How a Vision Rehabilitation Therapist Went From Total Darkness to Empowering Others

Embracing Disability and Authenticity: An Interview with Lachi

In this episode of Eyes and Lows, we dive into the dynamic world of Lachi, a powerhouse in the music and advocacy scene. Based in New York City, Lachi is not just a recording artist and songwriter, but also a touring performer, record producer, media personality, author, and a passionate advocate for disability culture. Her journey is a testament to living boldly and using her diverse talents to inspire change. In This Episode * Lachi’s Early Life:Discover how her musical journey began and the influences that shaped her path. * Diagnosis and Acceptance:Learn about her experience with being legally blind and neurodivergent, and how she embraced these aspects of her identity. * Glam Canes and Identity:Explore the significance of her glam canes in expressing her identity and fostering visibility. * Art and Advocacy:Understand how Lachi blends her artistic pursuits with advocacy to create community and drive change. * Future Projects:Get a sneak peek into her upcoming projects, including a children's album promoting disability pride. * Advice and Reflections:Hear Lachi's insights on mental health, community support, and embracing your true self. Timestamps * 00:00 - Introduction to Lachi and the theme of authenticity * 02:21 - Lachi’s background and early influences * 06:03 - Navigating her diagnosis and embracing identity * 08:04 - The cultural impact of glam canes * 12:43 - Advocacy in the music industry * 20:39 - Creating allies and systemic change * 31:07 - Challenging misconceptions about disability * 40:51 - Inspiration behind her book, I Identify as Blind * 48:55 - Upcoming projects and advice for listeners Resources & Links * I Identify as Blind (book): www.amazon.com/dp/B0CSP7LJVE * Lachi’s official website: www.lachimusic.com [http://www.lachimusic.com] * Ramped organization: www.ramped.org [http://www.ramped.org] Connect with Lachi: * Twitter: www.twitter.com/lachimusic * Instagram: www.instagram.com/lach Vocal Point (Home of the Georgia Radio Reading Service) is a 501c3 organization that exists to improve the quality of life for people who are blind, visually impaired, or have difficulty with the printed word. * Learn more at Vocal Point at Seevp.org [http://garrs.org] To support our podcast and programs, donate here: https://connect.clickandpledge.com/Organization/seevp/ [https://connect.clickandpledge.com/Organization/seevp/] * Credits * Host: Brittany McLemore * Producer: Patrick Roy

From Shadows to Spotlight: Crafting Change with Heart and Humor

In this episode of Eyes and Lows, Janet LaBreck shares her journey navigating blindness and advocating for disability rights. She reflects on her impactful work within a transformative administration, contributing to significant policy changes. Timestamps: * 00:00 - Introduction * 00:45 - Background and diagnosis * 02:08 - School challenges * 03:58 - Medical systems * 05:44 - Vision loss adaptation * 07:33 - Mobility training * 09:01 - Living with RP * 12:48 - Overcoming prognoses * 14:14 - Independence * 16:38 - Educational inclusivity * 18:36 - Academic focus * 22:22 - High school transition * 24:45 - Social acceptance * 27:34 - Resilience and advocacy * 30:27 - Policy reform * 33:20 - Disability policy roles * 36:13 - Vocational experiences * 39:23 - Community building * 45:08 - Trust and empowerment * 47:01 - Mobility tools * 48:58 - Resilience strategies * 50:19 - Educating others * 54:08 - Training guides * 55:36 - Humor in life * 58:56 - Policy advocacy * 62:07 - Global initiatives * 64:56 - Policy updates * 66:48 - Government contributions * 70:04 - Consulting work * 72:32 - Advice for young people * 74:23 - Community and self-advocacy * 77:38 - Contact information Resources & Links: * Synergy Consulting Partners: http://jl-scp-vr.com [http://jl-scp-vr.com] * U.S. Department of Education - Rehabilitation Services Administration: https://rsa.ed.gov [https://rsa.ed.gov] * Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) - 1990: https://www.ada.gov [https://www.ada.gov] Connect with Janet LaBreck: * Email: jlabreck58@gmail.com [jlabreck58@gmail.com] * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janetlabreck [https://www.linkedin.com/in/janetlabreck] * Twitter: https://twitter.com/janetlabreck [https://twitter.com/janetlabreck] Vocal Point: Home of the Georgia Radio Reading Service is a 501c3 organization that exists to improve the quality of life for people who are blind, visually impaired, or have difficulty with the printed word. Learn more at Vocal Point at Seevp.org [http://garrs.org] To support our podcast and programs, donate here: https://connect.clickandpledge.com/Organization/seevp/ [https://connect.clickandpledge.com/Organization/seevp/] * Credits * Host: Dr, Brittany McLemore * Producer : Patrick Roy Learn more at Vocal Point at Seevp.org [http://garrs.org] To support our podcast and programs, donate here: https://connect.clickandpledge.com/Organization/seevp/ [https://connect.clickandpledge.com/Organization/seevp/]

How a Vision Rehabilitation Therapist Went From Total Darkness to Empowering Others

In this inspiring episode of "Eyes and Lows," we sit down with Aracely Rosillo, a certified vision rehabilitation therapist and member of the blind community, to explore her journey, insights, and resources that empower independence. Whether you're navigating your own journey or supporting someone who is, this conversation offers practical advice, community-building tips, and a powerful testament to resilience Chapters: * (00:00) - Introduction to Aracely and her connection to the blindness community * (02:10) - Understanding the role of vision rehabilitation therapists * (04:35) - Exploring mental health and mental resilience in the context of blindness * (06:07) - Challenging stereotypes: How to handle misconceptions in public * (08:47) - Top assistive technology tools: Seeing AI, Be My Eyes, Aira * (12:20) - The evolution of Aracely’s personal journey and adjustment to blindness * (15:50) - Funny or awkward stories about social interactions and public reactions * (19:29) - Cultural background and the impact of family dynamics * (25:50) - Supporting children and youth with visual impairments Resources & Links: * Seeing AI [https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/ai/ai-for-accessibility] — Microsoft’s AI tool for visually impaired * Be My Eyes [https://bemyeyes.com/] — Live volunteer assistance app * Aira [https://aira.io/] — On-demand visual support service * United in Stride [https://unitedinstride.com/] — Connecting blind and sighted individuals for activities * Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency [https://gadivisionofrehab.org/] — Support for employment and independence * National Federation of the Blind [https://www.nfb.org/] — Advocacy and support organization * American Council of the Blind [https://acb.org/] — Resources and community for blind individuals * VIBS [https://savinellc.com/vibs/] — Visually Impaired Blindness Society of Georgia * Chelsea Nguyen Travel Planning [https://example.com/] — Accessibility-focused travel planning (hypothetical) Connect with Aracely Rosillo: * Email: CEO7777@gmail.com [CEO7777@gmail.com] Vocal Point (Home of the Georgia Radio Reading Service) is a 501c3 organization that exists to improve the quality of life for people who are blind, visually impaired, or have difficulty with the printed word. Learn more at Vocal Point at Seevp.org [http://garrs.org] To support our podcast and programs, donate here: https://connect.clickandpledge.com/Organization/seevp/ [https://connect.clickandpledge.com/Organization/seevp/] * Credits * Host: Iisha Hillman * Producer: Patrick Roy

From Viral Videos to Low Vision Advocacy: One Creator’s Journey of Resilience

In this episode of Eyes and Lows, host Brittany Macklemore speaks with Neisha Aireal, a low vision advocate and content creator. Neisha shares her journey of resilience, navigating life with low vision, and the importance of education and advocacy. They discuss the challenges of social media perceptions, the significance of accessibility tools, and the need for community support. Neisha emphasizes the importance of mental health and finding joy in life despite challenges, while also encouraging others to pursue their passions and start their journeys in content creation. Takeaways * Neisha started content creation during COVID on TikTok. * Going viral helped Neisha embrace her low vision perspective. * Education is crucial in combating ignorance about disabilities. * Neisha's condition is called optic nerve hypoplasia. * She experienced a lack of resources in early education. * Advocacy is about sharing experiences and educating others. * Mental health is important for those with disabilities. * Finding community is essential for support and encouragement. * Starting is the key to success in content creation. Chapters 00:00Introduction to Resilience and Advocacy 03:01Neisha's Journey into Content Creation 06:00Understanding Low Vision and Its Impact 09:05Navigating School and Resources 12:13Social Interactions and Friendships 15:08Stereotypes and Misconceptions 17:56Accessibility Tools and Technology 21:04Advocacy Through Transparency Tuesdays 24:13Mental Health and Isolation 27:00Finding Community and Support 30:11Personal Interests and Hobbies 33:00Resilience and Overcoming Challenges 36:00Goals and Aspirations for the Future 39:06Advice for Aspiring Content Creators Contact Neisha Aireal: https://www.instagram.com/neisha_aireal [https://www.instagram.com/neisha_aireal] www.tiktok.com/@neisha_aireal [http://www.tiktok.com/@neisha_aireal] https://www.youtube.com/@Neisha_Aireal [https://www.youtube.com/@Neisha_Aireal] Vocal Point (Home of the Georgia Radio Reading Service) is a 501c3 organization that exists to improve the quality of life for people who are blind, visually impaired, or have difficulty with the printed word. Learn more at Vocal Point at Seevp.org [http://garrs.org] To support our podcast and programs, donate here: https://connect.clickandpledge.com/Organization/seevp/ [https://connect.clickandpledge.com/Organization/seevp/] * Credits * Host: Brittany McLemore * Producer: Patrick Roy

Matthew Reeves: Insights on Mental Health and Disability

In this episode of Eyes and Lows, Matthew Reeves LPC, NCC, CRC, a licensed professional counselor, shares his journey and insights on navigating life with a disability. He discusses his personal experiences with Stargardt disease, the importance of resilience, and how he helps clients overcome challenges related to depression, anxiety, and trauma. Matthew also highlights the significance of self-care and building community for individuals with disabilities. Takeaways * Resilience is about transforming challenges into strengths. * Stargardt disease affects central vision, leading to legal blindness. * Self-care involves nourishing activities, not just indulgence. * Building community is crucial for individuals with disabilities. * Matthew Reeves specializes in depression, anxiety, and trauma therapy. * Vision loss can lead to profound isolation and unique grieving processes. * Matthew's approach focuses on solving root problems, not just symptoms. * Entrepreneurship can be a viable path for people with disabilities. * Matthew emphasizes the importance of self-advocacy and independence. * Contact Matthew at integralMHS.com [http://integralMHS.com] for counseling services. Chapters * Introduction to Eyes and Lows- 00:00:00 * Matthew Reeves' Background- 00:03:00 * Understanding Stargardt Disease- 00:09:00 * Living with an Invisible Disability- 00:15:00 * Building Community and Resilience- 00:21:00 * Therapeutic Approaches and Insights- 00:27:00 * Dating and Disability- 00:33:00 * Societal Perceptions and Challenges- 00:39:00 * Entrepreneurship and Independence- 00:45:00 Contact Matthew Reeves: Email: http://integralmhs.com/ [http://integralmhs.com/] Podcast; http://insightoutpod.com/ [http://insightoutpod.com/] Certifications: LPC, NCC, CRC Services: Counseling services specializing in helping clients navigate depression, anxiety, and trauma. He also has expertise in dealing with issues related to disability and chronic illness, particularly focusing on vision loss and mental health. Vocal Point (Home of the Georgia Radio Reading Service) is a 501c3 organization that exists to improve the quality of life for people who are blind, visually impaired, or have difficulty with the printed word. Learn more at Vocal Point at Seevp.org [http://garrs.org] To support our podcast and programs, donate here: https://connect.clickandpledge.com/Organization/seevp/ [https://connect.clickandpledge.com/Organization/seevp/] * Credits * Host: Brittany McLemore * Producer: Patrick Roy