Introducing Insights & Sound Bites
Chief Innovation Officer Doug Walker chats with us about the launch of Hadley's newest podcast, Insights & Sound Bites. This new podcast will offer short stories shared by listeners. By tapping into the power of our community, we hope to share ideas, discoveries, and moments of inspiration along the journey through vision loss.
Hadley Presents
Introducing Insights and Sound Bites
Presented by Ricky Enger
Ricky Enger: Welcome to Hadley Presents. I'm your host, Ricky Enger, inviting you to sit back, relax, and enjoy a conversation with the experts. In this episode we discuss a new podcast offering from Hadley, featuring listeners like you. And our guest is Hadley's Chief Innovation Officer, Douglas Walker. Welcome to the show. Hey, good to have you.
Douglas Walker: Hey, Ricky. It's great to be here. I mean, I'm a huge fan of Ricky Enger and of the Hadley Presents podcast, so it really is great to be with you here today.
Ricky Enger: Well, I'm glad you are. It's been a little while since you've been here, but for listeners who maybe this is their first Hadley Presents and they don't know who you are, give us just a brief little intro and tell us about yourself.
Douglas Walker: Well, as you said, I'm the Chief Innovation Officer here at Hadley and I've been with Hadley for about 10 years now. I've been in the past, I guess, known for producing the Apple, all the Apple workshops and stuff like that. Have my hand here and there in all kinds of other little workshops as well, any new types of innovation that Hadley's looking at, concepts and designs and stuff. So, kind of a fun job, I get to dabble in just a bit of everything,
Ricky Enger: Fingers in lots of pies. That's always fun.
Douglas Walker: Yeah. And it's been a while since you and I've done a podcast together, so this one should be a lot of fun.
Ricky Enger: Absolutely. And I kind of teased in the intro that we're actually going to be talking about a new podcast. Wow, that is exciting. Everything that we do at Hadley doesn't happen randomly or by chance. There's always some kind of need or something we think it's going to benefit our learners in some way, otherwise why spend the time and energy doing it? So, what is just the reason or the background behind why we're going to do this new project?
Douglas Walker: When you're new to vision loss, or even not new to vision loss, the whole adjusting to vision loss can be really, really tough. You tend to have your emotions, you're just all over the place. And we hear about people talk about all those stages that you go through, like denial and grief, bargaining, and I think depression's one of those. And hopefully you get to that acceptance in the end.
Well, when we released the Adjusting to Vision Loss Workshop Series, the comments from those workshops really just started flooding in. People were extremely emotional about the series. We were getting comments like, "I wish that someone had told me all of this stuff years ago." And one that really sticks out to me is a comment that says, "I was stuck. I think I can finally move forward now," which is really amazing.
So, the Adjustment Series was really powerful. And for those of you that haven't checked it out, there's four workshops in that. We have Coming to Grips, which talks about all the emotions if you're new to vision loss or if you've had changes in vision. There's one called Tools for Talking About Vision Loss, and that really speaks to different kinds of strategies that you can use to talk with people about your vision loss and how to share about it, whether it's your grandchildren or your spouse or your partner.
Then there's Asking for Help and Turning It Down Too, which is actually my favorite because I struggle with that, being able to ask for help. And then not ask for help or saying, "I can do this on my own." So, walking a fine lines at times, so there's some really great tips in there that talk about that. And the last one in the series is Partner to Build Skills and Boost Confidence. And this really speaks to the partner or the family member or the caregiver and gives them strategies on how they can help. Or even when they can back up and know when to let the person take the lead dealing with the vision loss.
People have called in with a lot of comments ever since the Adjustment Series was released, but it's not just all about the Adjustment Series comments. People get really emotional with all of our workshops, and I'm sure you've seen this, Ricky, with the technology workshops.
Ricky Enger: Oh, for sure. I mean, people have those moments of just feeling like there was a problem in their lives. "I can't read the birthday cards that are sent to me anymore," or "I can't see my phone and I used to use it to communicate with my family, and now what do I do?" And then those moments of, "Wow, look at me, I learned all this and oh, how much better do I feel."
Douglas Walker: Yeah. Well, it's those same types of comments that I mentioned earlier. And with technology I hear some of those too or see those comments, where "Thought I'd never be able to use the technology, and then I found the Hadley Technology workshops." And we've heard this with the technology, but also daily living, just our cooking workshops are super popular as well. That's kind of why we started thinking about a new podcast. It's a place where people can share their own insights and their own journey through vision loss.
Ricky Enger: This sounds incredible. I actually, I love the title of this, it's Insights and Sound Bites. I think that's so clever. I guess it really, right there in the title, says a bit about how this is going to work. What exactly is that podcast going to look like? How do we get this stuff from people and put it together? What's it going to be like?
Douglas Walker: Right. Well, it is Insights and Sound Bites. And with all of these great comments started thinking, what if. What if people share their own stories? They're able to give their own strategies. They could share insights that they discovered in their own journey. And it's really cool because it's a podcast in their own words. And at the end of each podcast, we'll prompt the listener with a question. And that question will be something like, "Was there something someone said to you or maybe something someone did for you early on that made all the difference in the world in helping you to adjust?"
It's really cool because we've given people a couple of ways to leave their insights. And we've set up a phone number where people can actually just call in and leave their stories or insights. Or people can record their thoughts on either a smartphone or a computer, and just email us in a recording. But the plan is to release a new podcast about every two weeks. We'll just see how it goes from there.
Ricky, there's nothing more powerful than people sharing with each other. I tell you, I'm super excited about the possibilities because this is really going to give people a chance to be able to really help each other, and I think that's great. So that's how the Insights and Sound Bites podcast is going to work.
Ricky Enger: Wow, I love this. And like you said, this is really tapping into the power of community, the power of sharing things with each other. We've seen this for sure in our discussion groups where people come together and just can share that knowledge with each other, and we know it works. And so having a little podcast where people can do that as well, I am super excited about this. I can't wait to listen.
And actually, if you're listening right now, don't go away because you're going to get two podcasts for the price of one. At the end of this podcast, we're going to share just a sample of what an Insights and Sound Bites podcast is going to be like. It's really short and sweet so if you're thinking, "Oh my goodness, I don't want to hear 20, 25 minutes of this kind of stuff every couple of weeks. I already have podcasts that are that long." This is going to be a little shorter.
If you stick around you can check it out and get an example of what it's going to be like, as well as that information about what the topic is going to be next so that you can provide your own insight and sound bite. And also, what number do you need to call or what email should you send that information to so that it can be included in the next podcast. Wow, how exciting.
Douglas Walker: And I think it's smart, just for people to know these are short, like you said. They're only about three to five minutes. Just hold on here at the end and you'll get that first episode, very first one.
Ricky Enger: Yes. Well, you're my captive audience here and I feel like it's only fair you're going to be voicing the introduction and the conclusion, and maybe little thoughts between all of these stories that we'll get from learners. But I feel like we should give you a chance on the other side of things. So, is there an insight / sound bite that you would share with our listeners? Just something that you've learned through your journey of vision loss that has ... Maybe it took you a while to learn, but it's ultimately been really helpful for you, that you would share with other people?
Douglas Walker: I went through all of those emotions that we briefly talked about earlier. I mean, there's the denial and the depression and all of that. I've been losing vision slowly over a really long period of time. I've found that I go through a lot of those same emotions all over again each time I have even just a tiny change in my vision.
Thankfully I've learned over time that it's okay to go through all of those emotions, and to give yourself the opportunity to grieve because it really is a loss. But I've also learned that the waves of all of those emotions, they do get smaller over time. But it's okay to give yourself the time you need and to really focus on giving yourself a break. So that would be my insight. And you know what? Turnabout, Ricky, is fair play. Ricky, do you have any insight that you'd like to share or just anything you'd like to share about your journey or something that really sticks out?
Ricky Enger: I guess for me it's different for me because I have been blind all my life so the journey is different. But something I have noticed is just to acknowledge that people are really uncomfortable with blindness or vision loss. And it's not always the person experiencing that vision loss who's the most uncomfortable with it, it's the other people who are watching or observing. And for a long time, I felt like it was my job to fix that, to make people feel comfortable with me. And to the point where I could put myself in some very uncomfortable situations just to make other people feel better.
And so, there was this sense of don't take up too much space in the world and don't be a bother. And I realized over time that that was not a healthy way to approach things. It wasn't helpful for me, and it wasn't really helpful for the people around me that I would encounter. I just feel like, if people know that it's okay and if other people are uncomfortable with you, it's not a thing that you need to take personally, just feel comfortable with yourself and what you need to do. And honestly, the rest follows. When you feel solid and okay with yourself, that projects outward and people can be more relaxed without your having to try so hard at it.
Douglas Walker: That's so powerful. I mentioned it earlier, but there really is, Ricky, nothing more powerful than people sharing their own journey. And I'm really excited. This is going to give people a chance to be able to share things like you just shared and to be able to really help each other. And I can't wait until these launches.
Ricky Enger: Absolutely, I am really excited about it as well. Thank you so much, Douglas, for joining us and for sharing what you have, because sharing your journey is powerful too. And I just am so looking forward to people having the opportunity to do this. So, thanks for spending a little time with us. And for the listeners, don't go away, stay tuned. And next up is the first Insights and Sound Bites. Thanks so much.
Voice 1: You cannot do this alone. You need people who are experiencing the same thing.
Voice 2: Probably the hardest part was just navigating through the emotions of it.
Voice 3: Think if this had happened to a dear friend of yours, how much you would feel for him or her.
Douglas Walker: Hello, and welcome to the Insights and Sound Bites Podcast. My name is Douglas Walker. When you’re new to vision loss your emotions can be all over the place. Today we’ll be hearing from Larry. Larry will be sharing some of the things that helped him work through the emotions of vision loss when he was first diagnosed.
Larry Carlson: I mean, I was in a fog, a funk if you will. I was shellshocked that I'd been, I can see, but I can't see. I shouldn't drive. What does that mean? How do I make a living? How do I do the things that I did in life? How do I recreate? How do I associate with people when I can't recognize them? I just see blobs. I mean, they're severely out of focus and the further away they are from me, the harder it is for me to identify them.
It's an unnerving time because you really don't know what to expect. What's going to happen. How am I going to do this? And at some point, you get through the 'why me' stage, and then you've got to get back to your core beliefs, your faith, your training. In my case, it was the army. The survive, adapt, overcome. And once you get that on board, and once you realize that your wife is in it for the long haul. God bless her. She's been with me 40 years. You can do it, but when you first get it, it's tough. It's rough.
Douglas Walker: Larry was in a fog, shellshocked, but he relied on his core beliefs to survive, adapt, and overcome. Yeah, so many of us can relate to exactly what Larry was feeling. Was there something that someone said to you, or something someone did for you early on that made all the difference in the world in helping you to adjust living with vision loss?
We’d love to hear from you. If you’d like to share us, just leave us a message on our Insights and Soundbites podcast voicemail by calling 847-512-4867. Or you can use your smartphone or computer and email us a recording to podcast@hadley.edu. Again, my name is Douglas Walker, take care and I’ll see you next time.
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Podcasts
All Episodes
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Episode 105
Ever thought about getting a guide dog? Listen in as we chat with members Jeff Flodin and Ed McDaniel about their experiences with guide dogs and some common misperceptions.
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Episode 104
The National Library Service has a free talking book program for anyone in the US with vision loss. Tonia Bickford, an advisor from Michigan's talking books program, joins us to discuss how to get the most out of this free service.
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Episode 103
This week we learn more about visual hallucinations that sometimes accompany vision loss, a condition called Charles Bonnet syndrome.
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Episode 102
Sometimes vision loss can make us feel less secure. This week we talk about personal safety with Hadley's Chief Program Officer, Ed Haines.
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Episode 101
For many living with vision loss, watching TV is less enjoyable as they can't see what's happening on the screen very well anymore.
Audio description fills the void by narrating key visual elements. Listen in as Ricky chats with Hadley member and avid audio description user, Judy Davis. -
Episode 100
Listen in to our conversation with Dr. Mondal, a low vision optometrist and professor at the University of Wisconsin. We chat about what to expect from a visit to a low vision specialist and the kind of help they can offer.
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Episode 99
Have you listened to Hadley's community-generated audio podcast yet? In this episode, Ricky and Marc Arneson, Hadley's Director of Community, share a few stories from Insights & Sound Bites and discuss how to contribute your own story. Insights & Sound Bites | Hadley
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Episode 98
Listen in as artist Chloe Duplessis explains how a degenerative eye disease changed, and didn't change, her life and love of art. "I thought art required sight. I was wrong."
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Episode 97
Dr. Judy Box, a Hadley member living with macular degeneration, shares her tips for managing those important conversations with your eye doctor.
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Episode 96
In this episode, the Hadley team talks all things gifts. Giving them, getting them, what's on their wish lists, and how vision loss may, or may not, impact these activities.
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Episode 95
Friendships often change when one has vision loss. Whether it's adaptations to the activities you enjoy together, asking for help, or turning that help down … there are conversations to be had. Let's tune in as two Hadley members, Eugenia DeReu and Tara Perry, share their experiences with what's changed for them — and what's stayed the same.
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Episode 94
Losing some vision can make for shopping challenges. Here are a few mishaps that Hadley members have run into. Have your own to share? Email us at podcast@HadleyHelps.org
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Episode 93
This week we chat with the chief technology officer from Envision as he shares how their free mobile app or camera-enabled glasses can help those with vision loss. It speaks aloud written information, describes surroundings and objects, and even tells you who's nearby.
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Episode 92
Lots of questions, concerns, and stereotypes connected to use of the white cane. In this episode, we address several of them from past discussions on the topic.
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Episode 91
Listen in as Hadley's Director of Community, Marc Arneson, chats with Hadley members Bill Massey and Gregory Peterson about their participation in Hadley's new Peer-to-Peer program.
To learn if getting a peer connection is for you, call us at 1-800-323-4238. -
Episode 90
Listen in as we chat with Ed Haines about getting the most out of our magnifiers.
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Episode 89
Listen in as we chat with animal lovers Debbie Worman and Sheri Robinson about the joys and challenges of caring for a pet when you have vision loss.
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Episode 88
Listen in as Hadley member, Wendy Spencer Davis, shares why she decided to learn some braille and how it's helping her in everyday life.
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Episode 87
Ed McDaniel, a psychologist with low vision, joins us to talk about common emotional triggers people with vision loss face and how to recognize and manage them.
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Episode 86
Jessica Grogan from the American Diabetes Association joins us to talk about managing your blood sugar with vision loss.
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Episode 85
Tune into our chat with Sarah Clark, a visually impaired marriage and family therapist, as she offers her unique insight into some common family dynamics that often make adjustment more challenging and how to navigate through them successfully.
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Episode 84
Join us as we chat with Hadley member, Kris, about her experience living with vision loss in a senior community.
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Episode 83
Listen in as Hadley staff share their real-life bloopers—times when things didn’t quite go as planned.
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Episode 82
Join us as we take a dive into the features of the BlindShell cell phone.
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Episode 81
Listen in as Pastor Scott Himel shares his advice for participating in religious services no matter your level of vision.
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Episode 80
Join us to learn about how ScripTalk technology translates medication labels into speech and where you can find a participating pharmacy.
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Episode 79
Join occupational therapist from Duke Eye Center, Fay Tripp, in a conversation about bioptic glasses—what they are and who can benefit from them.
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Episode 78
Listen in as we chat with birding expert Freya McGregor who shares her tips on how you can enjoy this hobby, no matter your level of vision.
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Episode 77
Listen in as Hadley's Doug Walker and Ricky Enger chat about how they use GPS in their daily lives. From walking directions to finding items or assisting a driver by navigating a trip, GPS can be a very handy tool.
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Episode 76
Listen in as we chat with Dave Steele about his life, poetry, and vision loss.
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Episode 75
Listen in as we discuss some common situations that can make us feel unsafe and share ideas on how to address them. We're joined today by Christy Ray and Ricky Jones of STRIVE4You.Org
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Episode 74
Unfortunately, it's not uncommon for feelings of shame to creep in when we've lost some vision. Join social worker Jeff Flodin and psychologist Ed McDaniel, both visually impaired themselves, as they explore where these feelings come from and how they have worked through these emotions in their own lives.
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Episode 73
Listen in as Dorrie Rush of OE Magazine shares how she resisted using a white cane for years, the stigma she feared, and the confidence and security she found once it was in her hand.
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Episode 72
Learn how CVS pharmacy customers throughout the US can access a free service that reads aloud prescription medication information.
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Episode 70
Join siblings Jack, Cathie, and Paula as they discuss the impact of their mother's vision loss on the family. Hear how they've come together as a team, learned how to find services, and continue to help their mom maintain her confidence and sense of well being.
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Episode 71
Join us as we chat with author Hannah Fairbairn about the tips and tricks she has learned to take some of the stress out of holiday get-togethers, no matter your vision.
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Episode 68
We're joined by the creator of The Blind Life YouTube channel, Sam Seavey. Sam shares his personal journey with vision loss and advice he has for people who are newer to vision loss.
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Episode 67
Whether you like to read for enjoyment or need to check your mail, reading is an essential part of your day. We're sharing tips and tricks for how to continue reading, the best low-tech and high-tech gadgets, and the benefits of learning braille.
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Episode 66
Jim Hoxie and Joanna Jones join us to discuss their children’s book, "Grandpa's White Cane." Jim shares how vision loss shaped his life and how he and Joanna, a retired teacher, began instructing children about the importance of white cane awareness and the do's and don'ts for helping people with visual impairment.
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Episode 65
Blogger and social worker Jeff Flodin talks about his personal journey with vision loss and how his passion for helping people led him to blog about his experiences.
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Episode 64
Hadley has partnered with the National Eye Institute (NEI) to offer a Spanish-language version of our popular cooking workshop series. Devina Fan, director of the National Eye Health Education Program at NEI, joins the podcast to talk more about this new initiative, NEI’s expanding Spanish content, and the importance of connecting Hispanic and Latino communities to important vision resources.
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Episode 63
A change in your vision may make some parts of your job more challenging. But with a bit of help and some new skills, you may be able to stay in your job. Hadley Chief Program Officer Ed Haines and Learning Expert Steve Kelley join the podcast to talk about our new Working with Vision Loss workshops and to share tips for where to find support and how to ask for what you need.
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Episode 62
Certified accessible travel advocate Melvin Reynolds joins the podcast to share tips for getting the most out of traveling, no matter your level of vision. Melvin gives advice on what to research ahead of a trip, considerations for traveling with a guide dog, and how a certified accessible travel advocate can help.
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Episode 61
Karen and Dan Leonetti share how vision loss has changed their relationship and the advice they have for other couples.
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Episode 60
Rabbi Lenny Sarko joins us to talk about how his vision loss journey led him to create a first-of-its-kind braille Sefer Torah that people around the country can access.
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Episode 59
Actor and artist Bruce Horak talks about his personal journey with vision loss, how he got interested in painting, and his role in the new television series Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.
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Episode 58
CEO of Eschenbach Optik of America Ken Bradley joins the podcast to discuss how Eschenbach has adapted through the pandemic to help people with visual impairment access low vision devices remotely. Through their "Telelowvision" program, you can try out magnification devices from the comfort of your home to find what works best for you before you buy.
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Episode 57
Scottish radio broadcaster and podcaster Steven Scott loves finding and talking about tech stuff. He's especially fond of apps and gadgets that make life easier for him and others with vision loss.
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Episode 56
NYT Columnist Frank Bruni returns to the podcast to talk about his new book. Frank describes his personal experiences with vision loss and how, with time, his perspective has grown.
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Episode 55
IT professional and stand-up comedian Todd Blenkhorn talks about his personal journey with vision loss and how his passion for stand-up helped him find and share the humor in daily interactions.
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Episode 54
In this episode, we're sharing highlights from previous interviews with a glaucoma specialist, retina specialist, and a low vision doctor. Listen in to learn more about common eye conditions, treatments, and what to expect at these specialist appointments.
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Episode 53
Master Gardener Sue Brasel and Hadley's Chief Program Officer and gardener Ed Haines join us for a chat about gardening, no matter your level of vision or gardening experience. They share tips for how to get started, common challenges, and the many benefits of gardening.
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Episode 52
We're joined by Carol Mackey, an avid discussion group participant, and co-host Debbie Worman to chat about what Hadley groups are, how to join, and what you can get out of them. With 10 groups on a variety of topics, there's something for everyone. Listen in or chime in – it’s up to you.
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Episode 51
Bold Blind Beauty blogger Stephanae McCoy joins us for a chat on beauty, style and confidence. Stephanae talks about how vision loss shaped her life, and then shares some of her favorite fashion and beauty tips.
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Episode 50
Hadley staff share their favorite kitchen gadgets and tips. Whether you're an experienced home chef or a total novice, you're bound to pick up a few ideas that fit your vision needs and make your time in the kitchen more productive (and fun).
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Episode 49
We sat down with Kim Walker, co-director of research and development at Hadley, and Mark Andrews, one of the Hadley advisors who reviewed our exciting new approach for adults with vision loss to learn braille. From labeling items in your home to identifying buttons on an elevator, braille can be a wonderful tool for everyday use.
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Episode 48
New York Times Best-Selling Author, Gretchen Rubin, chats about her research on how tapping into different senses can enrich our lives and connect us to each other in surprising ways.
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Episode 47
Twin sisters Jenelle and Joy join the podcast to share their personal experiences with vision loss and adjusting to it emotionally. While they look identical, their perspectives and journeys differ, highlighting their mission to show that "there is no right way to go blind."
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Episode 46
Hadley learner Sharon Noseworthy shares tips and tricks for hosting get-togethers of any type or size, no matter your vision. Sharon has always loved the role of hostess and has learned to adjust her approach now that her own vision has declined.
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Episode 45
We're joined by Teepa Snow, occupational therapist and founder of Positive Approach to Care, to learn more about the challenges of having both vision loss and dementia. Teepa addresses common misconceptions about dementia and shares practical tips for supporting someone with both conditions.
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Episode 44
We sat down with several Hadley staff members and asked them about their favorite tech tips, apps, and gadgets. Whether you consider yourself a tech expert or novice, the group recommends a variety of high-tech and low-tech options that fit your comfort level and interests.
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Episode 43
Judge David Tatel has served on the second most powerful court in the country since 1994. He also happens to be blind. Judge Tatel joins us to share his story on building a law career and family while dealing with changing vision, the technology and resources he's found useful, and what made him consider getting a guide dog in recent years.
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Episode 42
In honor of White Cane Safety Day today, we're joined by Hadley learner Larry Carlson and Orientation and Mobility Specialist Elijah Haines for a conversation about this important tool. Larry shares what made him decide to use a white cane, and Elijah shares tips for what to consider and how to adjust to using a white cane.
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Episode 41
Supriya Raman, manager of the Disability and Multicultural branches of the TSA, shares tips on traveling among shifting COVID restrictions. Supriya covers what to expect at the airport and what resources are available for people with visual impairment.
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Episode 40
Photographer Michael Nye chats with us about his latest art exhibit, "My Heart is Not Blind," a collection of photos and audio interviews of people with visual impairment. Through these stories, Michael provides a look into what he calls "our shared humanity and shared fragility," as well as common misunderstandings about blindness.
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Episode 39
Champion blind golfer Chad NeSmith talks about how vision loss shaped his life, and how he shares his passion for golf with others with vision loss.
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Episode 38
Doug Walker, Hadley co-director of R&D, and Ed Haines, Hadley Chief Program Officer, chat about the making of Hadley's "Adjusting to Vision Loss" workshop series. The series guides people through the emotional aspects of vision loss. Doug serves as the series' personal storyteller and narrator.
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Episode 37
In this episode we chat with ophthalmologist Dr. Angela Elam from the University of Michigan. Dr. Elam addresses common questions and concerns, and shares her advice for returning to the eye doctor among shifting COVID restrictions.
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Episode 36
Dorrie Rush, OE's Chief Content Officer, joins us for a chat about this wonderful online resource chock full of tips for living well with vision loss. You'll find great articles on using tech tools, tips for health and well-being, stories from others living with vision loss, a terrific podcast, and more.
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Episode 35
Learn about a new service that’s just launched in 2020 called Accessible Pharmacy. Accessible packaging and labeling and personalized customer support all free of charge to the end consumer, and specifically designed for those with vision impairment.
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Episode 34
Audio Describe the World! That’s the mantra of UniDescription: a free smartphone app that provides audio descriptions and navigation tips for US National Parks and other public places.
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Episode 33
In this episode, we chat with low vision optometrist Dr. Mark Wilkinson from the University of Iowa. Dr. Wilkinson answers common questions and shares his advice for getting the most out of low vision optometry appointments.
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Episode 32
Jan and Elgie Dow share how vision loss has changed their relationship and the advice they have for other couples.
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Episode 31
Join Hadley advisor Eddie Becerra as he shares about losing his sight from diabetic retinopathy, and how he gained a new perspective on life.
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Episode 30
Classically trained chef Regina Mitchell shares how vision loss shaped her life. Regina worked her way back into the kitchen and is now helping others cook with confidence, no matter their vision.
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Episode 29
In this episode we sit down with the director of Well Connected, an organization that offers free, call-in groups for adults over 60 on a wide variety of interest areas: games, music, meditation and more.
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Episode 28
Support groups can be a great way to connect with others who "get it." Listen in as as low vision support group leaders Lynndah Lahey and Judy Davis describe how their groups are run and what their members get out of them.
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Episode 27
World-renowned artist John Bramblitt describes how vision loss has shaped his painting and his life.
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Episode 26
In this episode, we chat with Dr. Tim Murray of the American Society of Retina Specialists. Dr. Murray treats eye diseases such as macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. He answers common questions and shares his insights into the future of treatments.
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Episode 25
In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Jullia Rosdahl, a glaucoma specialist from the Duke Eye Center, and ask her some of the many questions we’ve heard about glaucoma, its risk factors, and how to treat the disease.
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Episode 24
Hadley learning expert Jessica Smith shares her experience raising a puppy that may eventually become a guide dog. She covers what she’s learned and things to consider if you’d like to volunteer to help out a guide dog school.
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Episode 23
October 15 is White Cane Safety Day, a day to recognize this important tool that empowers people with visual impairment to travel safely and independently. It also brings attention to the general public to be mindful of visually impaired neighbors, giving them additional consideration and right-of-way when needed. We sat down with Kellee Sanchez, an orientation and mobility specialist, to talk about the history of White Cane Safety Day, and how a white cane can help those with vision loss.
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Episode 22
Be My Eyes is a free smartphone app that connects visually impaired users with sighted volunteers for help with visual tasks. We sat down with Will Butler from Be My Eyes to hear how the app started, tips for using it, and exciting new features that provide specialized assistance, including with Hadley.
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Episode 21
Tracy Simon from Eye2Eye peer support program shares her story of vision loss, how her program works, and the benefits of connecting with and supporting each other.
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Episode 20
Ophthalmologist Dr. Lori Provencher chats with us about how the coronavirus pandemic has changed doctor's visits. She shares tips for staying safe, questions to ask, and what to expect before, during and after your next office visit.
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Episode 19
Mindfulness expert Tiffany Guske returns to the podcast to share tips and insights on how to cope with life's challenges, such as vision loss or an illness, building resilience and focusing on self-compassion instead of judgment.
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Episode 18
Author of "When You Can't Believe Your Eyes," Hannah Fairbairn, chats with us about how to communicate in everyday situations when you can't rely on visual cues. Hear Hannah's own story about losing vision, her practical tips on adjusting to vision loss, and advice she has on regaining confidence in social situations.
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Episode 17
In this episode, we continue the conversation on living during the COVID-19 pandemic with a visual impairment. Listen in as we share some experiences, tips, and strategies for coping during these difficult times.
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Episode 16
The COVID-19 crisis has brought a wave of change and uncertainty to our everyday lives. Listen in as we share personal experiences, resources and some helpful tips...all from a blind or low vision perspective.
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Episode 15
Assistive technology experts Ricky Enger and Steve Kelley review BlindShell, a mobile phone built for those with visual impairment. They discuss the basic features, how it differs from a traditional smartphone, and how to decide if it's right for you.
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Episode 14
This week we sit down with Dan Roberts, author of "The First Year-Age-Related Macular Degeneration: An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed" and founder of MDSupport website and support group. Hear Dan's own story about being diagnosed with macular degeneration and what prompted him to reach out to others facing similar circumstances.
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Episode 13
Listen in as we explore the basics of using hand tools with a visual impairment. Gil Johnson, a visually impaired home repair expert, shares tips on everything from measuring, to leveling to hammering.
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Episode 11
Elections are right around the corner. So we gathered a panel to talk about options for voting no matter your level of vision. Listen in as we explore everything you need to know, from registering to vote to the many ways you can cast your ballot.
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Episode 12
Ricky sits down with Android Accessibility Product Manager Brian Kemler to discuss what is available on Android phones for those with visual impairment. From adjusting font size and color, or opting to listen with TalkBack instead, the commitment to making these powerful tools more useful to a wider audience is clear.
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Episode 1
In this episode, we chat with Gil Johnson, an experienced home repair and woodworking enthusiast about things to consider when undertaking home repair with blindness or low vision.
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Episode 2
Hadley's Debbie Good sits down to continue a conversation with author and visually impaired world traveler Dr. Wendy David. Together they explore a wide variety of helpful hints covering train, plane, and cruise travel as well as practical information on traveling internationally and navigating hotels.
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Episode 3
In this episode, Ricky Enger chats with Joe Strechay, associate producer on the Apple TV+ series SEE. The show takes place in a future where, after a viral apocalypse, all humans are blind. Joe takes us behind the scenes of the show and his work to help build an inclusive set for the cast and crew, including those with low to no vision. From casting to costumes, scripting to scenery, hear how Joe helped create a science fiction world that strives to be authentic to life with vision loss.
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Episode 4
Hadley's Debbie Good sits down with travel author Dr. Wendy David in this latest episode. In part one of this two-part interview, Debbie and Wendy discuss tips for traveling with confidence as a blind or low vision person, advice on picking destinations, considerations for traveling alone and in a group, and more!
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Episode 5
Ricky Enger is joined by Hadley's Debbie Worman and mindfulness expert Tiffany Guske in this latest episode. Debbie and Tiffany talk about what mindfulness is and the specific benefits that mindfulness can offer for those living with vision loss. Tiffany then walks listeners through a short mindfulness exercise.
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Episode 6
In this episode, Ricky Enger speaks with New York Times columnist Frank Bruni, who shares the story of his sudden vision loss from NAION. Bruni speaks candidly on his adjustment to the change, maintaining a realistic attitude towards his vision loss, and the failure of medical professionals to provide resources after diagnosis.
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Episode 7
Listen in as we share practical tips on how to keep your handwriting readable. This resource-packed episode includes many useful techniques and solutions to common handwriting challenges. Hadley Learning Expert Jennifer Ottowitz chats with Sue Dalton, Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapist.
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Episode 8
In this episode, Hadley's Steve Kelley speaks with Kendra Farrow, from the National Research and Training Center on Blindness and Low Vision, located at Mississippi State. The episode serves as a guide for those new to vision rehabilitation, including determining who is eligible for services, key differences between the medical and social services models, and how to locate services in each state.
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Episode 9
In this episode, Ricky Enger chats with Microsoft's Jeremy Curry, a Senior Program Manager with the Windows Accessibility team. New vision accessibility features are now available in Windows 10 for low vision and screen reader users.
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Episode 10
In the inaugural episode of Hadley Presents, Ricky Enger and Jonathan Mosen of Aira chat about the ways in which a visual interpreter service, such as Aira, can be used to gain valuable visual information and enhance travel and leisure activities for blind and low vision users.