The Blind Chick

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

Daniel was born in Mexico and came to the US when he was six years old. His family moved straight to KS city, where he was EVENTUALLY diagnosed with a form of Retinitis Pigmentosa. But Daniel struggled - at the time he didn’t speak English and he wasn’t getting the resources he needed to thrive. So, at age seven his family moved again, this time to Estes Park. Daniel still struggled, but in Colorado his life changed. Daniel was given the tools and he put in the work. He wasn’t stopped by doubting teachers, debilitating migraines, or by the 2013 flood (when he lived in Estes Park!). And now, Daniel has started his own business and shares his story on social media. Join Penn and Daniel today! Seeinghands.massagetherapy.com https://twitter.com/danielsworldtv https://www.tiktok.com/@danielsworldtv?lang=en Call: 970 599 0834 Penn@aincolorado.org

This week Penn opens up. She realized that the people that she interviews have shown that bravery - so she decided it was her turn. Some of the guests on Aftersight are born with conditions that cause vision loss, others - like Penn - experience something that forever changes them… like a rattlesnake bite. Penn was a healthy, strong tomboy when she was bitten twice, and the treatment caused a rare reaction that almost killed her. Her body attacked itself, viciously. The result was so bad that she was treated in a burn unit and had to be put into an induced coma. When she came out, Stevens-Johnson Syndrome had damaged much of her body - including her eyes. But - true to the name of the podcast - Penn has really lived AFTER sight. It hasn’t always been easy, in fact, she admits that sometimes it’s been overwhelming and miserable. But she keeps trying and keeps finding strength within. https://aincolorado.org/ https://nobarriersusa.org/

Michelle has put the work in. At birth, her parents were told she would never be able to walk - but today she’s able to do that, and so much more. She skis, rafts, boats, rides a horse... Michelle talks with Penn about the barriers that she faced starting at a very young age. She talks about how hard it was to have her disabilities recognized, how overwhelming it was to be diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy, and about the catharsis that came with her diagnosis. She explores her growth and her and how she came to love herself. That love helped her to heal and to grow. And now that she’s accepted who she is, she has moved to help others who are struggling. Michelle tutors and has mentored. She’s a monumental person! Join Penn and Michelle today on Aftersight!

On a special episode, Penn and Evan (Aftersight’s Audio Production Technician) go to Vail and ski with Foresight Ski Guides. ?Foresight Ski Guides, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to making challenging recreational opportunities through snow sports both affordable and accessible to visually impaired and blind skiers. Penn and Evan collected the thoughts of the other skiers and guides who joined them on the trip. Hear all about it! https://www.foresightskiguides.org/