Jessica Grogan from the American Diabetes Association joins us to talk about managing your blood sugar with vision loss.
Hadley
Managing Diabetes and Vision Loss
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, we discuss diabetes management with vision loss. And our guest is Director of Community Engagement for the American Diabetes Association, Jessica Grogan. Welcome to the show. Jessica.
Jessica Grogan: Hi. Thanks for having me. I'm excited to be here.
Ricky Enger: I'm delighted that you could be here to come and share your expertise. I know that this is a subject that so many people want to know a little more about. In some cases, people think, well, I know everything I need to know about my diabetes, and I've got all this covered. But there are often just those little tips and tricks that people may not be aware of. So, I'm hoping that today we can dive into some of that and give people some valuable info. Before we do that, why don't we just get a bit of info about you? Tell us about who you are and what you do with the American Diabetes Association.
Jessica Grogan: Thanks. Well, I am a certified diabetes care and education specialist. Within the American Diabetes Association, I'm privileged to work with several different national initiative programs from eye health, heart health, women's health, and additional initiatives within the ADA, so just bringing patient-facing or consumer-facing education to the masses. Personally, I had worked as a diabetes care and education specialist in a large hospital for about 10 years. The ADA was always my go-to resource for expanding my knowledge, for professional education, but then, the different ways to share with people because as times change, people have the technology available, and the ADA had so many resources available to share with people.
It was really exciting to actually come and work with the organization that I used so often. In addition to hospital experience, I also was working in some community and workplace wellness and screening events with the goal of prevention. So, I was able to bring my knowledge from seeing in-hospital complications, and then, try to impress upon people why management in the early stages was so important. I feel passionate about working with diabetes. With diabetes affecting so many Americans, we all know someone who has diabetes in their life and want our friends and loved ones to have the best quality of life possible.
Ricky Enger: Absolutely. That's amazing. I always love hearing about how people came to do what they do. I think I can relate to finally working at the place that I used as a resource. I had a similar journey, so that's really cool. I know that when you are diagnosed with diabetes and you're figuring out how to manage it, blood sugar is not always at the forefront of your mind because you're kind of like, "I got this, and if I feel well, then I am well. So, I'm doing fine." But that's not always the case. When it comes to managing blood sugar, why is it important to really keep on top of it, even if you're feeling fine?
Jessica Grogan: So, managing blood glucose or blood sugar is the cornerstone for diabetes care. For some, it's cumbersome or unpleasant. It can get frustrating when the numbers don't seem to make sense or they're not where you think they need to be. But for some people, managing their blood glucose, the approach they take is like taking their temperature when they're ill. They don't take their temperature every day unless they feel feverish. But when it comes to having diabetes, we need to monitor our blood glucose daily so that we can be aware when things are creeping out of line. Your numbers are slowly increasing, that's when you're having those small injuries. Blood glucose, the extra glucose in your blood vessels can cause little micro injuries. We don't always see it, or you don't feel it. But over time it starts to build up in your body and even accumulates with some of the feelings that you have with high blood sugar.
Some of the symptoms of raised blood sugar can just be like feeling extra fatigued, and everyone feels fatigued. You just feel like it's a case of the Mondays. However, people don't necessarily take action until it's very severe or until they have a severe complication where their vision is blurring, and then, they might seek medical attention. We don't want it to get to that point. We want people to be monitoring their blood glucose regularly, daily, to just see those changes, and to work with your doctors so that as you do see your blood glucose changing, you can make those lifestyle changes. Whether that be activity or dietary changes to manage your blood glucose better, but also, working with your healthcare team so that they can remind you, keep you on a schedule for all the screening and preventative measures that can help reduce any complications, like having that annual comprehensive dilated eye test done.
Ricky Enger: Right. Let's talk about if you're going to manage your blood sugar effectively, it might actually be a bit of an extra challenge if you add vision loss to the mix. You have to get the right amount of blood, and you have to squeeze it onto the testing strip, and hopefully, not everywhere else. And then, you have to take that testing strip and put it in the machine or whatever. And then, there's getting the results of that. And sometimes, that's hard to see. So, are there some tips that you can give people if vision loss is happening in addition to their diabetes? What are some ways that they can still get those essential measurements in ways that are not so cumbersome and overwhelming?
Jessica Grogan: And of course, vision loss would absolutely make this task challenging. Having a support system around you is wonderful. Asking your doctor about any resources there are available is important. So, if there's any kind of additional education, training, or tools such as a talking reader and other new and developing technology may be right for you. Things like the continuous glucose monitoring systems are becoming more common. So, that's something to talk to your doctor about if it's right for you. We talk about time and range, so having more blood glucose readings in a stable range. Some people do the individual finger stick blood glucose monitoring, and that'll tell us your blood glucose at that time. But the continuous glucose monitoring systems, you're getting a lot more readings throughout the day so you're seeing more trends.
So, there's a lot of different emerging technologies out there for people and that's why we don't want anyone to feel isolated or feel that this is hard or cumbersome and feel stuck. There's always a resource, there's always something new on the horizon. Everyone is unique in their condition and in their ability so it's important to take things one day at a time, try not to get too frustrated, don't quit or give up on yourself. Take the time to thrive. Don't be afraid to ask for help. I've always been so impressed by how people with diabetes can take this challenge on and acclimate so quickly.
Ricky Enger: Yeah, because there's a lot to manage. I think that over time, people make it look easy because they do develop those tricks of the trade and just manage to roll all that in to the daily routine. I know that there are some medications by mouth that people can take that might lower blood sugar and that kind of thing, but often, you're looking at an injection of some kind, whether that's insulin or some other sort of medication to manage the blood sugar. That can feel really overwhelming too, if again, you've added vision loss to the mix and you're like, "How do I make sure that I've gotten the right dosage, and how do I prepare the syringe by myself, and that kind of thing?" So, do you have any techniques or thoughts about how people can go about doing this independently?
Jessica Grogan: Absolutely. Again, everyone is so unique in what they can do, but there's also the technology and the modifications that a lot of these medications have been making. Often, when we think about injecting insulin, we're thinking of the syringe and the vial, but more so now, insulin is prescribed in a pen where it's a simple pen that you write with. And this had come up for me early in my in-hospital teaching experience where someone had impaired vision. So, I wanted to try it out myself. And having my eyes closed and just playing with the pen to see what everything felt like. So, we would just take our time, go very slowly, having your hands develop that muscle memory for how these tools feel. So, you're aware of which end is the top, which end is the injection site where you screw on the needle, and then, removing the cap of the needle. It doesn't have to feel scary.
Everyone hears the word needle; they think they'll immediately get injured. But there's a lot of safety mechanisms developed around these tools to make it usable for everyone. So, again, it just takes a lot of practice. There are even more advanced technologies like automatic insulin delivery systems that could be available for people. Again, that just goes back to talking with your individual healthcare provider on what options out there are best for you. But no matter what, it's practice, practice, practice until you feel comfortable. Don't be afraid to ask for help. Sometimes, even the most basic little tips and tricks like adding a rubber band or a piece of tape, something that, can help when you're touching something, you know that this insulin pen feels different than the other one because it has this different texture on it, things like that, that help. Or if it needs to be low vision. Any kind of additional highlight to it that can help you.
Ricky Enger: Yeah, those are great tips. And for those of you who may not be aware, Hadley has a series of workshops on diabetes management, and we share a bunch of tips and tricks that could help. We will have a link to that series in the show notes. Of course, there's also talking medication management where you can scan that medication using a phone or a little standalone device. I think the important thing then is just to ask your healthcare provider about what is available and not make those assumptions that there's only one right way to do this. And that helps a lot, I think.
Jessica Grogan: Absolutely. Diabetes has been around. We've seen it whether with our parents or grandparents. So, we may remember mom back in the day, using the syringe and the needle or very cumbersome glucose monitor where you had to add in some extra codes and hold it to the sun or a certain light and hope the weather, the wind was blowing the right direction to get everything to work the right way. Times have changed, and they really tried to make everything more convenient and easier to use so that people aren't hesitating to take advantage of these tools.
Ricky Enger: Yeah, that's so helpful. Let's talk about getting wounded, and then, caring for those things because I know that's a thing that happens to all of us. If you have diabetes, those wounds may heal a little more slowly. You might not feel what's happening because you've lost that sensation. And again, adding vision loss to this, you may get wounds and not even realize it, or you might be more prone to that as you're adjusting to your vision loss, and you're accustomed to using your vision for things, and that vision just isn't working. So, you're bumping into something, and then you've injured yourself. So, can you talk about challenges with this that might be particular to people with vision loss, and ways to manage that?
Jessica Grogan: Well, you're absolutely right that when you have diabetes, wound healing can be slowed. And that's for everything across the body from head to toe, including your eyes. Having eye surgery when you have diabetes, there are some additional steps that your healthcare team will take to ensure proper healing and prevent infection. This ties back to why the blood glucose monitoring is so important. If you did have an injury or an infection, it would show up also in your blood glucose. Your body is being stressed and is raising that blood glucose. So, your monitor would be telling you your numbers are high. And that would also be a sign to reach out to your doctor. "I'm eating my same normal diet. I don't know why it's changed." And that is the cue to reach out for your health and healthcare provider.
Everyone’s scenario is different. So, you might benefit from having an evaluation of your home setting to make sure that it's safe as your vision is changing. You're having an evaluation therapist come in to see if there's any changes that can be made to your household to prevent any additional wounds. Again, that monitoring really goes a long way in all aspects of your health.
Ricky Enger: Oh, for sure. What about food and exercise then? Because that is certainly an important component to diabetes management, just keeping that blood sugar within the range that you want. You learn the things that will spike your sugar, but what if you are not really able to read the label and you eat a food and like, "Oh, wow, I didn't know that contained something that was going to spike my sugar." Or maybe you are struggling with getting some exercise because well, I don't have transportation to go to the gym and get some exercise. Or I'm not feeling super comfortable walking around in my neighborhood yet. I've just started to learn my white cane. Do you have any tips for people that are dealing with this sort of thing and how they can effectively still manage that food and exercise with this added challenge?
Jessica Grogan: You're right. Food and exercise are key components for managing diabetes. There are things that are within our control and things that are not within our control. We don't have control over our family history, our age, and things like that. But things that we do have a little more control about, not absolute control, but a little more control are the foods we have available and choosing to move our body and be physically active. Some things to keep in mind are keeping it simple, like having real fresh foods, like fresh veggies and fruits, and meats, and things like that that are foods you're familiar with. They don't have to be overly complicated foods, but you also know what the ingredients are. Sometimes, we're often tricked, even if you don't have a vision impairment, that you might see a food label or a food box that says it's good for you, but really, you dig deep into those ingredients and you might find it's not so great or there's a little trickery to it.
So, I think keeping it simple goes a long way with healthy eating. Again, technology has expanded, so if you have specific questions about nutrition, ask your smartphone. So amazing that you can just ask your phone anything now, and it can tell you what the nutritional facts are for food X, Y, Z. But in regard to exercise, the gym is not a requirement for staying active and healthy. There's plenty of options home-based and anywhere-based for that matter. Exercises and activities you can do with your own body weight or simple items around the house like a water bottle or a package of food that's a little heavier, or a textbook, anything you have sitting around. You can do these cardiovascular exercises, the strength building exercises. Balance is key for everyone.
But all these different things can be done in the comfort of your home. So, talk to your doctor if you are hesitant or not sure what kind of things you could do. You might benefit from a visit with a physical and occupational therapist to give you exercises that are right for your body if you have any injuries, or concerns, or pain that needs to be taken into account. In addition to that, the other resources, personally myself, I find so many to try on the internet. So, if you have a friend or family member who's also interested in being physically active, team up with them and see what kind of activities they're into or home exercises and make it a together activity. Makes it a lot more enjoyable and it holds you more accountable.
Ricky Enger: Yeah, that's a fantastic idea. You add that little bit of competition or just camaraderie. Hey, I'm doing this with somebody else, and we're both working together to stay healthy. Once again, for those who might not know this, Hadley has a monthly discussion group, we call the group “Get Up and Go” and it’s where we discuss tips like this for staying healthy and active. We’ll have a link to that in our show notes as well.
So, we have talked a lot about managing diabetes with vision loss, but we haven't really touched on the vision loss itself. I'm wondering if there are things when it comes to your eye doctor, things that you might discuss with your eye doctor specifically about how you think your diabetes is being managed? And then, are there things that your doctor's going to look for? Maybe there are things in your eyes that the eye doctor can see that points to what might need to managed a little better or that are doing great. Things look stable.
Jessica Grogan: Absolutely. Right off the bat, if you smoke, get help to quit. That makes a huge impact on your overall health and the health of your eyes. Overall management of your diabetes, like we've discussed, healthy eating and being physically active. When it comes to monitoring your blood sugar or having that A1C test, it's been shown that having an A1C at the 7% level or below helps to reduce your risk of diabetes-related eye complications. Everyone that has diabetes should have an annual comprehensive dilated eye exam. It allows your doctor to monitor the health of your eyes and begin treatment if signs of complications appear.
When diabetes eye disease is diagnosed quickly, treatment could be easier, and it can be more effective. So, there are a lot of tools that these eye health professionals have when it comes to improving and preventing the progression of ongoing loss of sight, but they need to be aware of it first. So, we so strongly want to stress that everyone with diabetes should visit their doctor to have that dilated comprehensive eye exam. Diabetes retinopathy is the leading cause of vision loss for working-aged Americans. So, we want to help people before it affects their day-to-day life.
Ricky Enger: Absolutely. Well, this has been really informative and just so many little tips that when you hear them, you think, oh yeah, well, of course. But it's a lot to take in initially so people don't know everything. And I think this does help a lot just to give us all something to think about. Is there anything else that you would like to leave the listeners with as we wrap up?
Jessica Grogan: I would encourage everyone to not lose that motivation and realize that they're capable of more than think they are. These conditions can feel bigger than we are, but we are bigger than them. So, taking these little steps, asking for help, utilizing the changing technologies we have will make the quality of life improve so much for everybody. If you're interested in hearing more from the American Diabetes Association, please visit our website at diabetes.org. We have fantastic resources for eye health. And if you're a healthcare provider, we also have healthcare professionals at DiabetesPro, where we have our Institute of Learning, some health practice toolkits, webinars, and all kinds of exciting things to help you stay up to date on the changing field.
Ricky Enger: Excellent. And we'll have links in our show notes, so if you didn't get the URL that you were frantically trying to write down, no worries. We've got that in the show notes. Jessica, thank you so much again for stopping by, sharing your expertise, it's been really, really helpful. We appreciate it.
Jessica Grogan: Thank you so much. It's been a pleasure.
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 podcasthadley.edu. That's P-O-D-C-A-S-T at hadley.edu. Or leave us a message at (847) 784-2870. Thanks for listening.
Did you know that veterans are eligible for vision services and equipment through the Veterans Administration even if their vision loss developed many years later and was not as a result of service? Learn more as we chat with a representative of the Hines VA.
Voting can be tricky if you've lost some vision. In this episode, we discuss a variety of ways to cast your ballot, no matter your level of vision.
The Bright Focus Foundation funds research to find cures for macular degeneration and glaucoma, among other conditions. In this episode, we learn about their glaucoma and macular degeneration monthly chats. These sessions with scientists are open to the public and offer insights into the latest breakthroughs, treatments, and promising research on the horizon.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has a lot to offer people with vision loss. Whether it's reading menus, describing pictures, or even narrating scenery, AI can make a big difference. This week we chat with Steven Scott, host of the Double Tap podcast, about some of the best AI-powered tools out there… so far. Link to Double Tap on Apple Podcasts.
When the doctor says, "there's nothing more I can do for you," what next? Who can help you make the most of your remaining vision and learn how to live more comfortably with vision loss? We break it down for you.
This week we talk to Dave Epstein, the visually impaired creator of the All Terrain Cane. He shares about his life with a progressive eye disease and his love of hiking. These two pieces of Dave lead him to develop his unconventional cane.
When you have vision loss, scams can be even more challenging to avoid. Listen in as we get some tips and tricks from Veronica Lewis who runs a low vision assistive technology website.
Be My Eyes CEO, Mike Buckley, joins us to talk about how this free, smart phone app merges technology and human kindness and how it's now using AI to describe the world in front of you.
Recently retired, David Tatel served for decades on the US Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. He also happens to be visually impaired. In this episode, he and Ricky talk about his recently written memoir, a book about his life as a judge, a husband, a father, a grandfather, and how all of these roles intersect with his experience with vision loss.
This week we talk smartphone tools and when you might want to use the different options. Jennifer Shimon from the Wisconsin Office for the Blind and Visually Impaired joins Ricky.
Sometimes, navigating life with vision loss goes a bit sideways. Things don't always turn out exactly as we've planned, and it can help to just laugh at these strange situations.
We've shared several episodes of listeners' stories, what we're calling vision loss bloopers. Today, Ricky Enger and Doug Walker share some more of these bloopers along with a few of their own.
Prevent Blindness' patient advocacy program empowers people facing vision impairment. Patients learn how to promote change with their physicians, their families, drug companies, and even policy makers.
Ever thought about getting a guide dog? Listen in as we chat with members Jeff Flodin and Ed McDaniel about their experiences with guide dogs and some common misperceptions.
The National Library Service has a free talking book program for anyone in the US with vision loss. Tonia Bickford, an advisor from Michigan's talking books program, joins us to discuss how to get the most out of this free service.
This week we learn more about visual hallucinations that sometimes accompany vision loss, a condition called Charles Bonnet syndrome.
Sometimes vision loss can make us feel less secure. This week we talk about personal safety with Hadley's Chief Program Officer, Ed Haines.
For many living with vision loss, watching TV is less enjoyable as they can't see what's happening on the screen very well anymore.
Audio description fills the void by narrating key visual elements. Listen in as Ricky chats with Hadley member and avid audio description user, Judy Davis.
Listen in to our conversation with Dr. Mondal, a low vision optometrist and professor at the University of Wisconsin. We chat about what to expect from a visit to a low vision specialist and the kind of help they can offer.
Have you listened to Hadley's community-generated audio podcast yet? In this episode, Ricky and Marc Arneson, Hadley's Director of Community, share a few stories from Insights & Sound Bites and discuss how to contribute your own story. Insights & Sound Bites | Hadley
Listen in as artist Chloe Duplessis explains how a degenerative eye disease changed, and didn't change, her life and love of art. "I thought art required sight. I was wrong."
Dr. Judy Box, a Hadley member living with macular degeneration, shares her tips for managing those important conversations with your eye doctor.
In this episode, the Hadley team talks all things gifts. Giving them, getting them, what's on their wish lists, and how vision loss may, or may not, impact these activities.
Friendships often change when one has vision loss. Whether it's adaptations to the activities you enjoy together, asking for help, or turning that help down … there are conversations to be had. Let's tune in as two Hadley members, Eugenia DeReu and Tara Perry, share their experiences with what's changed for them — and what's stayed the same.
Losing some vision can make for shopping challenges. Here are a few mishaps that Hadley members have run into. Have your own to share? Email us at [email protected]
This week we chat with the chief technology officer from Envision as he shares how their free mobile app or camera-enabled glasses can help those with vision loss. It speaks aloud written information, describes surroundings and objects, and even tells you who's nearby.
Lots of questions, concerns, and stereotypes connected to use of the white cane. In this episode, we address several of them from past discussions on the topic.
Listen in as Hadley's Director of Community, Marc Arneson, chats with Hadley members Bill Massey and Gregory Peterson about their participation in Hadley's new Peer-to-Peer program.
To learn if getting a peer connection is for you, call us at 1-800-323-4238.
Listen in as we chat with Ed Haines about getting the most out of our magnifiers.
Listen in as we chat with animal lovers Debbie Worman and Sheri Robinson about the joys and challenges of caring for a pet when you have vision loss.
Listen in as Hadley member, Wendy Spencer Davis, shares why she decided to learn some braille and how it's helping her in everyday life.
Ed McDaniel, a psychologist with low vision, joins us to talk about common emotional triggers people with vision loss face and how to recognize and manage them.
Tune into our chat with Sarah Clark, a visually impaired marriage and family therapist, as she offers her unique insight into some common family dynamics that often make adjustment more challenging and how to navigate through them successfully.
Join us as we chat with Hadley member, Kris, about her experience living with vision loss in a senior community.
Listen in as Hadley staff share their real-life bloopers—times when things didn’t quite go as planned.
Join us as we take a dive into the features of the BlindShell cell phone.
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.