HollyAlonzo – Never Giving Up Hope

Technology is great, without it we wouldn’t be able to do half of what we’ve achieved lately. But without it, we are stranded.

We come to rely on technology for everything. I myself use a lot of assistive technology just to make it possible for me to live some what independently.

In order for me to use my computer, I was using a braille display. It was a Focus 40 and I liked it a lot. I got to where I was using it a long with the speech of Jaws for clarification since I am such a slow braille reader.

Now, I am at the point where I can not understand Jaws at all, not even a little. I had to rely on the braille, which isn’t great for me. I began to dread the PC, when before it was one of the things I enjoyed. But, not anymore. Maybe I just don’t have the patients for it. What I do now is read. It might take me forever, but it is something that I am still able to enjoy.

A whole new life can be found in a book. When reading, I’m normal again. So, I don’t care if it takes me forever. I’ll get done when I get done. When I finish this book, I’ll move on to another one because I get bored without a book to pick up and read on occasionally.

I had my husband hook up another braille display for me to use until I can get my Focus fixed. This is a tiny display, but it works. It’s annoying to only be able to read a word or two at a time, but something is better than nothing.

I’ve been MIA on the blog because for a while, I had no way of using the PC. I had my husband check my e-mail and see if there was anything important. When there was, he would sign to me and then I would respond or delete.

Since I’ve been MIA on here so long, I haven’t told you all how the Harvest Festival went.

It was very cold in the morning and late in the evening. I took my book along with me, but I wasn’t able to read it. For some reason it got out of the place and I didn’t have Edward there to fix it. I did not know how to work this. It wasn’t a book in the conventional sort, but a braille note taker with a book loaded in it.

This is my preferred way. I can read books as in volumes, but with electronic braille I don’t have to keep my place and it is easier for me to concentrate on what I am reading.

Because I had no book. I was very bored. I can not see a single thing, or hear anything unless it is right near by and said very loudly. Even then, I don’t know what the sound is. Yes, without touch I am isolated. I have no idea that anything is around me unless someone tells me, but I soon forget because I don’t see or hear it to remind me.

My Mom was there with me, and I would ask her if there were people around or what was happening. It was entertaining for her and others, there were lots of people at the event and constant music on the stage for them to listen to. But, not a lot of interaction with me at my table.

My mom and I were able to collect $260 in book sales and donations that day. It is not a lot, but it is $260 that I didn’t have before.

I have to think of other events to try to set up at, and other ideas for fundraising. Right now, I am at a loss. Places that I try to go for either turn me down or want a fee for me to be there.

Fundraising is not going well for me compared to others. But, maybe someday I’ll catch a break and be able to raise all the money I need for medical expenses.