Every time we start talking about exceptional people with special needs and exceptional skills, my mind goes back to Glenda Watson Hyatt of the Do It Myself Blog.  And so, I thought this was a good time to check up on Glenda and what she’s been doing.

Still Glenda

For those of you who are not familiar with Glenda, aka the “Left Thumb Blogger,” take some time to get to know this inspiring woman.  Glenda has cerebral palsy and has been categorized by doctors as being “non-verbal,” but her blog definitely proves otherwise!

I’m happy to report that Glenda is still every bit Glenda, still cracking jokes and working away, putting the rest of us to shame.  She is currently working on her presentation for SOBCon 2009 and taking up the battle of making the internet and social networking sites accessible to people with all types of disabilities, not just those with visual impairments as so often seems to be the case.

Glenda continues to be one of the most inspiring bloggers around.  Revisit this old Digg It favorite for a healthy dose of knowledge and inspiration, and a great many laughs, too!

Go here to check out Do It Myself Blog.

Mary Ward
Do You Digg It!
Blog Review Team
Do You Digg It! © 2012

Where to Find Beautiful Spectrum:
Blog URL: http://beautifulspectrum.blogspot.com/
Category: Personal Blogs, Parenting

Beautiful Spectrum

It seems we’ve just missed World Autism Awareness Day on April 2, however, as the parents of these wonderful children will tell you, every day is a day for raising the consciousness and understanding of this disorder and for getting to know the people who live with it. Inspired by Amy’s Short Stories and some wonderful blog links from that blog, we come now to Beautiful Spectrum.

Beautiful Spectrum – Why You Should Go

Beautiful Spectrum is Halo‘s journal of life with “Twinkle”, her non-verbal autistic daughter. The blog is an insight into the world of autism wherein Halo shares the struggles and the triumphs of life with an autistic child. It is a wonderful resource for outsiders to learn more about autism and the capabilities and special needs of these children and their families.

Summing Up Beautiful Spectrum

Autism is a very difficult disorder for the lay person to understand. And so, these blogs from the children, parents, and families who are courageous enough to share their experiences with the rest of us are a true gift of awareness, insight, and understanding. Come along with Halo and her daughter as they journey throughout this Beautiful Spectrum and add a new level of understanding to your knowledge of autism and related disorders.

Go here to check out Beautiful Spectrum.

Mary Ward
Do You Digg It!
Blog Review Team
Do You Digg It! © 2012

Where to Find Amy’s Short Stories:
Blog URL: http://amysspecialstories.blogspot.com/
Category: Personal Blogs, Parenting

Amy’s Short Stories

Amy’s Short Stories is a blog where Amy, a young girl from the United Kingdom, keeps a collection of her own short stories to share for the enjoyment of others.

Amy’s Short Stories – Why You Should Go

A truly impressive young girl, Amy’s stories are full of feeling and creativity, often reflecting her dreams and life on her UK farm. They are entertaining and witty, and inspiring for her sheer dedication and courage in telling them.

Amy’s blog was created with the help of her mother because, in her words,

“My mum is really proud of me and likes to read my stories so she made a blog for me so that other people could read them too. I love other people reading my blog, it makes me very happy.”

This blog, though, stands as much more than the inspired and inspiring writings of a young girl. It also stands as an example of the strength and capabilities of a young girl with autism; yes, Amy is autistic, and her blog also makes a strong statement about autism awareness and understanding.

Summing Up Amy’s Short Stories

Everything about Amy’s Short Stories is inviting; the stories are entertaining, enjoyable reads that speak volumes for the author, who herself is a delightful young lady, a true inspiration to us all. A visit to this blog is sure to warm your heart and put a smile on your face.

Go here to check out Amy’s Short Stories.

Mary Ward
Do You Digg It!
Blog Review Team
Do You Digg It! © 2012

Where to Find Thoughts From the Broken Road:
Blog URL: http://daybreak1012.blogspot.com/
Category: Personal Blogs, Gratitude

Thoughts From Along the Broken Road

Thoughts from Along the Broken Road is Dawn‘s blog, which is probably best described as a personal blog, but could in many ways be fitting of a category like personal development or self improvement as well. The blog is her journey through life and all the things that interest and amuse her.

Thoughts From Along the Broken Road – Why You Should Go

Dawn has lots of words to describe herself (she would probably be a very good candidate for In Cinq!), preferring to use concise descriptions of a few words or less when she explains herself or her blog. Likewise most of her posts are short and sweet, to the point, which makes them refreshing and easy to follow along with. Dawn describes her blog as

“personal observations inspired by my life & the world around me. my own revelations & thoughts. snippets of wisdom. random insanity. joy. gratitude. silliness. attempts to be insightful…or not so much. laughter & tears. ME.”

One of the best features of Dawn’s blog is her regular posts of gratitude, finding Grace In Small Things. These are near daily quick lists of five things to be grateful for for the day. They can be anything, but the effect of this very simple exercise is powerful—it helps the reader to take stock and find gratitude in their own lives, and helps us to see how simple appreciation can be.

Summing Up Thoughts From Along the Broken Road

As Dawn says, her blog really is just “her”. This is a blog to visit to meet and follow along with a new friend as she picks her way along her life path, and also a place to frequent to empower yourself through the small graces of life. Learn to appreciate the little things with Dawn, and

Go here to check out Thoughts From Along the Broken Road.

Mary Ward
Do You Digg It!
Blog Review Team
Do You Digg It! © 2012

Where to Find Rick’s World:
Blog URL: http://ricksworld411.blogspot.com/
Category: Personal Blogs, Lifestyles

Rick’s World

Rick’s World seems in many ways to be much bigger than the average person’s. He’s lived a lot and experienced much, and seen things that the average person would never see, leastwise not through his side of the lens. His blog is the place where he shares his thoughts and these experiences, and it all makes for some very interesting and contemplative reading.

Rick’s World – Why You Should Go

Rick is, or was in his former life, a self-described “wanderer.” It is his wandering and the experiences he’s had along the way that has made him the person he is today; they have also been his motivation for blogging and telling his story:

“Over the years I’ve traveled extensively across the United States, living life as a wanderer. I have experienced things that most people can only imagine. I’m here to offer to you my unique perspective. Every story is true, and the articles are backed up with supporting facts. Some names have been changed to protect identities. Truth can be stranger than fiction.”

Rick’s story is interesting and in many ways curious, and very often emotional. But his stories are also insightful in a way that sets the mind to thinking and wanting to think more about this shared life- and world-experience.

Summing Up Rick’s World

Rick’s World is a young blog, and quite honestly so young that it normally would have been put on the list to revisit once it had a little more “legs” to it; but there is a great advantage to getting in on a blog at so young an age, particularly in this case. There is still time to catch up on Rick’s World and all his thoughts and experiences, and get to know Rick better. From there, there is just no predicting where his life and times can take us.

Go here to check out Rick’s World.

Mary Ward
Do You Digg It!
Blog Review Team
Do You Digg It! © 2012

Where to Find Photos From Haninge:
Blog URL: http://tungelstadailyphoto.blogspot.com/
Category: Photoblogs, Photography

Photos From Haninge

Photos from Haninge is another wonderful photoblog chronicling the life, people, and times of a small town in Haninge, Sweden (Södertörn, to be exact). This blog is the work of Steffe, our virtual host to life in small-town Sweden.

Photos From Haninge – Why You Should Go

Steffe is lucky to live in a place full of beauty—both natural and manmade. We are lucky that he has elected to share it with us in the form of his daily photo blog.

What is particularly inviting about Steffe’s blog is that it is one that depicts more of the daily life in Haninge, and not a blog based on tourism. Steffe really seems to capture living in Haninge, not just “the sites.” All of that, and he does it with unique, clear, inviting photos that showcase both his eye and his skill.

Summing Up Photos From Haninge

Steffe joins the ranks of photo bloggers dedicated to showcasing their homes in the way they really should be shown. He offers unique visions of his far-off place along with descriptions to help us get to know the sites and people of Haninge ever better.

Go here to check out Photos From Haninge.

Mary Ward
Do You Digg It!
Blog Review Team
Do You Digg It! © 2012

Where to Find York Daily Photo:
Blog URL: http://yorkdailyphoto.blogspot.com/
Category: Personal Blogs, Photo Blogs

York Daily Photo

Hearing about life in a place is one thing, seeing it is quite another. As they say, a picture speaks a thousand words, and this photo blog shows life in York, North Yorkshire, UK in ways no words ever could.

York Daily Photo – Why You Should Go

One of the gifts of blogging, one we continue to celebrate here at Digg It, is that it can take you around the world and back in a matter of minutes. And while we so enjoy reading about living in faraway places, we love to see them, too. So it is with great appreciation that we enjoy blogs like Ruby‘s York Daily Photo, completing the vision.

The blog itself is as you would expect, a photo journal of life in and around York, and also of places along Ruby’s travels. Ruby is keen to describe a bit about the pics, too, and share just enough to construct a quick, easy, enjoyable post and read to accompany her impressive photos.

Summing Up York Daily Photo

The foundation is simple, the photos are wonderful, the company friendly and informative. There’s not a lot else to ask from a blog, but this blog delivers it all. Stop by for the scenery and stay for a short chat.

Go here to check out York Daily Photo.

Mary Ward
Do You Digg It!
Blog Review Team
Do You Digg It! © 2012

Where to Find A View From England:
Blog URL: http://brilliantbritain.blogspot.com/
Category: Lifestyles, Personal Blog

A View From England

Maureen has made it all the way “From the “Land of 10,000 Lakes” to “England’s green and pleasant land.” That’s quite a lot of travelling and quite a transition for an American expatriate. For 21 years now Maureen has been carving out her life with her family in the beautiful green isles of England, and now shares that experience on her blog, A View From England.

A View From England – Why You Should Go

A View From England is largely a personal blog, with the added angle of being a chronicling of life relocated. Maureen shares the very interesting perspective of being one living a life abroad. That perspective gives her the advantage of seeing Americans and Brits through many different pairs of eyes. Sometimes she defends what she sees and sometimes she laments it, but the experience is one only few could or would share, but one from which so many could learn.

Aside from her life and perceptions, Maureen uses her blog to share her myriad interests, which she describes as “a hodgepodge about various topics as well as musings about life in England. I’m particularly interested in discussions about parenting, education, health, nature and the environment. I’m also very concerned about civil liberties…”

Summing Up A View From England

Maureen is just a regular gal sharing her life and times, but with the interesting twist her life has brought her. Visit Maureen for some chat and globe-trotting friendship.

Go here to check out A View From England.

Mary Ward
Do You Digg It!
Blog Review Team
Do You Digg It! © 2012

Where to Find Solo Dot Mom:
Blog URL: http://kitkat4real.blogspot.com/
Category: Parenting, Lifestyles

Solo Dot Mom

Solo Dot Mom Katherine has many firmly held beliefs. She believes that contentment can come from encouraging others and spreading self-confidence, and she believes we all write our own stories. Katherine has quite literally been writing hers as she blogs about the single parenting life at her blog, Solo Dot Mom.

Solo Dot Mom – Why You Should Go

Most people can imagine (whether they have the experience or not) that being a single mother presents its own unique challenges. It stands to reason that there should be places where other single mothers or fathers can go to get first-hand help and support. Katherine’s blog is one of those places. Katherine very openly explores the trials and challenges and the celebrations, too, helping other single parents find their way and garner support from a peer. She describes her motivation and her blog in this way:

“I am a single mom with two kids and dating. On my blog I wish to share encouragement to other single parents. I do strive to keep it real and yet positive when I can. I do share the “rough” as well as the blissful times with my readers. Keeping it real means you will see the good, the bad, the beautiful and the ugly.”

Summing Up Solo Dot Mom

Katherine shares insight into her life with openness and compassion. Her blog is both her chronicle and her gift to others, a practice in helping other single parents succeed.

Go here to check out Solo Dot Mom.

Mary Ward
Do You Digg It!
Blog Review Team
Do You Digg It! © 2012

Where to Find This Eclectic Life:
Blog URL: http://thiseclecticlife.com/
Category: Entertainment, Personal Blogs

This Eclectic Life

Technically Shelly Kneupper Tucker‘s blog is a personal blog, but when you are a professional storyteller, very little of your personal life escapes the eyes of your profession; and so it is that This Eclectic Life is an eclectic mix of storytelling life [in Texas], and curiosities.

This Eclectic Life – Why You Should Go

Blogging was Shelly Kneupper Tucker’s answer to an addiction to online Mahjongg. But like so many addictions, blogging simply became her new addiction—but one that so seamlessly fit into her storytelling life. It’s a blog that gives Shelly pause to quench (temporarily) her inquisitive nature, and extend her storytelling gift to the world. If you are wondering still what the blog is about, Shelly would only have this to say:

“So do I…

It is simply a collage of topics that intrigue me. Scroll through the articles and you will see that nearly everything does. I’m curious about anything and everything, and think the rest of the world should be inquisitive also.”

Summing Up This Eclectic Life

With [unnecessary] apologies for her sassy Texan nature, Shelly entertains and delights with her enthusiastic takes on life. Stop on by and ask her to Spin Me A Yarn. And just try not to catch Shelly’s infectious nature.

Go here to check out This Eclectic Life.

Mary Ward
Do You Digg It!
Blog Review Team
Do You Digg It! © 2012