Stories of Vision Loss

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A collection of voices who share how vision loss is just a piece of their story. Each episode is one person's story about how they navigate their experiences.

Stories of Vision Loss

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    • Apr 4, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 29m AVG DURATION
    • 51 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Stories of Vision Loss

    Qusay - Can You Open My Eyes?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 4, 2025 25:24


    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 - Good Eye, Bad Eye

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 21, 2025 27:03


    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 - Deep Dive

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 7, 2025 21:08


    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!

    Up Close: with MJ Jefferson

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 21, 2025 10:48


    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 - Birds of a Feather

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 7, 2025 16:42


    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!

    David - Vision and Justice

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 24, 2025 16:01


    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

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 27, 2024 1:42


    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 - Static

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 6, 2024 42:37


    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 - Power of Heart

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 11, 2024 27:18


    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 - Blind Nomadness

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 30, 2024 35:38


    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 - Unstoppable Mindset

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 9, 2024 34:19


    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 - Kiwi Convert

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 15, 2024 25:48


    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 - The Blind Life

    Play Episode Listen Later May 10, 2024 37:44


    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 - Heard and Empowered

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 26, 2024 45:16


    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 - The Dented Puck

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 30, 2024 41:52


    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.

    Up Close with Hoby & Charlotte

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 25, 2024 12:12


    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 - Love and The Haight

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 23, 2024 37:05


    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 - Recommitting to the Future

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 9, 2024 29:14


    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 - Disclosure

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 26, 2024 19:58


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

    Anne - The Dragon Who Would Be King

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 8, 2023 23:49


    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.

    Kirk - Innovative Impact

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 21, 2023 31:31


    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 - Blinded by Love

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 3, 2023 22:05


    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.

    Brad - Trekking

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 13, 2023 32:42


    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 - Fifty Years of Walking with Friends

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 22, 2023 39:44


    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 - Beyond the Bear

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 25, 2023 44:28


    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 - Outlook from Ontario

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 11, 2023 34:40


    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 - When Thor was a Spartan

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 28, 2023 35:18


    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 - Capers in the Garden

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 14, 2023 38:38


    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 - iCantCU

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 30, 2023 32:09


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

    Sarah - Early Childhood Development

    Play Episode Listen Later May 26, 2023 17:25


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

    John - Keep Moving

    Play Episode Listen Later May 12, 2023 42:44


    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 of Kazakhstan

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 28, 2023 29:22


    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 - Peering for Joy

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 17, 2023 33:00


    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 - Homesteading Firefighter

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 3, 2023 37:10


    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 - Pretty Fly for a Blind Guy

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 17, 2023 38:15


    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

    Up Close: with Jessica - Guide Dogs

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 3, 2023 30:20


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

    Chelsea - Packing a Doggie Bag

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 3, 2023 23:16


    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).

    Holiday Break 2022

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 16, 2022 1:30


    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 - A Long Short Story

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 18, 2022 51:17


    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 - Build Your Strength

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 4, 2022 31:38


    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 - Tiempo and Tempo

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 21, 2022 26:45


    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 - Never Give Up, Never Surrender

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 7, 2022 34:51


    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 - Visual Effects

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 23, 2022 33:49


    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.

    Up Close: With Jermaine

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 16, 2022 23:28


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

    Juergen - Journey from Germany

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 9, 2022 24:15


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

    Jermaine - Decisions in Life

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 26, 2022 33:11


    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 - Living Life Fully

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 12, 2022 31:37


    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 - Standing Outside the Fire

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 12, 2022 22:11


    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 - Find Yourself, Don't Fight Yourself

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 12, 2022 34:13


    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 - Land and Sea

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 12, 2022 31:38


    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

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