Sterling Creations Blog

Hello there and I’m Christian Robicheau happy to be with you on this second
to last weekend of October.
I simply cannot believe that October is almost at an end but here we are.
Today, I am pleased to share our president’s weekly editorial with you and
for this week Donna J. Jodhan talks about a very chronic problem that is
just not wanting to go away.
I urge and invite you to read on.
Be safe !

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Are we last in line?
By Donna J. Jodhan

This is a question that continues to haunt me and much as I as a naturally
positive person at heart would like to say no to this question;
unfortunately I am unable to do so.

There are so many things for me to use as evidence. First, the Canadian
Government’s pay out to Canadians with disabilities who qualify for a one
time pay out of $600 in recognition of the hardships that they have had to
endure because of the Covid virus.

There are many who will be very grateful for this but here is the question
of the day! Why is it that we as a community have had to wait for so long?
Why does it appear that we are last in line? Canadians with disabilities
have been some of the most hardest hit by the Covid yet we are last in line
to receive any sort of benefits and even at that Parliament had difficulty
passing the necessary legislation to make this happen because they chose to
make this their hockey puck due to bickering about other matters in the
House of Commons.

Then there is this! During the week of October 05 several organizations
including Bell Media made a huge splash when they announced initiatives to
give persons of colour greater opportunities to become members of media
outlets and to figure more prominently in media activities and in the
workplace.

For where I say well done! It is about time! How about those with
disabilities? Have we been considered or are we going to have to be last in
line to be recognized? Or once more; have we been forgotten or left out?
Should we not be a part of this equation?

My gentle reminder would be this! We as persons with disabilities are Human
Beings! We live, breathe, and require the same things as everyone else!
However, we require additional support and services due to no fault of our
own!

We are being faced with having to incur additional expenses and hardships
because we need to depend on assistance to fulfill our daily requirements.
We have been one of the hardest hit as a community through out the Covid!

Much of our community struggle financially because we live below the poverty
line. Our employment opportunities are severely limited mainly because of
attitude and technological barriers and lack of financial and social program
support.

If it appears that we are being placed last in line then here is my burning
question of the day! How should we be expected to be treated at hospitals
and other medical facilities if we are there to receive any sort of medical
treatment including Covid related matters?
Moreover; should we resign ourselves to the sobering reality that we will
probably be last in line to be treated let alone be saved?

Just my two cents for today.

I’m Donna J. Jodhan wishing you a terrific day and safe weekend.

To reach me, please send an email to info@sterlingcreations.ca.

Here is a complete list of where you can view Donna’s blogs and editorials.
Donna Jodhan! Advocating accessibility for all
http://www.donnajodhan.blogspot.com
Weekly features on how to increase your success with your business ventures
http://www.sterlingcreations.com/businessdesk.htm
Weekly articles and editorials on issues about accessibility
http://www.sterlingcreations.ca/blog
Learn more about Author Donna Jodhan and her campaign against bullying at
www.jodhanmysterybook.club
Now you can enjoy Donna’s detective DJ crime crushers Series by visiting
http://www.donnajodhan.com

You can follow me on twitter @accessibleworld
and chat with me on Skype at habsfan0526.
Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan

Greetings everyone and I’m Scott Savoy happy to be with you for this typical
October weekend.
Today, I am delighted to share our president’s weekly editorial with you;
Donna J. Jodhan takes us on a historic and memorable journey that occurred
10 years ago!
Historic yes! Memorable yes! A must read yes!
Be safe everyone!

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Preparing for a 10th anniversary
By Donna J. Jodhan

That very memorable day still lingers in my memory bank even after 10 years.
Not so long ago but maybe too long ago? November 29 2010; the day that the
late Richard Quan tweeted “a landmark victory for all Canadians.”

Then the tweets started to flow followed by the phone calls. First there
were phone calls from the late Cathy Moore followed by Melanie Marsden.
Tweets from Brian Moore and o yes! The two very important calls from Robin
East and David Baker.

No time to let the tears flow! No time to breathe freely! No time to
control a racing heart beat! Just enough time to thank God that we had done
it!

The excited voices of John Rea and Sharlyn Ayotte! This was our victory!
We had done it! A landmark victory for all Canadians with disabilities! A
great team to thank and my dream of doing this for the kids of the future
was just beginning!

The teamwork was simply flawless! From lawyer and accessibility experts to
the AEBC’s superb showing at court! We did it and we were all so proud and
I was just so very humbled that I got to be a part of this!

Now it was time for me to journey down to David Baker’s office to face the
media and to celebrate with Jutta Traviranus and Jan Richards. We had done
it! I was not dreaming! Michelle Cushner’s call was real and David Baker’s
words were true and strong! We had won!

Mom helped me to get ready for my trip to David’s office. She prepared a
huge brunch and made sure that I ate a fair amount of it, made sure that my
hair was correctly combed, my makeup was good, and that my suit was void of
any dusty specs, and with that very quiet reassurance from her at the door;
I was on my way. Gerry Manley was waiting downstairs for me and as I got
into his cab I could not help but thank God for all of these wonderful folks
who helped to make this come true. Yes! A dream come true and way beyond
anyone’s expectations or hopes!

I don’t think that I was really ready for the coverage that followed that
day. With so many congratulations from friends and associates from across
Canada, America, and even from across the pond! I found myself being
completely overwhelmed and at times feeling as if I was drifting in a sea
filled with lots of happy fishes swimming around me, sweet song birds
serenading overhead, blue skies with milky white clouds, and a happy face of
a morning’s sun smiling down on me.

That was 10 years ago and this is now. 10 years later and we all continue
to dream and fight for a better future for our kids! To keep on fighting
the good fight and to keep on collaborating, communicating, and hoping.

Our work will probably never be completed. We have come a very long way
from 10 years ago. Now we have to work on sharpening the Accessible Canada
Act to ensure that hopes and dreams continue to be realized!

To our team and all of our faithful supporters! Thank you! Thank you!
And a very special thanks to Shannon and Velvit; those wonderful teachers at
the Grove Community School and their super kids who supported us all the
way!
There are so many other wonderful folks to thank but you know who you are!

Just my two cents for today.

I’m Donna J. Jodhan wishing you a terrific day and safe weekend.

To reach me, please send an email to info@sterlingcreations.ca.

Here is a complete list of where you can view Donna’s blogs and editorials.
Donna Jodhan! Advocating accessibility for all
http://www.donnajodhan.blogspot.com
Weekly features on how to increase your success with your business ventures
http://www.sterlingcreations.com/businessdesk.htm
Weekly articles and editorials on issues about accessibility
http://www.sterlingcreations.ca/blog
Learn more about Author Donna Jodhan and her campaign against bullying at
www.jodhanmysterybook.club
Now you can enjoy Donna’s detective DJ crime crushers Series by visiting
http://www.donnajodhan.com

You can follow me on twitter @accessibleworld
and chat with me on Skype at habsfan0526.
Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan

Happy Thanksgiving Canada and I’m Christian Robicheau delighted to be with
you on this special weekend.
I know; this is going to be a different Thanksgiving for this year but it
will not stop us from being very grateful for who we are and where we live.
For this week, our president Donna J. Jodhan talks about Thanksgiving with a
twist.
I invite you to read on.
Enjoy your weekend now.

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Thanksgiving with a twist
By Donna J. Jodhan

Over this weekend Canada will be celebrating its annual Thanksgiving and for
this year I think that many would agree with me that this particular
Thanksgiving is going to be one with a definite twist.

Sure! Many of us will have food on our tables but the twist comes when most
of us are going to be celebrating Thanksgiving without the presence of
family members. In addition, many of us will be sitting down to a
Thanksgiving meal that will probably not be as sumptuous, delicious, or
plenteous.

Thanksgiving this year will definitely have a twist to it and we can blame
it all on Covid! However, and according to Prime Minister Trudeau; if we do
things correctly and responsibly, we will have a good chance at being able
to be together for Christmas!

We may be presently dealing with an unexpected challenge and very uncertain
times but we still have much to be thankful for.

We are living in a country where fresh running water abounds. We have
enough food for those who can afford it and we are in a position to help the
less fortunate.
We continue to show passion, compassion, and helping and willing hands to
those who are struggling.
Our sympathy and empathy for our fellow Canadians continue to be at proud
levels.

We are living in a country where free speech is very much present.
We are living in a country where Federal and Provincial governments continue
to put their differences aside for the good of Canadians.
And we are living in a country where we are all striving to use our
knowledge, experience, and propensity to create and recreate in order to
reap the benefits of technology.

We must not give up now!
We must continue to work towards helping others to find new jobs, resurrect
old jobs, and keep existing jobs!
We must continue to complain less, collaborate more, and reach out to each
other more widely.

Let us be grateful for who we are and where we live!
Happy Thanksgiving Canada!
Just my two cents for today.

I’m Donna J. Jodhan wishing you a terrific day and safe weekend.

To reach me, please send an email to info@sterlingcreations.ca.

Here is a complete list of where you can view Donna’s blogs and editorials.
Donna Jodhan! Advocating accessibility for all
http://www.donnajodhan.blogspot.com
Weekly features on how to increase your success with your business ventures
http://www.sterlingcreations.com/businessdesk.htm
Weekly articles and editorials on issues about accessibility
http://www.sterlingcreations.ca/blog
Learn more about Author Donna Jodhan and her campaign against bullying at
www.jodhanmysterybook.club
Now you can enjoy Donna’s detective DJ crime crushers Series by visiting
http://www.donnajodhan.com

You can follow me on twitter @accessibleworld
and chat with me on Skype at habsfan0526.
Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan

Greetings everyone and welcome to the month of October.
I’m Scott Savoy and today I am very pleased to share our president’s weekly
editorial with you.
For this week, Donna J. Jodhan makes a plea for us to stop snuffing out our
future!
Happy first weekend of October everyone!

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Let’s stop snuffing out our future
By Donna J. Jodhan

Believe it or not; we continue to do things that points towards the snuffing
out of our future and it is time that we need to recognize this and take
corrective action to stop it.

Each time we inadvertently drop bombs on our innocent and helpless kids in
war torn countries, we not only kill or injure them! We snuff out a part of
our future! Each time we either purposely or inadvertently kill or injure
them through domestic or any other type of violence, we make ourselves
guilty of snuffing out our future!

Each time we fail to protect our kids from violence, crime, bullying, or any
other type of physical or mental victimization; we not only play host to
snuffing out our future, but we are also very guilty of snuffing out theirs!

Just my two cents for today!

I’m Donna J. Jodhan wishing you a terrific day and safe weekend.

To reach me, please send an email to info@sterlingcreations.ca.

Here is a complete list of where you can view Donna’s blogs and editorials.
Donna Jodhan! Advocating accessibility for all
http://www.donnajodhan.blogspot.com
Weekly features on how to increase your success with your business ventures
http://www.sterlingcreations.com/businessdesk.htm
Weekly articles and editorials on issues about accessibility
http://www.sterlingcreations.ca/blog
Learn more about Author Donna Jodhan and her campaign against bullying at
www.jodhanmysterybook.club
Now you can enjoy Donna’s detective DJ crime crushers Series by visiting
http://www.donnajodhan.com

You can follow me on twitter @accessibleworld
and chat with me on Skype at habsfan0526.
Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan

Hello there! I’m Christian Robicheau closing out the month with a great
editorial from our president Donna J. Jodhan.
For this week, Donna shares her views on the magic of music. A perfect way
for us to deal with the stresses of the present Covid virus.
Happy weekend everyone and please stay safe.

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The magic of music
By Donna J. Jodhan

I would strongly suggest that you try this strategy for what it is worth!
Yes, the magic of music and for me it continues to work like a charm.

I have been using music to help me overcome so many things; stress, anxiety,
and even to help me to create, imagine, and to recharge my batteries
whenever they start to run low!

I use music to help me relax whenever I travel. I turn on my MP3 player,
select my favourite suite of songs, and away I go! I can get away from the
busy world for as long as I wish. All I need to do is to insert my ear buds
into my ears, adjust the volume, and voila!

I listen to classical music whenever I wish to acquire a mindset of total
recharging and relaxing. I find that classical music helps me to obtain
mental landscapes that I could never hope to obtain and visit in the normal
scheme of things.

Lyrics of certain songs also help me to remember, cherish, and store away in
my mind for later use.

Just my two cents worth for today.

I’m Donna J. Jodhan wishing you a terrific day and safe weekend.

To reach me, please send an email to info@sterlingcreations.ca.

Here is a complete list of where you can view Donna’s blogs and editorials.
Donna Jodhan! Advocating accessibility for all
http://www.donnajodhan.blogspot.com
Weekly features on how to increase your success with your business ventures
http://www.sterlingcreations.com/businessdesk.htm
Weekly articles and editorials on issues about accessibility
http://www.sterlingcreations.ca/blog
Learn more about Author Donna Jodhan and her campaign against bullying at
www.jodhanmysterybook.club
Now you can enjoy Donna’s detective DJ crime crushers Series by visiting
http://www.donnajodhan.com

You can follow me on twitter @accessibleworld
and chat with me on Skype at habsfan0526.
Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan

Happy weekend everyone and welcome to our weekly feature.
We hope that everyone is staying safe and enjoying a nice fall weekend.
Today I am pleased to share our president’s weekly editorial with you and
for today, Donna J. Jodhan focuses her attention on accountability and
transparency.
This is a very insightful editorial and we hope that you can find time to
read.
Happy weekend everyone.
I’m Scott Savoy.

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Accountability and transparency
By Donna J. Jodhan

These two words or pieces of terminology often seem to go together, hand in
hand as they say; for better or for worse and it appears that they continue
to gain in popularity.

They often come back to haunt not just those in the public eye or those in
politics. they often hang themselves around the necks of companies and
organizations as well as many others.

Each time a politician uses or utters words that are defamatory, confusing,
offensive, or upsetting, they need to be made accountable for these. In
like manner, each time those in office carry out an action that was either
meant to be hidden or pushed under the stacks of concealment, this is
referred to as a lack of transparency or even an attempt not to be made
accountable.

Say what you may; accountability and transparency go hand in hand. They can
often be perceived as being interchangeable. They are becoming more of a
way to keep those responsible more responsible. It does not matter who or
what it is; from politician to CEO and from corporation to non profit or
charitable to non charitable organization/company.

Accountability and transparency need to be increased and those responsible
need to be held responsible more often than the norm. So let’s start
lobbying for more of this.

Just my two cents for today.

I’m Donna J. Jodhan wishing you a terrific day and safe weekend.

To reach me, please send an email to info@sterlingcreations.ca.

Here is a complete list of where you can view Donna’s blogs and editorials.
Donna Jodhan! Advocating accessibility for all
http://www.donnajodhan.blogspot.com
Weekly features on how to increase your success with your business ventures
http://www.sterlingcreations.com/businessdesk.htm
Weekly articles and editorials on issues about accessibility
http://www.sterlingcreations.ca/blog
Learn more about Author Donna Jodhan and her campaign against bullying at
www.jodhanmysterybook.club
Now you can enjoy Donna’s detective DJ crime crushers Series by visiting
http://www.donnajodhan.com

You can follow me on twitter @accessibleworld
and chat with me on Skype at habsfan0526.
Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan

Welcome to our weekly feature; our president’s editorial and for today Donna
J. Jodhan talks about still being afraid of the big bad wolf!
You may be surprised to learn the identity of the big bad wolf!
Please read on.
Safe and happy weekend to everyone.
I’m Christian Robicheau!

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Still afraid of the big bad wolf!
By Donna J. Jodhan

I do not think that the fear of the big bad wolf will ever go away! That
is, there may be times when we actually stand up to the big bad wolf but on
the whole? that implicit and explicit fear may always be present in our
lives.

So now, you may be asking yourself; what is Donna referring to today? Who
is the big bad wolf and why are we and continue to be afraid of the big bad
wolf?

I don’t think that anyone would be very surprised when I unveil the identity
of the big bad wolf so here goes!

The big bad wolf is the one who funds projects for those organizations that
survive on funding in order to carry out their missions, their initiatives,
and their objectives.
The big bad wolf is the one who acts as the life line to those organizations
and agencies that depend very heavily on such things as charitable
contributions and donations, and good will funding in order to survive.
The big bad wolf is the one who keeps organizations and agencies in line
whenever they stray and dare to criticize them. They do this by either
scolding them or actually withholding funding.
The big bad wolf is the one who pays the bills, pays the pay cheques, and
determines whether or not a company, agency, or organization will live or
die.

This is the reality and although it may be a sombre picture, I truly believe
that there are ways to work around the wrath of the big bad wolf. In other
words, to develop strategies to show the big bad wolf that constructive
criticism may not be as bad as it may seem.

That constructive criticism can be used to improve the way we collaborate
and communicate. I think that we can definitely lessen our fear of the big
bad wolf if we take the bull by the horns so to speak.

So let’s go out there and show the big bad wolf that throwing their weight
around whenever they are unhappy about actions and comments made by those
they fund and support is not the way to go. Easier said than done?
Not really!

Just my two cents for today

I’m Donna J. Jodhan wishing you a terrific day and safe weekend.

To reach me, please send an email to info@sterlingcreations.ca.

Here is a complete list of where you can view Donna’s blogs and editorials.
Donna Jodhan! Advocating accessibility for all
http://www.donnajodhan.blogspot.com
Weekly features on how to increase your success with your business ventures
http://www.sterlingcreations.com/businessdesk.htm
Weekly articles and editorials on issues about accessibility
http://www.sterlingcreations.ca/blog
Learn more about Author Donna Jodhan and her campaign against bullying at
www.jodhanmysterybook.club
Now you can enjoy Donna’s detective DJ crime crushers Series by visiting
http://www.donnajodhan.com

You can follow me on twitter @accessibleworld
and chat with me on Skype at habsfan0526.
Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan

Well, well! Welcome to September and to a well deserved long holiday
weekend.
The last few months have been so very stressful for us all but as a positive
person, I am going to hope and Pray that better times are just around the
corner.
Today, I am pleased to share our president’s weekly editorial with you and
for today; Donna J. Jodhan puts out a call for us to stand up and be
counted!
I invite you now to read on.
I’m Scott Savoy wishing you a safe and restful holiday weekend.

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Standing up to be counted
By Donna J. Jodhan

No one has ever said that standing up to be counted is easy. In fact, I’ll
go one step further and say that standing up to be counted can often be
considered as painful, disappointing, and downright humiliating at times.

Painful because in so many cases when we stand up to be counted we are often
ignored.
Disappointing because in so many cases we fail to achieve the results we
desire.
Humiliating because there are those who prefer to bully us in order to get
their way rather than taking us seriously.

For me, I shall always do my best to stand up to be counted. I have been
successful at times but on the other hand I am still awaiting success. This
however will not deter me from continuing to stand up to be counted.

I guess that one can say that standing up to be counted may still be one of
the most affective ways to achieve results. However it needs to be done
constructively, professionally, and with discipline and at the appropriate
time.

These variables are not easy to combine but we need to keep on trying.

Just my two cents for today.

I’m Donna J. Jodhan wishing you a terrific day and safe weekend.

To reach me, please send an email to info@sterlingcreations.ca.

Here is a complete list of where you can view Donna’s blogs and editorials.
Donna Jodhan! Advocating accessibility for all
http://www.donnajodhan.blogspot.com
Weekly features on how to increase your success with your business ventures
http://www.sterlingcreations.com/businessdesk.htm
Weekly articles and editorials on issues about accessibility
http://www.sterlingcreations.ca/blog
Learn more about Author Donna Jodhan and her campaign against bullying at
www.jodhanmysterybook.club
Now you can enjoy Donna’s detective DJ crime crushers Series by visiting
http://www.donnajodhan.com

You can follow me on twitter @accessibleworld
and chat with me on Skype at habsfan0526.
Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan

Alas! It’s time to bid adieu to August and to get ready for September.
I hope that everyone has had a good summer despite the present situation
around the world.
Today, I am pleased to share our president’s weekly editorial with you and
for this week Donna J. Jodhan zooms in on coping with Covid.
I’m Christian Robicheau wishing you a great weekend.

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Coping with Covid
By Donna J. Jodhan

The one sobering reality is that we are all in this together; from the
oldest to the youngest. We all continue to find ways to cope and I truly
believe that this unexpected time filled with uncertainty has helped us to
develop some very interesting coping mechanisms.

For me, I can only describe this as a mixed bag of tools of coping
mechanisms. For in addition to the somewhat typical tools, I have been able
to hewn some new ones.

So what are some of my coping tools?
I pray a lot.
I meditate a lot.
I find time to take at least one short nap daily.
I have developed a fixed schedule daily.
I find time to fulfill my fitness requirements.
I spend a few precious minutes with my plants on my balcony every day.
I listen to my favourite music.
I play chess with friends across the miles via email.
I play my piano.
I stay away from the fridge and all of my snacks.
I reach out to friends regularly.

Now, this may seem like a lot but I space out my tasks so that there is
always something different for me to do each day.

Just my two cents for today.

I’m Donna J. Jodhan wishing you a terrific day and safe weekend.

To reach me, please send an email to info@sterlingcreations.ca.

Here is a complete list of where you can view Donna’s blogs and editorials.
Donna Jodhan! Advocating accessibility for all
http://www.donnajodhan.blogspot.com
Weekly features on how to increase your success with your business ventures
http://www.sterlingcreations.com/businessdesk.htm
Weekly articles and editorials on issues about accessibility
http://www.sterlingcreations.ca/blog
Learn more about Author Donna Jodhan and her campaign against bullying at
www.jodhanmysterybook.club
Now you can enjoy Donna’s detective DJ crime crushers Series by visiting
http://www.donnajodhan.com

You can follow me on twitter @accessibleworld
and chat with me on Skype at habsfan0526.
Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan

Hello there and I’m Scott Savoy with another lovely August weekend to keep
us company.
Indeed, we might as well enjoy our summer for as long as we can.
Today, I am pleased to share our president’s weekly editorial with you and
for today Donna J. Jodhan focuses her attention on the growing popularity of
online shopping.
Please read her editorial.
Be safe now.

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The growing world of online shopping
By Donna J. Jodhan

Say what you may; this was bound to have happened sooner than later. The
Covid virus has only hastened its reality and now it is definitely here to
stay.

From the purchasing of groceries to shopping for cars and houses and from
buying clothes and beauty products to looking for bargains and so much more,
online shopping has now become a part of our every day activities. Let’s
not forget the electronic products and gadgets as well.

For someone who is vision impaired, this picture includes being prepared to
face any one of these circumstances. You can do your online shopping
independently or you may need to ask for some sighted help. You may not be
able to do it because of a website that is not very user friendly or
difficult to navigate. You may not possess the technology that will enable
you to do your shopping or you may not be able to afford the technology.

When it comes to apps, some of the same criteria would apply but most of it
would depend on or governed by accessibility and navigability.

Of course, there are other groups of consumers that face several of the
above but as someone with a vision impairment, I need to ensure that
whenever I go online shopping, I can achieve what I set out to do.

We just need to get used to a new world of online shopping. For better or
for worse it is here to stay.

Just my two cents for today.

I’m Donna J. Jodhan wishing you a terrific day and safe weekend.

To reach me, please send an email to info@sterlingcreations.ca.

Here is a complete list of where you can view Donna’s blogs and editorials.
Donna Jodhan! Advocating accessibility for all
http://www.donnajodhan.blogspot.com
Weekly features on how to increase your success with your business ventures
http://www.sterlingcreations.com/businessdesk.htm
Weekly articles and editorials on issues about accessibility
http://www.sterlingcreations.ca/blog
Learn more about Author Donna Jodhan and her campaign against bullying at
www.jodhanmysterybook.club
Now you can enjoy Donna’s detective DJ crime crushers Series by visiting
http://www.donnajodhan.com

You can follow me on twitter @accessibleworld
and chat with me on Skype at habsfan0526.
Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan