I walked to the Post Office today which is a good two miles one way. The best part, because it was such a nice day, my husband walked with me with the two Pugs as well I had Ms. Whisper (my Service Dog) with me. My husband has never really seen me walk with Whisper, my cane, and the Breeze. I walked in front as I had the Breeze. My husband offered no help except to tell me where there was ice or low hanging tree branches. He said he did not want to take away from any of my skills. He was totally amazed at my confidence and I knew exactly where I was at all times. I just have to remember to turn the volume down when I go inside, as I had the speaker attached and I had everyone turn around and then they all wanted to know about the Breeze.

I used to be an avid shortwave DX listener. Now, with the Stream update, I can search for countries by name. I can listen to stations that I grew up with in my old home town.

I sat outside this afternoon and selected one POI category shopping/services and selected a local grocery store. I was given directions from my home to the grocery store. The directions included the approaching intersection and the necessary turn I needed to make. I feel so liberated with the ability to generate a route and physically be able to follow the instructions when using a cane. The fact that I don't have to think about the correct turn and also know what intersection I'm approaching is amazing. I am really motivated to walk to this grocery store and back home. I always have trouble with remembering what turn to make when at a street intersection. I've used a braille compass to know in what direction I am heading and to determine the correct turn to make when needing to make a turn. Now besides using my compass for directions I can also use my GPS.

I will never forget the day I first saw a BrailleNote Apex. I was at school, and 2 of my friends came over. I had only been told by my vision teacher that there was a demonstration that afternoon. I hoped it was something to do with technology, because I love equipment, especially something I can use. When they arrived, they started to show me the BrailleNote. I explored the main menu. When I got to book reader, I squealed with excitement! A book reader! I couldn't believe it! When I heard games, I stopped. Woe! Games! I could actually play games! I knew right then and there that I loved this product. "What do you think?" my friends asked me. "I think I'm in love!" I said. When I went home, I said to my Mom, "I want a BrailleNote Apex!" "What's so good about it?" she asked. "Well, you can play games on it, and you can read books!" I exclaimed. I got one for school, but no one would let me explore it. In July of 2012, Mom got me one for home. My BrailleNote has helped me with so much. Me and my brother can actually talk about books, which has made us a lot closer. It's especially helped me with reading. For years, that's been my area of struggle. But because of the auto advance feature on it's braille display, I have increased my reading speed. Web browsing is so much easier. When I do a research project for class, I always use the BrailleNote, because I know I won't get random images that have no discriptions. My BrailleNote has simply given me freedom I've never felt with equipment. I never will take reading books and playing games for granted because I know I can only do it on one device independantly. I will also never take emailing for granted, because the Apex is the only device I can email on with ease. Thank you HumanWare.

I have a pretty active social life and like to travel a lot and often fly or take Amtrak trains alone. This would not be possible without my little Brailliant Braille display. Since I am deaf and cannot hear to talk on the phone and am also blind and cannot see to read texts, this is my only way of communicating with anyone. I not only use text messaging to communicate with family and friends but also use it to communicate with my employer, to "call in sick", to schedule appointments with doctors, to ask my guide dog school questions, and to check my credit card and checking accounts and the weather. It also allows me to access the web where I can shop for my groceries, dog food, Braille embosser paper, labeling tape and more. And last but not least, my Brailliant gives me 24/7 access to a favorite pastime: reading. I love to read!