inSight Out

In this episode of inSight Out, host Matthew Reeves talks with Kevin Lowe, a podcaster, public speaker, and former travel agency owner from the Daytona Beach area of Florida, about losing his sight at seventeen. After years of migraines, stalled growth, and glasses that never fully corrected his vision, Kevin was diagnosed in 2003 with a plum-sized, non-cancerous brain tumor pressing on his optic nerve and wrapped around his pituitary gland. Surgery on October 28th, 2003 was reported to his family as a total success, but when Kevin fully woke up three days later he could not see the blinking light...

In this episode of inSight Out, host Matthew Reeves talks with Ann Wagner and her husband Eric Ringham about how vision loss moves through a relationship. Ann, a retired board-certified clinical psychologist who spent 26 years on the PTSD clinical team at the Minneapolis VA Healthcare System, has autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa, which runs through her mother's side of the family, and became legally blind at 18. Eric is a retired journalist who picked up some "blind skills" guiding his father through age-related macular degeneration, and who was raised to hold the door and offer help to anyone who might need...

In this episode of inSight Out, host Matthew Reeves talks with Jennifer Frederick, a 48-year-old woman from New York's Capital Region who lost most of her vision to diabetic retinopathy five years ago, at age 43. Jennifer describes the early signs she initially explained away, doubled-up reading glasses, an unfamiliar floater, a gas station display she suddenly couldn't read, and the rapid string of referrals that followed, ending in a prognosis of legal blindness.
Jennifer walks Matthew through what came next: resigning from a highly visual job in emergency tech support with the full support of an understanding employer...

In this episode of inSight Out, host Matthew Reeves talks with Wyatt Edmondson, a Nashville-based singer-songwriter who was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa at age five, though his parents waited until he was fifteen to tell him. Wyatt describes the deliberate, protective choice behind that ten-year gap, the two weeks of anger and grief that followed the disclosure, and the pivotal afternoon on a high school fire escape when that grief turned into a sense of purpose: he knew, suddenly and completely, that he wanted to build his life around music.

Wyatt traces his path from an early...

In this episode of inSight Out, host Matthew Reeves talks with Janel Brooks, an engineer at a Fortune 500 company who has lived with Stargardt disease for almost twenty years. Diagnosed in her twenties after a routine LASIK consultation revealed the condition, Janel describes an unusually smooth diagnosis followed by a much harder decade of watching her vision quietly worsen while she kept driving, working, and problem-solving her way around it, until a stoplight she couldn't fully make out became her first real warning sign.

Janel walks Matthew through the guilt she carried before she finally quit driving...

On the surface, this episode of inSight Out is about dry eye. Underneath, it's about something every listener with low vision or blindness will recognize: what happens when a very real experience gets minimized because it doesn't fit the box other people expect it to fit. Host Matthew Reeves talks with Rebecca Petris, president of the newly renamed Dry Eye and Ocular Pain Foundation, about a condition that is chronically misunderstood by its own name. Rebecca explains why "dry eye" has become an unhelpful catch-all term, covering everything from casual irritation to severe, sight-threatening disease, and why her organization...

In this episode of inSight Out, host Matthew Reeves talks with Ana Nosal, a 30-year-old marathon runner from the Washington, D.C. area who was diagnosed with Stargardt disease at fourteen. Ana describes the early denial that came with starting high school just as her vision loss was confirmed, the accommodations she quietly refused to use, and the moment in college when giving up driving forced a new kind of acceptance. She also traces how her competitive life shifted, from soccer and softball, where her declining hand-eye coordination became too hard to ignore, to cross country and track, sports...

In this episode of inSight Out, host Matthew Reeves talks with Paralympic hopeful Graham Rainsby about losing most of his vision within a single year to Stargardt's disease, and the unlikely athletic career that followed. Diagnosed in sixth grade after his vision dropped from roughly 20/60 to 20/200, Graham describes the strange mix of denial and determination that got him through middle school, the accommodations that let him compete at the varsity level in high school and at Middlebury College, and the ongoing, exhausting calculus of deciding when and how to disclose a disability that isn't always visible at first glance.<...

In this episode of Insight Out, host Matthew Reeves sits down with digital accessibility professional and entrepreneur James Warnken to discuss the transformative power of shifting from a mindset of survival to one of professional empowerment. Diagnosed with Stargardt’s disease at nine years old, James opens up about his journey through progressive vision loss, the intense burnout that can come with constant childhood self-advocacy, and how he ultimately learned to embrace his disability as his greatest professional asset.

James walks us through his career trajectory, from launching an apparel line in college to founding his own di...

In Episode 023 of inSight Out, host Matthew Reeves — a legally blind psychotherapist — sits down with Nik Kirkpatrick, a forty-year-old with Stargardt's disease who found the podcast through the Stargardt's subreddit. Nik offers one of the most candid and grounded personal perspectives the show has featured: no silver linings forced too soon, no tidy arc — just the real, uneven, sometimes funny experience of building a life around a diagnosis that shaped everything without defining him.

Nick was seventeen when he was diagnosed, but the years that followed were marked more by avoidance than acceptance. He didn't disclose at colleg...

Have you ever wondered what it takes to craft the audio description track that helps you follow a film, laugh at a visual gag, or feel the tension of a dramatic scene? In this episode of inSight Out, host Matthew Reeves — a legally blind psychotherapist and rehabilitation counselor — sits down with Darla Biccum, senior writer and creative lead at Descriptive Video Works, for a deep and illuminating conversation about the art, craft, and philosophy behind audio description. Whether you're a long-time user of described content or newly exploring what's available to you, this episode is essential listening.

Darl...

In this episode of inSight Out, host Matthew Reeves sits down with Jessie Wolinsky, a clinical mental health grad student and long-time advocate with the Foundation Fighting Blindness. Jessie shares a raw and deeply relatable account of her life with retinitis pigmentosa (RP), focusing on the pivotal moments of her adolescence when her vision loss felt like a total "rug pull" on her future. She discusses the intersection of disability and mental health, detailing her personal battle with chronic depression and the traumatic moments that eventually led her to seek the transformative power of therapy.

Listeners will...

How do you continue to hold space for others’ mental health when your own world is fundamentally changing? In this episode, Matthew Reeves sits down with Jon Weaver, an LCSW living with retinitis pigmentosa (RP), to discuss the profound emotional and psychological shifts that accompany progressive vision loss. Jon shares his personal "backstory," from noticing flashes of light in grad school to the "surreal" experience of being the youngest person in a retina specialist's waiting room.

The heart of this discussion centers on the "mental load" of disability—the exhaustion that comes from hyper-focusing on symptoms and the...

In this episode of inSight Out, host Matthew Reeves sits down with Licensed Professional Counselor Ronda Thorington to discuss the often-overlooked emotional landscape of caregiving. Ronda shares her powerful personal journey of navigating her daughter’s rare autoimmune diagnosis and the "aha moment" at the National Institutes of Health that led her to specialize in supporting caregivers. Together, they bridge the gap between general medical complexity and the specific experiences of families living with low vision and blindness.

Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of "vicarious trauma"—the emotional toll of witnessing a loved one’s struggle—and how...

In this episode of inSight Out, host Matthew Reeves sits down with Max Ivey, an author, speaker, and entrepreneur known as the "Blind Blogger". Max shares his unique upbringing in the East Texas carnival circuit, explaining how the high-stakes environment of the midway taught him creative problem-solving and the essential discipline of "making opening" regardless of life’s challenges. We delve into his transition to the digital world, where he taught himself HTML character-by-character to launch a business brokering carnival rides, eventually finding his "zone of genius" as a motivational storyteller and accessibility advocate.

Listeners will gain in...

Cooking is one of the most fundamental activities of daily living, yet for many experiencing vision loss, the kitchen can suddenly feel like a landscape of hazards and frustrations. In this episode, Matthew Reeves speaks with Debra Erickson, a blind culinary school graduate and the visionary behind The Blind Kitchen. Debra shares her personal story of adjusting to Retinitis Pigmentosa and how a vocational rehabilitation course eventually led her to professional culinary training and a mission to help others "cook without looking".

Listeners will discover a wealth of practical strategies and specialized tools designed to ensure safety...

Navigating a new diagnosis of vision loss is often a traumatic and isolating experience. In this episode, host Matthew Reeves, a legally blind psychotherapist, sits down with three specializing genetic counselors—Rebecca Clark, Emily Place, and Taylor Sabato—to discuss their vital role in the diagnostic and adjustment process. The group explores the "human side" of genetics, explaining how these professionals provide the gift of time and empathy to patients who have just received life-altering news.

Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of the difference between a clinical and genetic diagnosis, and why identifying a specific genetic vari...

Living with vision loss or a chronic condition often feels like navigating a world that isn't quite built for you. In this episode, Matthew Reeves sits down with Destiny Davis, LPC, CRC, a therapist dedicated to the chronic illness community. Destiny shares her powerful personal history, growing up with a father who navigated blindness and a traumatic brain injury, and how that lived experience now informs her clinical work. Together, they explore the "bio-psychosocial" layers of disability—how it affects our bodies, our minds, and our social connections.

The conversation delves into the common frustrations of being mi...

How does a "rocket scientist adjacent" software developer navigate the world with Retinitis Pigmentosa? In this episode of Insight Out, host Matthew Reeves sits down with JP Patterson to explore the intersection of high-level engineering and the daily realities of low vision. JP shares his unique journey from being a 14-year-old racing dirt bikes in Baja to managing engineering teams in the aerospace industry, all while progressively losing his sight. He offers a refreshing, emotionally honest perspective on using an "engineering mindset" to view failures as mere data points rather than personal shortcomings.

The conversation moves beyond...

In this deeply personal and inspiring episode, host Matthew Reeves, a legally blind psychotherapist, sits down with Eavan O'Neill, the founder of Brightside Community. Eavan shares her journey of vision loss, beginning with the early signs noticed in elementary school, through the "perplexing" diagnosis of cone dystrophy, which later confirmed as Stargardt disease, during her senior year of college. Her story provides a raw look at the emotional shock of a life-changing diagnosis at a pivotal time—just before the pandemic and her college graduation. We discuss the cultural misconception of blindness as an all-or-nothing experience and the profound, im...

In this deeply moving and inspirational episode, host Matthew Reeves, a legally blind psychotherapist, sits down with Meredith Tyree, an incredible woman who embodies the spirit of resilience and adaptation. Meredith shares her experience navigating the complex, dual diagnosis of hearing loss from birth and later, Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP), which led to a diagnosis of Usher Syndrome. Her story highlights the emotional difficulty of the diagnostic journey—feeling categorized and underestimated by the world—and the pivotal moment when she realized her only true limits were the ones she set for herself.

Meredith's passion lies in adaptive spor...

The Power of Connection: Human-Centered Media for the Print Impaired Community with Dr. Brittany McLemore

In this heartfelt and illuminating episode, host Matthew Reeves, a legally blind psychotherapist, welcomes Dr. Brittany McLemore, the Executive Director of Vocal Point (formerly the Georgia Radio Reading Service). This conversation explores the incredible 45-year history of this essential, free service, which has evolved from a local radio broadcast to a 24/7 global digital hub for news, books, magazines, and original content for the blind, low vision, and print-impaired community.

Dr. McLemore shares the inspiring origin story of Vocal Point, founded...

Orientation and mobility specialist Hannah Kleinschmidt shares her journey from receiving O&M training as a young person with albinism to becoming a certified instructor who helps adults adjust to vision loss. Hannah discusses the emotional challenges many people face when first using a white cane, explaining how it serves both as a practical mobility tool and a visible identifier that changes how others interact with you. She walks us through what O&M training involves—from learning to trust the cane and cross streets non-visually to using public transportation and asking for help effectively. Hannah emphasizes that everyone's ex...

Meredyth Mason shares her journey from receiving a devastating retinitis pigmentosa diagnosis at 32 with no resources or support, through two years of crippling depression, to rebuilding an active, entrepreneurial life with her guide dog. Diagnosed later in life after experiencing night driving difficulties and missing letters on computer screens, Meredyth discusses the complete lack of medical support she received and how she eventually climbed out of depression by taking agency over her recovery one small step at a time. She explores the difference between being alone and being lonely, the importance of removing toxic influences from life, and how...

Licensed psychotherapist and career coach Karen Rose (LMFT LPCC), who was born totally blind, shares her perspective on living as a whole person rather than someone missing something, and how she built a thriving practice despite facing significant employment barriers. At 73, Karen continues working six and a half days a week, using the creative problem-solving skills she developed navigating a world not designed for her to help others think outside the box in their careers and lives. She recounts accidentally stumbling into the historic 1977 Section 504 sit-in that secured the first civil rights protections for people with disabilities, and discusses...

Philosophy professor Brian Deer joins host Matthew Reeves to discuss his journey from engineering to academia while navigating progressive vision loss from Stargardt disease. Brian shares his experience visiting nearly 100 doctors before receiving a diagnosis, the challenges of giving up driving at 24, and the practical adaptations that enabled his career transition. From learning to attend lectures without taking notes to managing the complexities of grading papers in an AI-influenced world, Brian offers candid insights about problem-solving, self-advocacy, and moving forward one obstacle at a time. This conversation explores both the frustrations and possibilities that come with vision loss, emphasizing...

ABOUT THIS EPISODE

In this episode of insight Out, host Matthew Reeves interviews Gretchen Fisher Orr (GDMI, COMS), an expert from the Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation, to discuss the world of guide dogs. They explore the emotional and practical aspects of training and working with guide dogs, the differences between service animals and emotional support animals, and the process of matching dogs with people who are blind or have low vision. Gretchen also shares her personal journey in this field and the rewarding moments of seeing guide dog teams thrive independently.

International Guide Dog Federation...

ABOUT THIS EPISODE

We hear Dawn McAvoy’s personal perspective on vision loss. Dawn’s diagnosis came later in life after a great deal of confusion around what condition she was facing. While maintaining her career in marketing, Dawn uses humor, connection with community, research, and an honest embrace of her feelings to learn about herself and thrive with low vision.

ABOUT THE PODCAST

inSight Out is your podcast home for living well with vision loss. Host Matthew Reeves (LPC CRC NCC) is a legally-blind psychotherapist and rehabilitation counselor specializing in helping people thri...

Licensed counselor and certified rehabilitation counselor Janice Barrocas shares insider strategies for successfully navigating the vocational rehabilitation (VR) system for people with vision loss. She explains how this federal-state program helps with employment preparation and reveals practical tips including “magic words” that help prioritize your case, the importance of written communication over phone calls, and how to build confidence before seeking full-time employment.

Janice covers the types of services available (orientation and mobility training, daily living skills, technology training, adjustment counseling for disability), the individualized employment plan process, and how to handle workplace challenges after getting hired. She...

Nick Mendler, president of the Eye Spy Foundation, shares how receiving a retinitis pigmentosa diagnosis at 16 with only a pamphlet for guidance inspired him to create eyespy.org—a comprehensive digital resource platform for the blind and low vision community.

The Eye Spy Foundation launched eyespy.org as a one-stop digital hub containing over 900 resources for people with vision loss. Beyond the directory, Nick’s vision includes human navigators in major cities who can provide personalized support and local expertise. He emphasizes that while technology provides access to information, people still need human connection when facing life-changing circ...

In this first episode, I’ll introduce myself and the inSight Out podcast…who I am, why I decided to create this show, and what I hope inSight Out will offer to the low and no vision community. So, unlike other episodes where I will help you get to know a variety of guests, this episode asks my longtime friend to help me tell my story to you, my new audience.

ABOUT THE PODCAST

Please be sure to subscribe to catch every episode. And remember to share the show with others in the blind and low...