great things about being blind!

Performing my one woman show this Saturday February 27 2016 in Montreal.

2016-02-22T09:17:00.001-05:00

I am honoured and delighted to be performing my one woman storytelling show "Flying in the dark" in Montreal this coming Saturday February 27 2016.

Thanks to the Montreal Chapter of the Alliance for Equality of Blind Canadians for asking and hosting me.

To find out more go to

http://blindcanadians.ca/flying

Trying to get back to blogging.

2016-02-22T09:14:00.001-05:00

I am trying to get back to this blog as many people ask me if I am blogging regularly again.

I am blogging but have not been blogging on this blog.

I am working coordinating a program that I co-founded which helps blind people learn technology.

It is great fun and has been very successful.

To find out more about it, go to

http://gttprogram.wordpress.com

How important braille literacy is.

2014-09-13T17:57:00.001-04:00

When I started school, I learned braille.

I learned to read and write braille quickly as I wanted to read and write for myself so very much.

I was motivated.

I learned the system of braille.

Each braille cell is made up of six dots. Different combinations of those dots make up letters. There are also short forms and special symbols for common words, for number signs, for music etc.

I learned to read braille using a perkins brailler.

This type of machine has been around for many many years, even decades.

I also learned using a slate and stylus. This is even an older tool and even Louis Braille who invented braille in France used something like it.

With this, you actually write from right to left, punching holes through the paper.

It is slower than the big heavy brailler, but it is also quieter, lighter to carry, and so the tool of choice in classes.

Now, I have a special braille device which I can use paired with my phone or computer.

It has braille cells that refresh so I can read braille that comes from my smart phone ipod, or computer.

Also it has a braille keyboard and I can write in braille and then send it to anyone as print.

This is miraculous and so wonderful to use.

As technology changed and blind people began using screen reading software (software that reads what you are typing on a regular keyboard and also reads to you what is on your phone or computer screen) some people said,

“Blind people don’t need braille. They can listen to screen readers. They can also use dictation software to dictate things.

Why would they need braille."

Yes I know how to touch type very quickly.

Yes I use screen reading software on my computer and phone. I am using it now.

But what I love to use most is still braille.

Braille is literacy.

Learning to spell, read, write, take notes in classes, read notes for a presentation, label things in my house, braille is the best still for all of these things.

Thank you Louis Braille for inventing it.

I truly believe all blind people should at least try to learn braille and all blind children should surely learn it.

Sighted people learning braille.

2014-09-11T08:01:00.001-04:00

Yesterday, someone asked me about learning braille.

usually, sighted people who want to learn braille do so for the following reasons:

1. They themselves are losing vision or have a hereditary condition such as RP which means that they might lose vision in the future.

2. They have a family member or close friend who is blind.

3. They want to become a special education teacher.

This person had none of those reasons. He talked about developing his other senses more and about braille being like learning a new language. This is true.

I wonder though, if someone is fully sighted, how strong the temptation is to look at the dots instead of touching them?

I never had this issue as I have been totally blind since birth.

Some of my earliest memories are of being read to by my family or listening to records of folktales and stories.

No wonder I am now a professional storyteller.

I grew frustrated as my family members never read for long enough.

They would claim tiredness, or they were too busy, or their voice was giving out.

I wanted to read for myself so I could do so whenever and wherever I wanted to.

As I’ve mentioned in my stories before, I could read in the dark, at night, when I was supposed to be sleeping, and not get caught. I could read in moving vehicles and not get sick. I could read with the book under my desk at school. I could read during power outages.

People often say that braille seems complicated. WAs it harder to learn?

For me, no. I learned fast. I was motivated. I learned it when I was six. I wanted to learn to read and write so much I was driven to learn it and loved it from that moment on.

My next post will talk about braille literacy and why it is so important even with all of our fancy technology.

Adventures on public transit.

2014-09-08T18:49:00.001-04:00

So the other day, I got onto the city bus with my guide dog.

she got on the bus, went and found a seat, and tucked herself away under it.

Then, a lady across from us, started talking to the dog.

“Oh look at you. Aren’t you a pretty dog.” Etc. My guide sat there like the professional she is.

I patted her head and stroked her silky ears.

Then, the lady said very loudly, “I couldn’t imagine anything worse than being blind."

I said nothing. For one thing, here she is on a bus alone and here I am on a bus with a beautiful, intelligent dog.

I had just spent a while in a yoga class.

I was off to meet another storyteller so we could plan a show on the NAC fourth stage in the spring.

I have a radio show.

I teach people to use their technology.

I do web testing and teach braille.

I have great friends and family.

My life is full and rewarding.

So then, after she says that about nothing can be worse than being blind, she says,

“Excuse me lady but what is your dog’s name?"

I say nothing. As if I will tell her now after she commented that blindness was the worst possible fate.

Then after she asks me a second time, while I just sit and pat my dog, she says, “I guess you don’t want to tell me. Why would you not want to tell me the name of your dog?"

Hmmm I wonder why?

A reminder of our radio show blog.

2014-08-25T13:46:00.001-04:00

I met someone on the bus the other day who lamented my lack of blogging.

I plan to do it regularly again as it helps me find story ideas for storytelling.

If you do want to hear my actual voice and our wonderful radio show which is by, for, and about people with disabilities, please find it at the link below and stay tuned for more blogging.

I may move this blog as it seems to get hacked regularly these days.

Sorry for that.

Don’t click on any links, unless the post says “Posted by Kim”.

Kim

http://ckcuwelcometomyworld.wordpress.com

Article on the iliad in our local newspaper.

2014-06-13T13:30:00.001-04:00

Tomorrow, I am one of 18 tellers performing in the iliad. What a great adventure it has been.

I wrote about it in the following article published in a local newspaper.

Enjoy.

http://www.centretownbuzz.com/2014/06/13/centretown-storyteller-helps-bring-an-ancient-tale-to-life/

Scary traffic.

2014-06-10T14:37:00.001-04:00

I heard this morning that a blind person I know was hit by a car recently. Was not their fault and no one was hurt. it made me stop and think as I traveled the sidewalks and streets this morning. I usually think of traffic as helpful in that its movement allows me to read traffic lights. For example, if there is no audible signal and I arrive at an intersection, I listen for cars moving the way I wish to move. Then I know it is safe to cross. I learned this from a young age and so was not too afraid of traffic. It helped me get around. I have had close calls with bad drivers though which always shakes you up. So glad no one was hurt and thanks to the paramedics for checking out the guide dog and putting the guide dog in the ambulance too.

Storytelling most accessible (working through the iliad for our performance on june 14 2014)

2014-05-29T08:37:00.001-04:00

I am lucky to be one of eighteen Storytellers bringing alive Homer’s iliad. We will be performing it on June 14. The day will last 12 hours with about 8 plus hours of storytelling.

We did this two years ago with Homer’s odyssey and it was a wonderful experience.

this past weekend, we had our full run through of the story.

When I first read it last summer, it did not immediately jump off the page and come alive.

I had trouble figuring out who was who and what was going on.

but, as I listened to the many varied voices bringing the story to life last weekend, the story came alive. I found myself on the edge of my seat, drinking in every word. The images were vivid and clear. The many different timbres of voice were so wonderful.

In these modern days of TV, movies, etc, people who are blind need good audio description to follow many of them.

This is the best audio description ever. Straight from Homer many hundreds of years ago.

I know there are many translations but this work was meant to be heard.

No props, no costumes, just the words, the voice timbres and the vivid language.

I am so looking forward to being part of it again and allowing my voice to bring forth the story.

Please come and join us and share with your friends too.

For more go to

http://www.ottawastorytellers.ca

Sorry for the long lapse in blogging and the junk posts.

2014-04-21T07:31:00.001-04:00

I’m so sorry for the long lapse in blogging.

It has been a very busy winter. My spring resolution is to blog more again.

Also, I am sorry for the junk posts that I found on this blog recently. I have cleaned them up.

Unless you see posted by Kim at the bottom, don’t read or take them seriously.

Posted by Kim

A new appreciation of family.

2014-01-09T07:51:00.001-05:00

It has been ages since I blogged. Several family members were facing major crises and that took up all of my time and energy. Fortunately, things are resolving and I feel I can breathe and blog again. Over the past couple of months, I have learned so much about the resilience of my family members. I have admired their courage and strength when faced with extremely difficult and even life threatening situations. Their tenacity and ability to keep going and keep moving forward. I am lucky to have been born into their midst. It is the same tenacity they showed when they learned I was blind and would always be blind. Their attitude of “Okay. This is how it is. Now let’s go on living.” Their example of positivity. Their modelling for me that life is precious. That everyone’s life is precious and valuable and that you can find ways to adapt and live. Their great gift to me is this. That you can always find a way on. Not an easy way always. Not a fun way always. But a way to live and thrive and I thank them for that. It has given me a tenacity, an ability to be creative and adapt what needs adapting, a stubborn independent nature. But also a sense of humour and fun that helps in these times. Thank you! You know who you are! With love. Kim

I am so lucky to have so many interesting experiences.

2013-11-13T08:58:00.001-05:00

The other day, I was on the bus. Someone beside me asked me a question. The usual question about the dog. Then she asked if the dog got bored. I said that I did not think so. She said, “I suppose you don’t go to very many places.” I laughed.

Let’s take yesterday as an example.

Yesterday morning, I got up, ate, got ready, then I tweeted about our radio show, facebooked, and met my co-host Shelley and off we went to bus to the university to do our radio show.

At the university, we chatted with our show guest and others.

Then we did the show.

This involves doing every aspect of it.

Controlling microphones, sound levels, selecting and bringing in and playing the music. I had to audio edit a segment for yesterday. We have to prepare for interviews and then conduct them.

If we have phone guests, we call them while a song is playing.

It is busy.

After the show, I came home and worked on my presentation for last night and other paperwork. I’m also creating autobiographical stories for an upcoming show.

Then, last night I was the guest speaker at an event for parents of pre-schoolers who are blind or have low vision.

That was a great night with lots of great questions and answers and lots of interaction with parents.

That was just one day in my very full life.

Does my dog get bored?

I don’t think so.

Now, she is snoring contentedly at my feet, lying in the sun.

Funny interactions with kids.

2013-11-10T09:46:00.001-05:00

Yesterday I had a wonderful time at the foundation fighting blindness event in Ottawa. I gave a workshop “Intro to Idevices and accessibility” and I had a table for our GTT program. It was fun and I talked to many people. The volunteers were wonderful. As I was standing beside my table, a little kid came up with his dad. They had been playing squash at the rec centre and were leaving. The kid said that they would like to pat the dog. Don’t know if the kid was a he or she. So, the dad said that they could not pat the dog because the dog was working.

I explained about Tulia wearing her harness and then said that if I took the harness off, they could give her a pat.

I did this. The kid patted her, thanked me, and started to walk away.

I heard the kid say to the dad, “I would like to buy that dog."

Very funny indeed.

I told them Tulia was not for sale.

Storytelling today at the Children's festival.

2013-11-10T09:42:00.001-05:00

I am excited to present the first half of my one woman show “Flying in the dark” at the children’s storytelling festival in Ottawa today. Admission is free. The location is library and archives Canada 295 Wellington street. to find out more go to

www.ottawastorytellers.ca

If you want to book the show in full or the first half for performances, house concerts, or any other venue, please get in touch with me by e-mail at

kimstoryteller@icloud.com

Performing at the Ottawa Storytelling Children's festival on Sunday Nov 10.

2013-11-07T09:51:00.001-05:00

I am performing a version of my very popular one woman show “Flying in the dark” for kids at the Ottawa Storytelling children’s festival. It is an hour of stories, fun, and questions. For ages 8 and up. Please come. Admission is free. It is at 295 Wellington St. in Ottawa. Library and Archives Canada building. My set is from 3:30 to 4:30 but there are many other great sets as well for kids of all ages. Find out more at

www.ottawastorytellers.ca

Being a well behaved guide dog has its hazzards.

2013-11-07T09:48:00.001-05:00

We were on a plane the other day.

Everyone always asks me, “Can your guide dog travel with you on the plane? How does that work?"

The answer is yes a guide dog is allowed in the cabin of the plane. The guide dog lies at your feet on the floor as he or she would in a taxi or other vehicle.

Tulia is a great traveler. Nothing seems to phase her much.

We were sitting on the plane and she was lying curled up at my feet.

Flight attendants were moving through the cabin telling people to take off head phones, turn off cell phones, store their cabin baggage, etc.

They got to us. She said, “Excuse me but you will have to put that bag under the seat in front of you."

I was confused. I had stowed my purse and my backpack in the overhead bin.

“What bag?” “The one at your feet.” Then she looked again.

“Oh my gosh that is your dog. She is so good and quiet I thought she was a black bag!"

All through the flight she would come by and comment on how good Tulia was.

And no I did not shove her under the seat!

She is small enough though. She would have fit perhaps.

Final confirmation

2013-11-06T16:57:00.000-05:00

Final confirmation

We are delighted to announce that your e-mail address has just won you the sum of 2.5 Million British Pounds in our E-mail free Online draws held in England September 2013.

Your e-mail won in category A and you are entitled to reward sum of 2.5 Million British Pounds with this Free Ticket Numbers:RWR658214 and Lucky Winning Numbers: GB824177L.

You are advised to immediately contact Mr.Ivan Jensen on his email address(jenseni1@aim.com) Tel: +447405455838 for immediate transfer of your reward cash prize to you.

N.B. Any breach of confidentiality on the part of the Winners will result to disqualification, You are to immediately contact Mr.Ivan Jensen.only with this email (jenseni1@aim.com)

Kind Regards
Dr.Ashley E. Dignam.
For Mr.Ivan Jensen
Tel: +447405455838
Email: jenseni1@aim.com

Visual art and my interview about a painting of Tulia and me.

2013-10-24T10:56:00.001-04:00

Yesterday, I was honoured to accompany the artist and now also my friend Karen Bailey to a human rights art exhibit. The painting that Karen did of my guide dog Tulia and me was selected for the exhibit. This is an interview conducted by a woman interviewing all of the artists at the exhibit. She talked to Karen and I about our picture.

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Back to the blog. guide dogs and more.

2013-09-30T13:15:00.001-04:00

It has been way too long. I miss blogging and must get back to it daily. I love it but also it really gives me great ideas for storytelling tales and also helps me to keep writing. I love writing.

Two of my friends are getting new guide dogs very soon.

One guide dog died last year and the other one is retiring after many years of faithful service.

So, today, I am grateful for all of my guide dogs.

Getting a new guide dog is such an emotional rollercoaster.

There is of course excitement. That feeling of christmas day.

But sadness as you miss the old partnerships.

On dog day, (yes we call it dog day) I always remember all previous guides.

It is like they are all there with me.

So there is a sadness. An anxiety, will this work out?

So many emotions.

My current guide dog (guide dog number 4) is laying here by my feet in the sun, snoring peacefully.

I have grown to love her snoring although at first I thought I would never get used to it.

I hug her and thank her for all she does.

performing tonight at nuit blanche in Ottawa.

2013-09-21T08:53:00.001-04:00

tonight, I am involved in a very interesting project.

Painter Karen Bailey painted 6 storytellers and 1 guide dog.

She is exhibiting all paintings and the storytellers will take turns telling stories in front of the pictures.

I will be on hand between 7 and 9 PM tonight.

The project is called “Speaking and Still,” am innovative co-presentation by artist Karen Bailey and the Ottawa Storytellers(see http://www.karenbailey.ca/ and http://www.ottawastorytellers.ca/), running from 6:30 p.m Saturday to 2:00 a.m Sunday morning.

Karen was fascinating for me to work with as we talked a lot about the similarities between our art forms and she described all visual things in words I could understand.

I thank her for that.

Back to school. How things have changed.

2013-09-11T09:31:00.001-04:00

How school has changed in just a few short decades for people with disabilities.

I started my school career at Carleton University.

NO I wasn't a genius. It was a special pre-school for kids with disabilities. Maybe other kids too.

I went there first when I was three I think.

yesterday, as I moved with my guide dog through the very crowded halls of Carleton, I thought about that.

I was moving through the carleton halls to go and co-host our radio show "Welcome to my world" a show by, for, and about people with disabilities.

I would have thought it was very cool then that I was hosting a radio show.

I always loved the radio, records, radio plays, music, and sound.

When I started school, there were no talking computers, fancy braille displays, smart phones, or tiny recording devices.

books were not available electronically.

I learned to type on a huge typewriter. I could not proof read my work although the touch typing I still do and am doing right now in fact, is most useful.

I learned to braille on a huge and heavy perkins brailler and although I don't use it often, I use braille on my braille display all of the time.

I used huge tape recorders to have people read books and articles and input music for me.

Now I use my phone or a tiny recorder that fits in my pocket.

Although things have changed and evolved gratly, still those basic skills I started to learn at CArleton all those years ago, still help me every day.

Knowing how to navigate my environment using sound cues, touch, smell. Reading and writing braille, touch typing, advocating for myself. All of these skills are the same and still so very important.

The link to our blog where the radio show link is is

http://ckcuwelcometomyworld.wordpress.com

Upcoming storytelling performance at the Gladstone theatre 910 Gladstone ave. Ottawa

2013-08-12T16:03:00.001-04:00

Hello friends.

I am delighted to remind you that my full evening one woman show "Flying in the dark" will be taking place at the Gladstone Theatre in Ottawa on thursday August 15 at 7:30 PM.

This show has been performed 4 times now and each time it grows and evolves.

I am excited about some new bits in its second half and am thrilled to be performing it again.

Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at the Gladstone Theatre box office on the night of the performance. In the mean time, I have the tickets myself if you care to buy one or several.

Have you heard it before? Come again?

Can't come? Tell your friends and relatives to come?

Want to hear it but can't make the night?

Ask me for a house concert or other performance space and I will be happy to oblige.

This is a very unique show.

See description below.

Hope you can come.

Kim

She was born a) blind, b) fiercely independent and c) filled with a love of words and language, curious about her world, experiencing it with all of its sounds, scents, textures, words and characters. You might think being blind is the most difficult part of Kim's life, but it is mostly the attitudes of others and barriers placed in her path by them that pose her greatest challenges. Come and find out what it is like to live and thrive as a woman who weaves words with skill and humour. Come flying in the dark. You won't regret it!

great things about being blind!

Performing my one woman show this Saturday February 27 2016 in Montreal.

Trying to get back to blogging.

How important braille literacy is.

Sighted people learning braille.

Adventures on public transit.

A reminder of our radio show blog.

Article on the iliad in our local newspaper.

Scary traffic.

More iliad links.

Storytelling most accessible (working through the iliad for our performance on june 14 2014)

Sorry for the long lapse in blogging and the junk posts.

A new appreciation of family.

I am so lucky to have so many interesting experiences.

Funny interactions with kids.

Storytelling today at the Children's festival.

Performing at the Ottawa Storytelling Children's festival on Sunday Nov 10.

Being a well behaved guide dog has its hazzards.

Final confirmation

Visual art and my interview about a painting of Tulia and me.

Performance I am involved in.

Top new deals - Early Bird Two-Course Operatic Dining Experience for One (£20) or Two (£40) People; or Anytime Three-Course Operatic Dining Experience for One (£28) or Two (£56) People at Bel Canto and...

Back to the blog. guide dogs and more.

performing tonight at nuit blanche in Ottawa.

Back to school. How things have changed.

Upcoming storytelling performance at the Gladstone theatre 910 Gladstone ave. Ottawa