The Blind Chick

In this heartfelt episode, Grammy-winning jazz vocalist Diane Schuur (affectionately called "Deeds") returns to The Blind Chick for a deeply personal conversation. She shares updates on her life, the challenges of Meniere’s disease, her transition to assisted living at the Motion Picture Television Fund, and the loss of her beloved cat, Puss Puss. Deeds reflects on the resilience she’s built throughout her career, her 35 years of sobriety, and how she continues to find joy in music, friendships, and storytelling. She also reminisces about Concert in the Dark, her past experiences on the show, and her connection with hosts Penn and Moses Street. ✨ Stay tuned for Part 2, where Deeds has a special birthday surprise for Penn! Chapter Markers 📌 00:00 – Welcome to The Blind Chick 📌 00:27 – Penn’s upcoming birthday & a past birthday surprise 📌 02:46 – A special global birthday card idea for Penn 📌 04:58 – Introducing guest Diane “Deeds” Schuur 📌 07:20 – Deeds’ diagnosis with Meniere’s disease 📌 09:49 – A major life transition & moving to an assisted living facility 📌 13:37 – Reflecting on Concert in the Dark 📌 16:05 – The loss of Puss Puss, her beloved cat 📌 18:28 – Finding peace and spreading joy despite life’s challenges 📌 20:54 – Celebrating 35 years of sobriety 📌 22:50 – Singing & playing piano at her new residence 📌 25:12 – Memories of impromptu piano performances with Penn & Moses 📌 27:37 – Looking ahead: What’s next for Deeds? 📌 30:00 – Closing thoughts & Part 2 preview Follow & Connect 📢 Share this episode to help The Blind Chick continue growing! 💌 Send Penn a birthday card! Let’s fill her mailbox with love. 📍 Website: Aftersight.org 📩 Email: feedback@aftersight.org 📞 Contact: (720) 712-8856 🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe & tune in next week for Part 2!

In this episode of The Blind Chick, we continue our conversation with Dr. L Penny Rosenblum, diving deeper into education, advocacy, and empowering individuals with low vision. Penny discusses strategies for parents raising children with blindness, the importance of realistic expectations, and how small steps in advocacy can lead to big changes. We also explore transportation challenges, the impact of policy changes on accessibility, and how individuals can take action in their communities. Plus, a special birthday surprise for Penn Street—make sure to send in your birthday cards and messages! Chapter Markers 00:00 – Introduction & Penn’s Birthday Surprise 02:16 – Recap of Part 1 & Introduction to Penny Rosenblum 04:34 – Overcoming Overprotective Parenting 06:58 – Teaching Kids Life Skills & Responsibilities 09:20 – The Importance of Explaining the World to Blind Children 11:32 – Navigating Transportation Challenges with Low Vision 13:48 – Adapting to a Life Without Driving 15:58 – Teaching Children to Use Different Forms of Transportation 17:50 – The Impact of Policy Changes on Accessibility & Inclusion 20:10 – The Future of Advocacy in the Blind & Low Vision Community 22:29 – How to Stand Your Ground & Advocate for Rights 24:50 – Encouragement to Take Small Steps in Advocacy 27:15 – Final Thoughts & The Power of Planting Seeds of Change

In this episode of The Blind Chick, Penn and Moses Street sit down with Dr. Penny Rosenblum, an educator and advocate who has made a significant impact in the field of visual impairment. They discuss her background, her personal journey with low vision, and the role her mother played in shaping her advocacy skills. Dr. Rosenblum shares valuable insights on self-advocacy, the importance of accessible education, and strategies parents can use to empower their children with blindness or low vision. Additionally, Moses kicks off the episode with a special birthday initiative for Penn, encouraging listeners to send physical birthday cards instead of just virtual greetings. This is Part 1 of a two-part conversation, with Part 2 airing next week. Chapter Markers: 📍 00:00 – Introduction to The Blind Chick 📍 01:10 – Special birthday initiative for Penn Street 📍 04:00 – Welcoming guest Dr. Penny Rosenblum 📍 06:30 – The story behind Penny’s name 📍 09:00 – Early childhood experiences and vision challenges 📍 13:00 – The role of advocacy in education 📍 15:30 – Choosing a career in teaching and visual impairment advocacy 📍 18:00 – The importance of having an adaptive ‘toolbox’ 📍 20:25 – Encouraging children to be self-advocates 📍 22:50 – Teaser for Part 2 airing next week Contact & Engagement: 📬 Send Penn a Birthday Card! 📍 Address: 1700 55th Street, Suite A, Boulder, CO 80301 📣 Want to support the show? Leave a review and share this episode! Follow Aftersight’s other podcasts: Blindsight – Exploring mental health and addiction recovery Navigating Life with Vision Loss – A new season on advocacy launching soon! Blind Level Tech – Exploring the latest in accessible technology 📧 Contact us: jonathan@aftersight.org 📞 Voicemail/Text: (720) 712-8856

In this inspiring episode of The Blind Chick, Penn and Moses sit down with Clark Reynolds, a blind artist who is revolutionizing Braille by bringing it into the 21st century. Clark shares his journey as an artist, his advocacy for Braille accessibility, and his upcoming children’s book, Mr. Dot and His Magical White Cane Adventures. The conversation touches on breaking barriers in the art world, the importance of universal Braille, and the power of community in creative industries. Clark discusses his efforts to integrate Braille into everyday spaces, his dream of making Braille signage more accessible and aesthetically pleasing, and how art has been his light in a world that is getting darker. The conversation also explores the societal perception of disability, the parallels between blind individuals and the X-Men, and the importance of collaboration in breaking stereotypes. 🔹 Key Topics: The importance of Braille and making it universal Clark’s journey as a blind artist and his struggles in the art world Using art to challenge perceptions of disability His book Mr. Dot and His Magical White Cane Adventures The need for community among disabled artists Advocacy for better Braille signage and accessibility 📌 Guest Contact Info: 🌐 Website: Seeing Without Seeing 📷 Instagram: @ClarkReynoldsOfficial Chapter Markers: ⏱️ 00:00 – Introduction (Jonathan Price opens the show) ⏱️ 00:30 – Recap of Previous Episode (Clark Reynolds Pt. 1) ⏱️ 02:16 – Clark Reynolds Introduces His Passion for Braille ⏱️ 04:40 – Advocating for Universal Braille Use ⏱️ 06:58 – Challenges of Braille Accessibility in the UK vs. US ⏱️ 09:23 – Clark’s Journey as a Blind Artist ⏱️ 11:49 – Breaking Barriers in the Art World ⏱️ 14:07 – The X-Men Analogy: Embracing Superpowers ⏱️ 16:24 – Building a Community of Blind Artists ⏱️ 18:53 – Clark’s Upcoming Book: Mr. Dot’s Adventures ⏱️ 21:17 – The White Cane: A Symbol of Freedom, Not Disability ⏱️ 23:40 – Encouraging More Braille in Public Spaces ⏱️ 26:01 – Final Thoughts & Clark’s Message to the World ⏱️ 28:24 – Closing Remarks & Where to Find Clark’s Work

n this episode of The Blind Chick, hosts Penn Street and Moses Street welcome Clark Reynolds, an extraordinary blind Braille artist and soon-to-be-published author. Clark shares his journey growing up with low vision, his love for art, and how he transformed his artistic expression after losing his sight. He discusses his innovative Braille-based artwork, which not only creates beautiful visual pieces but also gives blind individuals a deeper, more meaningful experience. His unique approach challenges the traditional way art is consumed, making Braille an artistic and storytelling medium. The conversation also touches on Clark's experiences with homelessness, his career in dental artistry, and his upcoming projects, including Braille portraits and educational toys that teach Braille in a fun and engaging way. Clark’s inspiring journey and artistic vision redefine accessibility in the art world, proving that blindness is not a barrier to creativity. Episode Highlights & Chapter Markers 00:00 - Welcome to The Blind Chick! Introduction by Penn and Moses Street. 02:07 - Introducing Clark Reynolds: The Braille artist and soon-to-be author. 03:27 - Clark’s background: Growing up with low vision and discovering art at age six. 08:08 - The impact of vision loss and navigating life changes. 10:31 - The shift from dental artistry to exploring tactile art. 17:30 - Learning Braille in just three weeks and using it as an artistic medium. 19:54 - Creating Braille typography and art that tells stories. 22:14 - Braille portraits, the Donald Trump piece, and upcoming projects. 24:36 - Changing how blind individuals experience art vs. sighted people. 26:57 - Clark’s work in education: Teaching over 13,000 children Braille through art. 28:00 - Upcoming projects: Educational toys, Braille puzzles, and a Braille cube. 29:30 - Outro: Teasing Part 2 and other Aftersight podcasts. Listen & Subscribe 🔹 Follow The Blind Chick on your favorite podcast platform! 🔹 Check out other Aftersight podcasts: Blindsight – Mental health in the blind community Blind Level Tech – Accessible technology Navigating Life with Vision Loss – Advocacy season coming soon! 📢 Help Us Grow! ⭐ Leave a 5-star review and share with your family & friends!

In this powerful follow-up conversation, The Blind Chick welcomes back Marty Sobo to continue the discussion on emergency preparedness for individuals who are blind or have low vision. Marty shares firsthand experiences from surviving the California wildfires, highlighting critical gaps in emergency alert systems, evacuation challenges, and the importance of self-advocacy, community support, and preparedness strategies. This episode builds on Part 1, where Marty shared the harrowing details of his experience navigating the LA fires. If you haven’t heard it yet, be sure to listen to Part 1 to fully grasp the impact and significance of this conversation. Key Topics & Takeaways: ? Alert System Inefficiencies: Why emergency alerts vary by location and how some fail to reach those who need them most. ? Disaster Preparedness for the Blind Community: Practical steps to create a personal evacuation plan, including backup supplies, accessible communication strategies, and designating safe meetup locations. ? The Importance of Knowing Your Neighbors: Building relationships with your local community can be life-saving in an emergency. ? How to Prepare in Advance: The significance of having a "go bag," storing essential documents at multiple locations, and keeping extra mobility aids (like a folding cane) with trusted family members or friends. ? Emergency Drills & Rehearsing Your Plan: How practicing evacuations can reduce stress and panic when disaster strikes. Chapter Markers: ? 00:00 – Intro: Welcome to The Blind Chick! Why this episode matters. ? 01:15 – Recap of Part 1: Marty Sobo’s experience with the LA fires. ? 02:30 – Emergency Alert Systems: Why accessibility is a major issue. ? 05:00 – California vs. Colorado: How disaster notifications vary by state. ? 08:45 – The Role of Fire Departments & Local Agencies. ? 12:10 – How to Build a Personal Emergency Plan. ? 16:00 – Self-Advocacy: What to communicate with neighbors & emergency responders. ? 19:30 – The Importance of Practicing Evacuation Plans. ? 24:00 – Final Thoughts: Marty’s key takeaways on disaster preparedness. ? 27:30 – Closing Remarks: Stay prepared & connected! ? Call to Action: ? Enjoyed this episode? Please leave a review on your favorite podcast platform! Your feedback helps us grow and reach more listeners. ? Share this episode with your friends, family, and community—preparedness saves lives! ? Questions or suggestions? Email us at [Insert Email] or follow us on social media at @Aftersight. ? Subscribe to The Blind Chick wherever you listen to podcasts!

This episode of The Blind Chick dives into the harrowing realities of navigating natural disasters as a blind individual. Hosts Moses and Penn Street welcome back Marty Sobo, who shares his firsthand experience of the devastating California wildfires. The discussion highlights the challenges posed by environmental disasters, from emergency evacuations to the importance of preparedness. Marty also recounts his insights from working in fire service and how blind individuals can better prepare for emergencies. Listeners gain a deep understanding of the unique hurdles faced by those with vision loss during disasters and practical steps for creating an emergency plan. Stay tuned for Part 2, where Marty will provide detailed advice on assembling a go-bag and creating a robust preparedness strategy. Chapter Markers: 00:00 – Introduction and Overview 02:18 – Welcome Back: Marty Sobo Returns 04:41 – Firestorm Beginnings: Marty’s Account 07:02 – Evacuation Challenges and Traffic Chaos 11:46 – Horror Stories from the Frontlines 14:04 – Preparing for the Unexpected 16:26 – Lessons from the Field: Marty’s Fire Service Background 20:59 – Practical Emergency Preparedness Tips 23:12 – The Reality of Alerts and Miscommunication 27:59 – Closing Remarks and Preview of Part 2

This episode of The Blind Chick continues the conversation with Raquel Perez, a licensed couples and sex therapist, focusing on the intersection of intimacy, mental health, and personal growth. Raquel shares insights into therapy approaches, including ketamine-assisted therapy, and discusses the significance of creating a safe space for exploration and self-awareness. The hosts, Penn and Moses, reflect on their personal experiences with therapy and the role of curiosity in overcoming societal taboos surrounding sex, drugs, and vision loss. Raquel emphasizes the importance of addressing trauma, fostering open dialogue, and finding safety to explore one's inner world. Chapter Markers: 00:00 – Introduction and content warning by Jonathan Price 02:19 – Understanding lived experiences and their impact on intimacy 04:30 – Normalizing discussions about sex and relationships through humor 06:50 – Raquel’s unique approach to couples and sex therapy 09:12 – Ketamine therapy: Process, benefits, and misconceptions 13:42 – Addressing societal stigmas surrounding drugs and therapy 16:09 – Drawing parallels between taboo topics like sex and drug use 18:31 – Importance of breaking the secrecy surrounding vision loss 20:52 – The role of curiosity and open conversations in healing 23:09 – How to contact Raquel Perez and her therapy modalities 25:14 – Final thoughts: Embracing curiosity, insight, and self-awareness Contact Information: Raquel Perez Website: www.intimacounseling.com Email: Raquel@intimacounseling.com Social Media: @RaquelPerez.Intima (YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok) Have questions for Raquel Perez or the hosts? Email us at feedback@aftersight.org or call (720) 712-8856. Don’t forget to tune in next week for more insightful discussions!

This episode of The Blind Chick dives into a candid and eye-opening discussion about sex education, intimacy, and navigating the complexities of relationships within the blind and low-vision community. Guest Raquel Perez shares her journey from being a young mother with retinitis pigmentosa to becoming a sex therapist, highlighting the importance of normalizing conversations about sexuality. The episode addresses stigma, the impact of cultural and familial silence around sex, and the unique challenges faced by blind individuals in learning about intimacy. Key topics include: The evolution of Raquel’s career and her experiences with vision loss. Addressing the lack of sex education for blind youth and its consequences. Strategies for fostering open dialogue about sex and intimacy, starting in childhood. How societal perceptions shape our understanding of relationships and sexuality for atypical populations. Content Warning: This episode contains adult content and is not suitable for young listeners. Chapter Markers: 00:00 – Listener Discretion Advised 00:50 – Introduction to Raquel Perez and Her Journey 02:49 – Navigating Vision Loss and the Spectrum of Blindness 07:30 – Challenges of Shame and Visibility in RP Families 12:10 – Raquel's Path to Becoming a Sex Therapist 16:40 – Sex Education and Advocacy for the Blind Community 21:24 – Shifting Perspectives on Sex and Normalizing Conversations 23:49 – Cultural Silence and Sex in Retirement Communities

In this heartwarming episode of The Blind Chick, Penn and Moses welcome Denise Leigh for the third and final part of their incredible conversation. Denise, a blind musician, cancer survivor, and mother, shares her inspirational journey through life, career, and motherhood. From discussing her groundbreaking role in Britain's disability arts scene to her appearances on Britain's Got Talent and performances at iconic venues like the London Paralympics, Denise offers insight into her resilience and mindset. The episode explores the "secret sauce" for success among blind individuals, the importance of visibility in the arts, and the role of advocacy in breaking down barriers. Denise also shares personal stories, such as her son's cheeky reaction to her Operatunity win and her methods for navigating the stage as a blind performer. As the conversation wraps up, Denise emphasizes the critical role of support and belief in helping children with disabilities achieve their dreams. Listeners are reminded of the value of programs like The Blind Chick and how they can support Aftersight’s mission to empower the blind and low-vision community. Chapter Markers 00:00.077 – Introduction by Jonathan Price 02:22.402 – Denise Leigh: The Secret Sauce of Thriving Blind 03:47.728 – "I'm a Musician Who Happens to Be Blind" 06:01.424 – From Operatunity to Britain's Got Talent 08:19.464 – Challenges and Triumphs in Mainstream Arts 10:40.137 – Navigating Blindness on Stage 13:07.561 – BGT Audition and Simon Cowell’s Encouragement 15:29.043 – Denise’s Sons React to Her Success 17:46.549 – Reflections on Parenting and Advocacy 19:48.841 – Closing Thoughts and Future Collaborations 24:27.861 – Call to Action: Supporting Aftersight