling!!! We went out and had an awesome time...although Robin did get beat by her 9 yr old niece, Imani (no need to feel bad, Robin's game has always sucked, it's actually better now that she's blind) smooches, love you Robin!!! Anyway, Robin got familiar with where everything was and we counted how many steps she needed to take before she threw the ball, and after a couple of runs, girlfriend had it down and was doing her thing! She got a couple of spares, but it wasn't enough to keep up with Imani, that little one is competitive!

"Disability is not a brave struggle or 'courage in the face of adversity'. Disability is an art. It's an ingenious why to live." Neil Marcus

For more information on blind bowling check out the American Blind Bowling Association @ www.abba1951.org

Behind Closed Doors: Politicians and Disability

When you were on TV. for everyone to see, you promised to represent my community to your fullest capability. Evoking equality was your mission to be, breaking through the barriers, giving means for more opportunity. But, what happens when the cameras are turned off and no one is watching, will you still care or will you pretend that you are not there?
During campaign seasons, we hear politicians make promises to their constituents, to which some they keep and others they do not. Like any other person, politicians have their public and private selves to which they choose how/when to reveal to others. Some individual’s public self is not that different from their private persona; whereas, for some, they may be as different as night and day.
You have probably heard of the recent allegations about Representative Sheila Jackson Lee, brought upon by her former aid Mona Floyd. For those of you who have not heard, Ms. Floyd, who is visually impaired, claims that there is a discrepancy between Representative Jackson Lee’s public support for people with disabilities and her private actions. Ms. Floyd alleges that the representative had no regard for her disability by talking about the impairment in a derogatory manner and not implementing necessary accommodations for Ms. Floyd to accomplish tasks. I do not know the exact particulars of what did and did not occur because I was not there, but I do know that if the allegations are substantiated, then it is unfortunate.
When hearing this story it made me think back on some instances when I felt dismissed by my local representatives in conversations and volunteer opportunities. A representative is supposed to embody ALL of their constituents. We are ALL human beings and everyone deserves a chance to succeed. When selecting/supporting your politicians, I urge you to ponder these questions: Where does he/she stand on the issues of people with a disability? How does he/she interact with their disabled constituents? Does he/she have any staff members or volunteers who have a disability, if so how do they interact with them? Please let us know what you think and remember, disability does not mean inability!