The Blind Chick

The Blind Chick Podcast Summary In this episode of The Blind Chick, your hosts Penn and Moses Street dive into a conversation with Chelsea Elder from Adaptive Adventures. Together, they explore the power of adaptive sports and how they create a supportive, tight-knit community for people with disabilities. Chelsea shares the excitement of their unique Dragon Boat Racing program and how it fosters camaraderie and confidence, especially for participants with blindness or low vision. She also highlights other inclusive programs at Adaptive Adventures, from kayaking and paddleboarding to indoor fitness and climbing. Throughout this episode, you'll learn how Adaptive Adventures works to reduce barriers for individuals of all abilities, connecting them to a range of year-round activities and even offering specialized programs for veterans. Don’t miss this inspiring discussion on how these adaptive programs empower participants to embrace challenges and discover new passions. Contact Information: Aftersight Website: aftersight.org Phone: (720) 712-8856 Email: feedback@aftersight.org Adaptive Adventures Website: adaptiveadventures.org Email: info@adaptiveadventures.org Colorado Gives Day Support Aftersight and Adaptive Adventures on Colorado Gives Day, happening on December 10th! Your donations help keep these programs thriving and accessible. Contribute to help expand resources for the blind and low vision community across Colorado. Chapter Markers: 00:00 – Welcome to The Blind Chick 00:28 – Message from Producer Jonathan Price 02:43 – Introducing Chelsea Elder and Adaptive Adventures 04:34 – Dragon Boat Racing and Community Building 06:53 – The Spirit of Dragon Boat Racing 09:11 – Benefits of Adaptive Adventures Programs 11:27 – Getting Started with Adaptive Adventures 13:44 – Dragon Boat Seasons and Continuation 16:03 – Access Adventure Days and Multi-Sport Events 18:15 – Adaptive Adventures Funding and Corporate Partnerships 18:42 – Winter Programs and Indoor Activities 20:48 – Veterans and PTSD Programs 22:55 – How to Get Involved and Volunteer

Join hosts Penn and Moses Street as they tackle misconceptions about blindness and share personal, humorous stories in this episode of The Blind Chick. They’re joined by Chelsea Elder from Adaptive Adventures, who highlights the life-changing impact of adaptive sports programs. Chelsea shares how her organization provides outdoor recreation opportunities across the country for people with disabilities, along with their families and caregivers. From kayaking to Dragon Boat racing, this episode shows that blindness is just the beginning of the adventure. For more on Adaptive Adventures, visit adaptiveadventures.org. Have questions or comments for The Blind Chick? Reach out at (720) 712-8856 or email feedback@aftersight.org. Also, don’t forget that Colorado Gives Day is coming up on December 10th! Donations open on November 1st and support Aftersight’s mission. Make a difference by contributing—it's a great tax write-off and helps us continue our work! Visit coloradogives.org for more information and to donate. Takeaways Blindness is often misunderstood, leading to misconceptions about what blind people look like. Adaptive Adventures provides inclusive sports opportunities for individuals with disabilities and their families. Community engagement is crucial for creating sustainable adaptive sports programs. Lived experience among staff enhances the support provided to participants. Adaptive sports can help individuals with disabilities regain confidence and independence. Inclusion of families in adaptive sports fosters a sense of togetherness and support. The importance of collaboration with other organizations to expand resources and reach. Celebrating small victories can lead to significant changes in individuals' lives. Adaptive Adventures focuses on removing barriers to participation in sports. Creating a supportive community is essential for the success of adaptive sports programs. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to The Blind Chick Podcast 02:50 Exploring Blindness and Perception 06:00 Adaptive Adventures: A Passion for Inclusion 12:05 Community Engagement and Support 18:46 The Importance of Lived Experience 24:00 Celebrating Achievements and Community 26:53 Conclusion and Future Discussions

Welcome back to The Blind Chick! In this episode, Penn and Moses continue their conversation with Tricia, the founder of Blind Girl Designs. Tricia shares her journey in the fashion industry as a blind business owner, discussing how she uses her white cane as a symbol of freedom and how her designs break down stereotypes around blindness. She talks about the inspiration behind her products, the importance of accessibility, and the empowering connections she's made within the blind community. Tune in for an inspiring story of resilience and creativity! Contact Info: Website: Blind Girl Designs Phone: (862) 448-1011 Support Aftersight: aftersight.org Remember to be kind to yourself and someone else—it's good for your soul. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to The Blind Chick Podcast 00:30 Revisiting Tricia's Journey 01:53 Navigating Challenges in Design 05:17 Embracing the White Cane 06:45 Designs that Spark Conversations 10:29 Creative Inspirations and Collaborations 14:16 Breaking Stereotypes of Blindness 19:27 The Impact of Social Media on Blindness Awareness 22:51 Reflections on Identity and Adversity 24:40 Final Thoughts and Community Engagement

In this episode of The Blind Chick, hosts Penn and Moses Street share their relaxing getaway to Colorado’s Hot Sulphur Springs, discussing the importance of self-care and rejuvenation. Special guest Tricia Waechter joins the conversation, sharing her journey with vision loss and how she built her company, Blind Girl Designs, after transitioning from a career in fashion. This episode is full of humor, heart, and inspiration, reminding us all to embrace life’s challenges. Don’t miss part two next week! #TheBlindChick #BlindGirlDesigns #SelfCare #VisionLoss #Resilience Takeaways Self-care is essential for mental and physical well-being. Hot springs can provide a unique and rejuvenating experience. Living with vision loss presents unexpected challenges. Transitioning to blindness can be a difficult journey. Building a business can be a way to reclaim independence. Community support is vital for those with disabilities. Self-accommodation is a common experience for those with vision loss. The fashion industry can be inclusive and adaptive. Embracing change can lead to new opportunities. Finding joy in small moments is important. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to The Blind Chick Podcast 02:23 The Importance of Self-Care 04:41 Living with Vision Loss 12:49 Transitioning to Blindness and New Beginnings 23:28 Building Blind Girl Designs

In this episode of The Blind Chick podcast, hosts Penn and Moses Street dive into an inspiring conversation with Evan Schwabrock, who opens up about his journey of adapting to vision loss from Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy. Evan shares the real challenges he’s faced—both personally and from societal misconceptions about blindness—and how he’s pushed through to prove his capabilities. He also talks about his passion for fitness and empowerment through his initiative, Kane and Able Fitness, which is dedicated to helping the visually impaired community reach their fitness goals. You can learn more about his work at KaneAndAbleFitness.com. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Aftersight at (720) 712-8856 or email feedback@aftersight.org. Tune in to hear how physical fitness can fuel personal growth and help overcome life's obstacles. Takeaways Blindness can be an adventure if we embrace it. Vision loss is only a barrier if we let it be. Adapting to vision loss requires determination and support. Societal perceptions often underestimate the capabilities of the blind. Fitness can empower individuals with visual impairments. Kane and Able Fitness aims to provide accessible fitness resources. Overcoming challenges in fitness can translate to life skills. Movement should be enjoyable, not a punishment. Personal growth often starts with physical fitness. Everyone deserves to feel confident and capable, regardless of disability. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Journey of Blindness 02:25 Evan's Diagnosis and Initial Challenges 07:33 Adapting to Vision Loss and Independent Living 12:09 Overcoming Societal Doubts and Misconceptions 17:00 Kane and Able Fitness: Empowering the Visually Impaired 23:00 The Broader Impact of Fitness on Life Goals

We know you have questions for Penn and Moses. Why not drop them the line and ask them those burning questions that you can't keep inside? Call us at 720-712-8856 or email us at feedback@aftersight.org. In this episode of The Blind Chick podcast, Penn and Moses engage in a heartfelt conversation with Joel Schneider about the journey of training service dogs and the impact they have on individuals with disabilities. They discuss the unique experiences with guide dogs, the training processes involved, and the importance of community support in fostering a better understanding of service animals. The conversation emphasizes the humane treatment of all creatures and the need for more resources and awareness in the field of service dog training. If you would like to find out more about a soul dogs, you can visit their website at https://www.soul-dogs-inc.org/ Takeaways Blindness can be an adventure and a journey of strength. Guide dogs have unique personalities and relationships with their handlers. Soul Dogs operates as a job development program for individuals with disabilities. Training methods for dogs can vary widely, similar to different cuisines. Many guide dogs do not complete their training for various reasons. Humane treatment of all animals is a core value in service dog training. Community involvement is crucial for the success of service dog programs. There are significant costs and time commitments involved in obtaining a service dog. Support for service dog training can come from various community resources. Everyone can contribute to animal welfare by fostering or adopting dogs. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to The Blind Chick Podcast 00:26 The Journey with Guide Dogs 05:13 Soul Dogs: Training and Career Development 10:16 The Process of Guide Dog Training 14:04 Challenges in Service Dog Training 18:45 Community Involvement and Support 22:30 The Importance of Humane Treatment 24:28 Conclusion and Call to Action

Thank you for listening to this episode of the Blind Chick. I know you have questions for Penn and Moses, so why not ask? Give us a call at (720) 712-8856 or email us at feedback@aftersight.org In this episode of The Blind Chick podcast, hosts Penn and Moses Street engage with Joel Schneider, the executive director of Soul Dogs, Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to training service dogs for individuals with disabilities. The conversation explores the mission of Soul Dogs, the process of training service dogs, and the profound impact these animals have on the lives of their handlers. Schneider shares insights into the unique abilities of service dogs, the importance of temperament in training, and the distinction between service dogs and emotional support animals. The episode highlights the healing power of the human-animal bond and the transformative experiences of those involved with Soul Dogs. Takeaways Blindness can be an adventure and a journey of strength. Soul Dogs, Inc. was founded to support individuals with disabilities. The connection between animals and healing trauma is profound. Training service dogs involves understanding their temperament. Service dogs can be trained to detect medical conditions like seizures. The journey of training a service dog is both rewarding and challenging. Emotional support animals differ from service dogs in their roles. Community involvement is crucial for the success of nonprofits like Soul Dogs. Every dog has unique abilities that can be harnessed for support. The bond between humans and dogs is a source of joy and healing. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to The Blind Chick Podcast 02:23 Meet Joel Schneider and Soul Dogs, Inc. 03:20 The Mission and Impact of Soul Dogs 12:41 The Journey of Training Service Dogs 18:24 Understanding the Unique Abilities of Service Dogs 21:10 The Difference Between Service Dogs and Emotional Support Animals

We're so glad you're listening to The Blind Chick. If you have any questions for Penn or Moses, email them at feedback@aftersight.org or give them a call at (720) 712-8856. In this episode, Paula Kissinger is back for part 2 as she talks with Penn and Moses Street. They discuss their experiences with adaptive sports, including swimming, hiking, and working on a cattle ranch. They share tips for swimming in the ocean and hiking with a visual impairment. They also talk about how participating in sports has impacted their lives and provided them with valuable life skills. The episode concludes with a discussion on finding resources and services for adaptive sports. Takeaways There are adaptive ways to participate in various sports, such as swimming and hiking, even with a visual impairment. Participating in sports can teach valuable life skills, such as perseverance and the ability to overcome challenges. Sports can have a positive impact on career choices and relationships. It is important for parents to allow their children with disabilities to experience struggles and learn independence. There are many resources and services available for adaptive sports, and getting involved in a program can be a great experience. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 00:51 Various Sports and Magic Tricks 01:48 Swimming and Echolocation 06:28 Swimming in the Ocean 09:44 Hiking with a Visual Impairment 12:37 Impact of Sports on Career and Relationships 18:50 Working on a Cattle Ranch 21:11 Takeaway: Overcoming Challenges and Finding Independence 21:39 Takeaway: Adaptive Sports for Everyone 22:06 Finding Resources and Services for Adaptive Sports25:23 Conclusion

Summary Paula Kissinger, a guest on The Blind Chick podcast, shares her story of how sports became her compass through vision loss. She grew up loving sports and found a sense of normalcy and community at a summer camp for kids with visual impairments. She discovered her love for judo at the camp and went on to compete in able-bodied competitions. Paula also talks about her passion for skiing and how she learned to ski at a young age. She now mentors young skiers and encourages them to overcome their fears. Takeaways Sports can be a compass for navigating vision loss and provide a sense of normalcy and community. Judo is an accessible sport for people with visual impairments due to its tactile nature. Skiing can be enjoyed by blind and low vision individuals with the help of guides and proper training. Parents should encourage their blind or low vision children to try sports and support their progress. Overcoming fear is an important part of participating in sports and achieving personal growth. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 01:20 Growing Up in Colorado and Moving to Philadelphia 03:40 Paula's Vision Diagnosis and Journey 06:03 Discovering Sports and Judo at Summer Camp 08:23 The Impact of Sports on Paula's Life 10:38 The Accessibility of Judo for People with Visual Impairments 13:29 Skiing with Guides and Overcoming Fears 16:20 Different Styles of Guiding in Skiing 19:11 Paula's Love for Skiing and Favorite Ski Areas 22:40 Paula's Role as a Mentor for Young Skiers 24:08 Encouraging Blind and Low Vision Children to Try Sports 25:52 Overcoming Fear in Sports and Achieving Personal Growth 26:23 Conclusion and Preview of Part 2

Summary The Blind Chick podcast is a platform for people with disabilities to share their stories. The hosts Penn and Moses Street interview individuals from all over the world, including para-Olympians, gamers, photographers, artists, writers, and activists. In this episode, they interview Ted Tahquechi, a blind art photographer, who creates 3D printable art that can be touched and experienced by people with visual impairments. They also interview Jacqueline and Alexa, the creators of the Dateability app, a dating app designed for disabled and chronically ill individuals. Lastly, they speak with Shawn Satterfield, the founder of the Shine Music Festival, which focuses on accessibility and inclusivity in live music events. Takeaways The Blind Chick podcast provides a platform for people with disabilities to share their stories. Ted Takuichi creates 3D printable art that can be experienced by people with visual impairments. The Dateability app is a dating app designed for disabled and chronically ill individuals. The Shine Music Festival focuses on accessibility and inclusivity in live music events. Chapters 00:00 Empowering Stories from Around the World 05:19 Creating Tactile Art for the Visually Impaired 10:47 Finding Love and Connection with the Dateability App 16:18 Promoting Accessibility and Inclusivity in Live Music Events Thank you for listening to this episode of The Blind Chick. It was so much fun seeing you all at the Shine Festival, and we are so blessed to get to do this every week. If you have any questions for Penn and Moses, reach out to us at feedback@aftersight.org or give us a call at (720) 712-8856. Have a great week.