The Blind Chick From Fireworks to Faith: Reverend Ray’s Journey
Nov 13, 2025
59:30
Episode Summary
Penn and Moses share Thanksgiving reflections, then welcome Reverend Ray, a D.C.–based pastor, advocate, and radio host. He recounts losing sight at 14 from a firecracker accident, the education he received at Maryland School for the Blind, and a 37-year career as a Randolph-Sheppard entrepreneur. He details his public-service work in Prince George’s County, why presentation and independence matter at work, and his faith journey that led to founding St. Didymus Church for the Blind. Reverend Ray describes training blind hosts at the Metropolitan Washington Ear, building men’s support groups, and practical inclusion inside churches. He offers a grounded take on “healing” culture and closes with a simple charge: pursue wisdom, work, and wealth—and share them.
Contact Info
Guest: Reverend Ray — Metropolitan Washington Ear; St. Didymus Church for the Blind (Washington, D.C.)
Aftersight: feedback@aftersight.org
• (720) 712-8856 • aftersight.org
Producer credits: Produced by Jonathan Price, Podcast & Program Producer, Aftersight — jonathan@aftersight.org
• (720) 712-8856
Show Credits
Hosts: Penn Street and Moses Street
Guest: Reverend Ray
Producer: Jonathan Price
Recording & Post: Aftersight Studios
Chapter Markers
00:00 — Cold open: gratitude and winter debate
02:16 — Guest intro: Reverend Ray’s story
04:32 — The long train to Kansas
06:47 — Firecracker accident and blindness at 14
09:07 — Education, possibility, and business mindset
11:00 — 37 years in Randolph-Sheppard
13:23 — Entering public service in Prince George’s County
15:47 — Hiring blind staff and customer-facing excellence
18:05 — Representation, grooming, and “show-and-tell” pedagogy
20:21 — Slides, memory, and being an ambassador
22:46 — Faith wasn’t first; the path toward calling
25:06 — Homelessness, surrender, and a turning point
27:23 — Becoming a pastor
29:43 — Founding St. Didymus Church for the Blind
32:01 — Inclusion in churches: solving real barriers
34:26 — “Healing” culture and harm
36:51 — Theology of acceptance and new-body hope
39:13 — Embracing the uniqueness of disability
41:28 — Staying humble: why paratransit
43:49 — Perks and advocacy in everyday life
46:08 — Metropolitan Washington Ear: shows and training
50:53 — Why coworkers hesitate and how to fix it
53:11 — Tech cost, older adults, and access reality
55:27 — Vans, transport, and men’s support groups
57:53 — Close: Wisdom, Work, Wealth
Penn and Moses share Thanksgiving reflections, then welcome Reverend Ray, a D.C.–based pastor, advocate, and radio host. He recounts losing sight at 14 from a firecracker accident, the education he received at Maryland School for the Blind, and a 37-year career as a Randolph-Sheppard entrepreneur. He details his public-service work in Prince George’s County, why presentation and independence matter at work, and his faith journey that led to founding St. Didymus Church for the Blind. Reverend Ray describes training blind hosts at the Metropolitan Washington Ear, building men’s support groups, and practical inclusion inside churches. He offers a grounded take on “healing” culture and closes with a simple charge: pursue wisdom, work, and wealth—and share them.
Contact Info
Guest: Reverend Ray — Metropolitan Washington Ear; St. Didymus Church for the Blind (Washington, D.C.)
Aftersight: feedback@aftersight.org
• (720) 712-8856 • aftersight.org
Producer credits: Produced by Jonathan Price, Podcast & Program Producer, Aftersight — jonathan@aftersight.org
• (720) 712-8856
Show Credits
Hosts: Penn Street and Moses Street
Guest: Reverend Ray
Producer: Jonathan Price
Recording & Post: Aftersight Studios
Chapter Markers
00:00 — Cold open: gratitude and winter debate
02:16 — Guest intro: Reverend Ray’s story
04:32 — The long train to Kansas
06:47 — Firecracker accident and blindness at 14
09:07 — Education, possibility, and business mindset
11:00 — 37 years in Randolph-Sheppard
13:23 — Entering public service in Prince George’s County
15:47 — Hiring blind staff and customer-facing excellence
18:05 — Representation, grooming, and “show-and-tell” pedagogy
20:21 — Slides, memory, and being an ambassador
22:46 — Faith wasn’t first; the path toward calling
25:06 — Homelessness, surrender, and a turning point
27:23 — Becoming a pastor
29:43 — Founding St. Didymus Church for the Blind
32:01 — Inclusion in churches: solving real barriers
34:26 — “Healing” culture and harm
36:51 — Theology of acceptance and new-body hope
39:13 — Embracing the uniqueness of disability
41:28 — Staying humble: why paratransit
43:49 — Perks and advocacy in everyday life
46:08 — Metropolitan Washington Ear: shows and training
50:53 — Why coworkers hesitate and how to fix it
53:11 — Tech cost, older adults, and access reality
55:27 — Vans, transport, and men’s support groups
57:53 — Close: Wisdom, Work, Wealth