The Blind Chick

In Part 1 of our bold and moving conversation with Shawn Cheshire, Penn and Moses explore her remarkable journey from a difficult childhood in South Texas to breaking barriers as one of the first women in her Army specialty, and later serving as an EMT and paramedic. Shawn shares with raw honesty about growing up without love or nurture, surviving abuse, and how the voice of her grandmother’s encouragement shaped her resilience. She recounts her military service as a helicopter armament systems mechanic, the challenges of proving herself in a male-dominated field, and her transition into emergency medical services. The episode builds toward the life-changing on-the-job brain injury that left her blind, as Shawn reflects on the events, traumas, and triumphs that shaped her into the unstoppable athlete and advocate she is today. This is a gripping start to a story you will not forget. Contact Info Guest: Shawn Cheshire — https://www.shawncheshire.org/ Aftersight: feedback@aftersight.org | (720) 712-8856 | aftersight.org/podcast Producer: Jonathan Price: Jonathan@aftersight.org Show Credits Hosts: Penn Street & Moses Street Producer: Jonathan Price Executive Producer: Aftersight Recorded for: The Blind Chick — An Aftersight Original Podcast Chapter Markers 00:00 — Introduction & Content Warning 02:14 — Why "Blind AF" and the Power of Shawn’s Story 03:15 — Childhood in South Texas & Early Trauma 06:40 — Joining the Army at 17 to Escape 08:20 — Breaking Barriers as a Female Helicopter Armament Mechanic 11:23 — Injuries, Discharge, and Moving Forward 13:47 — Surviving Abuse & Planning an Escape 16:10 — The Grandmother’s Voice That Saved Her 18:32 — EMT Training and Leaving in the Middle of the Night 20:49 — Life as a Paramedic & Finding Purpose 22:53 — The Accident That Changed Everything 25:19 — Diagnosis, Vision Loss, and the Long Road of Recovery 27:15 — Closing & Preview of Part 2

Penn and Moses sit down with Spirit Club founder Jared Ciner to unpack a trauma-informed, strengths-based approach to fitness for the blind and low-vision community. Jared shares Michael’s step-by-step journey from “not for me” to thriving in group classes—proof that small wins compound. They discuss functional movement you can do anywhere (no fancy gear required), how partnerships with agencies like Aftersight expand access, and Spirit Club’s new Denver hub launching in-person programs by September. Jared also previews an NIH-supported expansion for brain-injury-friendly content and encourages “exercise snacks”—quick bursts that boost mood and momentum. Listeners get a discount with promo code AFTERSIGHT at checkout. Plus: details on Aftersight’s fully accessible Audio Trekkers Hike on September 13 in Boulder. Contact Info Spirit Club Website: spiritclub.com (virtual & in-person programs; certification coming soon) Promo code: AFTERSIGHT (discount at checkout) Aftersight Website: aftersight.org/hike (Audio Trekkers Hike info) • aftersight.org General inquiries / guests: feedback@aftersight.org • (720) 712-8856 Show Credits Hosts: Penn Street & Moses Street Producer: Jonathan Price Chapter Markers 00:00 — Cold open, Part 2 setup, Spirit Club promo + hike tease 02:21 — Michael’s story: from “nope” to group classes and front-desk greeter 04:44 — Trauma-informed, strengths-based coaching vs. drill-sergeant fitness 07:08 — Adaptive equipment? Start with bodyweight and real-life movements 09:30 — Breaking down “get up from the floor” into four learnable steps 11:56 — Garden squats, standing desks, and building everyday endurance 14:19 — Partnering with agencies; how orgs stream Spirit Club to members 16:41 — Advocacy: Spirit Club Foundation, funding access, pro certification 19:03 — Join the movement; Denver hub launches in-person by September 21:27 — “Everybody can move”: mood, support, and 100% progress stories 23:51 — Penn’s dance class win; connecting mental and physical health 26:12 — “Exercise snacks”: five-minute bursts that change your day 28:34 — Call-to-action: try Spirit Club, use AFTERSIGHT, and join the Sept 13 hike in Boulder

In this lively and heartfelt episode of The Blind Chick, Penn and Moses recap their recent blindfolded cornhole tournament, sharing laughs, insights, and the importance of focus in blind navigation. Their conversation segues beautifully into the main interview with Jared Ciner, founder of Spirit Club, a fitness organization on a mission to make physical health accessible and inclusive for all people, regardless of ability. Jared shares the personal and professional journey that led him to create Spirit Club, a revolutionary platform that offers both live and on-demand fitness classes designed with accessibility at their core. He discusses the human right to fitness, building confidence through adaptive movement, and why taking up space—physically and socially—is an act of empowerment. Penn shares her own experiences with Spirit Club, explaining how it has not only helped her stay active but also helped her build confidence in moving freely as a person with vision loss. Jared also dives into Spirit Club’s group exercise experience, technology innovations, community impact, and the belief that fitness is not a privilege—it’s a right. 🔗 Contact Information: Guest: Jared Ciner Website: https://spirit-club.org Aftersight Contact: 📧 feedback@aftersight.org 📞 (720) 712-8856 🌐 https://aftersight.org 🎟️ Register for the September 13 Audio Trekkers Hike: https://aftersight.org/hike 🎧 Listen to more episodes: https://aftersight.org/podcasts/the-blind-chick ⏱️ Chapter Markers: 00:00 – Welcome to The Blind Chick + Cornhole recap 02:10 – Sound, focus, and how blind folks dominated the game 04:30 – Why blind folks listen better (and win more) 06:55 – Introducing Jared Ciner and Spirit Club 08:50 – Jared’s story: Psychology, fitness, and a missing link 11:15 – Building an accessible fitness platform from scratch 13:45 – What “inclusive fitness” actually looks like 16:20 – Online classes, group sessions, and on-demand options 18:30 – Penn’s personal story: building confidence through movement 21:00 – Creating authentic connection through live-class recording 22:45 – The mission: Fitness is a human right 24:30 – Taking up space, building confidence, and pushing back against shame 26:00 – Final thoughts + Promo for Spirit Club and Aftersight Hike

🔍 Episode Summary & Show Notes: In this empowering follow-up conversation, The Blind Chick welcomes back Neva Fairchild for Part 2 of her inspiring story. Neva, an advocate, educator, entrepreneur, and unapologetic braille and cane enthusiast, shares practical tools and wisdom for navigating life with vision loss. From mastering WayAround tags for labeling appliances and tracking repair history, to embracing the white cane as a tool of confidence, this episode dives deep into the intersection of tech, identity, and independence. Penn and Moses keep it real and lighthearted while tackling serious topics like shame, stigma, and self-worth — reminding us all that blindness is not a character flaw. Neva also shares insights about: Her business Experts on Blindness and work as an expert witness in legal cases Her late-in-life discovery of braille and passion for braille literacy Her advocacy for older adults who are newly blind and feel trapped in their homes The myth that using a cane makes you vulnerable — and why it actually empowers you to walk confidently Real-life humor about travel, crowds, and how blind folks get the best concert seats! This conversation will move you, challenge you, and most of all — encourage you to embrace the tools that bring freedom. 🎧 Don’t miss this bold, funny, and refreshingly honest episode. 🔖 Chapter Markers 00:00 — Intro & Hike Announcement 01:23 — How WayAround Tags Work 03:57 — Appliance Tagging & Memory Tools 06:45 — Buying Tags & App Walkthrough 08:00 — Tech Neva Uses Every Day 09:15 — Experts on Blindness & Legal Education 10:35 — Braille Advocacy & Late Learners 13:00 — Fighting the Stigma of the White Cane 15:00 — Neva’s “Aha” Moment in the Woods 18:00 — Confidence vs. Vulnerability with the Cane 21:00 — Crowds, Airports & Humor 23:00 — Where to Find Neva & Final Thoughts 25:00 — Audio Trekkers Hike Info & Closing 🔗 Resources & Contact 📍 WayAround Website: https://www.wayaround.com 🔗 Neva Fairchild on LinkedIn – The only one by that name! 🗓️ Register for the Audio Trekkers Hike (Sept 17): aftersight.org/hike 📧 Feedback & Questions: feedback@aftersight.org 📞 Listener Line: 720-712-8856 🌐 Discover more Aftersight Originals: aftersight.org

In this powerful episode of The Blind Chick, Penn and Moses sit down with Neva Fairchild—a fierce advocate, rehabilitation counselor, and accessibility expert. Neva shares her extraordinary journey from a childhood of partial sight, misdiagnosis, and bullying to embracing blindness at 30 and diving into advocacy and innovation. The trio explores Neva's late introduction to the white cane and Braille, her evolving career in vision rehabilitation, and her pivotal role in supporting accessible technologies like WayAround. Through emotional honesty and humor, Neva opens up about stigma, independence, and the power of learning to navigate life on your own terms. Don’t miss the inspiring insights, practical tools, and bold truths in this episode. Also: Be sure to check out Neva’s tech-focused episode on Blind Level Tech, and mark your calendars for Aftersight’s upcoming hike on September 13! Register now at aftersight.org/hike. ⏱️ Chapter Markers: 00:00 – Welcome & Reflections from Helen Keller’s Birthplace 02:19 – Dystopian Society Analogy: A Sighted Person’s Insight 03:30 – Introducing Neva Fairchild 04:41 – Accessibility Gaps in the U.S. vs. Abroad 06:55 – Neva’s Early Life and Vision Diagnosis 09:26 – Education, Missed Blindness Skills, and a Military Family Childhood 11:41 – Braille, Cane Travel, and Losing Sight in Her 30s 13:54 – Misconceptions and Delayed Discovery of Blindness Tools 16:10 – College, Social Dynamics, and Career Aspirations 18:25 – How Neva Got Involved with WayAround 20:48 – WayAround vs. PenFriend: Accessible Labeling Then and Now 23:06 – WayAround Tags: How They Work and What They Can Do 25:28 – Using WayAround in Public Spaces & Orientation Features 27:50 – Outro: More to Come + Hike Reminder

In this thought-provoking and unexpectedly fun continuation, The Blind Chick welcomes back author, tech blogger, and blind speedcubing pioneer Paul Martz for Part 2 of a conversation that bends the mind as much as the Rubik’s Cube does. Paul, Penn, and Moses unpack how blind speedcubing works, why accessibility gaps in tech still exist (and what we can learn from curb cuts), and how Paul’s book Solve It is breaking down barriers for blind cubers everywhere. Paul shares how he hacks tactile cubes, connects with a small but growing blind cubing community worldwide, and compares speedcubing to the artistry of musicianship. He also dives into his punk rock days in the 1980s—bands, bar gigs, and brushes with musical legends—proving the life of a blind innovator can be as unpredictable as a scrambled cube. Finally, the team reminds listeners that everyone has a part to play in pushing accessibility forward—one request to Bard at a time. It’s witty, inspiring, and might just convince you to dust off your old Rubik’s Cube, make it tactile, and get your brain moving again—whether you’re blind, sighted, or somewhere in between. ⏱️ Chapter Markers 00:00 — Welcome Back + Summer Vibes 00:40 — Blind Speedcubing: Why It Matters 01:50 — ADA, Curb Cuts & Digital Accessibility 04:00 — AppleViz, Blogging & Making the Impossible Possible 07:00 — Tactile Cubes: DIY or Buy? 09:15 — Writing Solve It: No Pictures Needed 11:30 — Requesting Bard & Bookshare Access 13:00 — Speedcubing Records & Community 16:00 — Rubik’s Cube as Brain Exercise 18:00 — Paul’s Punk Rock Past 22:00 — Brushes with Fame & Hotel Stories 25:00 — Final Words: Pay It Forward 📚 Get Paul’s Book Title: Solve It: The Only Speed Solving Guide for Blind Cubers Find It: Search “Solve It Paul Martz” or visit PaulMartz.com Where to Request: NLS Bard, Bookshare, RNIB (UK), Sela (Canada) 📞 Stay Connected Aftersight: (720) 712-8856 Email: feedback@aftersight.org

🎙️ Episode Summary In this lively episode of The Blind Chick, Penn and Moses welcome Colorado’s own Paul Martz — a retired software engineer, Rubik’s Cube speed-solver, sci-fi writer, and relentless advocate for accessible tech. Diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa (RP) at age 13, Paul shares candidly how losing vision shaped his life: from the family role models who taught him blindness doesn’t mean isolation, to the hard truths about ego, identity, and finally embracing the white cane. Penn, Moses, and Paul unpack the subtle social shifts that come with using a cane or guide dog — how these tools can change perceptions overnight, even among family and close friends. Paul brings his trademark humor, reminding listeners that adaptability is less about eyesight and more about problem-solving — like speed-solving a Rubik’s Cube with your fingertips and your mind. They also celebrate The Blind Chick’s recent IWIS International Award win for “On Location Production” and invite listeners to get out, get seen, and get moving at Aftersight’s fifth annual Audio Trekkers Hike — happening September 13th in Boulder, Colorado. Stay tuned for part two, where Paul will share more about the world of speed-cubing, accessible tech, and the surprising places life’s puzzles can take you. ⏱️ Chapter Markers 00:00 | Welcome & IWIS Award Celebration 02:16 | The Audio Trekkers Hike — September 13th 04:35 | Meet Paul Martz — Diagnosed with RP at 13 06:50 | Family Role Models & Early Acceptance 09:11 | College, Depression & Finding Counseling 11:28 | The First White Cane — Fears & Reactions 13:39 | The Cane as a Social Signal 15:56 | Family & Friends: How Perception Changes 18:21 | Humor as Survival Tool 20:29 | From Programming to Writing Sci-Fi & Braille Books 22:34 | Adapting in the Early PC Era 24:40 | Transition to Screen Readers & Braille 26:55 | Final Reflections — The Puzzle Keeps Turning 29:00 | Closing & Hike Reminder

In this powerful episode of The Blind Chick, John Romano from Disaster Central joins Penn and Moses to explore emergency preparedness through a lens of accessibility, technology, and community resilience. John shares the heart behind the Be Ready app and how it helps people with disabilities plan ahead for disasters — not only with gear and gadgets but with mindset and connection. The episode features raw stories of past emergencies, including how one blind man refused to leave his guide dog behind during a flood. Listeners are encouraged to participate in upcoming pilot programs and advocate for inclusive planning in their own cities. The message is clear: preparedness isn’t just about surviving a storm, it’s about building strong community ties before the storm ever hits. ⏱️ Chapter Markers 00:00 – Welcome to The Blind Chick 00:27 – Jonathan introduces John Romano & previews Code Orange 01:30 – The mindset of preparedness and the role of battery banks 02:30 – Customizing the Be Ready app for your household 04:50 – Real stories: flood evacuations, guide dogs, and being left behind 07:00 – Planning on the community level: Colorado Functional Needs Conferences 09:25 – 70% of first responders are your family and friends 11:40 – How to bring this program to your city 13:55 – Funding models & donor support for Be Ready 15:55 – Future features: AI & GIS integration 18:15 – Predictive tech and where emergency preparedness is heading 20:35 – The real call to action: Get involved! 22:55 – The power of preparation and community kindness 25:15 – Let's not admire the problem — let’s solve it 27:40 – Closing thoughts and thanks 📞 Contact Info & Resources Disaster Central: https://disastercentral.org Be Ready App: Included in pilot discussions via Disaster Central Interested in the pilot program? Contact Curtis Garrett or Atlantis Community to request local training and preparedness offerings. 🗣️ Key Quotes “70% of your first responders are your family and friends.” — John Romano “Let’s not just admire the problem. Let’s work the problem.” — John Romano “This isn’t about doing it for us — it’s with us.” — Penn Street 📲 Other Shows by Aftersight Blindsight – Mental health and blindness Blind Level Tech – Accessible tech reviews and interviews Navigating Life with Vision Loss – Weekly show coming back this fall with a 16-week safety series Code Orange – Coming soon! Focused on disability-inclusive emergency preparedness

In this eye-opening episode of The Blind Chick, hosts Penn and Moses Street sit down with John Romano—nonprofit leader, former relief worker, and founder of Disaster Central. John shares how his experience as a pilot, motorcyclist, and Hurricane Sandy relief worker shaped his approach to risk mitigation and inspired the creation of the Be Ready app. The conversation explores how the Be Ready app simplifies emergency planning, especially for individuals with disabilities and access needs. Though accessibility features are still evolving, the app already offers powerful tools like cloud-based document storage, community contact sharing, and preparedness prompts for building continuity in crises. John breaks down his "Dare to Prepare" program, built in collaboration with global research partners and Independent Living Centers across Colorado. From Thailand to Estes Park floods, the stories shared reinforce the urgent need for personalized disaster readiness. The episode ends with a hopeful call for community input to shape the next generation of inclusive emergency tech. ⏱️ Chapter Markers 00:00 – Welcome to The Blind Chick 00:28 – Penn and Moses return from Iceland 01:45 – Introducing John Romano 03:20 – Motorcycle, piloting, and risk management 05:10 – Hurricane Sandy and discovering his purpose 07:22 – Founding Disaster Central 08:40 – Including people with disabilities in emergency planning 09:45 – Developing the Be Ready app 11:35 – Climate change and disaster trends 13:00 – The app as an easy button for preparedness 14:15 – Features: Cloud vault, encrypted storage, pets & guide dogs 17:00 – Accessibility and shared household planning 18:25 – Using the app with family and caretakers 20:25 – Uploading documents and offline access 22:50 – Teaching preparedness like fly fishing 24:00 – The “Dare to Prepare” training program 25:30 – Working with SILCs and CILCs in Colorado 27:40 – AI, accessibility, and the future of the app 29:00 – Outro and teaser for next week's deep dive 📱 Follow & Subscribe Listen to more Aftersight Originals: Blindsight – Mental health & resilience Blind Level Tech – Accessible tech and innovation Navigating Life with Vision Loss – Advocacy, safety & daily life 🌐 Aftersight.org | 🎧 Available wherever you get your podcasts

In this raw and inspiring continuation of Zach Tidwell’s story, The Blind Chick dives deeper into Zach’s journey of survival, addiction, recovery, and resilience. After surviving a self-inflicted gunshot wound and waking up totally blind, Zach faced cognitive dissonance, identity loss, and multiple layers of trauma—but he also found something unexpected: purpose. Zach walks us through the blurry, painful months of relearning everything from brushing his teeth to walking again, confronting the reality of permanent blindness, and battling crippling depression—all while defying odds. His path includes learning to snowboard, going back to college, coding an award-winning app, and discovering a new identity through service to the blind and disabled community. He candidly shares his relapse into alcoholism and how he ultimately found the strength to get sober, develop accessible tech, and start a podcast and book that continue to help others. Zach’s story reminds us that failure isn’t final and that purpose can be forged in even the darkest fires. ⏱️ Chapter Markers: 00:00 – Intro + Welcome Back to Part 2 00:28 – Zach’s Awakening + Immediate Aftermath of Attempt 02:54 – ICU, Life Support, and “He’s Still in There” 05:13 – Learning He’s Totally Blind + Initial Reactions 07:16 – Blind Rehab, Adaptive Sports, and Getting Back Up 09:39 – Depression Despite Independence + Sobriety Struggle 12:03 – The Turning Point: Speaking Up to a Therapist 14:19 – The Trigger: Statistics Class + Alcohol Relapse 16:41 – Dropping Out to Code: Creating Accessible Tech 19:04 – Battling Huntington’s Diagnosis + Deeper Addiction 21:20 – Zanagrams: Building the First Fully Accessible Game 22:44 – Sobriety, Speaking, and a Future Reclaimed 24:51 – Final Words: Speak Up + Adapt to Thrive 27:07 – Where to Find Zach + Outro