Vision loss can be emotionally overwhelming. In this episode, we chat with a clinical psychologist who is legally blind herself, Dr. Ann Wagner. She shares how learning from and connecting with our emotions can bring about healing and transformation.
Hadley
Emotions, Mental Health, and Vision Loss
Presented by Ricky Enger
Ricky Enger: With vision loss, we experience a wide range of emotions. In this episode, clinical psychologist, Dr. Ann Wagner and Hadley’s Marc Arneson, join us to share how learning from and connecting with our emotions can bring about healing and transformation. I’m Ricky Enger and this is Hadley Presents.
Marc Arneson: Welcome to Hadley Presents Dr. Ann Wagner. Thank you so much for joining us today on the show.
Ann Wagner: I'm glad to be here.
Marc Arneson: I've been eagerly counting down the days for this episode.
Ann Wagner: Aw.
Marc Arneson: I am. I'm really excited about this conversation. Even some of the questions that we came up with, I'm really excited to have this talk. Honestly, I know it's not always easy, and I'm sure in your experience you come across this. It's not always easy or even comfortable to talk about some of the difficult emotions that can come with vision loss and the importance of connecting with others. I can't imagine it's always easy or comfortable, but I think it's such an important conversation to have. So I'm grateful to have you on the show today.
Ann Wagner: Thank you.
Marc Arneson: Dr. Wagner, Ann, I have some questions for you that I was hoping we could run through, but before we get to those, do you mind just sharing a little bit about yourself?
Ann Wagner: Yeah. I am legally blind due to retinitis pigmentosa, an autosomal dominant form. I had genetic testing and it's PRPF3, which means if you have this particular gene type, you have the symptoms and any children you have will have a 50-50 chance of inheriting the eye disease. So my grandpa had five kids, three of them inherited RP, and one of those was my mom. My mom and dad had five children and four of us inherited RP. So I kind of grew up in a blind culture where everybody understood that retinitis pigmentosa primarily involves progressive loss of the peripheral vision and night vision. So we have worsening tunnel vision, worsening night blindness. In childhood is when the night blindness is usually quite evident and then the acuity is affected more in our later teens, early 20s. So my mom, her vision met the standards for legal blindness when she was 16 due to the severity of the tunnel vision. I was 18 when my vision loss met those requirements.
Growing up in this blind culture meant I had support, I had people who understood what I was going through, and the sighted people in our lives knew what we needed and what we didn't need. And so I know how lucky I am for that, and I have a lot of gratitude. Currently, my vision is quite impaired. I have end stage complications that would take a while to explain, but I'm pretty blind. I have some light vision left. With ideal lighting conditions and contrast, I can still make out some shapes, but that's where my vision is at now.
Professionally, I am a board-certified clinical psychologist, and I’ve worked 26 years at the Minneapolis VA Healthcare System on the PTSD clinical team. In the field I'm considered a trauma specialist, but everyone on our team was also considered a generalist.
I loved my work at the VA. I am now retired. But even though I'm retired, I'm still required to make a disclaimer that the views I express today are my own in my role as a citizen psychologist. The views do not represent any official views of the federal government or the Department of Veterans Affairs. I just felt I needed to say that. But even though I'm retired, I'm still professionally active with some consulting work and invited guest speaking, particularly on topics related to mental health and vision loss.
Marc Arneson: Speaking of that, I've had a chance to hear you speak a few different times, and I've listened to some of the conversations that you've had and in some of your presentations. You talk about this concept of complex grief. I was wondering, just to get started, do you mind sharing with me a little bit about what that means and maybe how it relates to vision loss?
Ann Wagner: Yeah. I think complex grief can resonate with a lot of people experiencing any kind of progressive medical condition where each incremental change in the condition can mean it affects different areas of functioning. So particularly with progressive vision loss, every degree of peripheral vision or loss of acuity can potentially result in additional losses of independent functioning. So with each loss of independent functioning or an activity of daily living becoming more challenging, there's going to be grief attached to each of those with different meanings attached. And so it's by no means simple. It is quite complex. And there's a nuance there that I don't think a lot of people are aware of. But whenever we have to pause and do some problem solving to do something differently, to try to figure out ways ... If we learn new blind skills, is there a way we can continue to do something independently?
Or the time it takes to utilize resources or connect to supports to still engage in activities, we value that time and our relationship to time becomes an area of grief in the sense that I know how I would most want to spend my time. And yet, to adapt and to move forward, I'm going to have to dedicate some time to the problem solving and to figuring things out. So there's a loss there, a loss of maybe what we call the freedom of how we want to use our time, and those are the things we do to adapt and we make all sorts of sacrifices in life to do things that are important that may not be our preferred, but it's part of that complex grief process.
Marc Arneson: It's fascinating. I think you talked about some of the different challenges that can come with vision loss, and I know the day-to-day challenges. I've heard a lot of folks talking about trying to discover new ways to do things that have now become more challenging. I've also heard a lot of people that I've talked to share that the emotional challenges that come with vision loss can be even more difficult sometimes than the physical or practical challenges that come with vision loss. Emotions, we all have them, right? Some are pleasant, some are not pleasant at all. But I'm curious, do you mind sharing a little bit about what our emotions tell us and is there something that we can learn from those emotions?
Ann Wagner: Yeah. In fact, they tell us a lot. They actually tell us who we are at our core and what matters to us. There's a principle that's shared by a couple of different therapy models. It's this principle or idea that emotions only show up to tell us what we value, what we hold dear, what matters to us. The problem is that the more painful emotions, we've been exposed to programming and messages and judgments that somehow we're not supposed to feel what we feel unless we're presenting as happy.
We've learned all sorts of avoidance patterns or self-protective patterns that distance us from our own core emotions when actually they are so important to connect to and to understand. And so to illustrate, I use this idea every day myself, and I used it in almost every course of therapy, this foundational principle of connecting to our core emotions to listen to what they're telling us and to process them in a naturally healing way. I’d like to share stories in my examples of how things work if that's okay.
Marc Arneson: Great. I'd love that. Yes.
Ann Wagner: Yay. Good. I have a grandson who is almost two years old, and when I connect to this truth that I'm not able to see his face, then a couple of emotions show up. Helplessness and grief. When I think about what are these emotions telling me about what I care about, to start with, the helplessness is a very important emotion. It's probably the one we struggle with the most. It's the one that shows up when we wish we could control something that we really can't. So it tells us two truths. First, it tells us the truth about the limits of our control. And actually we only have control over one thing in life, and that's what we choose to do in this one moment right now. That's it.
We don't have any control. If controllability was a scale, I'd say we have zero control over the past because we don't have a time machine, or the future because we don't have a time machine. We have zero control over what people say, what they do, what they feel or what they believe. We actually have no direct control. So really we have no control over anything except what we do in this one moment. The helplessness is telling me I can't control the fact that in this moment I can't see my grandson's face. But then helplessness always tells us a second truth. That we care about something. So it's trying to help us connect to that core deep sense of where our most important values are. Otherwise, it doesn't even show up if it's not something we care about that we can't control.
Marc Arneson: That makes sense. Yeah.
Ann Wagner: It's telling me that I care about something. So if we were to give a name to a person who always told us the truth and always also tried to tell us what matters to us, we might call that person a friend. Yet we have been taught to struggle with helplessness. It shows up hundreds of times every day because of the things we can't control. We've been taught to struggle with it and to keep trying to control things we can't. That's wasted energy and can create suffering. And that helplessness rarely shows up alone. It almost always is going to show with other emotions that will help with that second piece of what is it that I care about? So grief shows up in this example where I can't see my grandson's face. And the grief emotions show up to tell us that we are holding an attachment.
We form attachments to people, to things and to ideas. We have many attachments to ideas. Our preferred ideas are wantings. We might call hopes. We might give them different names. But I clearly have an attachment to this idea of being able to see my grandson's face. So when life gives us information on our actual experience and some truths show up that say that this idea that you're attached to is not going to happen, then we have to detach from that attachment and let that idea go and that's grief. Grief and loss. And depending on how deep or meaningful that attachment is, whether it's to a person, to a thing or to an idea, the level of pain of that grief will be higher or lower. So grief is telling us that when we're actually feeling it and allowing it to flow like waves it means we are connecting to truth. We're not in denial. And that's important.
The helplessness and grief are showing up when I connect to this idea and this truth. I can't see my grandson's face and I wish I could. So I'm going to go through the steps of connecting how these emotions are telling me what I care about. So I'll ask myself why does that matter to me? And then I'll connect to this other idea. Well, I don't want to miss a single nuance of my experience with him.
And then I'll ask, well, why is that important to me? And then I can feel when I'm connected to the deep core, core values, what I stand for is deep, enduring, loving relationships with the people I love. And for all of those, I wouldn't want to miss nuances. But when I connect to that deeper core value, openings always happen because there are going to be other ideas that I can connect to then for how I can act on that core value even if this one idea cannot be acted on. When I connect to that, often memories or ideas from other people in my life might show up that were meaningful to me. In this example, when I connect to being a loving person, I have memories of my mom, and my mom died in 2017 from pancreatic cancer, but she was an incredible role model in my life. We grew up on a farm and she worked hard on that farm just like us, even though she was blind. So my mom, by the time her grandchildren started showing up, she couldn't see their faces.
From the day they were born, whenever she'd be holding them, many times, she would say, "I'm going to braille your face." And she would feel their faces. Then as they grew up, she'd say, "It's been a while. I'm going to braille your face to see how you're changing." They just grew up knowing grandma was going to braille their faces. When my nieces were in their teens, for some reason when they had school dances or other events where they were going to dress up, they liked to bring their makeup and clothes to my parents' house to get ready there. I'd be visiting sometimes, and my nieces would hog the back bedroom and the bathroom until they were ready and then they'd come out all beautiful in their dresses and they say, "Grandma, we're ready for you to braille us." The room would just become filled with their giggles and laughter and chatter and my mom's oohs and ahs, as she brailled their faces, gently touched their hairdos, felt the bows or ruffles, whatever their dresses were. She'd ask them to describe the colors. The room would just be filled with joy and delight. And it didn't matter one bit that she couldn't see them. I connect to those memories.
Marc Arneson: Yeah
Ann Wagner: I have a grandson who is almost 2 years old. From the time of his birth till today when I hold him, I say, "I'm going to braille your face," and I touch his sweet face and his chubby cheeks and feel his hair and his little hands and feet, and I am just filled with so many emotions. And again, emotions show up to tell us what we care about. Yes, there's the grief and loss of not being able to see his face, but also missing my mom. I understand what that emotion is telling me, and I respect it, and I even have compassion for that emotion because it's affirming who I am, and I also feel such gratitude for having such a loving mom. I feel closer to her in those moments. So every emotion tells us very important information if we can open to it and learn about our emotional world better.
Marc Arneson: Those are wonderful stories, Ann. I so appreciate you sharing those stories and just the importance of understanding how our emotions show us what's meaningful to us. It seems like you've really developed a skill to be able to step back and recognize the importance of this emotion, and I think you said even have compassion for it at affirming who you are. I imagine for a lot of folks though, it's tough to step back from these really difficult and painful emotions like helplessness and grief or sadness or anger and look at it in the same way that you're able to do that. I imagine sometimes getting other people to help you understand what those emotions are telling you could be really important as well, whether that's a close friend or a professional. I've heard you talk about this concept or idea of village moments and connectedness and the importance of relationships. Do you mind sharing a little bit more about the idea of village moments and why they're important, particularly for folks living with vision loss?
Ann Wagner: Yeah. I have this idea that in the very early years of humanity, our ancestors were probably all in villages where they felt seen and known and secure with people knowing what things came easily for us or what things were more challenging. And when there was something weighing heavy on us, we had people to listen and be there. We are still born as social creatures, and we need a sense of belongingness. There's a theory from the '70s called the social buffering theory. At least I think it was the '70s. It’s when we have adequate social support, and by that, I mean emotional support, it can buffer the negative effects of stressors in our lives, even trauma level. A lot of people think the support that's needed is advice and that's not really what I'm talking about. We need to feel a sense of safety and security sharing our deeper emotional pain or even moments of joy. Sometimes we just feel like, oh, I want to share this story with someone because it gives us that sense of belongingness.
When two people show up, being able to share from this deep, real, and authentic place, I call that village moments. It's where healing can happen, and transformation can happen. If we don't have people in our lives that we can feel that level of security or even within ourselves, if we've had so much programming that we just don't feel safe to open up to that deeper pain within ourselves, then find a professional. I like to share this idea by Diana Fosha. She developed accelerated experiential dynamic psychotherapy. In some of her writings she talks about how really the core of human suffering is profound loneliness. When we do experience something really painful and we don't feel that sense of security and safety that we can share and not feel judged or have somebody still feel distant from us because they're in their head thinking of advice to give us instead of just really being with us, we are going to learn all sorts of ways to protect from the feeling of the painful emotion, we're going to feel that deep loneliness. When you feel so alone with that kind of pain, it's really painful.
I had many veterans over the years talk about when we're processing trauma memories or other healing work that they wanted to do in the therapy, I would share words from other veterans to see if they resonated with them. I'd tell them that some people say, "Yes, there's incredible pain related to the trauma memory itself, but what's even more painful is feeling alone with it." I would have veterans start to cry at that point and they're like, "Yes, I connect to what those other veterans were saying." And so this profound loneliness.
It's important to validate those experiences and it's so important to feel heard. If we don't have people in our lives that we can feel that level of safety and security to share and trust that we won't be judged or that they're going to just give us advice that we're not asking for, then trying to find a therapist is highly recommended. I like to help with stigma. It's decreasing. I think every year the stigma against seeking mental health care is getting better and better and better because so many people know it's healthy. It's like you're going to exercise for your health. You can seek therapy for your health.
I'm very open that I sought therapy. People with vision loss are at higher risk for anxiety and depression, and I had more of the anxiety side to things here. So I completed a course of therapy for anxiety, and it was incredibly helpful and I felt heard and understood, and that's so important.
Marc Arneson: Yeah. And I love the concept of village moments, this connectedness. So that's kind of what we were made for is what I'm hearing you say as well.
Ann Wagner: Yeah.
Marc Arneson: We were made for relationships and connection. A lot of the folks that find us here at Hadley are new to vision loss. They're kind of new to this whole way of life. Can you talk a little bit about how that might even have more of an effect on these feelings of loneliness or isolation?
Ann Wagner: Yeah. Well, 10 to 20% of retinitis pigmentosa gene types are recessive, which means there isn't going to be another person in their family probably. I had this incredible blessing of growing up in a blind culture, but most people are alone. They don't have role models. They don't know anybody else experiencing vision loss and that would feel so, so lonely and kind of scary. That's why resources and connecting to communities that support people with vision loss is just so important. I wouldn't want anybody to go through this alone. That would be so overwhelming. That's why I loved hearing about Hadley Helps and your peer-to-peer program, connecting people one-on-one so they can do their deeper sharing or all the different things you're doing. Foundation Fighting Blindness also has ... each state has its own chapter and communities of support are happening through that. There are resources out there. And state services for the blind or the vocational rehabilitation programs in most states have vision rehab, rehabilitation services that can also help with adjustment by experts who can help. So that can help people feel a little less alone and with people who understand.
Marc Arneson: Yeah. Part of my job is just getting to know folks and spending some time hearing their story. When I hear people say, "I don't know anybody else who's visually impaired. I'm kind of in this by myself." It just makes me want to feel like we're here and we want to connect you with somebody. I'm glad you mentioned our peer-to-peer program. One of the women that I met, she shared that she lives with her husband, and she has grown children that come and visit quite frequently and grandkids that are kind of running around the room. And she said, "With all these people in my life, everything that's going on, I've never felt so alone. Because of my vision loss, I don't feel like I have somebody to talk to about it. If I could just spend time with somebody who understands what I'm going through I think that would make all the difference." We were able to connect her in our peer-to-peer program with somebody who had a similar eye condition and similar life experiences. And she said, "This was the missing piece for me." Which is just so fulfilling to hear comments like that.
Ann Wagner: Yeah. And she was listening. It's a theory, but I absolutely believe it's true that we all have an adaptive energy that we can connect to or wants us to connect to it to help adjust and cope as part of resiliency. And she was listening to her core self saying, "If I just had somebody I could talk to who might understand." She knew what she needed, what feels healthy and healing and what doesn't. That's so lovely. I just hope more and more programs can find ways to help because the anticipated rates of people with vision loss are growing as people live longer and there's a lot of people experiencing vision loss or who will.
Marc Arneson: That's right. All this complex grief you talk about, all these emotions that can just kind of overwhelm us sometimes and with these challenges that come with vision loss. I imagine it can sometimes consume you even to the point where you feel like, okay, this is who I am now. It starts to form your identity. Have you felt that way yourself, and what would you offer to folks who might be feeling that way as well?
Ann Wagner: Yeah. It's such a good question. When I started wanting to date, I would lead with, by the way ... At that point, I wasn't using my white cane yet. You couldn't tell by looking at me.
I would let people know, "Hey, I'm losing my vision." And I led with that as if that was my identity, because I wanted them to have a chance to say, "Oh, I don't want that to be with somebody with blindness in my life." And yet, because of my own personal growth and work and these concepts I learned from my professional work, I absolutely no longer feel like I have that internalized self-esteem as somehow being less than. Being surrounded by such a loving partner who treats me as an equal and just lovely friends and of course my family.
But what's helped me in particular is this principle from narrative therapy about the idea of how problems are external to who we are. To recognize that the blindness, it's an experience I'm having. It's separate from me, the whole person who I am. And it may walk alongside me and it's going to have its effects and each of those effects are an experience. They're not who I am. So I will refer to blindness moments of humor and hilarity because they certainly help create moments of grief and sorrow and other emotions of frustration. But I am not the blindness. I'm Ann.
Our identities are really more about what do you stand for, what matters to you. And we can live those values in many, many different ways. The disabilities or the limitations, whatever word we choose to use to describe bodily changes or losses of vision, those are just companions that maybe we didn't want in our lives, but we can actually, potentially at least, respect and appreciate that they're external to us and we can give them our own names.
I'll be free in my transparency. I tend to fret. I'm a bit of a worrier. And that was part of ... So staying in my head with the worry thoughts of what if this or what if that. The what ifs kind of keep me in my head, and it is a form of distancing from my core emotions. So I name my patterns. I've recognized when that's showing up that there's a need for me to slow down and think about what is the core emotion really that I'm trying to avoid here and to learn to be with it. But I name all my protective patterns Melvin.
Marc Arneson: Melvin.
Ann Wagner: Melvin. Yeah. So that's one of my Melvins. No offense to anybody named Melvin. It's a fine name. It just helps me smile and it helps me relate to the patterns in a completely non-judgmental way. These patterns were programmed. None of us are to blame. We've all been taught these messages to try to avoid what we feel. So that's one of my Melvins. And overthinking. There's a lot of things, but I named mine Melvins.
What I encourage people when they're looking at the patterns of things they're doing is just ask, is this a valued activity? Is it meaningful to me? Is it feeling helpful in some way that feels healthy? Or is it potentially one of those self-protective patterns? Because I'm not feeling like I can safely or securely connect to what's going on deeper and start to consider ways to maybe connect to your emotions or take a risk to share with somebody and see how it goes. And I will tell people, and it's what I do, is I will ask Eric, for example, my husband, when I'm feeling the need to just feel heard, I'll set the frame in advance. I'll say, "There's something kind of weighing on me that's feels kind of heavy and I want to share it, and I really just need you to listen and just love me. Just care for me. I'm not asking for any kind of advice." So letting people know that upfront helps a lot.
Marc Arneson: That's a great idea.
Ann Wagner: And I'll validate when somebody does give advice. I know they're trying to be helpful because they care about me. That action is quite valued for people giving it, but they just don't understand in the moment what I really need. Or they're feeling so uncomfortable with my distress that they want to ease it, so their minds are giving them an idea, and they become very attached to that idea. Like, "Oh, if they just do this, this and this, then Ann won't feel this distress. So I'm going to give her this idea." So we get attached to our own ideas like, "Oh, if somebody just does this, they'll feel better." We're getting attached to an idea and we're putting it at the foot of somebody else without necessarily checking in. Is that what they're wanting or needing from us? And it happens so fast and so subtly that I just encourage people to check in with each other. What is it you're needing? Or, hey, I'm really going to try to work on being just a listener. And even though my mind may give me ideas to give advice, I'm going to try to just observe that chatter and still show up in a real way with the people I love.
And again, when I heard about your approach with that help desk and the peer to peer, my core just felt this warmth and respect for you and having help staff because you're ... It's like you're all psychodynamic therapists. You know the importance of belongingness and just being with it is actually healing and it's doing something so important.
Marc Arneson: Well, Ann, I want to thank you so much for just spending this time with me here today. I know when we put this on the calendar, I was eagerly anticipating it, and it was well worth the wait. Such a wonderful conversation. I feel like we could keep talking all day too. But maybe you'd be willing to join us on another episode down the road here in the future.
Ann Wagner: Absolutely.
Marc Arneson: Yeah. Your personal stories, I just appreciate you being so open and just sharing those and then your professional insights I think are so helpful. So again, just thank you. Thank you so much for this conversation today. I really appreciate it.
Ann Wagner: You're welcome. 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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Listen in as Pastor Scott Himel shares his advice for participating in religious services no matter your level of vision.
Join us to learn about how ScripTalk technology translates medication labels into speech and where you can find a participating pharmacy.
Join occupational therapist from Duke Eye Center, Fay Tripp, in a conversation about bioptic glasses—what they are and who can benefit from them.
Listen in as we chat with birding expert Freya McGregor who shares her tips on how you can enjoy this hobby, no matter your level of vision.
Listen in as Hadley's Doug Walker and Ricky Enger chat about how they use GPS in their daily lives. From walking directions to finding items or assisting a driver by navigating a trip, GPS can be a very handy tool.
Listen in as we chat with Dave Steele about his life, poetry, and vision loss.
Listen in as we discuss some common situations that can make us feel unsafe and share ideas on how to address them. We're joined today by Christy Ray and Ricky Jones of STRIVE4You.Org
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.
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 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.