Touch of Paradise

09/24/2025

Four candles burned quietly in the room, their wax slowly melting away. The silence was so deep, you could almost hear them whispering to each other.

The first candle said:
“I am Peace. Sadly, people don’t know how to hold on to me. I don’t see any reason to keep burning.”
And with that, its flame went out.

The second candle softly murmured:
“I am Faith. But it seems no one needs me anymore. People don’t care to hear about me, so what’s the point of staying lit?”
A small draft blew through the room, and Faith’s light was gone.

The third candle sighed:
“I am Love. I don’t have the strength to keep my flame alive. People don’t value me anymore, they don’t understand me. Too often, they even hurt the very ones who love them most—including their own families.”
And Love, too, went dark.

Just then, a little boy walked into the room. He saw the three extinguished candles and cried out in fear:
“What are you doing? You’re supposed to stay lit—I’m scared of the dark!”

But then the fourth candle spoke gently:
“Don’t be afraid, and don’t cry. As long as I’m still burning, the other candles can always be relit. For I am Hope.”

And so, may the flame of Hope always burn bright in your soul. ✨

09/24/2025

08/29/2025

During one lecture, a professor suddenly picked up a glass of water and held it up. He stood there quietly, just holding it, as the students began to glance at each other, waiting for an explanation. Ten minutes passed, and he still didn’t lower his arm.

Finally, he asked:
“Tell me, how much do you think this glass weighs?”

The students started guessing:
“Maybe a couple of ounces!”
“Four ounces!”
“Five!”

The professor smiled.
“Honestly, I don’t know either. To find out, we’d have to weigh it. But that’s not the real question. What happens if I hold this glass for a few minutes?”

“Nothing,” the students replied.

“Right. Now, what if I hold it for an hour?”

“Your arm will start to hurt,” one answered.

“Correct. And what if I try to hold it all day?”

“Your arm would go numb, you’d be in serious pain, maybe even need medical help,” another said as the class laughed.

The professor nodded calmly.
“Exactly. But tell me—did the weight of the glass ever change?”

“No,” came the reply.

“So why the pain in the arm? Why the tension in the muscles?”

The room fell silent.

Then he asked:
“What should I do to get rid of the pain?”

“Put the glass down,” someone said.

“Exactly!” the professor exclaimed. “Life’s problems work the same way. If you carry them in your head for a few minutes, it’s no big deal. Think about them for too long, and they start to hurt. Dwell on them all day, and they paralyze you—you won’t be able to do anything else.”

He paused, then finished with this:
“That’s why it’s so important to put your problems down at the end of each day. Don’t go to bed carrying the weight of them. Rest, recharge, and you’ll wake up ready to face tomorrow with strength and clarity.”

08/03/2025

Myth: Vision Loss Is Always Obvious

One of the biggest misconceptions about blindness and vision loss is that it always looks a certain way like someone using a white cane, wearing dark glasses, or having no sight at all. But the reality is, vision loss exists on a spectrum, and it’s not always visible.

Many people with vision loss still have some usable vision. They might see shapes, colors, or light, but struggle with details, depth perception, or glare. Others may have central vision loss, tunnel vision, or fluctuating vision depending on lighting and health conditions.

Just because someone isn’t using a cane or dog guide doesn’t mean they’re not visually impaired. And just because someone is reading a phone screen or recognizing a face doesn’t mean they see everything clearly.

Let’s break the stereotype that blindness looks one specific way. Vision loss is diverse, and so are the people who live with it.

07/25/2025

Tips for serving customers who are blind or have low vision. Paer 2

When serving someone who is blind or has low vision, remember that we are all unique. We each have different levels of confidence, abilities, and preferences.

Here are some tips to help make the dining experience more comfortable:

Start by introducing yourself.
For example: “Hi, I’m Lea, your server this evening.”
Let us know about any specials, since we can’t see boards or signs often posted at the entrance.

Always speak directly to us when asking for our order — not to others at the table.

If you’re refilling a drink, let us know:
“I’ll be right back with your drink.”
When you return, try to place it where it was before. Coasters can help with this. Let us know verbally that the drink is back, since many of us may not notice a silent gesture.

Describe food placement using the clock method:
Many of us use a clock-face system to locate items. For example:
“Your coffee is at 2 o’clock, and the cream and sugar are at 11 o’clock.”
“Your steak is at 6, vegetables at 3, and potatoes at 10.”

Communicate while serving:
When handing us a plate, say something like:
“Here’s your plate. The steak knife is on the right, and the plate is hot.”

If you need us to pass something to another guest, just ask — don’t reach over us.

When presenting the bill, let us know the total out loud. Also, be mindful that flat touchscreen payment machines aren’t accessible. We may need one with physical buttons.

By following these simple tips, you help create a more welcoming and inclusive dining experience for guests who are blind or have low vision.

And remember, if you’re ever unsure, just ask. We’ll tell you what works best for us.
I promise you we won’t bite unless it is into our sandwich.

What others tips would you suggest?

If you know a restaurant who could use some disability awareness training, Tell them about Diverse Abilities Programs and we can help. Visit DiverseAbilities.ca to learn more.

Gina Martin

Photo description:
A waitress is serving hot beverages to two ladies sitting at a table in a restaurant.