Navigating Life with Vision Loss

Aftersight
  • 5.0 (5)
  • NON-PROFIT
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
Navigating Life with Vision Loss

"Navigating Life with Vision Loss" is an AINC original podcast. In this weekly 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. 12/31/2024

    New look for NLVL 2025

    Episode Title: Looking Ahead to 2025 Host: Kim Wardlow Guest: Jonathan Price Episode Overview: In this special New Year’s episode, host Kim Wardlow is joined by Aftersight Podcast Producer Jonathan Price to discuss exciting changes coming to Navigating Life with Vision Loss and updates on Aftersight's other podcasts. Jonathan shares insights into NLVL’s new seasonal format, the topics for the Spring and Fall 2025 seasons, and how listeners can contribute questions and guest suggestions. They also highlight Aftersight’s other podcasts (Blind Level Tech, The Blind Chick, and Blindsight) and tease collaborations, live events, and outreach plans for 2025. Key Highlights: Seasonal Format for NLVL: Starting March 2025, NLVL will adopt a seasonal structure with two 16-episode seasons per year, focusing on advocacy in Spring and safety in Fall. Call for Listener Input: Encouragement for listeners to submit questions, topic ideas, and guest suggestions. Other Aftersight Podcasts: Updates on Blind Level Tech, The Blind Chick, and Blindsight, including their unique focuses and growing global recognition. Upcoming Initiatives: Plans for live events, conference appearances, expanded social media presence, and community outreach sessions in 2025. Chapter Markers: 00:29 – Introduction and holiday reflections with Jonathan Price. 04:46 – Overview of changes to Navigating Life with Vision Loss. 07:39 – Details on the new seasonal format and Spring 2025 advocacy focus. 13:22 – Highlights from Aftersight’s other podcasts. 20:09 – Community outreach plans and feedback opportunities. 23:06 – Closing thoughts on upcoming programming and a Happy New Year.

    25 min

  2. 12/24/2024

    Yearly planning and Goal Setting

    Episode Title: New Year, New Goals Host: Kim Wardlow Guest: Charlie Kramer Episode Overview: In this special New Year’s Eve episode, host Kim Wardlow is joined by guest Charlie Kramer to discuss setting meaningful and achievable goals for 2025. They delve into strategies for creating effective goals, tracking progress, and managing challenges like fear of failure and unexpected obstacles. Charlie shares his personal experiences and insights on balancing ambition with grace and offers practical tools for staying accountable and focused throughout the year. Key Highlights: Reflecting on 2024: Kim and Charlie discuss looking back at accomplishments and lessons learned. Breaking Down Goals: Tips on setting specific, measurable goals with smaller benchmarks. Prioritization: Distinguishing between present priorities and long-term goals. Accountability Tools: How to leverage apps, coaches, or trusted friends to stay on track. Failure as Growth: Embracing failure as an opportunity to learn and move forward. Kindness and Courage: Encouraging self-compassion and bravery in setting and pursuing goals. Chapter Markers: 00:00 – Introduction and episode overview. 01:35 – Guest introduction: Charlie Kramer’s reflections on 2024 and personal milestones. 03:46 – Goals vs. resolutions: A fresh approach to New Year planning. 07:40 – Setting specific goals and breaking them into smaller steps. 11:30 – Categorizing goals and identifying present priorities. 15:22 – Accountability strategies and tools for success. 19:22 – Flexibility in the face of challenges and reframing failure. 23:41 – Reassessing and adjusting goals over time. 27:43 – Writing goals down: The key to clarity and focus. 31:17 – Final advice: Be kind and courageous with yourself.

    32 min

  3. 12/17/2024

    Staying Connected with Family Durning the Holidays

    In this episode of Navigating Life with Vision Loss, host Kim Wardlow welcomes Bill Lundgren back to discuss strategies for staying connected with loved ones during the holiday season. They explore how vision loss impacts relationships, share insights on overcoming barriers, and discuss the importance of communication, setting boundaries, and embracing technology to maintain meaningful connections. Kim also expresses gratitude to all who donated on Colorado Gives Day, emphasizing the support it provides for Aftersight's programs, including virtual book clubs, peer support groups, and white cane distribution. Chapter Markers: 00:05 - Welcome to Navigating Life with Vision Loss 02:21 - Vision loss and its impact on relationships 04:25 - Circles of connection: Maintaining relationships 06:42 - Asking for help: Changing perspectives 10:21 - Overcoming internal barriers to connection 12:41 - Initiating and deepening relationships 17:03 - Balancing effort in relationships 18:48 - Using technology to stay connected 21:02 - Adapting to changing relationships 25:08 - Levels of intimacy and connection 27:36 - Choosing which relationships to nurture 30:02 - Closing thoughts and upcoming episodes Contact Information: Phone: (720) 712-8856 Email: feedback@aftersight.org

    30 min

  4. 12/10/2024

    Shopping Made Easy

    In this episode of Navigating Life with Vision Loss, Kim Wardlow is joined by Penn Street from The Blind Chick Podcast to explore strategies for making holiday shopping easier and more enjoyable for those with low vision. From the accessibility challenges of online shopping to the benefits of shopping local and personalized gift ideas, Penn shares her insights and experiences. They discuss using assistive technologies like Be My Eyes, the joy of giving experiences over material gifts, and the importance of taking care of yourself during the holiday season. The episode also highlights Colorado Gives Day and encourages listeners to consider charitable giving as a meaningful holiday gift. Chapter Markers 00:31 – Introduction and Colorado Gives Day 02:07 – Welcoming Guest Penn Street and the Holiday Spirit 03:08 – Challenges and Strategies for In-Person Shopping 04:07 – Charitable Giving as a Holiday Gift 05:45 – Benefits of Online Shopping and Accessibility Challenges 09:13 – Personalizing Gift Lists and Using Technology 12:00 – Navigating Tactile and Sentimental Gifts 16:00 – Funny Anecdotes from Shopping Experiences 17:23 – Accessibility Issues in Online Shopping Platforms 21:02 – Giving Experiences and Non-Material Gifts 26:20 – Personalizing Strategies for Stress-Free Shopping 30:11 – Self-Care During the Holidays 32:12 – Closing Thoughts and Holiday Wishes Contact Information Aftersight Website: aftersight.org Phone: (720) 712-8856 Email: feedback@aftersight.org Guest Contact Penn Street: Co-host of The Blind Chick Podcast

    33 min

  5. 12/03/2024

    Holiday Cooking: Taste Without Sight

    Episode Title: Holiday Cooking: Taste Without Sight In this episode of Navigating Life with Vision Loss, host Kim Wardlow sits down with Debra Erickson, founder of The Blind Kitchen, to discuss adaptive tools, techniques, and tips for holiday cooking with vision loss. Debra shares her expertise on making cooking safe, enjoyable, and accessible while helping listeners maintain traditions and create memorable meals. From mastering mashed potatoes to baking perfect pies, this episode offers practical advice to navigate the kitchen confidently. Debra also highlights tools available on The Blind Kitchen's website, including the boil alert disc, adaptive measuring spoons, locking lid pans, and more. Whether you’re hosting a large gathering or perfecting a favorite family recipe, this episode inspires listeners to embrace cooking despite vision challenges. Additionally, Kim reminds listeners to support Aftersight for Colorado Gives Day on December 10th. Donations can be pre-scheduled at ColoradoGives.org by searching for Aftersight. Contact Information: Aftersight: Visit ColoradoGives.org and search for Aftersight to donate or learn more. The Blind Kitchen: Explore tools, recipes, and tips at TheBlindKitchen.com. Chapter Markers: 00:10 - Introduction: Aftersight and Colorado Gives Day 00:29 - Welcome to the Holiday Series 01:37 - Meet Debra Erickson 01:59 - Overview of The Blind Kitchen 03:06 - Addressing Safety Concerns 03:51 - Relying on Non-Visual Senses in Cooking 04:40 - Tools That Make Cooking Accessible 06:11 - Holiday Gift Ideas for Cooks with Vision Loss 08:21 - The Science Behind the Boil Alert Disc 09:14 - Adaptive Measuring Tools 13:03 - Non-Tool Cooking Tips and Techniques 16:11 - Cooking a Holiday Staple: Mashed Potatoes 24:12 - Maintaining Identity Through Cooking 25:36 - Baking Pies with Vision Loss 31:26 - Hosting Tips for Stress-Free Holiday Meals 35:01 - Traditional Holiday Dishes 36:24 - New Year’s Recipes and Traditions 37:27 - Final Tips and Words of Encouragement 39:17 - Cooking on Different Stove Types 40:09 - Closing and Resources Enjoy this holiday-themed episode as you navigate life with vision loss and create delightful meals for your loved ones!

    41 min

  6. 11/26/2024

    Family Gatherings and Finding Joy: Navigating the Holidays with Vision Loss

    Host Kim Wardlow welcomes Bill Lundgren, host of Blindsight podcast and licensed psychotherapist, to discuss navigating family gatherings during the holiday season. The conversation covers managing family dynamics, setting boundaries, and finding joy in changing traditions while living with vision loss. Chapter Markers 00:30 - Introduction to the holiday series and today’s topic. 02:29 - Overview of Blindsight podcast and its focus on mental health. 03:43 - Challenges of family dynamics during the holidays. 06:08 - Managing family roles and past behavioral patterns. 09:15 - Preparing for gatherings and setting boundaries. 13:32 - Coping with changes in loved ones like aging or memory loss. 17:21 - Handling reactions when attending with vision changes. 25:49 - Finding joy in new holiday experiences and traditions. 29:41 - Closing thoughts on flexibility and embracing challenges. ? Support Aftersight and Navigating Life with Vision Loss! Contact: Call us at (720) 712-8856 or email feedback@aftersight.org. Donate: Participate in Colorado Gives Day or schedule your early donation at ColoradoGivesDay.org by searching for Aftersight. Your generosity helps keep these resources free and supports programs like virtual book clubs, white canes, and more. Thank you for your support! ?

    34 min

  7. 11/19/2024

    Holiday Episode #3: Accessible Holiday Decor

    Join host Kim Wardlow and guest Michael Sisneros, Aftersight's Community Outreach Specialist, for a festive episode dedicated to making your holiday decorations both safe and accessible for everyone, including those with low vision. Michael shares practical tips and personal stories on enhancing your holiday décor with tactile, olfactory, and audio elements to make the season memorable and inclusive. Whether it's adding scented pine cones, crafting textured ornaments, or arranging lights for visibility, there are endless ways to ensure a joyful and accessible holiday. Michael, who also cares for his father with low vision, discusses how his family maintains traditions while keeping their holiday home accessible. From a motion-activated train around the Christmas tree to scented ornaments that last for years, Michael brings a wealth of ideas to enrich your holiday season safely. Learn about cost-effective décor solutions, organizational tips, and ways to make your home welcoming for all guests with low vision. Contact Aftersight: Phone: (720) 712-8856 Email: feedback@aftersight.org Colorado Gives Day Reminder Support Aftersight’s mission by donating through Colorado Gives Day and selecting Aftersight as your chosen nonprofit. Early donations are also accepted, with each contribution helping Aftersight receive additional funds through a donation boost. Chapter Markers 00:00 Intro and episode overview 00:11 Decorating tips and caregiving experience 05:20 Accessible décor and family traditions 11:18 Tips on lighting, texture, and sound elements 17:42 Using color and contrast in holiday décor 21:16 Safety considerations for low-vision guests 30:58 Favorite holiday memory and closing remarks

    33 min

  8. 11/12/2024

    Holiday Episode #2: Holiday Travel

    In this holiday episode of Navigating Life with Vision Loss, host Kim Wardlow welcomes guest Ted Tahquechi to discuss accessible travel tips for navigating the busy holiday season. Ted shares valuable advice on managing challenges for travelers with low vision or blindness, covering everything from navigating crowded airports to using technology for luggage tracking and communicating effectively with staff. With practical tips and thoughtful insights, this episode aims to help listeners travel with confidence and ease during the holidays. Contact Information: Guest Contact: Ted Tahquechi’s websites: tahquechi.com - for his art and photography. blindtravels.com - for accessible travel insights. Aftersight Contact: Website: aftersight.org Email: feedback@aftersight.org Phone: (720) 712-8856 Support Aftersight on Colorado Gives Day: coloradogives.org - Search for “Aftersight” to donate and support podcasts like Navigating Life with Vision Loss. Next Episode Preview: Join us next week for an episode on "Holiday Decor with our special guest Michael Sisneros. Episode Highlights and Chapter Markers: Introduction and Holiday Travel Overview – 00:23 Meet Ted Tahquechi – 01:12 Travel Tips for Navigating Busy Spaces – 03:10 Using Technology for Stress-Free Travel – 05:01 Traveling with a Guide Dog – 09:25 Planning for Delays and Layovers – 12:48 Arrival and Navigating Unfamiliar Destinations – 16:00 Booking Accessible Accommodations – 18:16 Common Misconceptions About Accessible Travel – 19:46 Improvements in Accessible Travel Services – 21:11 Finding Community and Resources for Accessible Travel – 26:42 Embracing the Joy of Holiday Travel – 29:40

    34 min
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About

"Navigating Life with Vision Loss" is an AINC original podcast. In this weekly 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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