The World As I See It — Episode 50: My S.O.A.R. Experience

The World As I See It Episode 51: Would You Get in a Driverless Car?

In this episode, I’m diving into a topic that I feel like I see a lot of on the internet: self-driving cars. For the blind and visually impaired community, this emerging technology represents something truly massive—a game-changing chance at total independence and the promise of ultimate freedom to go wherever you want without having to rely on anyone else's schedule. However, I'm being completely honest about my own perspective because it is a massive leap of faith to let AI control your car instead of a human driver. I’m breaking down exactly how these vehicles operate like a standard rideshare app, what it looks like inside an empty vehicle with a self-moving steering wheel, and the specific design tweaks and screen-reader accessibility features that still need to be absolutely flawless for true blind independence. I want to challenge you to think about how you would feel in this situation and whether you would hesitate to hop inside a self-driving car too. If you have questions, ideas, or feedback, please reach out! I want you to be part of this conversation, and no question is too big or too small. Email: theworldasiseeitpodcast@gmail.com #TheWorldAsISeeIt #BlindPerspective #BlindnessAwareness #PodcastLife

The World As I See It — Episode 50: My S.O.A.R. Experience

Wow, we made it to Episode 50! I can’t believe we are hitting this number, and I am so incredibly grateful to everyone who has listened from day one, as well as everyone who is new to the show. In this episode, I’m finally back after a few pre-recorded weeks to share a huge personal update. I recently spent three weeks living on campus at S.O.A.R. which stands for the Summer Orientation & Mobility and Adapted Living Resource program. It is a highly intensive residential training program run by the Lighthouse for the Blind for youth ages 16 to 21 who are legally blind. I talk about exactly why I decided to attend, the daily skills we focused on, and some of the fun community trips we took. This whole experience was so life-changing and it really boosted my confidence and gave me a brand new sense of independence. Thank you all so much for supporting the podcast! If you have any questions, ideas, or feedback, you can comment down below if you’re on YouTube, or you can send me an email. My email is theworldasiseeitpodcast@gmail.com. #TheWorldAsISeeIt #Podcast #Episode50 #BlindnessAwareness #BlindPerspective #PodcastLife

The World As I See It Episode 49: What is the Blindness Tax?

In this episode, I’m diving into what I call the "blindness tax" and breaking down the eye-opening, often shocking costs of the specialized technology and equipment I use every single day. While a sighted student can head to Walmart or Amazon and grab a standard graphing calculator for high school math for under $100, my highly modified talking math calculator costs hundreds of dollars. From advanced software and specialized hardware to the technology that allows me to simply have a level playing field with everyone else, the price tags on independence might completely surprise you. I'm sharing a real look at these expenses and the reality of what it takes financially to navigate a visual world. If you have questions, ideas, or feedback, please reach out! I want you to be part of this conversation, and no question is too big or too small. Email: theworldasiseeitpodcast@gmail.com #TheWorldAsISeeIt #BlindPerspective #BlindnessAwareness #PodcastLife

The World As I See It Episode 48: Things Sighted People Take for Granted

In this episode, I’m diving into a topic that I think will be incredibly eye-opening for my sighted listeners: the everyday visual shortcuts you take completely for granted. When you have sight, your world is full of instant, effortless glances that save time and data, whether you are checking your hair in a mirror, reading a label in the kitchen, or scanning a piece of paper on a desk. For me, there is no such thing as a "quick glance"—everything requires a mindful, intentional, multi-step routine involving specialized technology or active problem-solving. I’m breaking down the reality of navigating crowded hallways, reading a room without nonverbal cues, dealing with unlabeled digital buttons, and why these challenges don't limit my capability. I love the adventure of adapting, but I want to challenge you to notice how many times a day you rely on a split-second glance, and remind you why allowing me to build my own independent confidence matters so much. If you have questions, ideas, or feedback, please reach out! I want you to be part of this conversation, and no question is too big or too small. Email: theworldasiseeitpodcast@gmail.com #TheWorldAsISeeIt #BlindPerspective #BlindnessAwareness #PodcastLife

The World As I See It Episode 47: If I Could See Anyone: Who Would I Want to See and Why?

In this episode, I'm tackling a deeply personal and interesting question that recently caught me completely off guard: If I were suddenly given the gift of sight and could look at anyone in the world, who would it be and why? Because I have been completely blind my entire life, the concept of visual appearance and facial expressions is a total mystery to me. I'm breaking down my honest answer, sharing why my mind doesn't jump to famous celebrities or landscapes, but instead to the core people in my life—starting with my mom—and the curious reality of wanting to see my own reflection in a mirror. I also dive into the fascinating science of how overwhelming gaining sight would actually be for my brain and why I truly appreciate the unique way I get to experience people at their core right now. If you have questions, ideas, or feedback, please reach out! I want you to be part of this conversation, and no question is too big or too small. Email: theworldasiseeitpodcast@gmail.com #TheWorldAsISeeIt #BlindPerspective #BlindnessAwareness #PodcastLife