Tag: Disability
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Deaf Culture Facts I Learned from Reading True Biz
Reading with My Ears Book Review I recently joined Book Nation for another virtual discussion about the book True Biz by Sara Novic. The conversation with the author, who is deaf, was noteworthy because she shared about her life and the writing process for the book. But reading The audiobook was such an educational and…
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Why Do the Blind Wear Sunglasses? It’s Not Totally Why You Think.
Many of us have seen that stereotypical image of a blind person wearing sunglasses and carrying a white cane. For years I wrongly assumed that wearing sunglasses was because the person either had no vision or their eyes didn’t look natural. It wasn’t until I lost my own vision that I learned otherwise. Now blind…
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Celebrating My Birthday With 7 Writing Gifts to Myself
Tuesday, June 21 is my birthday and I am breaking tradition. I am celebrating by writing gifts to myself. I know you are supposed to receive gifts from others and I will happily take them. I just wanted to do something a little different this year. After all the birthdays I have had, and there…
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After 20 Years of Ownership My House is Still a Home Sweet Home
Twenty Years Owning a Home Last month I contacted the courthouse to request a copy of my deed. For some reason I misplaced my original and needed to replace it. As I was reading the copy they sent, it dawned on me that it has been about 20 years since I purchased my house. Where…
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New York Times Columnist Shares Insights on Vision Loss and Found
Reading with My Ears Book Review I came across another excellent audiobook read from the library by New York Times columnist and bestselling author, Frank Bruni. “The Beauty of Dusk: On Vision Lost and Found” is a wise and moving memoir about aging, affliction, and optimism after partially losing eyesight. The first time I heard…
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Making Accessible Origamis: How Folding Paper Stimulated My Brain
Accessible Origami Class Offered For some years now I have been interested in taking an origami class. I would see them advertised all the time at my local library. But thinking they were probably not accessible I didn’t pursue it until recently. The American Printing House for the Blind offered a virtual weekend origami class …
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First Paralyzed Athlete Competes in Archery at the Olympics
Even though archery is one of the oldest sports in existence, it is still practiced and played today. In recent years it has increased in popularity and is observed on May 14, the second Saturday in May-National Archery Day . In honor, I’m sharing about a woman who was disabled and very talented in archery.…
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Growing a Writing Green Thumb: 6 Ways Spring Can Nurture Your Craft
Writing About Spring I’ve never been great at growing vegetation. Plants and flowers don’t seem to flourish around me. The idea of getting outside in the heat. Dealing with bugs of all kinds. Tilling soil and getting dirty. None of these are my thoughts of a fun and enjoyable activity. Then add my visual disability…
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Can You Hear Me Now? Why I Like Landlines and Smartphones
Telephone Memories Today, Apr. 25, is National Telephone Day and I am feeling somewhat nostalgic. I am reflecting on my usage of this important communication device invented by Alexander Graham Bell. I remember my first telephone. It was a white Princess model purchased from Bellsouth. It sat on my nightstand next to my bed. I…
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We’re with U Concert Helps Blind Ukrainians
As I’ve been watching the news on the war in Ukraine I have wondered what is happening to the people with disabilities there. Are they successfully escaping with their families? Or are they safely staying behind? I know war harms the lives, health and safety of all people involved. but the circumstances are far worse…
Empish J. Thomas 