Category: Special Observations
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What Does a Shark, ABC and Audio Description Have in Common?
Did my title grab your attention? I sure hope so. Well, now that you are here reading my blog post let me explain what a shark, ABC and audio description have in common. The Shark Tank I am a huge, huge. Let me say it one more time. Huge fan of The Shark Tank. This…
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Painting Glass and Ceramic Pottery in the Dark
Today is World Art Day Before losing my sight, I was on the path of a new career in the fashion industry. Yes, I know you are probably in shock because all I have ever talked about is my writing and non-profit work. But yes, I had other career ambitions. Back in the late 1990s…
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My Treadmill is Used for Walking Not a Clothes Hanger
National Walking Day One day I was having my treadmill serviced and the maintenance guy told me, “I can tell you actually use this treadmill. It is not a clothes hanger like my other customers.” I had to chuckle when he said that because he was right. Although that compliment was said some years ago,…
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Recognizing 5 Black Women in Journalism During Women’s History Month
When I was taking courses in journalism in college, I learned about women in the news but they were more modern-day women verses historical. Since March is National Women’s History Month, I wanted to honor some women that impacted the industry from the past. Some of the women are not as well-known while others are…
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Maintaining Happiness During a Pandemic
Today people are celebrating the International Day of Happiness. Is it possible to be happy or to maintain happiness during a pandemic? Yes, I think so. First let’s look at the definition. According to Merriam-Webster the word happiness means “a state of wellbeing and contentment.” Now, I take this to mean that it is a…
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Organizing Your Home Office in Four Manageable Steps
One thing that people who know me say all the time is, “Empish, you are so organized!” Some say it with awe. Others with annoyance, envy or pure astonishment. But regardless of the reaction I know the statement holds true. See, I was raised by parents that believed everything had a place and that when…
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Blind Woman Dives Horses in Wild West Show
March is Women’s History Month This month is Women’s History Month and I discovered an interesting woman that fits nicely in this category. She is truly a historical figure and did incredible things during her lifetime that not many women were doing. She was also visually impaired and later became an advocate for the blind.…
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African American Slavery and Disability in the American South
Reading with My Ears Book Review For many years I have been curious about the life of the disabled slave. My first exploration was learning about Blind Tom, the Georgia slave who was never emancipated. But that was not good enough and I wanted to learn more. Through digging a little deeper, I found a…
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The Differences Between Living with Low Vision and Total Blindness
Editor’s Note: Guest blogger, Amy Bovaird is a good friend and fellow peer advisor at VisionAware. We have been online friends for many years and lovers of the written word. Here is her story about living with low vision. Everyday Misconceptions of Low Vision Several years ago, my boyfriend’s housemate told him, “Amy can’t be…
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Black Female Research Scientist and Inventor Advocates for Better Eyecare and Treatment of Blindness
Patricia E. Bath This month is Black History Month and I am so excited to share about this phenomenal woman I learned about from the podcast called Encyclopedia Womannica. I have been a listener and subscriber for a long time now, at least 2 years, and every day I learn about some incredible woman and…
Empish J. Thomas 