Episodes

  • Blind Chick Designs Part 2

    Blind Chick Designs Part 2
    Oct 17 2024
    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
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    28 mins
  • Blind Girl Designs: Tricia Waechter Part 1

    Blind Girl Designs: Tricia Waechter Part 1
    Oct 10 2024
    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
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    25 mins
  • Evan Schwabrock's Journey: Fitness, Empowerment, and Thriving with Vision Loss

    Evan Schwabrock's Journey: Fitness, Empowerment, and Thriving with Vision Loss
    Oct 3 2024
    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
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    29 mins
  • Joel Schneider - Soul Dogs Part 2

    Joel Schneider - Soul Dogs Part 2
    Sep 26 2024
    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
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    27 mins
  • Joel Schneider: Soul Dogs

    Joel Schneider: Soul Dogs
    Sep 19 2024
    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
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    24 mins
  • Paula Kissinger: Train them how to train you. It's not that hard!

    Paula Kissinger: Train them how to train you. It's not that hard!
    Sep 12 2024
    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
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    27 mins
  • Paula Kissinger: Finding Normalcy and Community Through Sports

    Paula Kissinger: Finding Normalcy and Community Through Sports
    Sep 5 2024
    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
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    27 mins
  • Live From the Shine Festival

    Live From the Shine Festival
    Aug 29 2024
    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.
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    30 mins