Twin sisters Jenelle and Joy join the podcast to share their personal experiences with vision loss and adjusting to it emotionally. While they look identical, their perspectives and journeys differ, highlighting their mission to show that "there is no right way to go blind."
Hadley Presents
Emotional Adjustment to Vision Loss: Twin Perspectives
Presented by Ricky Enger
Ricky Enger: Welcome to Hadley Presents. I'm your host, Ricky Enger inviting you to sit back, relax, and enjoy a conversation with the experts. In this episode, Hadley's Marc Arneson, interviews twins, Jenelle Landgraf and Joy Thomas who share their perspectives on vision loss and healing. Welcome to the show, everybody.
Jenelle Landgraf: Thanks for having us.
Joy Thomas: Yeah. Thank you.
Marc Arneson: Thanks Ricky.
Ricky Enger: Thanks for being here. Wow. Do we ever have a full house today? I know I say this every episode, but we really do have a wonderful topic today. Before we share more in depth what that is, why don't we just take a minute to get a bit of background. Marc, you're no stranger to the program. You are Director of Community at Hadley, and of course, as part of your job, you get to meet a lot of people who have interesting stories to tell. Right?
Marc Arneson: I do. Yes. It's one of the things I love most about being here at Hadley is just all the fascinating people that I get to meet.
Ricky Enger: That's awesome. You end up bringing us lots of wonderful guests, and so we're happy to have two of them here today. And would love to know a bit about both of you before we get started. We'll begin with Jenelle, tell us about yourself.
Jenelle Landgraf: Well, I'm the oldest by four whole minutes and I live in a small mountain town in the Northwest with my family. I have two children. I am a clinical social worker, so I have a small private practice called Peaks and Valleys Healing, where I work with clients who are experiencing grief, loss, trauma, all the mental health things. And I also have a contract with Washington State Department of Services for the Blind, where I work with clients that they refer to me who are oftentimes new to vision loss. And I just love living in the Northwest and love the outdoors. And I'm really active in my community and I'm really excited to be on this podcast. So, thanks so much for inviting us.
Ricky Enger: Great. Thank you. And Joy, how about you?
Joy Thomas: Yeah. Well, I think we're reaching that point in our lives where the tables have turned and it's going to be beneficial to brag now that I'm four minutes younger, even though her whole life she's told over and over me with the four minutes older. I have two daughters and a musician husband, and we moved from the Midwest where we had always been five years ago to the west coast. So, I get to see my sister a lot more now, which I love, and I work at charter school in Orange County for grades kindergarten through 12th grade, doing intervention and social emotional supports. I also love writing in my spare time and hiking and things like that.
Ricky Enger: Fantastic. And speaking of writing, the two of you have a blog called Double Vision, and we'll have a link to that in the show notes. It's really great reading, and I'm not just saying that because you are guests of the podcast. It really does cover some awesome topics, and it does so in a way that's really authentic and I think very relatable. As we jump into today's topic, I'm really happy that we're doing this. I think a lot of people feel like as they're losing their vision and they're going through all of these changes and for loss of any kind, I guess, there's this feeling that there is a right way to do it and that it's this linear thing, if you're not following that linear path, then you are doing it wrong. Things are very bad for you. And I think it's important to dispel that myth, and that's partly what we're here to talk about today. I know Marc, you have a lot of great questions and I'm certain that Joy and Jenelle have a lot of great answers. So, why don't we dive right in.
Marc Arneson: Great. Yeah. I'd love to, Ricky. Thank you. And again, Joy and Jenelle, thank you so much for just spending some time with us here today. I have to echo Ricky's sentiments. I also love your blog. I've spent quite a bit of time on it and oftentimes, there's not a lot of talk or discussion about the emotional challenges that can come with vision loss and it's something that's so real for so many people. And so again, I appreciate both of you just spending a little time talking about it today. Maybe you can share a little about when you first started noticing your vision loss.
Jenelle Landgraf: Well, when we were about five years old, our parents noticed that we seemed unusually shy when it was dark out and that we were having in trouble seeing in the dark. So, they took us to an eye doctor and learned through a series of appointments and tests that we have retinitis pigmentosa, which is the name given to a group of degenerative eye conditions that affect the retina. Typically, the first sign of it is, night blindness, followed by loss of peripheral vision. It is degenerative, so it means that you lose vision slowly over time.
I just remember at that time hearing that there was a really weird, long word or series of words that describe what was happening with my vision, but to me, like how I saw was how I saw. So, from my perspective, there was nothing wrong with my vision, especially at that young age before I had lost more over the years. I just thought that's how all people see.
Joy Thomas: Yeah. I mean, similar, I have really vivid memories. Actually, one of my first memories is being at the eye doctor. The doctor showing me this Big Bird that I was supposed to follow along on his finger and it would go away and come back. And I just got this feeling that I was supposed to be seeing Big Bird more than I was seeing it. I just remember having that bad feeling in my stomach, like something's not right here. It was hard because it was before the age of the internet and things, so our parents had piecemeal information together. And I remember finding a cassette tape once and putting it in and listening to it.
And it was about this woman with RP who still goes to the grocery store by herself. And I remember being so upset, like why would she... They're so proud of her for going to the grocery store. That's nothing like why, and not realizing. And so, I remember coming to my mom and her saying, well, honey, that's about a 90-year-old. It is pretty remarkable she's still grocery shopping on her own. I think we were a little sensitive about it because we just didn't know, and we didn't want to be different.
Marc Arneson: It's interesting just from the different people I've met and talked to about their journey, it's oftentimes that people have very vivid memories of that first diagnosis. Do you think that that's pretty common in your experience and some of the folks that you guys have met?
Jenelle Landgraf: I would say from the clients that I work with who are newer to vision loss, I often will have someone describe to me in detail what their appointment with their ophthalmologist was like, where they were sitting, their response, the exact words the ophthalmologist used. It really does have a pretty significant impact on people because how it's described to them and the amount of empathy or compassion they receive really varies depending on the doctor's bedside manner and background. I've heard really some really interesting stories of people who have left offices just completely speechless or who were afraid to drive home afterward. But then some other stories where the ophthalmologist just gave them some great resources and they felt like more equipped. So, it is pretty interesting to hear how much that stands out in people's minds.
Marc Arneson: And you know what, and I imagine obviously with any kind of significant loss, there's going to be a time of emotional adjustment. And Ricky, you had mentioned at the beginning that sometimes people feel like there's a certain way that you need to move through this time of adjustment. And I've often heard from different people that they feel like they're just not adjusting well to this vision loss. Is there anything that you would share with somebody who's in that place or feeling that they're just not adjusting well? Is there anything you would say to someone who's feeling like that?
Joy Thomas: I would say there's so many different routes. I mean, just looking at the journey that Jenelle and I have been on, we've handled it very differently. I mean to the point where I have a guide dog and I started using a cane back in college here and there, and then, a little bit after college went through a lot of that training, learning braille before she did. And it just doesn't mean that I was doing it the right way, and I had way easier of a life. I think a lot of times people assume, oh, Joy's vision is far worse than Jenelle's. It's an assumption when you're using these mobility tools that, oh my gosh, you must have no vision left at all.
And I think some people wait till that point and other people start using those tools earlier. And it depends on, I think a lot of different aspects and what support systems you have and what you have around you when you feel ready. And I think there can be a lot of judgment and shame on people who are doing it at a different pace or maybe using a different tool or using it differently. I think we have these preconceived notions of how to do things and what's the right way to do things even when it comes to a disability and a degenerative eye condition.
Marc Arneson: And that's so interesting, Joy. Here, you guys are identical twins dealing with something relatively similar and in your own way. Jenelle, I don't know if you have anything you wanted to add.
Jenelle Landgraf: I would just add to be patient with yourself and your own personal journey. And I think sometimes, we can judge ourselves, or we can be really hard on ourselves. That's what I see the most, people who are dealing with vision loss or not. I just see how hard people are on themselves, and it's not easy being a human, right? It's not easy walking through these experiences. So just taking a moment to pause and have some self-compassion is typically really beneficial.
Marc Arneson: That's great advice. I've also heard that people, they oftentimes feel so alone. They feel like nobody can truly understand what they're going through. I don't know if that's something that you've heard from some people that you've met or maybe you've felt yourself?
Jenelle Landgraf: Definitely. I think that's why Joy and I, even though we lived in the same household, we're really close as sisters and friends, we didn't talk about RP or vision loss to even each other, except on very rare occasions. I think we didn't have a lot of the language to describe how we were feeling, and it wasn't something that you see on an after school special like drug use or parents getting divorced, or someone with a medical emergency in the family. I mean, vision loss is pretty rare in our country. Not having met anyone else with vision loss, it can be a really isolating experience. And I hear that a lot with the clients I work with, just like the friend groups that they used to have people not reaching out as much because they themselves just don't know how to respond, or maybe they have some fear or sadness around it. I think that is a very normal experience to feel isolated.
Marc Arneson: I'm curious in these moments where you're feeling alone, or you're talking to somebody who's having these kind of moments, what would you say to them?
Jenelle Landgraf: Well, as humans, we're wired for connection. So, I definitely recommend connecting whether it be with a trusted friend or family member depending on your comfort level or reaching out to a support group online or through the rehabilitation government or whatever it is in your state that you have for rehabilitation services.
I think it's really important because studies even show that individuals who are able to connect with other people who share the same disability as them have higher rates of self-efficacy, self-esteem, show higher rates of mental health, so less depression, less anxiety. It really does have an impact to be able to connect with people who share similar barriers in their life.
Marc Arneson: How about you, Joy?
Joy Thomas: So, during grad school, I won a scholarship with National Federation of the Blind, and that was my first time ever connecting with other people with vision loss. And I remember staying up until wee hours of the night in our hotel rooms, just sharing hilarious stories and things that used to like, I didn't even want to say out loud, like, oh my gosh, you had these really similar experiences. It was just so cathartic and incredibly validating to know that I wasn't alone. And just to even talk to people who were older than me, who had the same condition, who we were placed with mentors, and I was placed with this attorney, Ron, and we still connect, we still stay in touch to this day.
And I remember him turning to me at one point during one of the sessions. And he was like, "You are going to lose more vision." And I was like, "Yeah, I know. I know that." And he's like, “But it's going to be okay.” And I don't know what it was. It was something about him like being older, wiser, but like saying it's going to be okay. I just remember crying and just being nobody had ever said it so bluntly, but so reassuringly like that before. So that was kind of my first glimpse into connecting with people, with vision loss, and again, people I've kept in touch with from 20 years ago.
Marc Arneson: You know I imagine that there's sometimes where you are making a connection with somebody and maybe they make a comment or a suggestion that maybe well intended but ended up not being so helpful. Have you guys ever experienced that before?
Jenelle Landgraf: Well, something that stands out for me that I think we were told not necessarily from other blind people, but that we were told from an early age, “I don't see why you're trying to hide it. I don't see what you have to be embarrassed about.” That was meant to be encouraging, like, hey, share about your vision. And for me, I experienced that as very shaming, very invalidating of my experience of living in a world that was not made for someone who functions like I do. So, living in a world where things are not accessible and where blindness is not considered admirable necessarily, and where the unemployment rate for people who are blind and visually impaired is very high, is just invalidating of my experience and of the fact that things like ableism are real.
Discrimination and seeing people as less than because they have a body or live in a body that doesn't experience the world in the same way, is then what is perceived as normal is a real experience. And to say to someone, “Oh, what? I don't see what you have to be embarrassed about” is very invalidating of that experience and how different that experience is. I think that's why, when we've had the opportunity to connect with other people, with these shared experiences, it is so validating and normalizing like, oh my gosh, it's not just me. I don't just like, suck at this. This is really hard.
Joy Thomas: Yeah. And I would just add that. Yeah. I did have friends say, “Well, if you would just tell everyone, if you would lead with that and you would just pull your cane right out, then everybody would be comfortable, then they would know what's going on.” And I think that's true to a point when you show up somewhere with a cane, yes, people then are able to identify you and they know, okay. She's not just ignoring me, or she hasn't been drinking or she hasn't... It's none of those things that maybe people assume if you show up without a mobility device and you're tripping on things. But at the same time, there is some discomfort still that people have and can have around people with sight loss, around people with mobility devices, because they're not used to it.
They don't know, and then it's that pressure to kind of put people at ease and make them feel comfortable when you're already feeling uncomfortable. And so, I don't think it's this thing that solves everything. I think I thought when I start using a cane or start using a guide dog, I'll just feel so much more comfortable in my own skin, but sometimes it's the opposite. Sometimes I have people running out to help me cross the street when I don't need the help trying to pull me or grab onto me or different things that put me in sometimes more awkward situations. I just think it's important to recognize that it's a struggle both ways, even though there is some freedom in using devices and telling people, but it also comes with some responsibility as far as you feel like you have to educate people and things like that, too.
Marc Arneson: Joy, you mentioned assumptions that people can make sometimes. Have you ever come across people who make assumptions about your vision, what you can and can't see?
Joy Thomas: I remember even going to a doctor's appointment and then telling me that they wrote down one location and my husband dropped me off there and it was the wrong place. And so, when I came back to my primary care doctor and I said, hey, I tried to go to the specialist that you referred was the wrong one. And it was the secretary, and she looked at my cane and she looked at me and she said, “Well, no, no, we wouldn't have done that, but I can see now that you wouldn't have seen it anyway. So, that's probably why.” And just like assumed, like I remember feeling just so small and like, oh, she's looking at me.
And she assumes that I don't see at all, or that I wouldn't, even if I don't see what she wrote down that I wouldn't have had another way to figure it out or have a reader or have my magnifying glass or whatever it is that it was automatically my error because I have vision loss. And I think that when we assume things about people, either that they don't have any sight or that maybe that they do have sight. I mean, I know sometimes people will say, oh, I forget that you even have sight loss. And that's totally fine too. It's just that when we act on assumptions or when people say comments based on assumptions, it can be harmful.
Marc Arneson: Jenelle, I don't know if you had anything you wanted to add, have you ever had an experience like that where somebody made assumptions about your vision?
Jenelle Landgraf: Yeah. I think about my vision and then just about my ability. I was traveling independently with a cane at one point at an airport. And I actually, I have sight, even though I have retinitis pigmentosa, a lot of people with RP have, what's considered more like tunnel vision. But what I have is kind of like looking at a puzzle, but there's missing pieces that I actually do have side vision. And I could see there was someone following me everywhere I went. And so, I finally turned to him and said, “Is there something you need help with? Or is there something I can do for you?” And he said, “I just want to make sure that you get where you need to go.” And I was like, “Oh, well, thank you. But I actually know where I'm going.”
So, those experiences can be really disempowering when people assume that you need help, they assume that you can't see anything. Or even if I couldn't see anything, I know plenty of people that are blind that don't have any residual vision that have better mobility skills than I do, or than most people. And then I've also had experiences when people have questioned why I have a mobility device because they see me using my eyes in other ways, because I can still read print because I will glance at my phone. I had a really awkward experience when I was in grad school at University of Washington in Seattle. And I was on a lunch break with some classmates, a man started shouting at me, “She can see, she can see, she's not really blind.” Because I had my cane. And so, clearly maybe he wasn't well, but to me it felt like, oh my gosh, is this what people are really thinking? But this man's the only one who is actually yelling it at me. And so, there are those thoughts and assumptions that maybe people are thinking of those things. And I'm not saying it's horrible to have a thought like, huh, that person can actually see. But when we assume that it's something that we need to figure out or help them with, or without asking, it's really helpful when people can ask questions and get curious rather than making judgment or assumptions.
Marc Arneson: We were talking about how you guys, even in your adjustment, it's been different. I was wondering if you could ever recall moments where you've kind of thought to yourself, okay, I've finally figured this whole thing out, living with vision loss, I've got this down and then I don't know, maybe something happens or something changes. And then all those feelings, those familiar feelings of like anger, fear, loss, they come flooding back.
Jenelle Landgraf: Yeah, definitely. I mean, there was a time in my life where the subject of my vision loss was so tender for me that it was hard for me to even speak about it at all out loud without becoming emotional or just shutting down all together. And so, I've definitely noticed that I can sit with the difficult emotions more, but it doesn't stop from coming. I have had experiences, especially when I'm mentioning the experiences that I just mentioned recently, like disempowering experiences, especially if it's like a loved one or a friend where you know they don't mean anything by it, but they're still acting in ways that feel really disempowering. That can be really triggering, and I can feel all those emotions like an upsurge.
And I think there's like a mental health term for it called like a Sudden and Temporary Upsurge of Grief, STUG. And this STUG can just appear out of nowhere. And I think when it first happened, I thought, oh my gosh, I'm a failure. This is my career. This is what I do for a living. I've been working on this for how many years, and I still don't have it figured out. And then I've upon further reflection and some self-compassion recognizing, okay, you know what? This is sudden and temporary, and there's a lot of grief that just still needs to be worked out and processed. And now I know that I can reach out to Joy or a friend or a family member and find some connection and the resources. The journey feels easier and that it's more familiar and that I feel like I have more tools and resources, but it definitely, I don't by any means, feel like, oh my gosh, I have it all figured out.
Marc Arneson: How about you, Joy?
Joy Thomas: We all want to feel like we've arrived, or we've come to a place in our journey where we are past our life's challenges. And we figured it out and we can move forward bravely. That's like, there's these other moments where it just can come back, and then I feel like sometimes there's like the shame over the shame. I shouldn't be like... I'll be in a work meeting, all of a sudden, I can't find my giant mouse and I even have all the accessibility tools on, and I haven't zoomed, or I have VoiceOver on. And I still can't find what I need in the time that it's needed during a staff meeting. And I have this flush of hot shame just coming to my face. I feel my face just burning with shame, and then I feel embarrassed and almost ashamed that I would feel that way.
Because like, gosh, you know that these are just... When I put it in plain terms, like your eyes just don't work like everyone's, you need these tools. The tools aren't working right now, they're not working well enough. I can say that logically now, but when you're in those moments and people are counting on you or waiting for you and you feel like you're not the same as everyone else that can bring up feelings like, we're not good enough. I'm not competent. I'm not a competent person. I can now sense where they are exactly even to feel them where they are in my body. I feel it in my stomach and my throat. I can feel really like, oh my gosh, I've gone to therapy, and I've journaled, and I've gone this far. And I teach kids about how to recognize these hard feelings and how to handle them. And why can't I use the tools in this moment to not freeze. I have those moments where I think if I hit pause on the whole situation, like in a movie or pausing and you could just go on and figure things out, I could do it fine. But because I get into that freeze response, I can't even, like it almost makes my vision even worse, like everything's blurry and I can't even think what to do. And those are things that I still work through.
Ricky Enger: That's what I've noticed throughout this whole conversation is that while there are differences in how each of you deal with what you're going through and each of you has a different journey, there are similarities too. Because we are all human and I think it's part of the human experience to grieve and to think you've got it all figured out and then realize, oh wait, you know what? I don't. As we bring this to a close, I just want to ask one last thing from each of you and that is, if there were something that you wish you had been told, what would that thing be?
Joy Thomas: I would say find someone, preferably someone who has experienced some kind of either vision loss or disability that can relate and find that safe person to process with, that process your stories with so that you can write those brave new endings to stories. That first draft that doesn't have to be the final say of how you process that story. So, find that person who can help you safely and kindly and lovingly process that story.
Ricky Enger: How about you, Jenelle?
Jenelle Landgraf: Visit Hadley's website. [laughter]. I really do love your website. It has so many great resources. And I do think along the lines of what Joy said, like equipping yourself with as many sources as possible, just knowing that you do not have to be alone. You are not alone and your story matters and your journey matters. So really engaging in as many resources and connection as possible.
Ricky Enger: And one of those resources could be your blog, which is again, fantastic. We'll have that in the show notes, if you want to keep up with what's going on with Joy and Jenelle. Thank you both so much for sharing your story, sharing your journey. We don't talk enough about how we can make the process of grieving a normal thing. So, thank you again for sharing your stories and thank you, of course, Marc for doing such a great job interviewing.
Marc Arneson: My pleasure. Yeah. Thank you so much, Joy and Jenelle.
Joy Thomas: Thank you for having us.
Jenelle Landgraf: Thank you.
Ricky Enger: Got something to say. Share your thoughts about this episode of Hadley Presents or make suggestions for future episodes. We'd love to hear from you. Send us an email at [email protected]. That's [email protected]. Or leave us a message at 847-784-2870. Thanks for listening.
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Unfortunately, it's not uncommon for feelings of shame to creep in when we've lost some vision. Join social worker Jeff Flodin and psychologist Ed McDaniel, both visually impaired themselves, as they explore where these feelings come from and how they have worked through these emotions in their own lives.
Listen in as Dorrie Rush of OE Magazine shares how she resisted using a white cane for years, the stigma she feared, and the confidence and security she found once it was in her hand.
Learn how CVS pharmacy customers throughout the US can access a free service that reads aloud prescription medication information.
Join us as we chat with author Hannah Fairbairn about the tips and tricks she has learned to take some of the stress out of holiday get-togethers, no matter your vision.
We're joined by the creator of The Blind Life YouTube channel, Sam Seavey. Sam shares his personal journey with vision loss and advice he has for people who are newer to vision loss.
Whether you like to read for enjoyment or need to check your mail, reading is an essential part of your day. We're sharing tips and tricks for how to continue reading, the best low-tech and high-tech gadgets, and the benefits of learning braille.
Chief Innovation Officer Doug Walker chats with us about the launch of Hadley's newest podcast, Insights & Sound Bites. This new podcast will offer short stories shared by listeners. By tapping into the power of our community, we hope to share ideas, discoveries, and moments of inspiration along the journey through vision loss.
Jim Hoxie and Joanna Jones join us to discuss their children’s book, "Grandpa's White Cane." Jim shares how vision loss shaped his life and how he and Joanna, a retired teacher, began instructing children about the importance of white cane awareness and the do's and don'ts for helping people with visual impairment.
Blogger and social worker Jeff Flodin talks about his personal journey with vision loss and how his passion for helping people led him to blog about his experiences.
Hadley has partnered with the National Eye Institute (NEI) to offer a Spanish-language version of our popular cooking workshop series. Devina Fan, director of the National Eye Health Education Program at NEI, joins the podcast to talk more about this new initiative, NEI’s expanding Spanish content, and the importance of connecting Hispanic and Latino communities to important vision resources.
A change in your vision may make some parts of your job more challenging. But with a bit of help and some new skills, you may be able to stay in your job. Hadley Chief Program Officer Ed Haines and Learning Expert Steve Kelley join the podcast to talk about our new Working with Vision Loss workshops and to share tips for where to find support and how to ask for what you need.
Certified accessible travel advocate Melvin Reynolds joins the podcast to share tips for getting the most out of traveling, no matter your level of vision. Melvin gives advice on what to research ahead of a trip, considerations for traveling with a guide dog, and how a certified accessible travel advocate can help.
Karen and Dan Leonetti share how vision loss has changed their relationship and the advice they have for other couples.
Rabbi Lenny Sarko joins us to talk about how his vision loss journey led him to create a first-of-its-kind braille Sefer Torah that people around the country can access.
Actor and artist Bruce Horak talks about his personal journey with vision loss, how he got interested in painting, and his role in the new television series Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.
CEO of Eschenbach Optik of America Ken Bradley joins the podcast to discuss how Eschenbach has adapted through the pandemic to help people with visual impairment access low vision devices remotely. Through their "Telelowvision" program, you can try out magnification devices from the comfort of your home to find what works best for you before you buy.
Scottish radio broadcaster and podcaster Steven Scott loves finding and talking about tech stuff. He's especially fond of apps and gadgets that make life easier for him and others with vision loss.
NYT Columnist Frank Bruni returns to the podcast to talk about his new book. Frank describes his personal experiences with vision loss and how, with time, his perspective has grown.
IT professional and stand-up comedian Todd Blenkhorn talks about his personal journey with vision loss and how his passion for stand-up helped him find and share the humor in daily interactions.
In this episode, we're sharing highlights from previous interviews with a glaucoma specialist, retina specialist, and a low vision doctor. Listen in to learn more about common eye conditions, treatments, and what to expect at these specialist appointments.
Master Gardener Sue Brasel and Hadley's Chief Program Officer and gardener Ed Haines join us for a chat about gardening, no matter your level of vision or gardening experience. They share tips for how to get started, common challenges, and the many benefits of gardening.
We're joined by Carol Mackey, an avid discussion group participant, and co-host Debbie Worman to chat about what Hadley groups are, how to join, and what you can get out of them. With 10 groups on a variety of topics, there's something for everyone. Listen in or chime in – it’s up to you.
Bold Blind Beauty blogger Stephanae McCoy joins us for a chat on beauty, style and confidence. Stephanae talks about how vision loss shaped her life, and then shares some of her favorite fashion and beauty tips.
Hadley staff share their favorite kitchen gadgets and tips. Whether you're an experienced home chef or a total novice, you're bound to pick up a few ideas that fit your vision needs and make your time in the kitchen more productive (and fun).
We sat down with Kim Walker, co-director of research and development at Hadley, and Mark Andrews, one of the Hadley advisors who reviewed our exciting new approach for adults with vision loss to learn braille. From labeling items in your home to identifying buttons on an elevator, braille can be a wonderful tool for everyday use.
New York Times Best-Selling Author, Gretchen Rubin, chats about her research on how tapping into different senses can enrich our lives and connect us to each other in surprising ways.
Hadley learner Sharon Noseworthy shares tips and tricks for hosting get-togethers of any type or size, no matter your vision. Sharon has always loved the role of hostess and has learned to adjust her approach now that her own vision has declined.
We're joined by Teepa Snow, occupational therapist and founder of Positive Approach to Care, to learn more about the challenges of having both vision loss and dementia. Teepa addresses common misconceptions about dementia and shares practical tips for supporting someone with both conditions.
We sat down with several Hadley staff members and asked them about their favorite tech tips, apps, and gadgets. Whether you consider yourself a tech expert or novice, the group recommends a variety of high-tech and low-tech options that fit your comfort level and interests.
Judge David Tatel has served on the second most powerful court in the country since 1994. He also happens to be blind. Judge Tatel joins us to share his story on building a law career and family while dealing with changing vision, the technology and resources he's found useful, and what made him consider getting a guide dog in recent years.
In honor of White Cane Safety Day today, we're joined by Hadley learner Larry Carlson and Orientation and Mobility Specialist Elijah Haines for a conversation about this important tool. Larry shares what made him decide to use a white cane, and Elijah shares tips for what to consider and how to adjust to using a white cane.
Supriya Raman, manager of the Disability and Multicultural branches of the TSA, shares tips on traveling among shifting COVID restrictions. Supriya covers what to expect at the airport and what resources are available for people with visual impairment.
Photographer Michael Nye chats with us about his latest art exhibit, "My Heart is Not Blind," a collection of photos and audio interviews of people with visual impairment. Through these stories, Michael provides a look into what he calls "our shared humanity and shared fragility," as well as common misunderstandings about blindness.
Champion blind golfer Chad NeSmith talks about how vision loss shaped his life, and how he shares his passion for golf with others with vision loss.
Doug Walker, Hadley co-director of R&D, and Ed Haines, Hadley Chief Program Officer, chat about the making of Hadley's "Adjusting to Vision Loss" workshop series. The series guides people through the emotional aspects of vision loss. Doug serves as the series' personal storyteller and narrator.
In this episode we chat with ophthalmologist Dr. Angela Elam from the University of Michigan. Dr. Elam addresses common questions and concerns, and shares her advice for returning to the eye doctor among shifting COVID restrictions.
Dorrie Rush, OE's Chief Content Officer, joins us for a chat about this wonderful online resource chock full of tips for living well with vision loss. You'll find great articles on using tech tools, tips for health and well-being, stories from others living with vision loss, a terrific podcast, and more.
Learn about a new service that’s just launched in 2020 called Accessible Pharmacy. Accessible packaging and labeling and personalized customer support all free of charge to the end consumer, and specifically designed for those with vision impairment.
Audio Describe the World! That’s the mantra of UniDescription: a free smartphone app that provides audio descriptions and navigation tips for US National Parks and other public places.
In this episode, we chat with low vision optometrist Dr. Mark Wilkinson from the University of Iowa. Dr. Wilkinson answers common questions and shares his advice for getting the most out of low vision optometry appointments.
Jan and Elgie Dow share how vision loss has changed their relationship and the advice they have for other couples.
Join Hadley advisor Eddie Becerra as he shares about losing his sight from diabetic retinopathy, and how he gained a new perspective on life.
Classically trained chef Regina Mitchell shares how vision loss shaped her life. Regina worked her way back into the kitchen and is now helping others cook with confidence, no matter their vision.
In this episode we sit down with the director of Well Connected, an organization that offers free, call-in groups for adults over 60 on a wide variety of interest areas: games, music, meditation and more.
Support groups can be a great way to connect with others who "get it." Listen in as as low vision support group leaders Lynndah Lahey and Judy Davis describe how their groups are run and what their members get out of them.
World-renowned artist John Bramblitt describes how vision loss has shaped his painting and his life.
In this episode, we chat with Dr. Tim Murray of the American Society of Retina Specialists. Dr. Murray treats eye diseases such as macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. He answers common questions and shares his insights into the future of treatments.
In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Jullia Rosdahl, a glaucoma specialist from the Duke Eye Center, and ask her some of the many questions we’ve heard about glaucoma, its risk factors, and how to treat the disease.
Hadley learning expert Jessica Smith shares her experience raising a puppy that may eventually become a guide dog. She covers what she’s learned and things to consider if you’d like to volunteer to help out a guide dog school.
October 15 is White Cane Safety Day, a day to recognize this important tool that empowers people with visual impairment to travel safely and independently. It also brings attention to the general public to be mindful of visually impaired neighbors, giving them additional consideration and right-of-way when needed. We sat down with Kellee Sanchez, an orientation and mobility specialist, to talk about the history of White Cane Safety Day, and how a white cane can help those with vision loss.
Be My Eyes is a free smartphone app that connects visually impaired users with sighted volunteers for help with visual tasks. We sat down with Will Butler from Be My Eyes to hear how the app started, tips for using it, and exciting new features that provide specialized assistance, including with Hadley.
Tracy Simon from Eye2Eye peer support program shares her story of vision loss, how her program works, and the benefits of connecting with and supporting each other.
Ophthalmologist Dr. Lori Provencher chats with us about how the coronavirus pandemic has changed doctor's visits. She shares tips for staying safe, questions to ask, and what to expect before, during and after your next office visit.
Mindfulness expert Tiffany Guske returns to the podcast to share tips and insights on how to cope with life's challenges, such as vision loss or an illness, building resilience and focusing on self-compassion instead of judgment.
Author of "When You Can't Believe Your Eyes," Hannah Fairbairn, chats with us about how to communicate in everyday situations when you can't rely on visual cues. Hear Hannah's own story about losing vision, her practical tips on adjusting to vision loss, and advice she has on regaining confidence in social situations.
In this episode, we continue the conversation on living during the COVID-19 pandemic with a visual impairment. Listen in as we share some experiences, tips, and strategies for coping during these difficult times.
The COVID-19 crisis has brought a wave of change and uncertainty to our everyday lives. Listen in as we share personal experiences, resources and some helpful tips...all from a blind or low vision perspective.
Assistive technology experts Ricky Enger and Steve Kelley review BlindShell, a mobile phone built for those with visual impairment. They discuss the basic features, how it differs from a traditional smartphone, and how to decide if it's right for you.
This week we sit down with Dan Roberts, author of "The First Year-Age-Related Macular Degeneration: An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed" and founder of MDSupport website and support group. Hear Dan's own story about being diagnosed with macular degeneration and what prompted him to reach out to others facing similar circumstances.
Listen in as we explore the basics of using hand tools with a visual impairment. Gil Johnson, a visually impaired home repair expert, shares tips on everything from measuring, to leveling to hammering.
Elections are right around the corner. So we gathered a panel to talk about options for voting no matter your level of vision. Listen in as we explore everything you need to know, from registering to vote to the many ways you can cast your ballot.
Ricky sits down with Android Accessibility Product Manager Brian Kemler to discuss what is available on Android phones for those with visual impairment. From adjusting font size and color, or opting to listen with TalkBack instead, the commitment to making these powerful tools more useful to a wider audience is clear.
In this episode, we chat with Gil Johnson, an experienced home repair and woodworking enthusiast about things to consider when undertaking home repair with blindness or low vision.
Hadley's Debbie Good sits down to continue a conversation with author and visually impaired world traveler Dr. Wendy David. Together they explore a wide variety of helpful hints covering train, plane, and cruise travel as well as practical information on traveling internationally and navigating hotels.
In this episode, Ricky Enger chats with Joe Strechay, associate producer on the Apple TV+ series SEE. The show takes place in a future where, after a viral apocalypse, all humans are blind. Joe takes us behind the scenes of the show and his work to help build an inclusive set for the cast and crew, including those with low to no vision. From casting to costumes, scripting to scenery, hear how Joe helped create a science fiction world that strives to be authentic to life with vision loss.
Hadley's Debbie Good sits down with travel author Dr. Wendy David in this latest episode. In part one of this two-part interview, Debbie and Wendy discuss tips for traveling with confidence as a blind or low vision person, advice on picking destinations, considerations for traveling alone and in a group, and more!
Ricky Enger is joined by Hadley's Debbie Worman and mindfulness expert Tiffany Guske in this latest episode. Debbie and Tiffany talk about what mindfulness is and the specific benefits that mindfulness can offer for those living with vision loss. Tiffany then walks listeners through a short mindfulness exercise.
In this episode, Ricky Enger speaks with New York Times columnist Frank Bruni, who shares the story of his sudden vision loss from NAION. Bruni speaks candidly on his adjustment to the change, maintaining a realistic attitude towards his vision loss, and the failure of medical professionals to provide resources after diagnosis.
Listen in as we share practical tips on how to keep your handwriting readable. This resource-packed episode includes many useful techniques and solutions to common handwriting challenges. Hadley Learning Expert Jennifer Ottowitz chats with Sue Dalton, Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapist.
In this episode, Hadley's Steve Kelley speaks with Kendra Farrow, from the National Research and Training Center on Blindness and Low Vision, located at Mississippi State. The episode serves as a guide for those new to vision rehabilitation, including determining who is eligible for services, key differences between the medical and social services models, and how to locate services in each state.
In this episode, Ricky Enger chats with Microsoft's Jeremy Curry, a Senior Program Manager with the Windows Accessibility team. New vision accessibility features are now available in Windows 10 for low vision and screen reader users.
In the inaugural episode of Hadley Presents, Ricky Enger and Jonathan Mosen of Aira chat about the ways in which a visual interpreter service, such as Aira, can be used to gain valuable visual information and enhance travel and leisure activities for blind and low vision users.