Category Archives: Blindness

Author Admits to a Mistake: Voting is Still Open! Diversity Novel #5 in Book Cover Comp!

OK, here’s the scoop. Voting for my novel in the book cover comp did not end Monday afternoon after all. It ends Thurs. Oct. 31, at 2:30pm Eastern. My mistake, I assumed it was like previous rounds. So, if you … Continue reading

Posted in AllAuthor, authors, Blindness, Book Cover, novel, The Heart of Applebutter Hill, Uncategorized, Visually Impaired, young adult | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Blind Author’s Young Adult Novel #5 in Book Cover Comp: Please Vote Before Thurs. 10/31, 2:30pm Eastern!

At this writing, TheHeart of Applebutter Hill is in 5th place in the book cover comp. Don’t have time to read this? Go vote! https://allauthor.com/cover-of-the-month/5725/ Introduction This post was originally published by Stephanae McCoy on “Bold Blind Beauty.” These are … Continue reading

Posted in acceptance, Accessibility, advocacy, AllAuthor, authors, Blindness, Book Cover, breast cancer, bullying, Disability, Education, fantasy, Guide dogs, Indie Authors, Knitting, novel, publishing, Self-Publishing, The Heart of Applebutter Hill, Uncategorized, Visually Impaired, Wrighting | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Outside Myself by Kristen Witucki: A Stunning Portrayal of Blindness Reviewed by Donna W. Hill

When you hear that someone is “having trouble adjusting to blindness,” you may be tempted to think that they need to accept the “fact” that they simply cannot do a laundry list of essential human activities. Can you set that … Continue reading

Posted in acceptance, Accessibility, ADA, authors, Blindness, Book Reviews, bullying, Education, Kristen Wytucki, novel, Outside Myself, Uncategorized, Visually Impaired, young adult | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Blind Author’s Inspiring Message Transforms Book Cover Competition

October is one of my favorite months. It’s a great time to take a vacation, but this year, I’m doing no such thing. In fact, I’m working harder than I ever have. Earlier this month, my educator-recommended novel, The Heart … Continue reading

Posted in AllAuthor, authors, Blindness, Book Cover, breast cancer, Cats & Dogs, Education, fantasy, novel, The Heart of Applebutter Hill, Uncategorized, Visually Impaired, young adult | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Bridging the Great Divide: Counting on a Fictional Blind Girl

At the center of my novel, The Heart of Applebutter Hill, is a plot to steal the powerful and dangerous Heartstone of Arden-Goth. the legend of the Heartstone (a blue, heart-shaped sapphire) was inspired by a passage from C.S. Lewis’s … Continue reading

Posted in adventure-mystery, authors, Blindness, bullying, Education, fantasy, Guide dogs, Self-Publishing, The Heart of Applebutter Hill, TheHeart of Applebutter Hil, Uncategorized, Visually Impaired, young adult | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Head-Slappers from the Endless Mountains & the Homer Simpson Doll Caught in the Act

On Saturday, while listening to NPR’s “Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me,” I heard the true story of a gentleman who tried to kill a cockroach by throwing a gun at it. Sometimes, things happen in my own life that render … Continue reading

Posted in Blindness, Dogs, Guide dogs, Head-Slappers, Homer Simpson Doll, humor, Knitting, Pennsylvania, Rural Life, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Blindness & Faith Healing: an Old Street Performer’s Musings

As a blind woman who worked as a street performer for eleven years, I have experienced many wonderful moments with the public. I’ve also experienced some awkward, painful and infuriating ones. The ministrations of faith healers were particularly aggravating. Before … Continue reading

Posted in authors, Blindness, Braille, bullying, Cats & Dogs, faith healing, Guide dogs, memoir, nature, novel, Pennsylvania, Rural Life, songwriting, Uncategorized, Visually Impaired, young adult | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 21 Comments

The New Dog Under the Table, Explanations of My Absence and a Request 

It’s been almost three years since my last original post. You would think I’d forgotten that I am a writer. In fact, The Hills have had major distractions in the intervening years — many of which have been unpleasant to … Continue reading

Posted in authors, Blindness, Cats & Dogs, Guide dogs, novel, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Retiring Guide Dogs: No One-Size-Fits-All Solution

Weeks before Hunter’s 13th birthday on March 7, 2016, he and Donna walk along their favorite Trail; shows Greening Moss: photo by Rich Hill. Despite the many wonderful things guide dogs can do for their blind handlers, they share a … Continue reading

Posted in Blindness, Dogs, Guide dogs, Uncategorized, Visually Impaired | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Labrador or Writer: Who’s the Smart One?

Working with guide dogs is, among other wonders, a frequently humbling experience. Even after 45 years and four canine helpers, I occasionally realize that I haven’t learned all that much. All of my dogs regularly must endure my obstinate nature, … Continue reading

Posted in authors, Blindness, Dogs, Guide dogs, nature, Pennsylvania, Rural Life, Uncategorized, Visually Impaired, Wrighting | Tagged , , , , , , , | 5 Comments