Stories of Vision Loss

Qusay Salih Hussein Al-Mamari shares his memoir and story of becoming a refugee from Iraq to the USA after a suicide bomber took his vision and changed the course of his life as a teenager while playing a volleyball match in a stadium with his brothers.Despite incredible challenges and physical trauma that resulted in more than 70 reconstructive surgeries, Qusay shares his story with unforgettable positivity, strength, humor, and courage. He makes life in Iraq and the United States come alive for us and we see new things through his eyes.You will never forget this incredible testament to human resilience and determination.Record an Audio Message!https://www.qusayhussein.org/Amazon: Can You Open My EyesStay connected and share your story: storiesofvisionloss@gmail.comCheck out a list of our guests: www.storiesofvisionloss.com/guestsJoin Supporter's Club - $5/month

Jeanne shares her story of healing her trauma through truth as we discuss her memoir Good Eye, Bad Eye. She has lived her life as a monocular since the age of two, and has worked as a journalist and psychotherapist.  Her insights into her personal healing journey are valuable for anyone.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/stories-of-vision-loss--5626029/support.

Wayne Tuttle "The Blind Guy" and Titanic historian, shares his experience adjusting to RP, reclaiming his enjoyment for scuba diving, and the difficult decision to stop driving while continuing to love his hobby of snowmobiling.www.thatblindguy.caStay connected and share your story: storiesofvisionloss@gmail.comCheck out a list of our guests: www.storiesofvisionloss.com/guestsJoin Supporter's Club - $5/monthRecord an Audio Message!

Introducing MJ Jefferson, Exectutive Producer and Creative Director of Stories of Vision Loss podcast.Record an Audio Message!Stay connected and share your story: storiesofvisionloss@gmail.comCheck out a list of our guests: www.storiesofvisionloss.com/guestsJoin Supporter's Club - $5/month

Brianna "Nana" Hnilo shares her love of birds and animals, and tells us about being born with Fraser Syndrome.  She also shares how she got into writing ghosts stories through her love of Braille.Stay connected and share your story: storiesofvisionloss@gmail.comCheck out a list of our guests: www.storiesofvisionloss.com/guestsJoin Supporter's Club - $5/monthRecord an Audio Message!

Judge David S. Tatel shares his RP journey throughout a lifetime of accomplishments.  He served nearly 30 years on America's second highest court, the United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, where many of our most crucial cases are resolved—or teed up for the Supreme Court.  His story of fighting for justice over many decades, with and without eyesight, is an inspiration to us all - and the book he wrote about it is a fantastic read:https://www.amazon.com/Vision-Blindness-David-S-Tatel/dp/0316542024Record an Audio Message for us:  https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesofVisionLossBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/stories-of-vision-loss--5626029/support.

Happy New Year!  Stay connected and share your story: storiesofvisionloss@gmail.comCheck out a list of our guests: www.storiesofvisionloss.com/guestsJoin Supporter's Club - $5/month

Ashley King shares her story of International travel, methanol poisoning, building her acting career, and producing a play with a companion podcast, Static: A Party Girl's Memoir.https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/static-a-party-girls-memoir/id1767644549https://youtu.be/F-_mkB6_aXY?si=tvGlW_E1QwX7ADNoBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/stories-of-vision-loss--5626029/support.

Prabath Wickramanayake takes us through his RP journey growing up in Sri Lanka, going to school in New Zealand, and living in Australia.  He encourages everyone to get out and do the things they love.Support Stories of Vision Loss

Sara shares her story of being a blind nomad traveling throughout the USA, her passion for astrology, reiki, and self improvement.  Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/stories-of-vision-loss--5626029/support.

Michael shares his experience growing up as a ham radio operator, studying physics at university, assisting with the development of Kurzweil's assistive tech devices, and escaping the twin towers on September 11th with his guide dog, Roselle.  Please check out his podcast: Unstoppable MindsetBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/stories-of-vision-loss--5626029/support.

Bonnie shares her experiences with guide dogs, moving to New Zealand, writing romance novels, and her love of horses, history, and culture.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/stories-of-vision-loss--5626029/support.

Sam shares his experience developing The Blind Life YouTube channel, podcast, TikTok and social media presence.  His family plays a central role in his life, and he gracefully walks the line between artist and techie as a cake decorator, comic book artist, and assitive technology trainer.https://www.youtube.com/c/theblindlifeBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/stories-of-vision-loss--5626029/support.

Hoby Wedler shares his experience building businesses as a successful entrepreneur in the Food & Beverage industry after earning his PhD in Chemistry.  He was born blind with microphthalmia, and developed his palate and love for cooking through growing up in a family who supported him through high expectations.  His curiosity and thirst for knowledge will hopefully pair well with your day and leave you feeling inspired.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/stories-of-vision-loss--5626029/support.

Josh Schneider from The Dented Puck (podcast and foundation) shares his story about losing his vision in his 30s, rediscovering ice hockey as a blind player, and building a foundation and team to promote the sport he loves.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/stories-of-vision-loss--5626029/support.

This episode features Hoby Wedler interviewing Charlotte about the podcast and how it came to be.Send questions to storiesofvisionloss@gmail.comThank you for listeningHoby's podcast: https://heardandempowered.orgBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/stories-of-vision-loss--5626029/support.

Jerry shares his experience through decades of participating in positive change and mending his San Francisco community through the Vietnam War, saving housing from the clear cutting of the landscape to remodeling an Edwardian house, and being on the front row of watching technology grow and shift through time. He now mentors people through art and woodworking, and his walking tour business called Jose Can You See. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/stories-of-vision-loss--5626029/support.

Sheila shares her experience meeting her husband at World Services for the Blind while going through a training program to learn alternative techniques to function competitively with Optic Neuritis. She has an emotional support animal (ESA) and her husband has a guide dog (service animal).

David Steinmetz (Arizona Industries of the Blind) shares his experience adapting to RP while changing careers and raising a family.

Anne shares her experience as a published writer. She grew up with RP and CP, and she has some encouraging words to share with anyone who has had similar experiences.

Dr. Kirk Adams shares his experience building his career as a leader in the nonprofit space (American Foundation for the Blind, Seattle Lighthouse for the Blind, and Seattle Public Library) with his goal to accelerate accessibility and inclusion. He talks about his family traditions - for Thanksgiving and outdoors at the lake.

Natasha Jean shares her experience as an advocate, author, homeowner, mother, and survivor of domestic violence. She talks about Myopia, retinal detachments, prosthetic eyes, and offers resources for people experiencing domestic violence including how to recognize red flags.

Star Trek fan, Brad, shares his experience developing his career from a German PhD to an Orientation & Mobility Specialist. He also shares what it has been like growing up totally blind and developing concepts in a sighted world.

DeAnna Quietwater shares her experiences growing up on a reservation, being a social worker in California, joining the Peace Corps in Western Samoa, and adopting a child, and living all this time with 10 guide dogs.

Dan shares his experience living in Alaska, fishing, climbing the ladder to become CEO of a nonprofit mental health agency, and building a meaningful life with family and friends after losing his vision from being mauled by a bear in 2003.

Kerry shares her experience growing up in Ontario, developing as a writer and live podcaster with her brother Brian on a radio station called Outlook on Radio Western. She was born with LCA (Leber's Congenital Amaurosis), and she talks about kidney transplants and artificial eyes.

John is retired military and shares his experiences running obstacle course races (Spartan, Tough Mudder, and others) with his guide dog Thor from Guiding Eyes. He lives in Kentucky with many grandchildren, he has a dog boarding business with his wife, and he talks about breaking horses and being a mechanic.

Maribel shares her experience in Australia as a mother and creative person with interests in sensory modalities including massage, aromatherapy, gardening, cooking, and music.

David Goldstein shares his experience as a podcaster, entrepreneur, website creator, and family man with Congenital Glaucoma. https://www.icantcu.com/

Sarah shares her story as a preschool teacher who was born with Retinopathy of Prematurity.

John shares his experience from the US to India to Camaroon and back again with RP. He learns to accept his blindness through love, confidence, and a sense of belonging. He completes an MBA, helps advocate for other blind people through growing a company focusing on accessibile technology, and writes a book: Don't Ask the Blind Guy for Directions: A 30,000-Mile Journey for Love, Confidence and a Sense of Belonging

Kenzhegul shares his story of growing up as the 20th child in his family in Kazakhstan, being a professional paracyclist and goalball competitor after completing a Masters degree, and making a difference in accessibility in his country using the knowledge he has gained internationally.

Dhanya shares her experience growing up in a hippie gypsy small family, being diagnosed with a brain tumor at the age of 10, and succeeding through graduate school while her family dissolved.

Casey shares his experience starting a homestead in Missouri, becoming a volunteer firefighter in his rural community, and finding his way to being a counselor and life coach through his Christian roots.

Karan Nagrani shares his experience as a graphic designer in Australia with Retinitis Pigmentosa and hearing loss (uniquely not Usher's Syndrome through genetic testing). He was nominated as the 2022 Blind Australian of the Year. @karannnagrani

This bonus episode asks our previous guest, Jessica, questions about guide dogs from our listeners in Kazakstan.

Chelsea talks about her experience traveling for work, working a guide dog, growing up in Nebraska (Go Big Red!), and being born with LCA (Lebers Congenital Amaurosis).

We are taking a holiday break until the new year (2023). Please continue to email us if you have follow up questions for our guests or if you want to contact us. And thank you for listening.

Arthuree shares her experience growing up in Harlem in the 1940s, going to a "Sight Conservation Class", being a nurse married to a doctor, and living as a black woman in a hot zone for civil rights during the 60s and 70s. She also shares her love of art, music, and International travel.

Jenny shares her dreams and drive to achieve them. She talks about her journey with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis, caring for her mother with Alzheimers, being an actress, and goal to write her memoir and become a public speaker.

Julio shares his memories growing up in Puerto Rico and becoming a professional musician. He plays percussion instruments for a variety of latin and jazz bands.

Major Joe Bogart, USA Ret., shares his experiences in the military including coping with PTSD, his love of the outdoors, and his partnership with his wife through life and sports.

Lara shares her story of experiencing a slow loss of vision while working for a visual effects studio and winning an Oscar. She expresses appreciation for Apple accessibility and for people who value their blind employees.

Our first follow up episode, thanks to listener questions. Jermaine Myers answers listener questions and shares more of his story.

Juergen shares his passion for football (aka soccer), travel, and helping others through his work.

Jermaine Myers shares his experiences growing up in Louisiana, becoming an entrepreneur, creating music, deejaying, and surviving Hurricane Katrina after losing his vision traumatically at a young age.

Doris Winn Polak shares her experience as an active 82 year old woman with Macular Degeneration. She enjoys traveling, cooking, being social, the symphony, the ballet, classical music, and enjoying every day of her life. https://www.storiesofvisionloss.com/shownotes

Bobby Lakey is an assistive technology specialist who believes that taking reasonable risks is an important part of living fully. He shares his love of boating, fishing, darts, beep baseball, and experiences with his grandfather and father after losing his vision at the age of 7 from a firearms accident. https://www.storiesofvisionloss.com/shownotes

Jessica Glasebrook shares her passion for yoga (including My Vinyasa Practice), reading, hiking with her guide dog from Guide Dogs for the Blind, space exploration (including NASA's perseverance rover on Mars), and her encouragement for her blind colleagues to bolster their confidence. https://www.storiesofvisionloss.com/shownotes

Lance Varnell shares his experience of being a landscape photographer published in Texas Parks and Wildlife, becoming a mariner, and his sudden transition to being blind in his 40s due to a genetic eye condition called Leber's Hereditary Optic Neuropathy. He shares his love of hiking and relearning Orientation & Mobility (including a conversation with Trevor Thomas), learning Braille through the Hadley Institute, and his interest in working with the Nature Conservancy. https://www.storiesofvisionloss.com/shownotes

Introducing Stories of Vision Loss