Ability Stories: Discussing the Successes, Challenges and Stories of People with Disabilities

In 2013, at the age of 50, Maria noticed a blurry spot in her eyes. After working with several doctors, she found out she had a rare genetic blindness. This is her story of the last four years living what she calls, “my unexpected life”. Topics discussed in part 2: Maria’s motivation for writing a blog. Some of the entries that are  meaningful to Maria. Maria’s blog post titled, “To the Child who has a Blind Parent”, including Maria’s thoughts about the post, reactions to her post, and some of the stories behind what she wrote. The podcast ends with Maria’s thoughts on blindness and what she has learned through living her “unexpected life”.

In 2013, at the age of 50, Maria noticed a blurry spot in her eyes. After working with several doctors, she found out she had a rare genetic blindness. This is her story of the last four years living what she calls, “my unexpected life”.  Topics discussed in part 1 include the following: Her experience with disability before she lost her sight. How Maria lost her sight. How Maria worked through her grief, including her experience with therapy and blindness training. How Maria has continued to teach fitness.

My guest is Jamie Crane-Mauzy. Jamie tells her story of getting a traumatic brain injury in a skiing accident. She talks about her recovery and how it has affected her life. Link to Jamy’s foundation: www.firstfamilyflight.org

Everette talks about his decision to run for president of the NFB of Utah. He talks about what he likes and doesn’t like about being president. He answers questions about the NFB’s involvement with descriptive audio, accessible pedestrian signals and driverless cars. He shares his thoughts on blindness.

Everette talks about his family history of blindness. He talks about adjusting to his disability. He tells how his experience working for Blockbuster led him to the National Federation of the Blind.

At the age of 17, John lost his sight do to early macular degeneration. This is his story of how he went from worry and despair to optimism and the certain knowledge that he can live a happy life as a man with a disability.  Topics discussed include the following: How John felt when he lost  his sigh How John learned to function as a blind person with an optimistic outlook on life John’s journey to obtaining his Ph.D. in literature John’s hopes for the future of people who are blind in Kenya His thoughts on blindness and what he has learned from his journey

Blind from birth, Jan grew up with high parental expectations, a determination to succeed, and compassion for others. This is her story. Topics discussed include the following: - Jan’s early years and her education- Her involvement in the disability civil rights movement- Her marriage to Charlie and Charlie’s death- Her thoughts about her life and a couple of great stories that will make anyone who has a less than perfect day with a service dog feel much better

One of my dream interviews is to talk with my friend Linda about her life, and her 20 year tenure as one of only three blind people who have ever sung in the world famous Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Unfortunately, Linda passed away in 2010 from cancer. However, Linda gave a speech in 2005 to the American Council of the Blind. Her presentation was called A Song in My Heart. I share it on Ability Stories Podcast as one of the best speeches on disability I have ever heard! After you listen to the speech, I think you will understand  why. Linda is someone who lived a successful life as a woman with a disability and achieved her dream of successful participation in the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.. Stick around for the end of the podcast to hear a song from a Christmas CD Linda made with her friends.

Many of you will know Jonathan from his time with ACB Radio, his work with Humanware, and his work with Freedom Scientific, including hosting FS Podcast. Jonathan has been a good friend and an invaluable mentor to me as I have started Ability Stories. This is his story. Topics discussed in part 2 include: Why Jonathan decided to be so open about his atheism, Jonathan’s faith crises, his reasons for being an atheist, and his thoughts on blindness

Many of you will know Jonathan from his time with ACB Radio, his work with Humanware, and his work with Freedom Scientific, including hosting FS Podcast. Jonathan has been a good friend and an invaluable mentor to me as I have started Ability Stories. This is his story. Topics discussed in part 1: Jonathan”s early years (including his time at the school for the blind), his career in radio, working in blindness services, and his work in assistive technology.

I am joined by Ray, Adam, Cindy, Kara, and Tyler. We listen to and discuss Louis the Blind Christmas Elf by Jonathan Mosen. To listen to this beyond cute Christmas story without our interruptions, click here

I am joined by Kara, Vicky, Barbie, and Anna. We discuss what it is like to be blind moms. Topics discussed include concerns my panelists had before they became parents, issues with sending kids to school, what my panelists hope their children learn from having blind moms, and lots more. If you would like to tell your disability story or you have an idea for a podcast, send me an email at abilitystories@gmail.com

Soniya is a mother and an elementary school music teacher who is blind. We discuss her childhood, her choice of career, how she got her job, and what it is like to be a blind teacher. Stick around for the end! Soniya sent me a great recording of her first graders singing a song for the podcast.

After quite some time away. Ability Stories is back! My apologies for the long absence. In this episode Tara and Tyler discuss what it is like to be parents with disabilities. They talk about their journey to become parents, what they love about being parents, what is difficult about being parents, and how their disabilities factor in. Ability Stories is on Twitter. Follow me @Ability Stories. Ability Stories also has a Facebook page. If anyone knows what to do with it, send me an email: abilitystories@gmail.com

Ray talks about how training changed his life. He talks about starting his own wood working business. He discusses his job as a wood shop teacher and his thoughts on blindness. Link to Ray's wood working business: http://wrightturnonly.com

Ray and I discuss his diagnosis of Retinitis Pigmentosa and how it affected his employment history. Ray ends part one of our interview with a moving story of what finally motivated him to seek blindness training.  Link to Ray’s woodworking business: http://wrightturnonly.com

Susan and I discuss her diagnosis of Retinitis Pigmentosa. We talk about what it was like growing up with gender dysphoria. We discuss her journey to come to peace with her gender identity and how it has impacted her life. She talks about coming to terms with blindness and some of the positive ways it has impacted her life.

Bill talks about why he decided to run a ranch. He talks about what that is like from a blindness perspective. He ends with his thoughts on blindness.

Bill talks about why he started as a rehabilitation counselor at the Division of Services for the Blind in Utah. He talks about some of the things he was able to accomplish.He discusses his decision to apply for director. He talks about what the job was like.

Bill talks about his family’s reaction to his congenital blindness. He talks about what life was like at the school for the blind.  He talks about his experiences attending public high school and college. He talks about his first jobs and why he started looking for different employment.

John talks about working for the school for the blind as a Braille proof reader. He talks about switching to Apple. He tells how he does his job as a blind person and his aspirations for his future at Apple. He ends with his thoughts on blindness.

Welcome to Ability Stories! In this introduction, I tell a little bit about me, the purpose of Ability Stories and what I hope to accomplish with the podcast.