Navigating Life with Vision Loss

Aftersight
  • 5.0 (5)
  • NON-PROFIT
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

"Navigating Life with Vision Loss" is an Aftersight original podcast. In this seasonal format podcast, we answer your questions on a variety of topics surrounding vision loss. Need to know what to do in standing up for yourself? Wondering how to find a counselor or therapist? Do you need to know how to fill out patient forms in a crowded doctor's office? This show is for you. We're giving a voice to the challenges faced by people with blindness or vision loss. We're here as a resource for you, your family, and your friends. This service is made possible by generous donations. Consider supporting us at www.aftersight.org to help keep these resources free. Aftersight also provides free white canes, support groups, and more, all thanks to contributions from our community.

  1. 4D AGO

    Sports 104: Row, Paddle, Swim: Finding Freedom in the Water

    Episode Summary  In this episode of Navigating Life with Vision Loss, Kim Wardlow continues the sports series by diving into aquatic sports with Jillian Stringfellow and Will Rastetter from Envision Blind Sports. Together, they unpack how blind and low-vision athletes can participate in swimming, kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding, and rowing with the right instruction, communication, and support.  The conversation highlights a simple but powerful truth: aquatic sports are far more accessible than many people assume. Jillian and Will explain that most adaptations are not dramatic. They often come down to clearer verbal instruction, guided orientation, hands-on learning, and building trust step by step.  The episode spends meaningful time on swimming, covering early teaching methods like breath control, bubble work, kicking, body positioning, lane orientation, and the use of tappers at the wall. Will also explains how swimmers grow from basic safety and comfort in the water to stronger stroke technique, confidence, and even school team participation.  From there, the discussion moves into kayaking, canoeing, and rowing, where communication, rhythm, and individualized cues become key. Jillian shares how Envision uses partnerships and trained volunteers to help athletes safely try new experiences, while also helping families see what is truly possible.  At its heart, this episode is about confidence. The encouragement is clear: try the sport, trust the process, and let the experience build belief. For many athletes, that first success in the water becomes a doorway into greater independence, community, and courage in the rest of life.  Contact Info  Guests / Organization Jillian Stringfellow, Program Director, Envision Blind Sports Will Rastetter, Swim Coach, Envision Blind Sports Website: EnvisionBlindSports.org General contact: envisionblindsports@gmail.com | (724) 967-4712 Jillian direct contact: jstringfellow@envisionblindsports.org  Aftersight Website: Aftersight.org Podcast: Navigating Life with Vision Loss General contact: contact@aftersight.org | (303) 786-7777 Address: 1805 Hwy 42, Ste 220, Louisville, CO 80027  Producer Credits Jonathan Price, Podcast Producer, Aftersight jonathan@aftersight.org | (720) 712-8856  Show Credits  Host: Kim Wardlow Guests: Jillian Stringfellow and Will Rastetter Organization Featured: Envision Blind Sports Producer: Jonathan Price Network: Aftersight  Chapter Markers  00:00 — Kim opens the aquatic sports episode 01:13 — What Envision Blind Sports does 04:54 — Common misconceptions about blind athletes in water sports 07:05 — “Fearless, Do More” in aquatic settings 10:00 — The biggest fears athletes and families face 12:03 — Encouraging athletes who do not see themselves as athletic 15:13 — How Will teaches brand-new swimmers 20:15 — Lane orientation, walls, turns, and tappers 23:51 — First steps for getting started in swimming 26:31 — Confidence that carries beyond the pool 29:37 — Kayaking and canoeing: instruction, cues, and safety 34:59 — Family involvement, trust, and growing independence 37:56 — Rowing basics and why it works so well 43:20 — Safety habits and confidence tips across sports 46:06 — The moments that remind them why this work matters 48:24 — How to connect with Envision Blind Sports 49:10 — Kim closes and previews next week’s martial arts episode

    51 min

  2. MAR 6

    Kim Wardlow: The Journey Behind Aftersight

    1) Episode Summary  In this special Aftersight Original, Kim Wardlow shares the personal story behind her leadership and the road that led her to become Executive Director of Aftersight. She reflects on growing up in Lamar, Colorado, her early love for creativity, 4-H, cooking, service, travel, and the many work experiences that quietly prepared her for nonprofit leadership.  Kim walks listeners through pivotal moments in her life—from studying abroad in Scotland and working internationally, to volunteering at what was then Radio Reading Service of the Rockies, to unexpectedly finding both her calling and her husband through the organization. She also shares how Aftersight has evolved over the years from volunteer-read programming into a wider community-centered organization offering podcasts, peer support, book club, white canes, and more.  This episode is both a personal milestone and a mission-centered reflection. As Kim celebrates her 60th birthday and approaches 25 years with Aftersight, she invites listeners to see the deeper heart behind the organization: building community, increasing independence, and creating meaningful access for people who are blind, low vision, deafblind, or in need of alternatives to print. The episode closes with an invitation to support Aftersight’s work through her birthday giving campaign.  2) Contact Info  Guest / Organization: Kim Wardlow — Executive Director, Aftersight Aftersight website: aftersight.org Birthday campaign / donations: Visit the donate page at aftersight.org  Aftersight: Aftersight Originals network featuring Navigating Life with Vision Loss, The Blind Chick, Blindsight, and Blind Level Tech  Producer Credit: Jonathan Price — Podcast Producer, Aftersight  3) Show Credits  Special Aftersight Original Featuring Kim Wardlow Opening by Jonathan Price Produced by Jonathan Price Organization: Aftersight  4) Chapter Markers  00:00 — Jonathan’s welcome and special Aftersight introduction 00:53 — Kim introduces herself, Aftersight, and the reason for sharing her story 03:14 — Childhood in Lamar, creativity, 4-H, and early PBS dreams 05:38 — Learning leadership, service, and community values 08:03 — Solar panels, first jobs, and developing a strong work ethic 10:28 — College, Scotland, travel, and broadening her world 12:54 — Early professional life, proposal writing, and service work 15:14 — Volunteering with Radio Reading Service and working at GE Access 17:37 — Friendship, snowshoeing, travel, and a season of transition 20:02 — Layoff, September 2001, and joining Radio Reading Service 22:21 — Meeting Doug, discovering purpose, and seeing the bigger calling 24:43 — Outreach across Colorado, music, and the value of volunteers 27:04 — How Aftersight expanded into podcasts, groups, and broader services 29:29 — Leadership, rebrand, relocation, and adapting through COVID 31:44 — Community, connection, and why the work matters 34:07 — Life purpose, independence, and the mission behind Aftersight 36:31 — Kim’s birthday campaign and invitation to support Aftersight (00:00) - Tempo: 120.0

    38 min

  3. MAR 3

    Sports 103: The Power of Team Sports

    1) Episode Summary  In this episode of Navigating Life with Vision Loss, host Kim Wardlow continues the sports series with a conversation about team sports, adaptive recreation, and the deeper personal growth that comes through play. Guest Ashley Thomas, founder of Bridge to Sports, shares her own story of living with spina bifida, becoming a wheelchair user, discovering sport later in life, and eventually competing at a world-class level in kayaking.  Ashley brings a powerful perspective to the conversation: sport is not just about competition. It is a tool for confidence, independence, resilience, teamwork, communication, and self-discovery. She shares an unforgettable story about doing her first 5K with her daughter, where poor planning turned into a lesson in humility, teamwork, and learning how to communicate needs clearly.  The episode also explores the value of asking for help, how to approach a team environment when you feel like the “new person,” and why it is important to keep trying even when fear, discouragement, or past rejection make it tempting to stay small. Ashley also discusses adaptive team sports and activities that can work well for blind and low-vision athletes, including beep baseball, bocce, cycling, kayaking, and other adaptive options.  The heart of the episode is simple and strong: it is never too late to play, never too late to try, and never too late to discover what you are capable of.  2) Contact Info  Guest / Organization Ashley Thomas Founder, Bridge to Sports  Aftersight Aftersight Email: contact@aftersight.org  Producer Jonathan Price Podcast and Program Producer, Aftersight  3) Show Credits  Show: Navigating Life with Vision Loss Host: Kim Wardlow Guest: Ashley Thomas Producer: Jonathan Price Organization: Aftersight  4) Chapter Markers  00:02 — Kim introduces the sports series and guest Ashley Thomas 01:21 — Ashley shares her background, disability, and love for sport 02:58 — Why sport can be adapted for everyone 05:45 — The deeper benefits of team sports beyond the game itself 07:21 — Ashley’s first race story and lessons in humility and teamwork 21:41 — Finding the sport you love versus the one you are best at 22:29 — How to ask for help and communicate your needs clearly 31:11 — Body positioning, posture, and practical sport readiness 34:45 — Beep baseball and what it teaches about blind athletic skill 37:23 — Blind soccer, hockey, and starting what does not yet exist 39:16 — Bocce as an adaptive team sport option 42:08 — Kayaking and other adaptive opportunities for blind athletes 43:13 — Ashley’s closing encouragement: just do it (00:00) - Tempo: 120.0

    46 min

  4. FEB 24

    Sports 102: No Sight, All Skill: Goalball and the Paralympic Grind with Lisa Tarkowski & EJ Whitney

    1) Episode Summary  In this episode of Navigating Life with Vision Loss, host Kim Wardlow continues the 16-week sports series with a deep dive into goalball—a fast-paced Paralympic sport designed specifically for blind and low-vision athletes.  Kim is joined by Lisa Tarkowski, a six-time Paralympic medalist and multi-sport Paralympian (goalball and track & field), and EJ Whitney, a coach and strength/conditioning professional who has worked closely with U.S. goalball athletes.  Together, they break down:  How goalball started after World War II and evolved into a Paralympic sportHow the game is played (court layout, positions, rules, shot clock, eyeshades, ball with bells)Offensive and defensive strategies, including spin throws and sound-based deceptionWhat it takes to train and compete at the elite/Paralympic levelInjury prevention, recovery, and strength training for high-level goalball athletesHow beginners can get started recreationally through local clubs and demosWhy goalball is such a powerful sport for confidence, teamwork, communication, and skill developmentThe conversation also highlights how adaptive sports environments can become more inclusive through tactile cues, clear coaching communication, and accessible training spaces.  2) Contact Info Guest / Organization Info Lisa Tarkowski — Paralympic goalball athlete (Team USA / Paralympic goalball)EJ Whitney — Goalball coach / strength & conditioning support (Turnstone; Team USA goalball training context)Resource mentioned: USABA (U.S. Association of Blind Athletes) for goalball information, videos, and recreational pathways (referenced in episode/show notes)Aftersight Show: Navigating Life with Vision Loss (Aftersight)Network: Aftersight Podcasts / Aftersight OriginalsProducer Credits Host: Kim WardlowProducer: Jonathan Price 3) Show Credits Podcast: Navigating Life with Vision LossEpisode Topic: Goalball, Paralympic competition, and accessible sports pathwaysHost: Kim WardlowGuests: Lisa Tarkowski and EJ WhitneyProducer: Jonathan PriceNetwork: Aftersight 4) Chapter Markers 00:03 — Kim introduces the sports series and today’s focus on goalball02:13 — Lisa Tarkowski shares her background and how she got into goalball04:39 — Goalball basics: court layout, gameplay, and defensive objective07:08 — Throwing styles, velocity, movement, and offensive techniques09:33 — Listening, bells in the ball, and sound-based strategy11:59 — Positions explained: wings vs. center and physical demands14:23 — How defensive play has evolved (from standing to low-to-ground play)15:03 — What it feels like to compete at the Paralympics17:20 — Common misconceptions about goalball and Paralympic awareness18:41 — Offensive rules, shot clock, and penalty strategy21:01 — Beginner throws and first steps for learning the game23:25 — Lisa’s advice for new players and younger athletes starting out25:48 — Elite training, strength & conditioning, and injury prevention28:10 — Team dynamics, athlete traits, and what coaches look for30:21 — How to get started recreationally and finding local clubs32:47 — Goalball demos, community education, and team-building applications35:13 — Coaching athletes with vision loss and building accessible training spaces37:37 — Audience etiquette, game atmosphere, and final encouragement to try goalball

    41 min

  5. FEB 17

    Sports 101: Beep Baseball Basics — How Beatball Works, Why It Matters, and How to Get Involved

    Episode Summary  Navigating Life with Vision Loss launches a new sports series—covering everything from beginner-friendly fitness routines to extreme sports—and kicks things off with beep baseball (often called “beepball”), an adaptive version of baseball designed for blind and low-vision athletes.  Guest Ethan Johnston shares his background (growing up as the only blind kid in a small Missouri town, originally from Ethiopia) and explains how sports and music became “therapy” for him. He walks listeners through how beep baseball works—key rule differences from traditional baseball, defensive positioning, the role of a sighted pitcher and spotters, why everyone wears blindfolds for fairness, and how outs/runs are determined.  The conversation also explores confidence-building for new players, practice drills, the physical intensity of the sport, travel and camaraderie, the season schedule (including tournaments and the “World Series” style championship), equipment costs, and concrete first steps for getting involved—either as a player or as a sighted volunteer (pitcher/spotter).  Contact Info  Getting involved (as shared in the episode):  Team listings + schedule: NBBA.org (as referenced in the conversation)To watch games: search YouTube/Facebook Live for “beep baseball” + your nearest team name (examples mentioned: “Gateway Archers”)Aftersight (show network): Email: feedback@aftersight.orgPhone: (720) 712-8856Producer credit: Produced by Jonathan Price (Aftersight)Show Credits Podcast: Navigating Life with Vision Loss (Aftersight Original)Host: Kim WardlowGuest: Ethan JohnstonProducer: Jonathan PriceChapter Markers 00:00 — Welcome + sports series kickoff02:23 — Ethan’s background + how he found beep baseball in Colorado04:48 — How the game works: two bases, zones, defense setup07:15 — Pitcher/batter on same team + strikes/innings + mercy-rule talk09:40 — Safety + beeping ball + why you don’t “throw to first”12:02 — Blindfolds + spotters + communication and lane integrity14:14 — How an out is made + close calls + volunteer officiating16:35 — Home run rules + highlight plays + rare catches/double plays19:00 — Building confidence for new players + running to the correct base21:20 — Practice drills + timing + why hitting in the air matters23:20 — Season timeline + training/conditioning routines25:45 — Travel, fundraising, and team camaraderie27:47 — Youth participation + age realities + lack of “minor league”30:12 — Equipment costs + durability (balls/bases)32:38 — How to join: NBBA.org + joining a nearby team even out-of-state34:48 — Longevity in the sport + older players still producing36:22 — Favorite positions + hardest skill (don’t listen to the ball)38:44 — Veteran mindset + unforgettable moments40:52 — How to attend/watch games + final thoughts43:09 — Aftersight show plug + closing remarks (00:00) - Tempo: 120.0

    45 min
  6. S215: Your Safety Questions Answered

    12/09/2025

    S215: Your Safety Questions Answered

    Episode Summary In this wrap-up of the Safety Series, Kim Wardlow and a fellow Aftersight host answer listener questions about real-life safety challenges. Listeners share concerns about traveling alone, involving neighbors in a safety network, feeling secure in public spaces, avoiding online scams, and improving home safety on a budget. Kim and her guest offer practical, honest advice—emphasizing that independence looks different for everyone, small steps matter, and safety includes both tools and community. The episode closes with a reminder to support Aftersight on Colorado Gives Day and to explore Aftersight’s other podcasts for more resources and encouragement. Contact Info Aftersight / Navigating Life with Vision Loss Website: https://www.aftersight.org Phone: (720) 712-8856 Email: feedback@aftersight.org Support Aftersight on Colorado Gives Day: https://www.coloradogives.org → Search Aftersight Other Aftersight Podcasts The Blind Chick Blindsight Blind Level Tech Code Orange Producer Credits Produced by Jonathan Price, Podcast & Program Producer at Aftersight. Audio editing and production coordination also by Jonathan Price. Show Credits Host: Kim Wardlow Guest Co-Host: Aftersight podcast host Producer: Jonathan Price Network: Aftersight Originals Chapter Markers 00:00 – Intro and purpose of the episode 00:25 – Safety Series recap 01:10 – Colorado Gives Day announcement 02:20 – Listener concerns about traveling alone 04:45 – Understanding independence and personal limits 08:15 – Building a supportive safety network 12:00 – How to connect with neighbors 14:15 – Safety while traveling with a cane 16:00 – Tools, instincts, and situational awareness 20:30 – Online scams and digital safety 24:30 – How to verify legitimacy and report fraud 28:40 – Budget-friendly home safety ideas 34:00 – Smart lights, clear paths, and tactile access 38:00 – Importance of safety in everyday life 39:15 – Aftersight podcast recommendations 40:10 – Closing message and encouragement

    42 min
  7. S214: Building Your Safety Network with joe Strechay

    12/02/2025

    S214: Building Your Safety Network with joe Strechay

    1) Episode Summary In this final episode of the safety series, Kim Wardlow explores how to build a strong personal safety network with guest Joe Strechay. Joe explains that a safety network is more than an emergency contact—it’s a mix of trusted people who support day-to-day needs like transportation, home tasks, childcare, employment, and technology. Joe shares how his network evolved through college, cross-country moves, and international film work, emphasizing that each season of life requires different kinds of support. He highlights the importance of reciprocity, clear communication, and knowing when to let someone go if a relationship isn’t dependable. The discussion also covers practical tools like Be My Eyes, Aira, Seeing AI, and accessible travel apps, showing how technology can fill gaps when people aren’t available. Kim and Joe also point to community groups, neighbors, and even realtors as overlooked but valuable connectors. They close by encouraging listeners to step outside their comfort zone, build relationships intentionally, and stay engaged in community—because a strong safety network grows from showing up and supporting others. 2) Contact Info Guest – Joe Strechay Websites: stretcha.org, stretchaconsulting.org, stretcha.net Social: LinkedIn (Joe Strechay), Instagram (Joe Strechay / J Strechay), X/Twitter (Joe Strechay), Facebook (Joe Strechay) Aftersight Learn more at Aftersight.org Production Produced by Jonathan Price 3) Show Credits Host: Kim Wardlow Guest: Joe Strechay Show: Navigating Life with Vision Loss — an Aftersight Original Podcast Producer: Jonathan Price Presented by Aftersight 4) Chapter Markers 00:01 – Wrapping up the safety series 02:18 – What a safety network really is 04:36 – College, vision loss, and early safety networks 06:56 – Keeping support relationships reciprocal 09:23 – Neighbors, hired drivers, and rural safety planning 15:55 – Rebuilding your network after a move 19:27 – Getting lost in Budapest 25:57 – When someone doesn’t belong in your network 27:30 – Tech tools that support your safety network 31:40 – Realtors and local pros as trusted connectors 33:31 – Backup plans and offline prep 35:35 – Get comfortable being uncomfortable 37:11 – Aftersight show roundup

    39 min
  8. S213: Safe to Be You: Parenting, Caregiving, and Blindness with Bethany Joy Boring

    11/25/2025

    S213: Safe to Be You: Parenting, Caregiving, and Blindness with Bethany Joy Boring

    1) Episode Summary Host Kim Wardlow continues the Navigating Life with Vision Loss safety series by exploring what “safety” really means in parenting and caregiving—far beyond outlet covers and baby gates. Guest Bethany Joy Boring, a blind single mom, speaker, author, and mental health coach, shares candid stories about raising three boys while navigating progressive vision loss and hearing loss. Together, Kim and Bethany unpack the balance between protecting kids and letting them grow, how blindness can actually deepen trust and connection within a family, and the emotional side of handing over the car keys—whether you’re a parent losing vision or an older adult facing new limitations. Bethany offers practical ideas for building emotional safety at home (“Do I see you? Do I hear you?”), communicating limits without shame, using technology (yes, including AI and AirTags) as a safety tool, and handling “safety oops” moments—like mistaking the cat’s paw for a ping-pong ball or the microwave crash that became a family legend. The conversation then shifts to caring for older adults who are losing vision, including radical acceptance, grief, and how to avoid turning safety into control. Bethany emphasizes creating a truly safe space for hard conversations, so both caregiver and loved one feel heard, valued, and part of the decisions being made. She closes with a powerful reminder: surviving is good, but thriving is different. Thriving is about what God is doing in and through your life so that others look at you and wonder, “What do they have that I don’t?” Kim wraps up with gratitude for listeners, a reminder about Colorado Gives Day, and a preview of next week’s episode on building your safety network. 2) Contact Info Guest – Bethany Joy Boring • Website: https://stepoutandthrive.com • Link hub: https://bethanybjoy.com Aftersight / Navigating Life with Vision Loss • Website: https://aftersight.org • Be a guest or share feedback: jonathan@aftersight.org • Phone: (720) 712-8856 Producer Contact Jonathan Price Podcast & Program Producer, Aftersight Email: jonathan@aftersight.org Phone: (720) 712-8856 3) Show Credits Show: Navigating Life with Vision Loss — an Aftersight Original Podcast Episode: Parenting, Caregiving, and Safety Host: Kim Wardlow Guest: Bethany Joy Boring (speaker, mental health coach, author) Producer: Jonathan Price Production Support: The Aftersight Team Organization: Aftersight, a nonprofit serving the blind and low-vision community 4) Chapter Markers 00:00 – Welcome, safety series overview, Colorado Gives Day, and introducing Bethany Joy Boring 02:22 – What “safety” really means: physical, emotional, logistical, and relational 04:37 – Blind mom ping-pong story and the accidental cat-claw grab 06:59 – “Did all three of them come from you?”: confronting judgment about blind parenting 09:27 – Raising kids who see people, not labels: conference stories and normalizing disability 11:50 – Blindness, single parenting, and modeling resilience through hard conversations 14:15 – Keys, cars, and independence: teaching a teen to drive while losing vision 16:40 – Being honest with kids about limits, code words, and joking about spiders 19:02 – The escape artist cat, AirTags, and using tech creatively for safety 21:27 – When partners or helpers “over-help”: advocating for independence with grace 23:51 – Supporting older adults losing vision: radical acceptance and shared reality 26:05 – You can’t change what you can’t name: making space for hard truths on both sides 28:30 – Aging, expectations, and not wanting to be a burden: listening before “fixing” 30:56 – Curiosity over assumptions: slowing down and creating a safe atmosphere for change 33:16 – “You protect what you value”: what Bethany’s kids have taught her about safety and worth ...

    45 min
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About

"Navigating Life with Vision Loss" is an Aftersight original podcast. In this seasonal format podcast, we answer your questions on a variety of topics surrounding vision loss. Need to know what to do in standing up for yourself? Wondering how to find a counselor or therapist? Do you need to know how to fill out patient forms in a crowded doctor's office? This show is for you. We're giving a voice to the challenges faced by people with blindness or vision loss. We're here as a resource for you, your family, and your friends. This service is made possible by generous donations. Consider supporting us at www.aftersight.org to help keep these resources free. Aftersight also provides free white canes, support groups, and more, all thanks to contributions from our community.

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