Do It Myself Blog – Glenda Watson Hyatt

Last year, thanks to you, 100 people in need enjoyed a warm meal on Christmas. Let’s do it again this year!

Announcing…The Best of…The Left Thumb Blogger: Volume II – Readers’ Choice Edition

The Best of…The Left Thumb Blogger: Volume II is a collection of favourite posts selected by Do It By Myself Blog readers. To support  the Union Gospel Mission – the lifeline to basic necessities for thousands of men, women and children – and its hope-giving Christmas Dinner campaign, every ebook purchased before December 21st for only $6.50, $3.29 will buy Christmas dinner for someone in need.

(Some people are reporting problems with the Buy Now button, which I’m trying to figure out. For now, please try the direct link to the post rather than viewing via Facebook or such. If that still doesn’t work, please leave a comment below with any error messages you’re getting or other details. Or, if you know the possible solution, I’m all ears! Thanks!)

If you don’t wish to purchase the ebook, but would like to buy someone in need Christmas dinner, kindly buy me a coffee for $3.29 (using the link below this post) and I’ll add your donation to the total.

Together, let’s feed 100 people Christmas dinner and show them they are still valued members of our community.

Thank you!

Several weeks ago, I had the honour of being a speaker at BlogWorld in Las Vegas.

Picking up my badge in the Speaker’s Line at Registration early Thursday morning, a few eyebrows were raised when I was asked if, indeed, I was a speaker.

Yes! Unbelievable, isn’t it?

A few short years ago, me, given my significant speech impairment due to my cerebral palsy, speaking at a large conference was Impossible. But, with advances in technology, creativity, determination, and a patient and understanding audience, the impossible became possible!

That speaker’s badge for the conference of the blogging industry represents a huge milestone in my story “Love at First Sound Byte: A Woman’s Journey from Being Labeled Non-Verbal to Being a Well-Sought-After Speaker” (potentially the title for my next book?).

Shortly before my presentation time, I checked in at the Speaker Ready Room – another sign that the impossible was now possible.

I didn’t hang around in there though. I thought being in the same room as superstar speakers might cause me to panic even more; I was already feeling my athetoid cerebral palsy kicking in as my body began tightening.

Rather, I headed to the room where WordCamp Las Vegas was now being held. The last minute room change was one of many glitches to befall my panel presentation.

Actually, I wanted to catch the panel with Chris Garrett, Darren Rowse and Jeremy Wright. Even though Chris and Darren had written the very successful ProBlogger: Secrets for Blogging Your Way to a Six-Figure Income, this was the first time they had presented together on the same stage.

When i first read ProBlogger, I had goose bumps reading how Chris and Darren both got started with blogging and how they turned it into a substantial income source in their own ways. They are what I would like to be when I become a grown-up blogger.

Following such an impressive panel, I felt my athetoid-ism kick up another notch. Part way into their presentation, I even tweeted, “I’m on at 1pm after @chrisgarrett & @problogger. No freakin’ pressure here!”

Once on stage – after a glitch with the stage lift and a technical glitch with the sound system – my co-panelist Damien Patton introduced our session and then kindly introduced me. 

As soon as I began my PowerPoint presentation, I realized the headings on the top and the captions on the bottom of the slides were cut off; apparently a glitch with the projector’s resolution. Here I am about to present on accessibility and one of my key accessibility features (i.e. captions, which took days to create) was not working. How annoying and frustrating! But, in the moment, I could not do anything except to carry on – without captions.

With all of the glitches and being star-strucked, I was not in the most relaxed state. My athetoid cp was in full force. From my side of the stage, I am sure I out spaz’d and out grimaced actor/Parkinson’s advocate Michael J. Fox and cerebral palsy comedian Josh Blue combined.

Somehow my twenty-five minute presentation ballooned to thirty-seven, leaving Damien mere seconds to give his presentation. However, a few years ago, the thought of me giving a thirty-seven minute presentation was inconceivable; impossible.

In the process of making the impossible a possibility, it isn’t always perfect, it isn’t always pretty. The key is to do! Closing in on perfection and prettiness will come from lessons learned and from refining the process. Compared to this presentation, the next one will be a breeze!

To read my presentation as an free ebook, check out How POUR is Your Blog? Tips for Increasing Your Blog Accessibility.

Our Las Vegas Trip in Review

Part 1: Hilton Room Disappoints on Accessibility
Part 2: Dreams Do Come True – With a Little Help from Friends
Part 3: Making the Impossible Possible – Not Always Perfect or Pretty

(Photo credit: Miss604)

The Union Gospel Mission – the lifeline to basic necessities for thousands of men, women and children – has held a special place in my heart since our wedding day when  Mom and my brother Kevin dropped off much of the remaining food at the Mission in downtown Vancouver. Being able to share our special day with those less fortunate than us made our day that much more meaningful. Ever since, I have given to the Union Gospel Mission whenever I can.

Last December, I put together “The Best of…The Left Thumb Blogger: Volume I” ebook. With each sale, another person in desperate need received a warm Christmas dinner. Thanks to my generous readers, 100 people enjoyed a meal on Christmas! Thank you.

I would like to do the same thing this year. However, “The Best of…The Left Thumb Blogger: Volume II” is the Readers’ Choice Edition! You, the reader, decide which posts are to be included in the ebook. Here’s how it works:

• Leave the title of your favourite Do It Myself Blog post in a comment below.
• For now, one post per reader, please. This may change, depending on the response.
• Each reader to choose a post will be profiled in the ebook.
• If more than one reader chooses the same post, the first reader to leave a comment will be profiled.
• Ideally, the ebook will include 12-15 posts.
• Please choose your favourite post by Thursday, November 26th, 2009.

Is there anything I missed? Do you have any questions? Let me know.

Together, let’s feed 100 people Christmas dinner again!

Thank you.

While at BlogWorld, I had the pleasure of meeting Beverly Robertson from the March of Dimes. She mentioned the event she is coordinating: Fight for Preemies. Because a special preemie is in my heart, I was instantly committed to helping promote the event.

Beverly explained that “Every year, 20 million babies are born too soon, too small and very sick. November 17 is when we fight – that day is dedicated to raising awareness of the crisis of premature birth.”

When we first met, Beverly said she her goal was to have 200 bloggers join the event. At last check, 330 bloggers had united for preemies. Let’s blow the roof off of Beverly’s goal and see 500 (or more!) bloggers unite to raise awareness about our most fragile babies. If a preemie has touched your life, please join the Fight for Preemies event.

And check back next Tuesday when I interview the preemie who has captured my heart…

Man, this swine flu has zapped my energy! i barely have energy to do anything and that is getting frustrating. My blog, my baby, requires consistent attention – something I love doing, for the most part – but even my creative juices have slowed down. I will return to sharing my journey from special ed classroom to university graduate and the next big milestone in “Love at First Sound Byte” (my next book title?) once I’m feeling better.

For your reading pleasure, I’d like to leave you with three special memories from 2009:

1. Close Encounter with Oprah
2. Celebrating Women of Distinction
3. Dreams Do Come True – With a Little Help from Friends

What memories hold a special place in your heart for 2009?