The Blind Chick

This week on Aftersight Penn Street talks with Robert Lamm. Rob has had to overcome more obstacles than a ninja warrior. From battles with addiction to loss of a family member, he was put through the ringer. Somehow, he came out of it with a beautiful outlook on life. Take a listen. www.aincolorado.org www.aincolorado.org/resources Host: Penn Street Penn@aincolorado.org Producer: Jonathan Price jonathan@ainciolorado.org

Mike Hess, founder of Blind Institute of Technology, shares his journey from corporate America to starting a nonprofit staffing agency for the visually impaired. They discuss challenges in the workforce, promoting diversity, and personal growth. The host also asks fun personal questions to wrap up the episode.

On today's episode of Aftersight Penn talks with Robin Walters. Robin discusses her journey with blindness and finding her niche in training service dogs and using her gifts to help others in need. www.aincolorado.org www.aincolorado.org/resources/ If you have any questions about the show or would like to make a guest suggestion, please email: Penn@aincolorado.org or Jonathan@aincolroado.org

In this episode, Penn talks with Jeff Flodin. He has authored over 200 blogs (and still counting!) since the inception of Jalapeños in the Oatmeal: Digesting Vision Loss in 2010. He is the recipient of the National Endowment for the Arts Creative Access Fellowship and his work has appeared in venues including Magnets and Ladders, The Rockford Review, Chicago Arts Journal, Kaleidoscope and the Chicago Tribune. Links to the blog and his contact info are listed below. https://jalapenosintheoatmeal.wordpress.com/ jkflodin@gmail.com https://aincolorado.org/ https://aincolorado.org/resources/

In this episode of Aftersight, our Audio technician, Evan Starnes, has conversations with seniors looking for resources for those who have vision loss or are blind. We also address suggestions on services needed to make living as a senior in this day and age easier.

Blind Warrior Sven is a Dutch video game streamer who also happens to be fully blind. His game is Street Fighter V, he’s ranked in the top 1% of players globally, and he plays completely by sound. It’s so incredible that sometimes people do not believe it - even though he wears a mask to prove he is the real deal. But Sven is so much more than a high tier gamer. He’s a kind soul who wants to bring community and joy to those around him. He’s a man with a powerful story, an even temperament, and candid honesty. Join Penn and Sven today! And, check out his links! https://www.twitch.tv/blindwarriorsven https://www.youtube.com/c/blindwarriorsven https://twitter.com/svenvandewege

Sarah works - and that’s not just to say she has a job as an accessessibility analyst. Sarah WORKS. When she decides to do something, she commits. Even when things are hard or when things maybe aren’t looking perfect, she thinks back to the word of her father and says, “Yes, I can!” That attitude led her to judo, and through judo that led her to Rio for the paralympics. It led her to take a great job in a new city. It led her to where she is today - a vibrant, interesting, engaging person who is willing to share it with the world. Join Penn and Sarah today on Aftersight! Penn@aincolorado.org

Ellie is a bright light with a huge heart who says, “This is me, I’m doing this, you can’t tell me no!” And this is how she lives. Ellie was born with Wolfram Syndrome, a very rare genetic disorder that causes type one diabetes, progressive vision loss, and other progressive issues. But her response to being born with a disorder that takes was to give - and she keeps giving and giving and giving. She founded the Ellie White Foundation for Rare Genetic Disorders, and her efforts have spread awareness across the country and across the world. And now, she is studying social work and law to keep on giving. Today on Aftersight, Ellie shares her unbelievable story, about how she achieved so much without any adaptive training or technology, and about how much her life opened up once she decided to learn those skills and use those technologies. Join her and Penn now! The Ellie White Foundation for Rare Genetic Disorders https://www.elliewhitefoundation.org/ Penn@aincolorado.org

This week Penn talks with Tracy and Julie, two musicians who form Heart – and Music. Born in very different parts of the world these two have walked very different lives. But, they both have found music to be a centering and empowering force in their lives. Join Penn, Tracy, and Julie today! 720 724 8877 suggestions@heart-and-music.com

Chris’s dad was a World War II navy man, and Chris himself attended a military high school and eventually joined the marines. His whole life, he was told, “You just need to be strong, buck up, and do what needs to be done.” And then on his honeymoon he realized he was struggling to see. It turned out he wasn’t just tired… he had macular degeneration. In his own words, he had to learn to be vulnerable. He had to learn to say, ”Excuse me, can you help me, I’m visually impaired,” which took great strength of a different kind. Join Penn and Chris as he talks about his journey. Chris’s website: https://www.chrismonnette.com/ Chris’s book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Seeing-Clearly-emotional-blindness-finding/dp/0578385139/ref=sr_1_fkmr3_1?keywords=seeing+clearly+chris+monette&qid=1649877435&sprefix=seeing+clearly+c%2Caps%2C76&sr=8-1-fkmr3