Celebrate Connections

Accessible Meetings - When and Where?

2009-05-20T14:22:00.000-07:00

I receive a newsletter called eSight NetWork News every week or so from a wonderful group called Lighthouse International.

This week I received a wonderful link to a set of guidelines released by U.S. Department of Justice regarding accessibility in business meetings. Click here for the whole article. This is the kind of thing that no one thinks about until a request is put in for it. I think we need to understand these guidelines and make them available for everyone, whether someone self-identifies their need or not.

Part of accepting physical changes in your body is learning how to advocate for yourself. It becomes a normal part of your lifestyle, conversation and mindset. How wonderful would it be if someone thought ahead and put in place "accessibility" to the best of their knowledge before being asked? Wouldn't it be great to come to a public venue that was welcoming? I hope that others will look at these and see how to incorporate them without waiting for a request.

Incorporate these ideas into event plans. In conference set-ups. In convention meeting rooms.

Welcome me and the other 45 million people who are currently disabled in America.

Unique Person of the Week - Chris Downey

2009-05-13T09:14:00.000-07:00

When I started this last week, I thought to myself, "Why did I do this to myself!?!" But I wanted a challenge and that was the first thought in my mind. But, as life has it, when you make a decision, something moves in to meet you and fulfill it.

One of my blogs I read called Media dis&dat covered a story, which originally ran in the San Francisco Chronicle. It was about Chris Downey, who continued to study and work as an architect, even as he lost his sight.

There is the obvious incongruous idea of an architect who cannot see. But what I love about this story is again, the odd connections he makes. At the end of the article, he decides his fear of speaking in front of people will be easier now he can't see. LOL!! As a person who faces blindness, I completely understand and get it!

Seriously, here again, someone is confronted by a challenge. How do they overcome that challenge? What connections do they make to overcome it. Read how Chris makes what seems like a stubborn choice that becomes the fulfillment of his life's goals.

Read the Story of Chris Downey here or there.

Hunger Strike For Autism?

2009-05-08T03:52:00.000-07:00

Today, I received disturbing news from one of the bloggers I follow.

Michael Buckholtz is the blogger for the non-profit organization he founded called Aid For Autistic Children Foundation, Inc. As usual, I stumbled across his blog as I perused the many Twitter posts for autism. As a person who was not diagnosed with his spectrum disorder until grown, he brings a unique perspective to the world of autism and Asperger's. As my son grows into manhood, I appreciate that perspective.

However, Michael is going on a fast to bring awareness to the plight of those families that deal with autism, but who do not have bankrolls (or even houses to mortgage) to pay for their child's care.

He is on a 30-day hunger strike.

I am not here to judge, but I still don't like the idea of having to fast to get the attention of people. I don't know if he is being followed by a doctor to monitor his health as he does this. And, with over 900 friends on his page, some of them doctors, I am appalled at the lack of response.

Does the autism community need hunger strikes? Do we need to get grass-roots and sit-in on some senators or insurance companies to get attention to the needs of our children? Have we really come to that?

Michael thinks so.

Earlier, he asked people to write the publicist he hired in support of his book. I wrote a lengthy email. There was not even an autoresponder from Ms. Barnett.

I want awareness, but I don't want our children or even our adults with autism to have to go to such extremes to get attention. Of course, he is free to do whatever he wants, but I hope by my writing this up in two of my blogs, that people will become aware of his journey.

I know April was Autism Awareness Month, but autism doesn't take a vacation or only show up once a year. It is a disorder that families go bankrupt over, marriages fall apart over, and mother after mother (and plenty of dads!) work from dawn until dusk, caring for their children. There are elderly parents still caring and truly worrying about what happens when they are gone.

I am not sure what I want to ask my readers to do. I do want you to click through to his pages. I do want you to support him. But, most of all, I want to open the dialogue. Is it time for the community of people whose lives are touched by autism to go to more radical ways. Is it time to go past petitions and walks?

What do you think?

Unique Person of the Week

2009-05-06T09:11:00.000-07:00

I am going to start a series, called Unique Person of the Week. Every Wednesday, "Hump Day," I will showcase someone who is getting over the hump in their life. I don't want to sound syrupy or anything like that, but at the same time, it is my mission to show people living with challenges who accomplish their goals in unique ways.

This is not just about overcoming obstacles and being inspirational. While that may be true, the real deal is that these people have to do what they do. They have no choice. They either figure out a way to do what they want or they fail. Something about the human spirit just doesn't want to do that.

This week's person is a girl who flies planes with no arms. I love her story. Not because she flies planes with her feet, but because the connection she made between her fear and her success. It wasn't her goal to fly planes. It was her goal to get over the fear of flying. She could have just been a passenger over and over again to do that. Why go the extra step? Why become a pilot to overcome a fear of flying?

That is the power of connections. We never know what is going to come out of it and where they will lead us.

Second Month In...Feeling Like the Last Runner

2009-05-05T09:14:00.001-07:00

Well, it is the 2nd month since I have hung out my shingle and said "Hey, I am in business!" And, of course, I am listening to crickets.

No, I shouldn't be so cynical. Actually, I have two customers already and have been able to find two sites that gave me have free advertising...for as long as I like. I think that is pretty good. The buzz is being created on Twitter about Send Out Cards, from me and several dozen other distributors. As far as Tweetrail is concerned, this month I took the top two spots for tweets about Send Out Cards as you can see below.

I am doing the work. Behind the Twitter scene, I am sending cards to people and following up. This is where the real work begins.

Everyone knows the sale comes in the follow-up. So, the plan is to mail a card, then follow up with a phone call and then launch a campaign that stays flexible to what the responses are.

People don't like to write about this, but getting new business is not easy. It takes a lot of work and determination. You repeat yourself a lot. You hear "no, thank you" a lot.

That is why you have to LOVE your product. I implore anyone who is selling anything, if you don't LOVE (and you need to be able to use those CAPS) your product, get out and do something else.

All the social media, web squeeze pages and social communities in the world will not keep you going when it gets down to the trenches. All the e-books, new and old gurus won't help you get up in the morning and talk about your product one more time.

Only passion about what you have to offer will see you through. Do you have passion about what you sell? What helps you keep going even though the phones haven't started ringing yet?

Picture credit: B Lauren

Speaking...in Every Possible Way

2009-05-03T19:26:00.000-07:00

It has taken a while for me to write this post. I am not really sure why. I knew the two different blogs that moved me to write made wonderful points, and yet, my post remained unwritten. Until today. Until the title came to me.

In two different posts, the concept of speech confronted me. How do we define it? How does it define us? What are the boundaries of it and how can we break down those barriers?

So many questions and I don't have answers, but the discussion intrigues me.

In post #1, a fellow Tweeter, Glenda Watson Hyatt talks about her new business cards and the journey to put the title "speaker" on it. Having been labeled non-verbal from an early point in her life, in this post , she decides that she is going to change that label. She will walk in her speaking ability, even if it comes from a computer-generated voice.

In post #2, written by BA Haller, the story of Tiffany Hill is told. She is a Oregon finalist for the Poetry Out Loud Contest, held in Washington, D.C. She received the nomination to represent Oregon by signing her poetry entry. The very title of the contest is incongruent with her abilities, and yet, I mull over what these two posts mean to me and to us all.

Certainly, these two women are not trying to redefine anyone's opinion. They are just trying to express themselves. And, it is up to us to understand that. But, by that very act, they pound upon the boundaries of our concepts of speech.

From the fluid movement of the body as it expresses American Sign Language to the robotic and often misaligned pronunciation of a computer-generated voice, speech is being redefined.

And, I am happy about this. These steps remind me we have so far to go. There are so many others that will move the boundaries yet again.

Today, a woman was proud enough of the accomplishments she has made that she no longer defined herself as silent. And, a young girl, still a tomboy in her mind, put forward the idea that silence could indeed speak. Out Loud.

How do you feel?

Finally Transferred!

2009-05-03T15:58:00.000-07:00

I have finished it!

Sorry if I have a sense of accomplishment about this, but I have finally brought over all my posts from a hopelessly bogged down WordPress blog to this new Blogger site. It has been a really eye-opening experience.

First of all, I am not a techie. I am learning some of the technical knowledge of HTML and CSS code, but I am far from being an expert in any way shape or form. Secondly, I am on such a tight budget that I could not afford a web guy, even when the web guy was TheWorkingDad, who connected with me through Twitter. He is fantastic and tried to help as much as he and my wallet would allow. But, it was just not meant to be.

Between taking care of my family, school, two other blogs and promoting Send Out Cards, I just didn't have the time. Okay, I also didn't have the patience.

This blog languished for six weeks. Finally, I have it all in one place and can let people know.

How, ironic, though that, just as I finish bringing over the last post, I find I have a follower!

Thank you for following this blog! It is very new and is still getting its bloglegs. Feel free to comment! After all, this is about connections, and a blog without commenters is a one-sided and lonely conversation.

Honesty is Such a Lonely Word

2009-05-03T15:53:00.000-07:00

I love finding other people who are real, honest and popular at the same time. I know that happens everyday, but not in the world of personal development.

Today I came across a post so lovely to my ears, I worked this post into two out of the three blogs I have.

I read a blog called The Illuminated Mind written by Jonathan. Today, he blew me away with being the first personal development "guru" who asked me not to be so into personal development. What?

Yes, he is asking us to stop for a moment and examine what we are doing when we say we are pursuing personal development.

What are we doing?

Every corner there is an "expert." Every day a new book. It is really hard to keep up. As an ordinary person who does want to see improvement in certain areas of my life, the barrage is ridiculous.

The funny things is that no one (that I have read; if you have someone else telling the world this message, leave a comment) else is bringing this message. No one starts off with the truth about why they are into personal development. Everyone is just jumping on the bandwagon to give more and more advice. More and more books.

Finally, one person who says, I don't have all the answers and I am actually learning as I teach you.

How refreshing! Instead of a laundry list of degrees, and why I should listen to you (as opposed to the other hundred people out there), here is someone telling me "I don't have it all together."

Deep inside, we all know this, but isn't it just nice to see someone else write it out in plain language?

I thought of Billy Joel's song Honesty when I read that post. I went and found the lyrics. The chorus is what fits so well here:

Honesty is such a lonely word
Everyone is so untrue
Honesty is hardly ever heard
And mostly what I need from you.

Thanks, Jonathan, and for that, I will promote your book and your blog and you.

Hey Kid! Don't You Want To Play With Web 2.0?

2009-05-03T15:51:00.000-07:00

I couldn't believe this post I received this morning!

Jose Picardo, blogger of Te chnology and Education Box of Tips and Tricks, wrote a provocative and honest post about kids in his class and Web 2.0 tools.

Not to print the whole thing here, but Jose does a series of classroom lessons with his class, using Web 2.0 tools that he is POSITIVE the kids will just love.

And, some of them do love the new techy gadgets.

But, he is met mostly with boredom, disinterest and comments like "Do we have to do this?"

I am not surprised.

I think sometimes that techy people are the ones excited about techy things. I mean, that only stands to reason. But the rest of us; the middle-to-late adopters are still figuring out should we upgrade to Vista (too late. Microsoft is coming out this something new, and I am actually glad I missed that Vista train to nowhere).

Here is a perfect example from my own home that I left as a comment for Jose.

I have tried to introduce many Web 2.0 tools to my two sons, ages 16 and 13.

I have to preface this with my oldest son has Asperger's and must be the ONLY Asperger person (so far that I have met-online and off) who despises the computer. It is a necessary evil in his eyes and eschews all technology. He is the only teenager I know who tried to give BACK his cellphone, citing he never used it.

On the other hand, like everything else in their lives, my youngest is the exact opposite. If it is new, he is into it and knows all about it, effectively making parents always feel two steps behind.

Well, we cranked up Animoto and GoAnimate. Nothing. Well, I got a "That's nice, Mom." That means it went over like a stone.

Can I tell you what made them holler for more and made me part with money to purchase?

Flash Animation.

It seems there is a animation style out there called stick animation. It is a fast and furious experience of martial art stick figures, fighting with the intensity of the Matrix, but the characters of Hangman. Some of this stuff is fantastic. Go here to sample a full site devoted to it.

This is what my boys set out to learn. Complete with sound effects, music and full action impacts that explode away parts of the imaginary scene.

I was floored.

Here I am thinking, some simple program will do for them, and they jump ahead of me into the complexity of layers and timing. Within three months, both of them were producing pretty good stuff; enough to get the neighborhood kids interested. So, here they sit, some late Friday afternoons, animating instead of watching TV or even playing video games.

Or watching Mom and her latest Web 2.0 wonder.

Moral?

1. Study the children. They teach us how they want to learn.

2. Just because you love your shiny new tech toy, doesn't mean everyone will.

And kids are brutally honest. They will tell you they are bored.

The Brain, Dreams and New Directions

2009-05-03T15:47:00.000-07:00

Dr. Weber may get tired of me quoting her here.

The only hope is that I introduce her wonderful blog to so many more people that she will forgive me.

Several days ago, she wrote a post called A Brain Based Dream. In it, she discusses how our brain circuitry is related to change. How even though our brain is wired to resist change, it is through dreams and taking those risks that we alter our brains, our lives and even our future.

In the post, she also linked a Youtube video from ABBA, singing, "I Have a Dream."

I haven't heard ABBA in years. Somehow, the song's lyrics took on a whole new, deeper meaning for me. And all at once, I got what Dr. Weber was talking about.

Instead of going about my life, thinking the same old thoughts, doing the same old things, I find myself open to opportunities, friendships, business partnerships that were there all along. What made that change? I decided to do something different, that's all. In that decision and following it, I can look back and see how far away I am from where I was. So, today, this song is meaningful, when years ago, it was just a cute ditty.

It is not easy to get out of "brain ruts." Dr. Weber talks about that at length here. But, it is possible and is the very thing we need to do to change our lives.

Read her posts. Listen to the song. Ask yourself, what dream do you want to see come true? How do you get there?

Then, start.

With your brain, your dream and your thoughts.

What Can You Do in 12 Minutes?

2009-05-03T15:43:00.000-07:00

Every day I wake up to the most wonderful place in the world.

My dining room.

That is where I connect with some of the best people, places, ideas, video, audio on earth.

Today, I watched a film from Patrick Hughes on a new blog I am following, Bestivus. It was a wonderful film.

Got me thinking, though. What can I do in 12 minutes? What difference in someone's life can I make?

Here is the link for the video. Go watch it on Dennis Best's site and enjoy. Then think how that movie impacted you in 12 short minutes.

Strive today to do the same thing.

Go-To Travel Guide

2009-05-03T15:38:00.000-07:00

Able Body is going to get mad at me.

I keep taking her posts and re-posting them here. They are just that good!

Dr. Scott Rains was the subject of one of their post on accessible travel. Definitely worth reading.

This article hits home for me so much because I don't get out much at all. In fact, the way I look at it, I am home-bound because my son is home-bound. If we go out, it is usually less than 2 hours tops. And, certainly not two days in a row.

I only dream of travel right now, but this post gives me such hope for our future.

Here are some other accessible travel-related blogs and sites. If you have some favorites not listed, please feel free to add a comment with a link. And take a trip for me.

http://www.access-able.com/

http://www.sath.org/

http://www.disabledtravelers.com/

A New Old Thought

2009-05-03T15:35:00.000-07:00

I don't usually duplicate posts, but I have three blogs and just like my three Twitter accounts, when I think something is good, I spread it around. Everyone gets a chance to look at it. Yes, this is the pain for the people who follow all of my doings, but then I tell them, unfollow me from one of them. I am the same person. Same here, if you saw this over at the Extra Hand site, this is a repeat, but worth it. Enjoy.

----------------------------------------------------------------

My family makes fun of me.

I have a thing for old black and white movies. I watch them as often as I can. In fact, I'd just as soon watch an old movie than watch today's television shows.

So, I never know what is going on with the Twilight characters, or who said what on Lost. But, I can tell you all about Greer Garson or Jimmy Stewart. My children laugh at me, but I tell them, they have no idea how many stories we think are fresh ideas today, have been around for a long time.

Recently, I got a tweet from a great new friend named Simon Preacher. In it, he had a link to his blog (which I follow through Google Reader) in which there was an old black and white film about kindness.

What he didn't say, it how it affected business in the film. And, I caught on to it as fast as a lightning bolt.

Well, well, well, what do you know?

Here was a film talking about the same thing half the gurus in the world were talking about. This idea of positive energy and paying it forward is just a rehash of an idea that obviously someone put out there in the 1950s.

Which got me to thinking. The ideas of running a successful business are not new. They are as old as business itself.

Whether you call it by any other name, doing business with passion and a smile, is the same thing all over the world and at any time in the world.

What are you doing today? Is it something you love? If not, find that idea that you can be passionate and giving about. Make it so you can be like the people in this film. Each contributing to their community in a way that only they can.

Sometimes, we think, we will only be happy if people buy your idea. It is not true. The car dealer didn't try to make the butcher become a car dealer. He just did his job and the butcher was happy about it.

Watch the film and then start to do the same thing. Don't be surprised if others want to be around you. Some may want to join you in your dream. Others may just want to be around for the good company.

Got Any Old Apps Today?

2009-05-03T14:44:00.000-07:00

Came across this post from Web Worker Daily. This is the kind of thinking tha makes me excited!

Not because it is the latest app that I just have to download.

Nope.

Because it reminds me of the app overload I go through every once and awhile. It reminds me that some oldies are still goodies, and I am not being wise. I just being a app consumer, an app-aholic.

Enough about my foibles. Samuel Dean outlines some great reasons for why we should not throw the app out with the bath water.

Take a read here.

Co-Working

2009-05-03T14:32:00.000-07:00

I love this idea. Where was this so many years ago?

Yea, I know. The telecommuter, the home office and the virtual office had to come first.

If you are not familiar, co-working is simply two or more people (more is the basic goal), usually from the same industry, but not necessarily, who share office space and collaborate with each other. The bonds are based on connections (my favorite word) that can change as each member contributes to the group.

Instead of the isolation felt in the three previous evolutionary states, co-workers, seem to feel a sense of community, collaboration and support.

I especially think the most difficult was the virtual office. Here you were, a whole company, listening to other companies work and ending up just as isolated as if you stay in your home office. Even with all the administrative concierge services.

If you are looking for some information on co-working, check out these sites:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coworking

http://coworking.pbwiki.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YeJR3biNW94

http://webworkerdaily.com/2009/03/30/coworking-101-a-brief-history/

http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/138843/coworking_the_ultimate_in_teleworking_flexibility.html

Just Do Business

2009-05-03T14:27:00.000-07:00

From AbleBody, came this interview with Rich Donovan, owner of LimeConnect, an organization that sources qualified people with disabilities for private-sector companies. He is also a partner at Integrated Process Solutions, LLC.

I love this article and interview. Every sentence from this guy is focused on doing business, not the special constituents he represents. Yes, he is motivated to help the disabled community. Yes, he has a physical condition himself.

But that is not the message. There is no "hey! Look at me, I am disabled AND I am working." He is not looking for charity.

He is just interested in getting others working. Making money. Teaching others to teach others to make money

Love it.

I wavered on whether I wanted to put this in the business section. He came across that strong.

In the end, I put it here, because he typifies the title of this category. Rich focuses on abilities and how to maximize them.

Stuck In A Rut? Blame Your Brain

2009-05-03T14:24:00.000-07:00

Here I am again, with my favorite brain person, Dr. Ellen Weber. She really got me thinking today with her brain science and how it relates to our lives.

I put this in the Motivational Section, because in her post, she has a chart that I think is so important.

First, some science. I'm sorry if you didn't like science when you were in school, I will try to keep it brief.

Our brain is wired to create ruts. Routines. It helps us make sense of the world and recognize patterns and apply them, both to the outside world and on the inside.

There, that wasn't so bad, was it? If you want all of the gory details regarding you basal ganglia, read the post here.

But what I want to focus on as a motivational tool is her chart for giving your brain a way to break out of ruts.

I am on a challenge to do all of them. Since I am homebound, this will get really creative, but I am stoked!

Why?

Because EVERY single time I move out my ruts, I enjoy the experience and make new connections I had no idea were there before.

I make new friends. Read new works of brilliant people, known and unknown. Discover new media. I have learned to love doing this.

In fact, I have developed a rut for breaking ruts. Is that possible? I will have to ask Dr. Weber. Stay tuned for updates.

Also, post if you are trying to change your ruts using the chart or any other method.

Streaming Recipe Videos-Now I Really Won't Get Any Sleep!

2009-05-03T14:16:00.000-07:00

One of my Twitter friends @Nika7K, sent a quick link to a streaming video site , called Streaming Gourmet, that pulls recipe videos from all over the web, professional and amateur.

As a serious recipe collector, this is nothing short of pure bliss. I mean it. I am trying to not shake as I write this.

So, expect to see an occasional link or video from them.

All I can say is definitely sign me up! And open up those videos so I can start cookin'!

If you find a favorite, post it here or in subsequent recipe posts. I want to see what you are making, too!

Learning. And, What Does Technology Have to Do With It?

2009-05-03T14:07:00.000-07:00

I love what I do!

Sorry, I just had to get that out today as I peruse the online world. When I come across subjects that make me want to write, it just gives me such a rush and thrill. Call me strange.

Yesterday, Langwitches (don't you just love that name!), wrote a wonderful post on taking tech out of the discussion about Education and how our children learn.

Here! Here!

Okay, that is a little old-fashioned. Let's try that again.

Bravo!

I have been yelling this for years. Technology is a tool. Not the solution to and for everyone. In fact, the more we utilize it as a tool, the more we forget we are even using it.

The focus should always be on how our children learn. Not just what they learn and by what means they get that information.

First of all, if what becomes the goal, we end up with MSAs, HSAs and Leave No Child Behind. Not successful. Seriously. Regurgitated scores meant more for the school than the student.

Second, if the means becomes the goal, my son and his knowledge of computers would be a genius. Never mind that he has permanent memory deficits and cannot remember his 8 times tables.

No, how does the child learn?

Figure that out first and then bring in the technology that bridges the gap between unknowing and knowing.

And sorry, they all don't learn the same way. I wish I had a way to make it simpler. My aspie son does possess a pretty good memory. He is a storehouse of data waiting for someone to connect it into information. My young son is almost totally visual. We now use visual vocabulary words and puzzles by a fabulous company called Webword. The drawings facilitate learning and memory for him. We also use Inspiration, which finally got my son writing paragraphs instead of stilted, broken sentences.

I know you have 30 kids in a class room. I know. That is what you should be talking about.

Learning and integration. Not racial now, technological.

Okay, that is too controversial a subject for this post. Back to the subject. The "stakeholders" need to start at the beginning. How do our children learn?Answer that question.

Then pick the tools and tech that facilitates it within the budget.

I know, you say "Too simplistic, Judi. You are not an expert."

Nope, I'm not. I am just a mom, teaching both a middle schooler, a high schooler and myself how my children learn.

2009-05-03T13:58:00.000-07:00

Just started reading Steve Pavlina's blog and I am angry.

Why do I have to get to 40-something before his kind of stuff gets in front of my eyes?

It is not a new post (originally from July 2006), but it is timely and eternal.

And, needs to be posted in every high school and college for all us folks, who think, wait, not think, KNOW, we are going crazy for believing there is something else out there than the dreaded 9-5.

His post, 10 Reasons You Should Never Get a Job is priceless. In it, he outlines why working in the "real world" (isn't the words our parents used?) is not logical or smart.

Now, I am not saying we don't need employees. I was one since I was 17 years old. But deep inside, I knew I was supposed to be doing something else.

Not until disability came along, did I have to learn exactly what that was.

NO ONE should have to wait for that. It is like putting the seat belt on after a car crash.

Take a look at his post. You may see more tidbits from him here. I already like the way he connected with my spirit.

When did you realize there was something more you were supposed to be doing?

Picture credit: Uploaded by mt27_japantour

Mom Spark Does It Again

2009-05-03T13:54:00.000-07:00

I was thinking of letting Mom Spark run this whole thing, except, she has started a recipe section on her own blog. Darn it!

Well, we shall just share links here about all her great recipes. Right now, she is experimenting with video and I think she is doing a great job.

Being a lover of a good recipe, I am even a better adorer of good recipe videos. Check out her Peanut Butter playdough here.

Here is her recipe for Kate Kilbane's Irish Soda Bread.

I am making this tomorrow. Will comment on my results. Leave your results here or on Mom Spark.

A11y = Accessibility

2009-05-03T13:51:00.000-07:00

When I started looking for topics for this subject, I found myself woefully inexperienced and ignorant.

Yes, me, a disabled person, admits I knew nothing. Why?

Because for years, I was able to "pass" for a healthy person. My eyes were not so bad. My hearing didn't seem to affect my ability to perform along with everyone else without accommodations. I was mobile, could drive and so, all was well with my little world.

I went on blissfully unaware and acted probably like a naive snob.

Today, since I need many tools and devices to help me, I am humbled by this industry that no one ever seems to really talk about, unless, they are mentioning how Amazon took the speech reader out of their latest Kindle.

Below, is a link to a post that I believe everyone should read. I originally found it at Web Axe, a new a11y site I am following.

In the post, Rob Foster talks about accessibility and gives a simple test that alerts us to our ignorance.

Read his post and take the test here.

I did and realized that even as I sit here with a screen reader, a CCTV and enlarged fonts that bring the world to my desk, I still hadn't considered, "How does someone access the Internet and therefore, the world, with no hands?

Three Kinds of Business People

2009-04-27T20:30:00.000-07:00

A new blog I am following, created by Lorrie, separates her daily posts by subject.

Why didn't I think of that? Oh, well.

I came across here post for Sunday, called Spiritual Sunday. Now, don't get confused or start laughing at me. Yes, this is under the Business Section.

Why?

Because when she blogged about the subject of 3 Kinds of Christians, originally a blogpost topic from Proverbs 31, the title of this post popped into my head.

Let's go through them one by one. The scripture references are just for the curious. I used the Amplified Bible version, but there are others you can use.

1. The Fruitless Business Person (John 15: 1-2)

The fruitless Business person is the one who has all their office supplies, the latest computer and upgraded software, but spend his/her entire day fiddling with these things. They spend more time picking out the right executive-looking chair, the right landing page theme, the perfect Twitter app, but don't actually work on creating prospects, gaining customers and performing a service or providing a product.

According to the scripture, these people are cut off as dead branches.

And that is just what the market does.

The phone only rings with telemarketers. The emails are all spam and friends. You are dead and cut off; producing nothing.

The great thing about this scripture (for those of you who clicked the link and read it), is that there is another part to this. The branches producing fruit get cut, too. But, not completely off.

They get pruned.

And, that is exactly what "fruitful" business people do. They get rid of dead weight (services, products, employees, anything that is not contributing to growth). In this way, they know they will be leaner, straighter and achieve their goals.

2. The Lukewarm Business Person (Revelations 3:16)

We all have friends like this. They have a fantastic idea. You hear about it over and over again. For about three months. Then they seem to dry up. When you ask them about the business, they are wishy-washy in their answers. They hem and haw for awhile...until they are off with another idea.

They are neither hot or cold about something. They think they can sell it, but never give it enough time, or their entire guts.

They are not sold out. They are not committed and it shows.

I don't care how many DVDs they bought or how much product sits on their shelves.

And, because they are this way, they get spat out of the market.

No one buys from a lukewarm business.

3. The Wordly Business Person (1 Corinthians 3:1-3a)

If you read the scripture before reading this, you might say, how is she going to tie this to business?

Simple.

There are some business owners who have been in business for many years and still they are acting like start-ups and newbies. They attend every workshop, seminar, business meeting, networking event and association event, and still they (and their company) do not grow.

Perhaps they are worldly, because they are not really concentrating in developing a niche. Perhaps it is because they are stuck doing business in a dead or dying way.

Whatever the reason, they are still digesting the preliminaries. The How-To manuals. The e-books.

They never get to the meat of their business. They never become a resource; an expert.

They are still drinking the milk. And, in my opinion, missing the meat of their industry. And, of course, the bulk of their potential customers as well.

Don't be one of these. Instead, do these three things:

Let the market prune you.

Grow your business with a sold-out spirit.

Become an expert running a mature business.

The Naysayers

2009-04-27T19:55:00.000-07:00

When I was growing up, the only place I heard that word was in church.

The naysayers were those people who didn't believe that anything would ever come of [insert any cause, movement or person]. They belittled small beginnings or new direction. Naysayers were convinced that it would never end up like the new people said it would.

I read about them in the Bible, griping about miracles on holy days.

I saw them in my church, mumbling about any new committee made up of people under 50.

I bet you have them at your job. Nit-picking the latest project, the new hire, the IT department, and so on and so on.

I know they are in your neighborhood, because they are always the ones talking about how the area is going to hades in a handbasket. Never mind that they have lived there for 20+ years. It's all going downhill, starting today.

Today, in my merry travels across the Internet looking for Twitter Apps, I came across this page:

Look at the date. July 12, 2008.

Last year.

Now, I am not upset at the guy. From his point of view, he wanted to provide a service for the early arrivals to the world of Twitter. And, he must have been happy with it for awhile.

But, then, he grew tired of trying to keep everything neat and blacklisted. Those young whelps spammers kept getting into his nice clean Twitterverse.

Somehow, the tone of his good-bye note sounds like the old man yelling at the kids for kicking the ball into his yard. His nice clean yard.

Then he blames the whole planet of Twitter for not dealing with these kids kicking the ball into his yard.

Finally, he decides, this Twitter thing is not going to make it. The whole thing is going to fail.

Let me ask you something. Are you being the Earl in your life? Or are you listening to one?

Now, don't get me wrong. I am sure Earl is a nice guy. But he walked away from what has become the biggest movement in online interactions since email.

He was a naysayer.

What's worse than that?

He tried to convince a bunch of people to go with him. Typical. You can't be cynical all by yourself.

I'm shaking my head right now. I've known some Earls in my life. They are still griping and mumbling. They are still trying to make the world nice, clean and neat.

But, innovation, new business and success is not neat.

As I surpass 600 followers in my personal twitter account alone and Twitter breaks over 19 million with the likes of CNN and Oprah, I wonder where Earl is now.

Front And Center

2009-04-27T19:50:00.000-07:00

I know why I follow Todd who is the writer at the Observation Paper.

He is doing the same thing I am doing! LOL!!

He stops to comment on wonderful connections (he calls them observations) and blogs about them.

Bravo! I no longer feel like a lone duck out here!

I will try not to post everything he posts, but he got me two for two on this one. Front and Center, he hit me between the eyes.

He posts another YouTube video of the BBC show, "The Office." In it, two of the characters make profound statements about their lives.

The same one I am trying to make. The same ones I believe Todd is trying to make.

The same ones we all make.

Watch the video. And, stop by Todd's blog and say, "hello!"

The Office UK - Tim and Dawn Finally Get Together - video powered by Metacafe

The Compliment Project

2009-04-27T19:40:00.000-07:00

I just started following a new blog named Observation Paper by a guy named Todd. I wasn't sure why I started following his blog. Usually, I see a link somewhere (lately Twitter), I visit the site, a post hits me, I make a connection and I follow to see if they make more connections.

The first post I read from Todd was about two guys at Purdue University who stand outside and shout compliments at people passing by.

That was kind of an interesting. Here is the link for the video on YouTube.

But, he talked about another similar project that involved a young lady handing out cards with compliments on them to people passing by in NY.

What!!??!!

Wait, I grew up in NY and went to high school in Manhattan. You can barely get anyone to take anything from you by just standing on the street.

I mean, I grew up with cabbies yelling at pedestrians, pedestrians yelling at bus drivers, people pushing and shoving on and off trains.

You get the idea.

So, I had to watch this. Maybe it is the science student in me, but I began to watch the number of people who glanced backwards at the woman who had handed them a card and moved on. I began to count the number of people who put the card in their pockets or purse. I counted the people who didn't take a card. And I counted the number of people who dropped them on the ground (NYers will do that) or threw them away.

As I write this, I don't remember the numbers of any of them except the ones that dropped them.

Zero.

No one threw the cards away.

Connection.

No one throws away a compliment, whether it is shouted at you or handed to you on a crowded busy street.

Everyone wants a compliment. It brightens their day and can have serendipitous effects on their lives and decisions.

I am not going to be so syrupy as to just remind you to give compliments. I think we all got that little tidbit. The problem I see is that most people remember insults and put-downs way better than they remember compliments.

What I want to point out is when it comes to compliments, they are important, but they need to be fortified. One is not enough. In order to have value, they must come in bulk, like Costco toilet paper.

Seriously.

In order to have value in others' lives, their thoughts, their business decisions and the directions they take in life, make sure you are adding to positive side. A lot.

Tip the scale in the positive direction.

Chicken Pancakes - What!?!

2009-04-27T19:34:00.000-07:00

You know, every once in a while, you wonder if you are really on the same planet with someone.

When Amy from Mom Spark posted this recipe from Abigail at Piece of Cake, I automatically said, "Okay, two people I will NOT be eating with." But the more I looked at the recipe, the more I wanted to try it.

Amy tries to pass along quick and easy recipes she calls "No Brainer Recipes." Since she had been on a roll with a couple, I decided she can't be wrong.

I mean, how can I make real connections with real people if I leave my tastebuds out of the experience. In fact, food has been the central part of many a-budding friendship. Long before we told each other our whole life story, we shared some kasha varnishkas or empanadas.

Now, to be honest, I haven't tried it yet. Going shopping this weekend, and I will make sure I get all the ingredients I'm missing.

And, then wish me luck.

P.S. Here is a picture I found on the Net for them. Here is wishing mine come out this good-looking.

I am coming out of the closet...I have Invisible Disabilities

2009-04-27T19:30:00.000-07:00

When I read this post from one of my favorite disability issues writer, Patricia Weber, I nearly laughed out loud.

To use the language of the gay community to describe the plight of professionals with disabilities was not what I expected.

And, then again, I remember when I worked in corporate America. I remember when I popped an extra pain pill or two or three, just to make it through the day. When I dragged myself into work, even paying a friend to drive me once, when I couldn't drive myself.

Yeah, I was in the closet, too. I hid my differences. When the rest of the office joked and talked about their outdoor activities, I laughed along with them, even though I barely went out at all, especially at night. I covered up with a wonderful mask.

Good Lord, I was the gay/lesbian woman of the ability world, trying to fake healthy!

Do we really need to tell college professionals that they need to be open about their health status? It brings up a host of social, ethical and even legal issues.

And the world still discriminates. Against anyone coming out of that closet.

1 out of 5

2009-04-27T18:23:00.000-07:00

1 in 5 people in the United States has a disability or deals with a family member with a disability.

In my family, it is 5 out of 5. Trust me, there is no medal for that.

When I read the blogs of my fellow writers who deal with silly laws and conventions that narrow their existence, I cringe.

Not because I am sympathetic, not because I am empathetic. Because I remember when I was just as pathetic as the people they are dealing with now.

I remember not understanding what it meant to have someone take you everywhere you went or you went nowhere. I remember when I read Stephen King's novel The Stand in one night. Now, I need a CCTV for the page downloadable texts from school and a week and a half to finish them.

I made no connection to 1 out of 5 people in my world. Given the fact that I probably didn't make connections with a lot of other "groups," I was really pathetic.

Today, I identify with the disabled community, as fractured as they are. But more important, when I joined this group, I learned I need to find ways to identify with the other 4 out of 5 people.

I can't afford to wait until I am part of a group or wait for that group to open up to me.

Thanks Dave, from Chewing the Fat. Thanks for holding up a mirror.

Really Good Waves...And What Happens When They Stop

2009-04-27T15:43:00.000-07:00

Initial Momentum can take you but so far.

A month ago, when I started this blog in a phantom template, I obviously had a lot of writing backed in my brain just straining to get out. The chore of transferring all 41 posts over to this blog is a pain, but I marveled at my own prolific self.

Where had all this stuff come from? I was writing in this blog, created another blog about affiliate marketing and contributed to the personal one I started six months ago. On top of that, I had my writing assignments to complete from school. And, as anyone knows who goes to online school, EVERYTHING is written, since you aren't next to one another to vocally give your answers.

I had to be pumping out thousands of words a day, on subjects as far and wide as diversity in the Hispanic community (an assignment in my Cultural Diversity class)and Chicken Pancakes. If you don't know about the pancakes, take a look over in the Health and Wellness section, under Recipes.

And, then it happened. The well ran dry.

I didn't want to write a thing. I was frustrated with this blog's inability to take shape. There were some online losses that really cut deep. And, to tell the truth, I just didn't feel like writing. I tweeted that I thought my fingers would fall off.

What do you do when that happens?

Just go through it.

Don't panic. Don't think "Oh, no! What if I never get back on that board again!?!"

A small trickle of that kind of fear ran down my spine at the end of last week. I thought I was burned out in school and in blogging. Then I finally got back to reading the over 100 blogs I follow. The list of unread posts had grown to over 500. As I began to reluctantly wade through them all, it hit me again: the urge to respond. Not just in comments (which I do a lot), but in full blown posts again.

The wave had returned!

If you hit a snag, or a slump or whatever you want to call it, go with it for the moment. Even in business, there are ups and downs. In our marriages, our parenting, whatever.

They usually don't last. Don't panic. Ride it out, immerse yourself in your craft, business idea, partner, children, etc. and let it come naturally.

Suddenly, you will wonder what you were so concerned about.

Job Apps For Your iPhone

2009-04-27T15:40:00.000-07:00

If you don't read Mashable and you are into technology...well, that's an oxymoron. Let me start again.

If you like technology, but haven't found Mashable's blog yet, you should.

I get more information from them than I can handle, and I can only imagine that the office staff has IVs that run Starbucks coffee 24/7.

Their posts are lengthy and overstuffed with data on everything they can set their eyes on. I simply love 'em!

Now, I don't have an iPhone. I realize the admission of that fact removes me from the totally sold-out geek list, but right now, I have to live vicariously through all these other really hip folks.

But if I did and was underemployed or flat out unemployed, Dan Shawbel's article is a very good start.

Why do I put this here? For two reasons.

1. Mashable gives the biggest info bang for your buck (or click, however you want to see it)

2. If you are unemployed and have an iPhone, put that sucker to work. With that price tag, it needs to earn its keep.

So, don't put it up for sale on Ebay. Use that service since you've paid for it, write the whole thing off as a tax deduction related to the job search and look hip at the same time.

P.S. Found this job from Mommy Works Online. The world is a beautiful place! Work that iPhone!

Celebrity Love and Disabilities

2009-04-27T15:36:00.000-07:00

I just fell in love with Teddy Pendergrass.

I know, you are wondering, "did she just crawl out from under a rock? Teddy's been around for decades. His voice is well-known."

I am not talking about his music. I grew up in the 70s and 80s. Trust me, I know his voice.

No, I fell in love with him after reading an excerpt of an interview he did several years ago regarding his life and living with a mobility impairment.

The Disability Studies department at Temple University puts out a blog about disability issues. Their blogroll could choke a horse. It is a wonderful resource of information that I am going through bit by bit.

They put up a clip of an interview with Teddy where the reporter asks Teddy if he is going to step into the shoes left empty by the death of Christoper Reeve.

His response is amazing and another mental click that I wanted to record.

He said, and I do paraphrase here: "That's not my job."

What!!??!!

Nope, he is not interested in becoming the latest celebrity who parades around the globe bringing awareness.

Now, I know you are thinking: Judi, we NEED celebrities. They have instant recognition. People are more inclined to give and support when their favorite star say, "Please give. Your dollars are needed today."

Yes, but Teddy just says no.

He supports research. So do I. He supports anyone bringing awareness. So do I.

What is important here is that he highlights a very important issue.

What are we (anyone with any impairments or challenges) supposed to do in the meantime?

Recently there has developed a rift in the autism world as the Curers battle the Acceptors. Sounds like a new superhero cartoon show.

Mothers rail against anyone mentioning the word cure. Adults with autism try to bring reality to the situation. Back and forth it goes.

Teddy is not trying to enter the fray . He has formed the Teddy Pendergrass Alliance. You could say he is part of the Acceptor Group, except that he isn't announcing it to the world. He isn't sitting on a platforms or arguing with anyone. He is quietly going about raising money for people with spinal cord injuries (SCI).

Money not for cures or acceptance. Money to educate and open career doors for people with SCI.

Simply put, money so they don't sit around twiddling their thumbs, waiting for a cure.

Bravo!

Oh, and if you want to listen to his velvety voice, go here.

Only a Month Into It...

2009-04-27T14:40:00.000-07:00

...and the truth dawns on me.

I may have bitten off too much. Don't laugh. I mean it. I can hear some of you saying,
"She THINKS she may have bitten off too much? Ha! She didn't bite, she just opened her mouth and shoved the whole thing in!"

Yes, three blogs, an online business, social networking and taking care of the Unique Family is a bit much.

Here, it took nearly six weeks for this blog to actually go live! And, I take the blame entirely. I am not sure I want to do a separate blog post about it, but basically, I took on WordPress, lost, tried to hire one person to work with me and asked another person to volunteer, lost again (not their fault - I had no extra money this first month of business and the other person was swamped with paying customers) and spent 48 hours looking for a COMPATIBLE template for Blogger.

Now, don't get me wrong. I think Wordpress is wonderful. If you have a web designer (and can afford him/her) or if you know the code well enough to fiddle with it yourself, it can be a wonderful platform. I have seen wonderful sites that I admire.

If that doesn't sound like you, stick to Blogger or Weebly. I shall cover that in another post.

Other than that, there is a pretty good deal of interest in Send Out Cards, but not a lot of commitment. I am taking the know, like and trust approach to marketing, and I believe in six months to a year, I shall be doing quite well.

Why so much confidence? Because I am not rushing it.

There was another person tweeting about Send Out Cards. He was fast and furious in the beginning. Now I notice he has slowed down. The pace was ridiculous and he came off as a spammer.

I am helping anyone I see even remotely talk about it, whether they are in the business or not. I think that is what Kody Bateman wants us to do.

So, slow and steady goes the turtle. Making friends, offering gift accounts, letting people make up their minds.

As this third blog comes to life, that is the lesson I come away with today. Slow and steady wins. A fast and furious start gets you nothing but frustration and nowhere fast.

What? Another Financial Simplicity? Where is My Mother?

2009-04-27T13:40:00.000-07:00

Look, folks, I like all of you. Really I do.

I could be watching old movies and reading TCManiac's blog.

But, I like you, so I am here repeating a post from John Chow that sounds like my mother.

You had to know my mother. Her nickname (by the children in the neighborhood) was "dragon lady."

No, she wasn't the nasty lady that yelled at kids to get off her lawn (that was the lady across the street, dubbed "Witchie-poo"). Well, come to think about it, my mom did tell kids to stay off the lawn, but she did it a lot nicer.

No, she got that name because she was a stickler for details and routine. Her favorite line was "there are two ways to do a thing..." I know you can finish that sentence.

But her forte was finance. She worked for a company in downtown New York City (across the street from our beloved World Trade Centers) and she was a consummate economist, banker and investor.

Now, we weren't rich, but let me tell you, when she passed away in 1995, we found passbooks (old term for online bank statements) for six different banks. Banks we didn't know about.

She believed in socking it away and letting it grow.

That was the memory that came to mind when I read John Chow's post this morning.

Here, I sat in the morning calm, reading his words and suddenly I hear my mother's voice speaking his words. Yes, that was a freaky experience.

But, the point I came away with was, this is old advice:

Don't run with the sheep. Stay the course and leave your money in the market for the long-term. Think long-term.

Everyday, my hubby gets up and announces the Dow. I mean, random numbers that mean absolutely nothing, since he doesn't retire for another 26 years.

He always counters, "Well, I like to see it grow."

This isn't a tree, I tell him. It could grow to a mighty oak and shrink to a sapling within a ten year span.

The goal is to let your nest egg grow without becoming obsessed. So, unless you are nearing retirement (and I mean, like next year), you should not be worried.

Old advice, and new advice.

Another generation needs to hear this. Again. And, again.

Go read John's post and tell him I sent you.

Or go ask your mother.

Brain-Based Money Management: Why Do I Feel Like a Dummy!

2009-04-27T13:32:00.000-07:00

Okay, since nothing else worked, I think we should try this.

Neurofinance - according to my brain blogger Dr. Weber, we need to apply this relatively new field of science where brainpower theory meets economics.

And, yes, it is simple.

Why are all the great mental connections so simple?

Because life is that simple. We like to complicate it, but it doesn't start out that way.

In her post called New Brainpower For Money Matters, Ellen Weber takes it back old school. She writes out simple tools that we obviously set aside in our rush to cash out our house equity and buy that 2nd home for rental income.

Simple things like #2: List your assets on a page.

What!!??!!

Don't we do that already?

Uh, ahem, I don't. Well, I do, but when was the last time I updated that thing? I mean, it's like a resume. You know you should update it regularly with all the spiffy, new skills and successful projects you acquired, but who does, until they need a new job?

Dr. Weber has 16 (what, no 10 things list? Nope, not this time. This is finance and we obviously need more.) things that we should be doing. Go and read it. Then apply. Seriously.

I made a connection with the simplicity of this list. There was no financial mumbo-jumbo that confuses. Just straightforward doable items that anyone can do.

My favorite is #13: Teach a financial lesson to your dog.

That is priceless.

Let me know if a spark went off for you with any of her suggestions.

Is Your Job a Toxic Dump or Is It Just the Way You Think?

2009-04-27T13:26:00.000-07:00

Ellen Weber of Brain Leaders and Learners writes about so many ways the brain wiring has to do with our lives. As a serious geek, this stuff is great!

She has an post on toxic workplaces and 10 ways (yes, another 10 thing list) you can shortcircuit the toxic thinking. Go to the post and read it.

What struck me today?

Toxin # 9 Perfectionism.

In my personal blog, I covered this difficult area for most people. And yet, Dr. Weber goes on to tell us about Einstein's thoughts on perfectionism vs. excellence.

What?

I thought they were the same thing. Dope, do they look like the same thing? No.

More fascinating and illuminating than that little epiphany is her 10 Keys to Einstein's Learning. Never mind her obsession with 10s. This is good reading for all us recovering perfectionists.

Take a look and tell me. Is it your office or you mind?

YouTube EDU

2009-04-27T13:24:00.000-07:00

I have actually known about different universities having Channels on YouTube for some time now. That is not a new thing. Well, for me, it isn't. If you are new to this idea, visit the YouTube Edu landing page. Many teachers place their Powerpoint presentations, and recorded lectures onto the site.

Where my thinking made a shift today was that I follow a blog by Dr. Ellen Weber, called Brain Leaders and Learners. Now, don't get frightened away by my brain science blogger! I am not about to launch into any multi-syllabic brain techno-babble.

But, she always stresses a very important point. Our brains stop listening after 10 minutes and only 5% of what we hear sticks.

Did you get that?

Then, why oh why, when I go to YouTube EDU, which should be cutting edge and understand more than I ever could, do I find videos over an hour long?

Oh, yes, I know, everything can't be Twitterized.

But, whether these wonderful institutions realize it or not, people's brains still make the choice for shorter exposure. Out of the first page Most Viewed Videos, only 4 out of 23 were longer than 30 minutes. The rest averaged 5.88 minutes.

Five minutes, ladies and gentlemen.

This isn't based on the "MTV generation." This is science telling you that the human brain begins to multi-task and get distracted after a very short time. 5-10 minutes is all you really have.

Higher education, listen up.

Businesses, listen up.

Oh, and she has a great sense of humor. We both enjoyed this video about Why Meetings Suck. See it here.

Education and Technology - Why Are They Together?

2009-04-27T13:18:00.000-07:00

Because I want it to be.

I'm sorry. I hang out with my son, who has Asperger's, too much and his latest hobby is honesty. Blunt, pure and unadorned.

More seriously, this is not some futuristic visionary dream about web 2.0 and interactive classrooms. Yes, I will talk about that, too. But this sub-section is here by virtue of what education seeks to do. It is simply the art or science of instruction. Througout history, this art and science has used whatever means are available.

I follow a lot of teachers and administators on Twitter, who struggle to figure out what the future of education will be.

Whatever that future is, from this point on, technology is intertwined with it.

John Chow and All of China

2009-04-27T13:14:00.000-07:00

Every once in awhile I give in and follow a blog of someone considered to be brilliant. I mean, they don't call themselves that (most brilliant people don't), but others do.

As much as I hate rubber-necking, every now and then, I come out of my snobby ignorance, and read someone that EVERYONE says you should be reading.

John Chow is that kind of person.

In my bloggie travels, I see that he gave a talk to a group of students at the Shanghai Jiao Tung University. According to John, this place is tougher to get into than MIT.

He gave his talk about new media, working online and Twitter.

Nothing new, except that these kids did not know about Twitter.

What!!??!!

This is the most prestigious school in all of China, with six campuses spread all over Shanghai and John Chow introduced Twitter to them. Of course, they got online and sent tweets to some of John's friends and got some tweets back.

Why is this significant?

Because I have been on Twitter for six months. I have friends all over the world. But, I am thinking in my silo again. I am creating barriers and assumptions, instead of connections.

Thanks, John, for doing what you are doing. Thanks for reminding me to keep my mind open.

Blind and Illiterate

2009-04-27T09:21:00.000-07:00

Now this has really struck a nerve with me. One because I did not know it, and two, because I am part of the problem.

Pat Bauer, who runs a blog dealing with the latest disability-related news brought up a story from the Associated Press. In it, we find that children are learning less braille and relying more and more on audio text and other media.

This actually leaves the child more vulnerable beyond the already issue of blindness. The article quotes statistics from a study that showed unemployment at 77% for those who only rely on print. The rate for braille users-40%.

How am I part of the problem?

In my own reluctance to learn braille, I become part of the problem. In promoting text-to-speech programs and text readers, as much as I love the technology, I unwittingly place myself and those within my sphere at a disadvantage.

I have such a love of books. If you would like to peruse my library, go here. I know I may face blindness one day, and here I sit, petrified and convinced I cannot master braille.

It is these kinds of decisions that we make, and then wonder how another area (that we swear is not connected) becomes affected.

Make sure your child learns braille. Insist on it in their school.

If you are an adult with any kind of vision issues, learn it. I am afraid, too. I don't want to give into it, either. But it is that mentality that limits us, not the blindness.

Twitter and Postive Energy

2009-04-27T09:16:00.001-07:00

Came across Motivation Mama's blogpost today that talked about the amount of positive energy and spirit floating out in the world of Twitter.

If you are still not involved with Twitter, let me tell you it is not a micro-blogging platform.

Yes, I said that.

First of all, if you call it that, NO ONE really knows what you mean and the person talking can barely give you a decent definition, especially to the uninitiated. So, here is my definition of Twitter:

Twitter is a online service that provides the ability to meet, talk and gather friends, acquaintances and colleagues from all over the world. You can hear their conversations (just like if you were at a party, eavesdropping!) and butt into conversations where no one knows you, but doesn't mind if you do.

There. That is better than half the explanations I have heard people more educated than myself stumble through.

Anyway, back to Motivation Mama.

She put up 4 reasons that Twitter was good for positive energy and motivation. She did a good job. I will give you her four points, but please go and get a good read.

Twitter is good for motivation because:

1. Support

2. Positive Minded People

3. Freedom to Practice Reciprocity. (She really hits this one!)

4. Freedom to Connect (ahem, right up CCs alley!)

Judging from the amount of coaches, spiritual guides, pastors and educators on Twitter, others are experiencing the same thing.

Then, there are those who start the day with affirmations, like @AdonyaWong or @Abaykamau. I think it's great to just follow them because they start the day with affirming their belief system and strengthening mine.

So, come into the Twitter world and catch the aura of positive/can-do thinking.

I know I need to start my day off right.

The Business Of Poverty

2009-04-27T09:11:00.000-07:00

Awhile back, I am not really sure, someone sent me a link for the TED talk of the late Randy Pausc h. Randy, whose talk inspired a book, a discussion of life and how we face death, introduced me to the wonderful TED Talks and I have been quite hooked ever since.

Recently, I watched a talk given by Jacqueline Novogratz. She runs the Acumen Fund, a non-profit that uses business practices and ideas to combat the cycle of poverty. She is also the author of a book, called Blue Sweater, an personal account-style book outline her new idea of philanthropy.

It was a great talk about her interaction in the Nairobi slum and with a young woman named Jane.

But what made me think longer about this was, what if we took this approach to a lot of other issues in our world? How about education? How about war? Could we also use this approach in our lives? In the way we think?

Listen to the story about this young woman who lives in arguably one of the worst areas on earth, and see if you can see the spark of connection she and Jacqueline make. Jane with her failed dreams and acceptance of successes that now define her. And, Jacqueline, who so eloquently asks us to re-examine the way we do things in the world of philanthropy.

Perhaps we, who are so much better off than Jane, can let go some of the weight that we carry and create what we are supposed to create. That business. That A-team.

A quote from Jacqueline sums up what I am trying to get at:

"“People don’t want handouts. They want to make their own decisions, to solve their own problems.”

I believe we can adapt these practices to our lives and our businesses.

Inspire Me...Really

2009-04-27T08:53:00.000-07:00

Every day, I receive a Inspire Me Today post from Gail Lynn Goodwins (@inspiremetoday). She and her husband are performing the Global Hug Tour (@globalhugtour). It's a fantastic idea and if you haven't heard about it, please visit the site.

The Inspire Me Today fits right into the concept of Celebrate Connections. Every day, one person (and I have noticed that they are not always well-known) give a short essay on:

"If today were my last day on Earth and I could share 500 words of brilliance with the world, here are the important things I'd want to pass along to others..."

I consider these my daily multi-vitamin of connection to who I am and who I want to be. It reminds me of the brevity of life, but also, the expanse of knowledge that we all can share with one another. Some have made me pause, others have made me act.

Today's was written by Geni Gentry. She is a Toltec spiritual leader. Now, before you click away, I don't know what a Toltec spiritual leader is and for now, it doesn't matter.

What matters is her 500 words.

I am posting the entire essay here, because the Inspire Me Today posts change daily. Listen and hear her words. Then apply.

Trust me, I am doing the same thing.

If you would like to reach out to Geni, you can find her here.

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Geni Gentry writes:

If today were my last day on Earth and I could share 500 words of brilliance with the world, here are the important things I'd want to pass along to others...

Putting the LIGHT back into Enlightenment: An Action Plan

Free yourself from judgment. Each judgment you have is a complaint with the Divine Mystery.

Let go of your attachment to being right. This doesn't mean you can't be right, only that you can't keep score.

Let go of your attachment to being wrong. Scrutinizing your actions to identify your "mistakes" is a justification for self-judgment. The opposite of being wrong and the opposite of being right is the same-just being.

Stop trying to fix yourself. You are not broken, you don't need repairing, and you don't need to try harder. All you need to do is accept yourself as you are.

Get over thinking your belief system is the cornerstone of reality. It isn't. Everything you think is real is based on an illusion. Laugh, its pretty funny if you think about it.

Detach yourself from your need to know. The problem with knowledge is it doesn't do anything. How much more knowledge do you need to embrace the truth of your magnificence. Your choices will distinguish you, not your knowledge. (Note: There is no exception for bad hair days.)

Stop justifying your actions. To move out of the duality of right/wrong thinking, you must be willing to stop defending your point of view.

Quit blaming anyone, including yourself, for the way you are experiencing the world. There are no victims, only volunteers. Assume responsibility for your experience of life, regardless of where you acquired your point of view.

Release the idea that any one human is better or worse than another. If you feel you are better or worse than someone else, you are still under the influence of the myth of your imperfection.

Make peace with yourself (and everyone else). Peace doesn't come and go. It is always there. It is you who come and go away from it.

Love actively. The only way to bring love to yourself is by loving. You don't need to pursue love. You need to love.

Practice, practice, practice what you want to master. If you practice acceptance, you master peace.

Come from your heart. To answer any question, simply ask, "What would love do here?"-then DO IT!

Observe your mind at work. You change yourself by changing how you perceive your world.

Separate your sense of self from your fear. You are not your fearful thoughts and emotions. Fear is simply present. Nothing can hurt you when you know yourself as an immortal aspect of the Divine Mystery.

Remember and live the truth of your magnificence. You need only to remember the birthright of your innate perfection and release everything else.

Once and for all, stop telling tall tales. If your actions don't match what you say you believe, you are just kidding yourself. It's time to get real.

P.S.

Don't wait for a "right" time to follow these steps. The future will always arrive as now

Where's My Flibflarb?

2009-04-27T08:47:00.001-07:00

When technology changes so fast, it is hard to keep up.

I won't try.

I will post what I find from this ever-changing industry. But, just realize, the telephone was considered to be a new technology once.

Another case in point: I am in school online and my downloadable text talks about floppy drives. (??).

Tech comes and goes. Live with it and take what you need to do what you need to do. Don't worry. There will be something new next week.

This section will also include some accessibility (a11y) advances as well.

No Gurus Here...on 2nd Thought

2009-04-27T08:37:00.000-07:00

I was going to call this section Personal Growth.

And, then decided to keep it real. You probably have enough self-help books gathering dust in the corner by your bed. And the gurus peek out of every nook and cranny online.

Here, you will find real people talking about what works and what doesn't. And, no, I am not writing an e-book.

Don't you have enough anyway? Go dust them off and let's talk about what you really took away from all those books.

Picture credit: www.cartoonstock.com-mban7201

Recipe Category

2009-04-27T08:31:00.000-07:00

This is a gathering point for all of the food recipes I receive from my personal blog and Twitter Friends.

Add comments all you like. But,I warn you. I have two ravenous children who will ask me to make this stuff. The family will try it.

And if it doesn't taste good, I will say so. I don't care if it is good for me, it BETTER taste good, too!

I am NOT Selling Anything In Here!

2009-04-27T08:27:00.000-07:00

Let me repeat.I am not selling ANYTHING here!

Even though I am an organic-eatin', vegan-tryin', veggie-wavin', herbal supplement-poppin', green livin' (closet bbq rib lovin') crazy woman, I am not selling ANYTHING!

But I will let others talk about health as they see it.

Join us if you dare. You never know. Someone may actually some information you can use. But, this isn't about making you BUY anything. This section is to make you take care of the one body you have in the best way for you.

Business/Finance Section

2009-04-27T07:23:00.000-07:00

I know everyone is broke, but don't you know that's the latest fashion?

In fact, when obviously wealthy people try not to openly, conspicuously consume during this recession, you know the new fashion color is red - as in being in it.

Because there is such a backlash against having money these days, I intend to focus on making more of it, keeping more of it and yes, (gasp!) investing. Seriously. Who told you to stop investing?

Someday we will have money and credit again, and you will need this advice.

Abilities Category

2009-04-27T07:18:00.000-07:00

On my hard drive, I have a folder called Able.

It reminds me that I am not a sum of working or non-working parts, but I am a soul who is always...able.

What will you find here?

* Disability news
* advocacy
* bloggers
* accessiblity in technology
* the web

We are strong, but disconnected.

Here's my part in showcasing others who have opinions, communities that are supportive, technology that brings us closer and everything else I can find that keeps us...able.

Early Posts Are So Darned Hard To Write!

2009-04-27T07:12:00.000-07:00

In my personal blog, Having a Unique Family, I came to the conclusion that I wanted needed to go back to work. Issues with my personal life and finances made it imperative.

But the question was what did I want to do?

I had a virtual assistant business for 10 years that I closed in 2006 due to my health really going south. I could reopen it. Hey, with the technology I had now, I could seriously knock out some work.

But my heart was not into it. Don't get me wrong, I still make a logo here and there, lay out a flyer or type up a resume. But, after looking at what I used to do and thinking about rebuilding a portfolio, I decided that I would Twitter with all the virtual assistants out there and live vicariously through them.

Translation - I didn't want to do it. I just wanted to watch.

So, next, the idea was to create an online business. But what?

I did a little research and picked a company and product that I believe in. It involves relationship marketing and CRM.

But, that isn't what I wanted to talk about right now. The business concept is important and I'll be blogging about my experience of running an online business as I also manage a household full of people with chronic illnesses and disorders, including myself.

But, what is important is the idea I got about how to present this blog and my business journey.

But, first, I have to tell you a little story.

When I was in 3rd grade, I nearly flunked. Not because I couldn't do the work, or had a behavioral problem. I just spent too much time talking to people, making sure they could do all their work, and finding out how they spent their weekend.

So, when I went to write down my focus statement for this business and this blog, an idea came to me. An idea of how we all connect to one another.

Today, we are all excited about Twitter. In the late part of the 19th Century, we were excited about the telegraph and the telephone.

The point is people have and always will want to connect to each other. Across towns. Cities. Countries. Across the room.

My goal here is to celebrate that.

And, not only the connections we make with each other, but the ones we make in our minds.

Join me for the journey. I'll try to make it interesting.

Life's Challenges

2009-04-27T06:46:00.000-07:00

This post appears in various parts of my personal blog, but I thought it might be a good idea to put it here.

Yes, I am putting a bit of my personal history out there, but perhaps readers will understand. This is not a sympathy ploy. Let me explain.

I met a wonderful woman, named Bonnie Dubrow, on a BlitzTime session, who runs a coaching company called Markteting To Your World. When I mentioned that my business would be completely online, she thought I had marketing resistance; an inability or reluctance to get out there and meet with people. There wasn't enough time to explain my situation, so I let it go. But then, I thought, if she drew that conclusion, others might draw it as well. Here is the truth.

Everything is online because I am almost totally housebound.

Below, I give a brief outline of the entire family and what started the personal blog. Those situations also affect the focus and practice of my new business as well. It is a little long, so bear with me.

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I am the member of a very unique family.

I am a wife to a wonderful husband (sometimes!) and mom to two fabulous boys. While that sounds ordinary, each of us battles different chronic illnesses or diseases. We all look perfectly normal on the outside, but we have struggles that make it difficult to function in the outside world.

I will talk about myself first. Even though I am enrolled in University of Phoenix, I struggle with barriers in my life, both from within and from without.

I am visually and partially hearing impaired. I have degenerative myopia, which means my vision never stops changing. I usually have to change my glasses every year or so. I now have to use assistive technology to get things done-CCTV, large 22” monitor on my computer, large text and icons, text readers and speech to text synthesizers. I will be purchasing other items to help me continue to function outside of my home.

I have also learned that my hearing loss is not just about being partially deaf. I have permanent nerve damage in my inner ear, and will always need meds to keep vertigo under control. There is therapy, and I may try it, but for now, three different meds keep the world from shimmying, and the nausea and migraines at bay.

I have mobility impairments (herniated discs - 5 in all) as well, but most days this is hardly noticeable. But, no hikes, long walks or drives for me. I can drive 20 minutes one way, but the return trip, I will pay for it. Anything longer, someone else is doing it.

I have an allergy to dust mites. Due to this allergy being untreated all of my life; I suffer with multiple chemical sensitivities and have a fragile immune system. I am getting stronger, but I still can have violent reactions to fragrances, strong chemicals and dust that can halt my activities in a second.

My hypertension is under control. I continue to battle both that and diabetes through diet (vegetarian/vegan) and herbal supplements. Since I have been treating my allergy and the inner ear problem, I have not suffered much with bruxism, TMJ or trigeminal neuralgia (TN). I have survived and overcome Bell’s Palsy, RSD/CRPS, optic neuritis, degenerative disk disease and a 40% disability in my foot (due to a fractured tibia that went undiagnosed for 3 weeks). I have had seizures, multiple faints and chronic fatigue syndrome-like symptoms since my late 20s.

To look at me, you wouldn’t be able to tell all of that. In fact, if I go back to wearing contact lenses, you wouldn’t even be able to tell I have a vision issue. As I get older, I am not so self-conscious, and realize that I empathize with the disabled and chronically ill community. I hope to use my education to assist them (and me!).

My husband has epilepsy (mostly under control with meds), anxiety disorder and recently received the diagnosis of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). He is a stubborn patient, and needs to be prodded (by me!) to remember to take care of himself.

My oldest son, now 16, has Asperger's syndrome, a form of high functioning autism. He is the healthiest guy out of all of us! He will soon enter a DORS program to get him ready for life on his own and prepare him for working. He gives me such hope.

My youngest son, 12, is my full-time job. From the age of 8, he began to fail in energy, endurance and strength. He began to suffer in school and a light memory issue became full-blown. Just last year, he was finally diagnosed. He has moderate Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome (DSPS), Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and Dysautonomia/POTS, a disorder of the autonomic nervous system. He is an all day project, making sure he is okay. He is homeschooled with tutors, attends physical therapy 2 times a week and sees lots of doctors.

The last member of this little rag-tag band is my youngest sister, age 33. She has battled obesity most of her life, and recently suffered 5 small strokes. Miraculously, she suffered no permanent physical damage, but requires the use of memory aids to assist her in her day. She has diabetes and moderate-to-severe OSA. When she is not working, she stays with us. Through meds, CPAP, diet and exercise, she is getting healthier every day

I am the advocate in the family, making sure that each receives the best care, accommodations and support they need. I document some of my struggles in my blog. There are good days and bad, but I mostly try to find something uplifting to say. Not because I am a pie in the sky kind of person, but that we all survive in spite of our adversities.

I am hoping one day to make a career out of my love of technology, both regular and assistive, social communities, graphic design and the advocacy and awareness of chronic/invisible illnesses and disabilities.

You can read more about our personal struggles and triumphs in my personal blog:

Picture credit: Copyrigt Ralph S. Marston Jr.