You did what?
I shrilled.
My husband calmly stated
I bought you your own laptop. A screen reader now comes on them.
What if it doesn’t work? We spent almost 500 for Dragon Speech, and couldn’t train that dragon.
Prior to that day, I had tested so many new devices and features that it was easier to go without them than to try something new. All of them cost a small fortune.
They say growing old isn’t for sissy’s; neither is going blind. Losing vision is tough enough, but hearing about the newest and greatest, only to let hope plummet is indescribable.
I hadn’t used a computer in over fifteen years.
As he hooked it up, part of me tingled inside with excitement, while nervousness made small beads of perspiration begin to appear on my hands.
He turned it on.
He tested this screen reader feature before teaching me.
My dream to write became possible.
Relief washed over me, but not for long. Limitations popped up the next day. Oh, it could read a few lines you typed, but it didn’t read the icons to get you there.
I didn’t want to touch it for a long time, but my husband didn’t give up so easily. With his persistence, he discovered an affordable screen reader made by a company owned and operated by the blind… Serotek.
Soon, they helped me discover a whole new world. For the first time, I was able to join the sighted population in emailing and browsing the web. Even my dream to write became possible. My husband, Steve, even found a local Christian writer’s group.
Planning on writing devotions, I brushed up on forgotten grammar, attended monthly meetings and yearly writing conferences. At one of these, I met an author, R.J. Thesman, who is now my writing coach. I recall passing her in the hallway when she greeted me and asked what kind of writing did I do. She then suggested I start a blog first.
Two years passed, filled with much learning and seeking help to kick my blog off.
I thought about what kind of content to focus on writing about. The technical aspects were more than I could handle so I reached out to friends. To my delight, I encountered a terrific deal on someone to build my website for me, including my theme and header graphic for little to nothing.
That’s what I call a God-thing.
Once blogging was underway, I discovered a passion buried within.
I had found a new way to help people, as well as an escape from the stress of being a co-pastor and running a feeding ministry. While this required hired help to find images and do the technical duties, I figured it would be easier than finding markets and sending submissions off for devotionals. I even reasoned I could still write devotions as part of my posts.
Boy, was I ever wrong.
Ask the same question to ten people and you’ll get ten different answers. Types of blogs varied and so did hosting sites, not to mention variations of devices. Finding someone or somewhere to gain productive information was a cumbersome task. Many hours, and even weeks were spent interviewing help, adjusting to their ways, only to have them jump ship with changes you couldn’t explain to the next hired assistant. Finding time to write grew more difficult. Stress mounted until my husband begged me to allow him to help over hiring someone else. It hurt him to see me left in a lurch.
Once a decision to write a book had been made, similar experiences followed. The difference was there was much more to learn this round and you might have to hire three people instead of one, due to their specializing.
Every year the industry changed so continuous research on publishing and marketing had to be studied while taking care of family, and writing. Other authors were creating videos, podcasts, and things I remain clueless on how to accomplish.
All of this time, I haven’t been able to network with other authors by leaving comments, or joining Facebook groups. Sometimes, my screen reader wouldn’t allow me to even subscribe to their blogs. Facebook took me over a year just to learn how to like and comment on a post. Accepting friend requests, or sending them took even longer. And what’s tagging?
Learning to think outside the box.
Learning how to edit was rather tricky when I joined an editing group. I had trouble finding my files to attach my documents due to my settings. Thinking outside the box became crucial, and friends had to be willing to experiment until methods could be developed.
After writing my blog series came financial complications as the Lord led me to DLD Self-Publishing and a new virtual assistant so my husband could find new work. Confused by the timing of it all kept me on my knees until prayers were answered. Then, while preparing the last edits before sending my manuscript off, my virtual assistant quit. While looking for a new one, I learned I needed to be discovering and learning other screen readers and technology.
From Mishaps to Mission
I wish I was as technology savvy as some of my blind friends I know, like Richard Wells, a blind Pastor friend, who can solve any computer problem. Then, there’s Patty Fletcher who’ll be promoting my new book, released Monday, June the 17th. She’s so skilled, adding images without sight is a breeze for her.
I must remember, God has made us all different. Each of us has varying skills and character traits.
If interested in seeing how my husband reacts in bumpy situations, you’ll want to purchase this E-book.
It’s a fun, real-life adventure with meaning at every mishap. Many of you read the blog series last November. Now, you can read, From Mishaps to Mission all the way through.
I pray this book ministers to you while you’re being entertained. Maybe it will encourage you next time you find yourself traveling down a bumpy road.
Adventures can have a good ending.
© 2019, Jena Fellers. All rights reserved.
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