Tag Archives: WPLongform

Bridging the Great Divide: Counting on a Fictional Blind Girl

Posted on September 4, 2019 by Donna W. Hill

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

Powerful New Song of God’s Love & Awesome Lifetime Opportunity

Posted on June 12, 2019 by Donna W. Hill

Do you remember your first Florida vacation? Mine was a bit of a saga for an old homebody. The result, however, was a wonderful trip with the love of my life and a new song, which led to an opportunity … Continue reading →

Posted in authors, Bible, Christian, Dogs, Donna Weiss, Faith, Guide dogs, Harvest, memoir, Pennsylvania, Song Lyrics, songwriting, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

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

Posted on March 27, 2019 by Donna W. Hill

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

Posted on March 19, 2019 by Donna W. Hill

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

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

Posted on March 7, 2016 by Donna W. Hill

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?

Posted on February 15, 2016 by Donna W. Hill

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

An Author’s Life Without Accessible Websites and an Easy Fix: Sign This Petition to Wake Up Obama

Posted on January 22, 2016 by Donna W. Hill

I just spent two-plus hours composing the following tech-support email to LinkedIn Customer Experience Advocate, Carina. It demonstrates, if you can stand to read it, why blind people need President Obama to release regulations for web accessibility. These regulations are … Continue reading →

Posted in Accessibility, ADA, Blindness, Uncategorized, Wrighting | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

Police Protection for Elderly Rural Pennsylvanians with Disabilities: an Alarming Story

Posted on January 5, 2015 by Donna W. Hill

In late December, an elderly, rural Pennsylvania couple, with medical and disability issues, were awakened at 2:00am by the sounds of thumping and clanging on their back porch. From the peep hole in the door, the husband spotted a large … Continue reading →

Posted in Disability, older adults, Pennsylvania, Police, Rural Life, Service Dogs, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Symbolism of the Locks on the Erie Canal & an Author’s Dog Fighting IBD

Posted on December 22, 2014 by Donna W. Hill

Do you take comfort in certain manmade structures? Two of my top three – lighthouses and covered bridges – have virtually universal appeal. Lighthouses are beacons of hope, turning unforeseen disasters into visible rock formations, skirted with a flick of … Continue reading →

Posted in authors, Blindness, Cats & Dogs, Dogs, Guide dogs, Service Dogs, Visually Impaired, Wrighting | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Same-Sex Marriage, Americans with Disabilities & the Unintended Consequences of Refusing to Do Business

Posted on August 26, 2014 by Donna W. Hill

Since same-sex marriage became legal in Pennsylvania, most wedding-industry businesses have been welcoming to their new customers. Nevertheless, here in Northeast Pennsylvania, several stories of discrimination have fowled our local news. W.W. Bridal Boutique in Bloomsburg, Cake Pros Bakery in … Continue reading →

Posted in ADA, Blindness, Disability, Guide dogs, Refusing to do business, Same-sex marriage, Service Dogs, Uncategorized, Visually Impaired | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments