Reflections on the 2021 #AToZChallenge

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This month I really enjoyed taking part in the 2021 Blogging from A to Z April Challenge if you want to catch up on my posts you can read them here.

One thing that I liked the most about the challenge this year was reading the other posts. I do not usually take the time to do much reading of other blog posts but this challenge has kind of put me in the habit of reading other posts and I hope to stick to it. I have also discovered new blogs and have revisited one that I had not read in a while. I do wish that I would have put more time into reading more blog posts than I did. This is something I could have done more of and I hope to improve on it. I do not have any dislikes when it comes to this challenge. I did find myself having to really brainstorm when coming up with posts for certain letters but that made it more fun and interesting for me.

This challenge has shown me that I am able to write almost every day. I was glad for the break on Sundays but it was fun to have a deadline each day. I had a few days of working to the last minute and some days of playing catch up but I am thankful I got to complete it all in the end. It has given me that encouragement I needed to keep writing. I hope to take part in it again next year.

As I said before I wish I got to read more blogs this month but here are the blogs I got to read for this challenge.

Sue’s Trifles

Sue’s posts discussed passages from the Bible corresponding to a word for each letter of the alphabet. You can read her post for letter A here.

Iain Kelly

Get a guide to Iain’s trio of novels titled “The State Trilogy”. You can read the first post in the A-Z series here.

A Multitude of Musings

Astrid discusses aroma therapy and various essential oils and their uses. Read the first post in the A-Z series here.

Lynnette Forest

Lynnette takes the reader on interesting journeys through short stories. You will be introduced to interesting characters along the way. Read the first post in the A-Z series here.

Some extra thoughts

You can get a recap of the overall challenge and read reflections by other participants here.

(Z) Zzz’s | Non-24-Hour Sleep-Wake Disorder Impacts about 70% of People who are Totally Blind (#AToZChallenge 2021)

The 2021 blogging from a to Z April Challenge letter Z graphic is on top center. Text below reads Zzz's non-24-Hour Sleep-Wake Disorder impacts about 70% of people who are totally blind — The 2021 Blogging from A to Z April Challenge letter Z graphic is available here.

My theme for the 2021 Blogging from A to Z April Challenge is to give an overview of what it is like to be visually impaired and to address the misconceptions regarding those in the blind and visually impaired community.

In the final post in this series I want to bring attention to a sleeping disorder that impacts some in the blindness community. According to this source Non-24-Hour Sleep-Wake Disorder impacts about 70% of people who are totally blind. This may cause disruptions to daily life and adds an extra challenge to life. Read more information here.

The more awareness that there is around this and other aspects regarding the blind and visually impaired community will help to further decrease misconceptions. I hope that all of these posts have given a small glimpse into the blind and low vision community. Thank you for reading them.

(Y) YouTubers who are Blind or have Low Vision (#AToZChallenge 2021)

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In this post I want to point you to real life examples of blind and visually impaired people living life and showing that blindness is not an obstacle to enjoying life. The best way to do this is through YouTube videos so you can see them in action. Here is a list of some blind and visually impaired YouTubers.

(X) X-Men? | Do Blind and Visually Impaired People have Superpowers? (#AToZChallenge 2021)

The 2021 blogging from a to Z April Challenge letter X graphic is ontop center. Text below reads x-men? Do blind and visually impaired people have superpowers? — The 2021 Blogging from A to Z April Challenge letter X graphic is available here.

Some people believe that people who are blind or visually impaired have super hearing or super scent or touch as if it were a superpower. This is not actually the case. It is possible that a lack of eyesight forces a person to focus more on what is around them so they are more aware of the smaller details that others with sight may not rely on.

I have low vision myself and I find I take in my surroundings by listening to everything rather than relying on my vision but I do not have any superpowers.

I just want to add one more thing: blind and visually impaired people are not superheroes just for taking a walk on their own or holding a job or for doing any other common task in life. We are just like any sighted person out there and want to be treated as so.

Well if I did have a superpower I would like to have the power to fly.

(W) (wonderbaby.org) | A Great Resource for Parents of Blind and Visually Impaired Children (#AToZChallenge 2021)

The 2021 blogging from a to Z april challenge letter w graphic is on top center. Text below reads wonderbaby.org a great resource for parents of blind and visually impaired children — The 2021 Blogging from A to Z April Challenge letter W graphic is available here.

My theme for the 2021 Blogging from A to Z Challenge is to give an overview of what it is like to be visually impaired and to address some misconceptions regarding the blind and visually impaired community. Today I want to reach out to the parents of children who are blind or have low vision.

The site Wonder Baby was started by a parent of a child with a visual impairement. It is a useful resource regarding various topics from playtime to learning for children who are blind or have low vision. There are also resources for children with multiple disabilities.

This is a place for parents to connect and share ideas and tips. Your child can have a wonderful and thriving childhood even without eyesight. There is assistive technology and many resources to help you and your child succeed along the way.

Take heart and start this wonderful adventure with your child.