EyeCan

Visibility Scotland

5.0 (1)
SOCIETY & CULTURE

EyeCan is a podcast exploring life with blindness and vision impairment through honest conversations and real stories, along with plenty of humour. Join our hosts Audrey Ward and Lara Maudsley as they interview guests from many walks of life, all of whom have lived experience - as do our hosts themselves. Audrey and Lara bring their signature blend of banter, warmth, and curiosity to every episode.

23 MAR

Melanie Barratt

EyeCan: Melanie Barratt - Paralympic gold medalist, world‑record holder, and the first blind woman ever to swim the English Channel. Melanie takes listeners on a gripping journey from her childhood with congenital toxoplasmosis to standing on international podiums… and ultimately to conquering one of the toughest open‑water swims on the planet. Through candid, warm, often funny storytelling, Melanie shares: Episode Highlights Early challenges: Sight loss, and how swimming became her “happy place” and lifelong sanctuary. The making of her documentary Untethered: Meeting filmmaker Danielle online, accessing funding from Sky Sports, and crafting a fully accessible film with audio description, captioning, BSL interpretation, and music by a DeafBlind composer Innovating how blind swimmers navigate open water: From early kayak‑guided attempts to eventually mastering a radio‑guided bone‑conduction system based on clock‑face directions. The emotional reality of swimming the English Channel: The darkness, sickness, mental battles, mantras, moments of doubt, and the powerful impact of hearing messages from home mid‑crossing. Overcoming misconceptions in sport: Raising nearly £18,000 for British Blind Sport — the organisation that first opened the world of swimming to her. How swimming in Montenegro transformed her self‑identity: Leaving her feeling truly seen, celebrated, and proud of being blind. Her mission now: making open‑water swimming accessible for all, challenging event barriers, encouraging young people, and helping others discover the freedom she found in the water. Stay up to date with Melanie Facebook: Blind Girl Swims - Facebook Instagram: @blind_girl_swims Stay up to date with Visibility Scotland To learn more or get in touch, visit Visibility Scotland’s website: Visibility Scotland - You don't need sight to have vision. Stay up to date on all our projects by following us on social media: TikTok: @visibility_scotland Instagram: @visibilityscotland Facebook: Visibility Scotland - Facebook LinkedIn: Visibility Scotland - LinkedIn

32 min
23 MAR

Alan Macdonald

EyeCan: Alan Macdonald - former Oban FM presenter, musician, sound engineer, cycling enthusiast, and the official voice of Lidl’s self‑service checkouts. An uplifting, funny, and deeply human conversation with Alan Macdonald, whose journey through sight loss has shaped a life filled with creativity, resilience, and unexpected opportunities. In this episode, Alan shares how he navigated early eye conditions, lost his sight in his 30s, and rebuilt his confidence through fitness, further education, and rediscovering music. He reveals the steep but rewarding climb of studying sound engineering as a blind student—and how that path led him into radio. Whether you're interested in accessibility, audio production, Scottish radio culture, or simply love a great human story - this episode is for you. Episode highlights Alan’s Sight Loss Journey. A lifetime of eye conditions eventually leads to complete sight loss at 30 — but Alan shares it with humour, honesty, and resilience. Rebuilding life after losing vision: After months of feeling stuck, Alan hits the gym, rebuilds confidence, and finds new direction and strength. Tackling sound engineering without sight: Alan dives headfirst into a sound production course, overcoming inaccessible software, steep learning curves, and a crash‑course in Mac accessibility. From University to Oban FM: What starts as producing jingles turns into hosting his own radio show — with creative workarounds to stop screen readers from going live on-air. Music, bands, and community: Rock guitarist at heart, Alan now teaches at a wellbeing music group, helping others build confidence through songs and acoustic “karaoke.” Becoming the voice of Lidl checkouts: A Facebook ad, a WhatsApp audition, and a review from Alan Cumming lead to Alan winning the nationwide Lidl voice competition. Finding the perfect friendly checkout voice: Alan explains how he created a warm, non‑bossy tone — imagining he was chatting with a friend at the till. How AI and smart glasses empower daily life: Alan shares jaw‑dropping stories of using AI and Meta Ray‑Ban glasses to read menus, sort letters, identify objects, and even write cards independently. Tandem cycling: freedom on two wheels: Alan rediscovers the joy of cycling through tandem riding — full of funny stories, fresh air, and the thrill of speed. Gigs, music, and Glasgow adventures: AC/DC, Oasis, Iron Maiden — if it’s rock, Alan’s there. Music remains a huge part of his life. How football commentary works for VI fans: Alan breaks down highly descriptive, real‑time stadium commentary that makes football fully accessible for visually impaired supporters. A possible return to radio: New accessibility-friendly software could see Alan joining Nevis Radio with a remotely produced show. Alan’s podcast favourites: He recommends Off The Ball for sports fans and Double Tap for anyone interested in accessible tech. Stay up to date with Visibility Scotland To learn more or get in touch, visit Visibility Scotland’s website: Visibility Scotland - You don't need sight to have vision. Stay up to date on all our projects by following us on social media: TikTok: @visibility_scotland Instagram: @visibilityscotland Facebook: Visibility Scotland - Facebook LinkedIn: Visibility Scotland - LinkedIn

26 min
23 MAR

Dr. Karolina (Caroline) Pakėnaitė

EyeCan: Dr. Karolina (Caroline) Pakėnaitė - defying limits, one summit at a time In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Dr. Karolina Pakėnaitė, also known as Caroline — computer scientist, mountaineer, ultra‑runner, and the force behind the DeafBlind Everest Project. Caroline shares her extraordinary journey from earning a PhD in AI to preparing for the ultimate adventure: summiting Mount Everest. Listeners will hear how Caroline, who has Usher syndrome (a form of deafblindness), channels resilience, curiosity, and grit into every challenge she takes on — from developing tactile imagery technology for the visually impaired, to racing ultra‑marathons, to climbing 7,000‑metre Himalayan peaks. Whether you're drawn to adventure, accessibility, determination, or human potential, this is an episode that stays with you. Key episode highlights Becoming Dr. Karolina (Caroline): How she used AI to turn visual photographs into tactile images for blind and partially sighted people. Why she never imagined she was “smart enough” for a PhD — and what kept her going. Living with Usher Syndrome: A clear, relatable explanation of what it means to have Type 2A Usher syndrome. How she balances hearing loss, tunnel vision, and night blindness in daily life and on the mountains. The spark of a mountaineer: How a trip to Everest Base Camp — once thought impossible — lit the fire that changed everything. The moment she realised: “What if I actually could climb Everest?” Training for the impossible: Three years of intensive preparation guided by Everest veteran Dr. Sundeep Dhillon. Milestones: half marathon, winter skills, London Marathon, ultra‑marathon, and the Three Peaks in under 24 hours. How she climbed 6,000m and 7,000m Himalayan mountains to prepare for Everest. Trust on the mountain: The remarkable partnership with her training partner Samar — including running downhill in the dark faster than sighted teammates. Meet Bosley: Her beloved guide dog’s upcoming retirement — and why that transition is so emotional. Advice for Deafblind climbers: Why reading mountaineering books builds safety, intuition, and confidence. Encouragement for anyone who feels “not enough” for their dreams. Follow Caroline’s Everest Journey Instagram: @deafblindeverestproject Website: DeafBlind Everest Project Stay up to date with Visibility Scotland To learn more or get in touch, visit Visibility Scotland’s website: Visibility Scotland - You don't need sight to have vision. Stay up to date on all our projects by following us on social media: TikTok: @visibility_scotland Instagram: @visibilityscotland Facebook: Visibility Scotland - Facebook LinkedIn: Visibility Scotland - LinkedIn

20 min
18 MAR

Ian Hamilton

EyeCan: Ian Hamilton – BBC broadcaster, journalist, storyteller, guide‑dog wrangler, pottery enthusiast, and all‑round brilliant human. In this episode of EyeCan by Visibility Scotland, hosts Lara and Audrey sit down with the incomparable Ian Hamilton—the instantly recognisable voice and personality from BBC Scotland. Ian takes us on a journey through his life, career, and humour-infused outlook, sharing stories that are equal parts inspiring, surprising, and laugh‑out‑loud funny. Hear how a young Ian fell in love with the magic of late‑night radio, how he accidentally tumbled into television, and why saying “yes” (even when unsure) has been his secret ingredient for a decades‑long media career. From changing a guide dog's name from “Ursula” to “Stella”, to navigating sensitive, high‑impact journalism, to dodging well‑meaning but misguided advice—this episode is full of wisdom wrapped in wit. Ian also reflects on disability, identity, and resilience—sharing the philosophy that has carried him through challenges, discrimination, and unexpected opportunities. He explains the importance of people over places, why inclusive communities matter, and the value of humour in staying grounded. And don’t miss the behind‑the‑scenes stories of his documentaries, his blog “Tales of a Blind Reporter,” his pottery hobby, and what he’s currently working on—plus the guide‑dog training documentary we’ll all be eagerly awaiting. Episode Highlights “I always said yes.”: Ian explains his belief that saying yes to opportunities (so long as they’re legal and not dangerous!) is the key to breaking into media—and to personal growth. Early days in radio & accidental TV career: From community radio in Lanarkshire to BBC Radio 4 and beyond, Ian shares hilarious and heartfelt memories from his broadcasting beginnings. Guide-dog stories you’ll never forget: Including why he simply could not return home to Lanarkshire with a guide dog named “Ursula.” Creating meaningful storytelling: Ian opens up about the most challenging and most rewarding documentaries he has worked on, especially stories involving disability, sensitivity, and ethics. Life after school for disabled young people: A powerful reflection on the “cliff edge” of support that many face - and why this topic became one of his most important films. Advice for budding journalists (VI or not): From making your own opportunities to ignoring the naysayers - Ian gives real, practical, motivating tips. On disability and identity: Ian, Lara, and Audrey explore why being blind is just one part of who you are - and how sometimes friends forget you’re blind at all (and why that’s a compliment). Humour as survival (& connection): Ian recounts the phone‑in caller who said nobody liked him because he was disabled - and Ian’s unforgettable response. What’s next for Ian: His blog, his ongoing BBC work, future documentaries, and his next guide dog journey. Stay up to date with Visibility Scotland To learn more or get in touch, visit Visibility Scotland’s website: Visibility Scotland - You don't need sight to have vision. Stay up to date on all our projects by following us on social media: TikTok: @visibility_scotland Instagram: @visibilityscotland Facebook: Visibility Scotland - Facebook LinkedIn: Visibility Scotland - LinkedIn

27 min

4 Episodes

EyeCan is a podcast exploring life with blindness and vision impairment through honest conversations and real stories, along with plenty of humour. Join our hosts Audrey Ward and Lara Maudsley as they interview guests from many walks of life, all of whom have lived experience - as do our hosts themselves. Audrey and Lara bring their signature blend of banter, warmth, and curiosity to every episode.

Creator

Visibility Scotland
Years Active

2k
Episodes

4
Rating

Clean
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EyeCan