Vision Loss and Caring for Pets
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.
Hadley
Vision Loss and Caring for Pets
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 vision loss and pet ownership. And our guests are Hadley learning expert, Debbie Worman, and Hadley learner, Sheri Robinson. Welcome to the show, both of you.
Debbie Worman: Thank you, Ricky.
Sheri Robinson: Thank you.
Ricky Enger: I am delighted to have you both, and of course, any day that we can come and talk about our fur babies is a good one. So, I'm really excited about this. I know that a lot of people have questions about, I love pets, I love animals, and I just have some concerns about how I might manage some of that now that I'm not seeing as well as I used to. So I thought it would be cool to come and talk about some of those practical concerns, and then of course, talk about the joy of pet ownership as well. So, as we introduce ourselves, I will say that I have one fur baby at this point. She is a 16-year-old, and you wouldn't know it by the way she acts. And she is a lovely little black cat, and she lives up to her name, which is Diva. She thinks that she is absolutely the most important entity in any room, and she's pretty much right. Debbie, how about we get a couple of words from you, introduce yourself and any pets that you want to talk about.
Debbie Worman: Yeah, thank you, Ricky. I'm Debbie Worman and I'm a learning expert here at Hadley. I co-host several of the discussion groups here, and I'm thrilled to be talking about pets today. My little boy is Buick, and yes, he was named after the car. That's how I got him. I was not looking for a pet at the time. He just climbed up under my dad's Buick and rode on the back axle for about six miles. And when I got home, it was meow, meow, meow, there he was, and he's been mine ever since. He came into my life at a really important time. I was diagnosed with cancer, and I think he just plopped in at the right time to be my cuddle buddy. And he's just my life. He's my life.
Ricky Enger: Wow. I love that story. Every bit of that story is just fantastic. Sheri, you're up next, and I know you have more than one animal to talk about, so I know this is going to be really difficult, but we will just get from you the number of each type of animal that you have, and then if there's one that you specifically want to talk a little bit about, we can do that.
Sheri Robinson: Yes, I have two horses, two dogs and three cats. And I will talk about my oldest guy, that is my quarter horse, Thunder. He is 24 now, and I have had him since he was almost two. He is a very even keeled, even tempered, roughly handsome man, because he doesn't like to be called cute. He likes hugs and kisses on his nose. And I have discovered that since going blind, they are very protective of me. And I can go out there and they'll hover around. Of course, they are looking for treats, but they'll hover around, and I can walk right into their butts, and they don't even flinch, so they know.
Ricky Enger: They know, right. It's like we talk about pets and children. Pets tend to be really patient, at least some of them, knowing that this is a cub or a youngster doing this. And I do think they have that same sense about, oh, you can't see me making these googly eyes at you begging for food, but I have a different way of showing you that now.
Sheri Robinson: And I can still feel my dog staring at me.
Ricky Enger: Yes. That is unmistakable. Right? I know that there are people who want to either get a pet now and they don't have one currently, or maybe vision loss is happening along with some other concerns, and people are thinking, gosh, I have this pet now, but am I going to be able to handle everything that pet ownership throws at you? And so again, I thought it would be a good idea to just share our experiences with how we navigate some of these things and talk about some of those practical things that people think about and maybe don't have a solution to. So, Debbie, I know you have a great list of questions, and why don't we just jump right in?
Debbie Worman: Absolutely. I think it's just so important. The three of us know, right, we know that pets, our pets just enhance our life so much, just the wellbeing that they give us from joy to unconditional love. I talk to so many learners during the day, and I think one of the saddest conversations I've had in the last year was from a woman who thought she was going to have to give her cat up because of her vision loss. And I hope today we can talk about, as you said, Ricky, some practical ways that people with vision loss can care for their pets, decide to keep them. Or if they don't have a pet, this is a good time to explore, is a pet right for me.
Sheri, I'm going to just throw some questions at you if you don't mind. What would you advise someone who is new to vision loss who is thinking about getting a pet? I know the answer to this, but I want to hear it in your words, do you think it's a good idea?
Sheri Robinson: I definitely do. Having an animal, a pet, is good for your soul. It's good for your emotional being. And there are so many ways to deal with an animal whether you have vision or not. I mean, I've got three different species that I take care of, and if I can do it, anyone can.
Debbie Worman: I like that. I like when you said good for this soul. That gives me goosebumps. So, let's talk about how you take care of your pets. I know one situation that this woman I talked to was concerned about, as well as her family, is tripping over her pet. It was a small dog. How do you deal with those kinds of issues, tripping issues with an animal?
Sheri Robinson: Well, now my dogs are a little bigger. They're both about 50 pounds, but they have learned very quickly to move. When I'm walking through the room, they move. Now, the cats, I have on occasion lost my balance and stepped on a cat, which is never a good thing. But for the most part, even the cats have learned to move out of my way or at least be where I can feel their tail on my leg, so I know they're there.
Debbie Worman: Do either one of you ever put bells or anything on the collars to let you know they're about or is that something you've considered.
Ricky Enger: I have done this. Sheri, how about you?
Sheri Robinson: I have not done the bells. Now, I used to, and when I had the three dogs, my one dog, I put a little ribbon on her collar. I knew if I grabbed the collar with the ribbon on it, that was Stitch. If I grabbed the collar with no ribbon, that was Flicka. But now that I'm down to two dogs, I've just taken Stitch's collar off. And now I know just instantaneously who is who.
Debbie Worman: So as long as you were mentioning dogs, I'm always curious too, people with vision loss and how they walk their dogs? For instance, if you are a cane user, how do you walk your dog while you're using your cane? And what kind of situations that may bring up for people who are worried about maybe if they get a dog, how am I going to walk this dog? Or, am going to have to rely on somebody else to take the dog out? What kind of issues come up with that?
Sheri Robinson: That is actually one problem I don't have because I have a fenced in backyard. So, when they need to go out, I just open the door and they go out. If I want to take them to the barn with me, they're very well-behaved. I live on a 15-acre farm, so if I want them to go to the barn with me, I just open the gate and they stay around.
Ricky Enger: I know having done this as a guide dog user, there were times when walking the dog was different than walking with the guide dog and having him guide me. So, what I would do was have the leash in one hand and the cane in the other hand, and now I'm in control of where we're going. He's not guiding me, but we're making our way throughout the neighborhood. Now of course, there can be concerns if you're new both to cane use and to having a dog, gosh, that's a lot. And so, one thing I know that some people have done is to initially have someone walking with them, not as a guide, but just to make things a little more relaxing. I’m here should something go wrong. But if you practice walking around the neighborhood with your cane, and also, you've got your companion with you, it's a good time for both of you. And of course, if you're walking with your friend, you have a nice little chat along the way.
Sheri Robinson: Also, you can always request an orientation and mobility instructor to come walk with you as well if you don't have a close friend or family member willing to walk with you.
Debbie Worman: Both of you, you're in my head. That was so interesting. You hit all three points that I wanted to make sure we covered. Ricky, I think you mentioned practice, right? So, somebody new to vision loss often has those overwhelming, I can't do this feeling right. So, you want to be patient with yourself. Even when you get a pet, be patient with yourself because things don't happen overnight. And remember to ask for assistance. We all have to allow people to assist us to offer them that gift to help us at times. And Sheri, it’s so important to remember to seek orientation and mobility training. That's really important, that will help you with walking that dog.
What about those dogs that get out and you're worried about them? Or even in the house, they're going to chew, maybe you have a puppy or a younger dog, or even sometimes when Buick wants attention, what does he do? He chews on my computer cord. So, what do you do in situations like that? We know pets like to chew on things, how do you know it’s happening if you can't see that, and how do you protect them from things like that?
Sheri Robinson: The first thing I would do is provide them with something they can chew. My dogs have some of those nylabones or they have those toys that you can get at just about any store, little tires, tug ropes, give them something they can chew and that will keep them from chewing on things they shouldn't chew. But if you catch one chewing on something they're not supposed to, then you need to correct them, discipline them like you would a child and reinforce, no, that is not something you chew on. And then give them something they can chew on.
Debbie Worman: Yeah, turn it around and make it positive, right, Sheri? So, it's not so much about being, no. Buick does that when he feels he wants attention and I lacked giving him the appropriate attention for the morning, and here I am working, and he just wants to play. So sometimes it's just saying, "Hey buddy, let's play." And just redirecting him, like you said, a child, oftentimes just redirecting them. And I can hear him as I'm trying to work. I can hear him under my desk and in the cord, so I keep that ear out for him. So, using my heightened senses that way.
Ricky Enger: That was exactly the point I was going to make, Debbie, was that I know people think, well, what if I don't see them chewing on something or getting into something that they shouldn't? I do feel like it's a myth that your other senses become better. If you were to measure them on a scale, the senses don't become better, but you become more attuned, as you said, to listening for things like that. And it's something that happens naturally. You can suddenly notice in the environment, “I think I know what that sound is.” Because sometimes things happen in a different room, and even if you do have a set of perfectly working eyes, you can't see from where you are. You probably notice more already than you think you do.
Debbie Worman: I'm getting ready to move in with my mom, so I'm taking Buick with me of course. So that brought to mind, what do people do about vets? And if you don't have transportation, if you no longer drive, and how do you give meds if your pets are sick? And boy, that's a lot of responsibility to have on one's shoulder to take care of that. And is that really something you want to do? And how do you manage all of that process?
Sheri Robinson: Well, as far as vet appointments, obviously with my horses, the vets come here, but with the dogs and cats, that's when you have to find somebody willing to haul you to the vet. Now, I have a dog that is on medicine because she has really bad arthritis and I keep her medicine separate from everything else. I have a routine in the morning after I feed her, I will go get her medicine, put it in some peanut butter, because heaven knows she wouldn't eat it otherwise, and then give it to her.
Ricky Enger: I have just one cat, and I was fairly recently kind of confronted with this. My son wasn't driving yet, and I thought, oh no, what do I do? You can't call a Lyft to get you to the vet. And my friends live 40 miles away, so what do I do? I don't have any family in the area. When I looked into it, it turns out that Uber now does have something called Uber Pet where they have drivers who have indicated they are willing to take pets. And so, you call knowing that everything's going to be great there.
The other thing I was able to do was find a vet who makes house calls. I think it depends on what area you're in as to what's going to be available for you. But it may be that whether you're calling a standard Uber or Lyft and you're putting in the information that, "I'll be traveling with a pet, cancel and let me get somebody else if you have a problem with this." Or you can find a vet who makes house calls or again, friends and family, a great way to do that. And medicine, that's all kinds of fun. I think that in the same way that we do for humans, where we have a way to measure liquid medication in a syringe and a way to distinguish one medication from another. We have Hadley workshops on all those things, and that applies just as much to pets as humans, I think.
Debbie Worman: Again, I'm thinking, if this podcast is reaching people who are new to vision loss, that sense of overwhelm sometimes where you've lost your independence. And I'm one for encouraging self-advocacy, anything that can get you to get that take charge, feeling back again, what am I going to do about this? So even if you think your vet won't make house calls, there's nothing wrong with calling up and saying, "Hey, I don't have a driver today. In the future, here's my situation, I don't drive. Could the vet make a house call?" I know in my small town that would be acceptable. We have several vets and I know them well enough that they would do that. I encourage people to do that, take charge and that self-advocacy attitude to recapture that. Especially we pet mothers can be very protective of our pets, so we can adapt really well, right?
Sheri Robinson: Yeah. And like you were saying, it does depend on where you are because where I live in Kentucky, the vet that came out to do my horses would also do my dogs and cats.
Debbie Worman: Yeah, yeah. People who are thinking about getting a pet, where would you go to get a pet? To the shelter? And if you went to the shelter and someone at the shelter says, "Oh, this person, they have vision loss. I don't know if we should give them a pet." If you were faced with that, or you were faced with a family member that said, "Dad, we're going to have to get rid of Butch here because you're not going to be able to take care of him.” What advice would you have for people who are maybe giving you a hard time about keeping your pet or wanting a pet, or how would you address those issues?
Sheri Robinson: Well, nobody gave me a hard time because there were no ifs, ands or buts about it, I was keeping my animals. Even when I moved over here, my sister tried to get me to sell my horses, and I was like, no. And when I lost my sight, my first question was, okay, what are we going to set up so I can get to the barn to feed my horses? It wasn't, should I sell my horses now? No. It was, okay, we need to think up a way so that I can still do this. And we did. Like with most everything, you have a place for everything and everything in its place. All my dog stuff is in one spot. All my cat stuff is in one spot. All my horse stuff is in one spot. I mean, with me, I have the kind of attitude that if somebody tells me I can't do something, that's exactly what I'm going to do, just to prove them wrong.
Ricky Enger: So, it sounds like self-advocacy really serves you well in these situations. If somebody says, "You probably shouldn't," or, "I don't know if this is going to work or not," you are the one who gets to decide.
Debbie Worman: Yeah. When you were talking, Sheri, it reminded me of the Hadley workshop, Coming to Grips with Vision Loss. My favorite saying in that workshop is take the T off can't. And that's exactly what you do. You problem solve, how can I do this? How can I make this work for me? The fact that you try and strive to be organized and you stick to that, and you trust your gut, that all helps you be a good pet owner looking out for your pets because you're thinking of all of those things.
I'm wondering for people who may be thinking about getting a pet, we all like those cute little puppies and those cute little kittens. Do you think it's better for people to get an older pet? Or if they want a kitten or a puppy? What would you recommend there?
Sheri Robinson: Well, as you know, Ms. Debbie, the pet picks you. But I mean either/or to be honest with you. With puppies, I can tell you the first thing I would do if you want to get a puppy, keep a supply of chews for them and crate train them. Get a kennel that he's going to fit in even when he gets bigger and start right away with kennel training so that when you're out of the house or you are asleep, if you don't want him running around getting into things while you're not there to supervise, you can have him in his kennel and you can start right away with that training and that will benefit you.
My one dog actually eats in her kennel, and she won't eat outside of it. I feed her inside her kennel, and I mean, I'm not shutting the door, but she's happy with that. But if I ever need her to go in her kennel, all I have to do is tell her to and she'll go in her kennel and then I don't have to worry about her.
With kittens, also provide them with scratching posts, maybe a cat tree. If you have room in your house or apartment, get a little cat tree so they can climb on it and scratch on it and play, and have toys for them to play with. And then as with everything else, have a place for those toys to go when she's not playing with them, maybe a little laundry basket or a little box and just put the toys in there and then they're out of the way.
Debbie Worman: Absolutely. Yes, Buick has his own little toy box and he'll go and pick something out occasionally. There were some toys that I was going to throw away the other day, but cats, change it up, change the toys up because he loves that one. One mouse I was going to throw away, and he just played with it for a half an hour.
Sheri Robinson: I found a little hand whip, I never used whips on my horses. So, I brought it in, and I brought some baling twine from the barn, and I tied the baling twine through the top of the whip, and that's my cat toy. And they love it.
Debbie Worman: Well, I'm sure you're hearing the joy of us talking about our pets. It's something we could probably talk about all day because they are our babies. Somebody said, "Is Buick moving in with you and your mom?" And I said, "He's my son. He has to go. So yeah." They become a part of our life and it's so important. But owning a pet is a lot of responsibility. Problem solving you'll have to do because of your vision loss, maybe asking for assistance sometimes, learning how to do things you never thought you would have to do, finding the dog doo in the yard, those kinds of things, all those kinds of fun things. So, we know that owning a pet has lots of joys, but it's also a big responsibility. There's a lot that goes into making a decision. Is there anything that you both can think of that we're not addressing? The bottom line, is it going to be worth the hassle?
Ricky Enger: I for sure think that having a pet is worth it. We've talked about in this episode, that feeling of overwhelm, and I'm struggling myself, how am I going to do this for somebody else? Sometimes it takes exactly that. Things that you might not feel capable of doing for yourself, or things that seem just a little too much to do for yourself. Somehow when it is someone else or an animal that you're caring for, you find a way, and that can be such a confidence builder to say, I did this. I solved this problem. I figured it out so that I could take care of my animal. So now these things that I'm struggling with myself, maybe I can problem solve with those things too.
Sheri Robinson: It kind of takes your mind off your issues because nobody wants to sit around and just woe is me all day long. Having to go out or even to get up in the morning and feed the dogs and feed the cats, and then go out and feed the horses during the day, it really breaks up the day and gives me something else to think about besides, oh, what am I going to do? It really does give you a sense of purpose and a sense of completion.
Debbie Worman: Yeah. I just love that you both mentioned that caring for a pet takes you out of your own issues. It gives you a sense of purpose. You're giving back. It is a wonderful thing to have that sense of purpose. So, wow, I don't know. I think anybody who's listening today who doesn't have a pet may just be rushing out to their pet shelter, don't you think?
Ricky Enger: Absolutely. Yes.
Sheri Robinson: They just might be. And there's more too than just dogs and cats and horses. You could always start with a turtle, maybe a fish. I just feel one species short.
Debbie Worman: Yeah. There's a quote that I love that someone shared with me, "Pets are not our whole life, but they make our life whole."
Ricky Enger: Oh, that's perfect.
Sheri Robinson: Yeah. If I can add one more thing.
Debbie Worman: Oh, sure.
Sheri Robinson: If people are unsure if they want to own a pet, you can always call the local shelter and foster.
Ricky Enger: Oh, that's a great idea.
Debbie Worman: And as we say in our pet care series too, you can do that. You can also volunteer to babysit someone's pet to get an idea if it may be something right for you. So that's another thing you can try.
Ricky Enger: This is so much fun. I have had a great time with you both talking about our pets and the challenges and the rewards of having a pet. I think this is such an important topic. Check out the show notes for links to workshops on caring for your pets that we have here at Hadley, as well as our medication series, and a couple of other things that are going to be worthwhile as you're thinking about taking that pet journey. And if I weren't working the rest of the day, I think I might be on the way to the shelter to get another pet.
Debbie Worman: Oh, I don't know if Diva would like that, Ricky,
Ricky Enger: Probably not.
Debbie Worman: Thank you so much, Sheri, for your willingness to do this, and Ricky, what a nice idea to have this as a topic. I'm glad that I could be a part of it.
Sheri Robinson: Oh, you're welcome. This was great.
Ricky Enger: Thanks everyone and thank you all for listening.
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 [email protected] that's [email protected]. Or leave us a message at 784-2870. Thanks for listening.
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Episode 73
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.
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Episode 72
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.
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Episode 71
Learn how CVS pharmacy customers throughout the US can access a free service that reads aloud prescription medication information.
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Episode 70
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.
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Episode 69
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.
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Episode 68
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.
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Episode 67
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.
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Episode 66
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.
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Episode 65
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.
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Episode 64
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.
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Episode 63
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.
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Episode 62
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.
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Episode 61
Karen and Dan Leonetti share how vision loss has changed their relationship and the advice they have for other couples.
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Episode 60
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.
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Episode 59
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.
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Episode 58
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.
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Episode 57
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.
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Episode 56
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.
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Episode 55
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.
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Episode 54
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.
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Episode 53
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.
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Episode 52
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.
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Episode 51
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.
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Episode 50
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).
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Episode 49
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.
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Episode 48
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.
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Episode 47
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."
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Episode 46
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.
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Episode 45
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.
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Episode 44
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.
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Episode 43
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.
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Episode 42
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.
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Episode 41
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.
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Episode 40
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.
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Episode 39
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.
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Episode 38
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.
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Episode 37
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.
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Episode 36
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.
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Episode 35
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.
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Episode 34
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.
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Episode 33
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.
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Episode 32
Jan and Elgie Dow share how vision loss has changed their relationship and the advice they have for other couples.
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Episode 31
Join Hadley advisor Eddie Becerra as he shares about losing his sight from diabetic retinopathy, and how he gained a new perspective on life.
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Episode 30
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.
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Episode 29
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.
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Episode 28
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.
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Episode 27
World-renowned artist John Bramblitt describes how vision loss has shaped his painting and his life.
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Episode 26
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.
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Episode 25
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.
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Episode 24
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.
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Episode 23
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.
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Episode 22
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.
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Episode 21
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.
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Episode 20
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.
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Episode 19
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.
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Episode 18
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.
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Episode 17
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.
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Episode 16
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.
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Episode 15
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.
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Episode 14
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.
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Episode 13
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.
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Episode 12
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.
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Episode 11
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.
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Episode 10
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.
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Episode 9
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.
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Episode 8
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.
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Episode 7
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!
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Episode 6
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.
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Episode 5
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.
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Episode 4
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.
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Episode 3
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.
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Episode 2
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.
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Episode 1
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.