Into The Dark Finding The Light

We hear from Reese as she shares her thoughts on virtual learning, typing, jumping on trampolines and narrating herself. 

As the COVID-19 pandemic hit, schools were adjusting and strategizing to figure out how to accommodate their students. During a two-week layoff from school, Reese is introduced to Typio, a typing tutor. Reese is enthralled and teaches Courtney a lesson about how she perceives herself. 

Family vacations are often filled with memories, adventures and experiences. But sightseeing doesn't draw much interest when you are blind. In an effort to put herself in Reese's shoes, Courtney decides on a trip to a lighthouse that she is going to take in the experience without using her vision. 

A recent instance of Reese experiencing eye pain leads to the telling of the story of how it all started. Courtney explains what happened to Reese's eyes, the initial events and emotions the family experienced, and what transpired at the hospital. 

As children grow up and mature they want to claim their independence. Reese is no exception. And since it's Reese, there's no stopping her. In this episode, she has moved out of the bedroom she and her brother share and sets off around the neighborhood alone to walk the dog.

Being blind necessarily makes some things harder, but with hacks and tricks, hard things can become easier. In this episode, we talk about the different things Courtney and her family have put in place to help Reese navigate daily activities that the sighted take for granted.

Everyone has questions when they see a small child and realize she's blind. This scenario happens over and over when Reese is out and meets people. But what do you say when your child isn't yet ready to talk about being blind?

Life goes on. School continues. Radical surgery is performed. Will any of Reese's vision be returned? The family's life has a new normal — something they try to make as normal as possible.

Reese's eyes have revolted, and her doctors don't know what to do to help reattach her unusually detached retinas. No one knows what she can see with her minimal, remaining vision. Courtney talks about what it's like to suddenly be parents to a blind child with no knowledge or experience or to guide them. Just keeping Reese and her delicate eyes safe becomes a challenge.

We meet Courtney Blum and her three-year-old daughter Reese, who lost her vision. This episode takes place today, during COVID-19 with Reese's challenges doing remote learning. School at home when you're blind is a different kind of challenge when you can't see the screen. Courtney discusses how Reese become blind and what impacts it had on her and her family.