Navigating Life with Vision Loss

1. Episode Summary

A Cure for Blindness? What the Science Really Says

What does the future of vision research actually look like, and how much of the excitement surrounding new treatments translates into real options for people living with vision loss?

On this episode of Navigating Life with Vision Loss, host Kim Wardlow welcomes Dr. Amy Laster, Chief Scientific Officer at the Foundation Fighting Blindness, for a conversation about the progress, possibilities, and uncertainties surrounding research into inherited retinal diseases.

Dr. Laster explains why genetic testing matters for conditions such as retinitis...

What happens after someone receives a vision loss diagnosis and walks out of the doctor's office? For many, the greatest challenges are only beginning.

In this episode of Navigating Life with Vision Loss, host Kim Wardlow welcomes Johnjoe Farragher, President and CEO of Hadley, to explore the often-overlooked emotional side of vision loss. Drawing from his listening tour and conversations with healthcare professionals and community organizations, Johnjoe discusses the enormous gap between clinical care and the practical, emotional, and personal support people need afterward.

Together, they explore grief, isolation, the importance of human connection, and...

Our eyes can tell us a great deal about our overall health, but would we recognize the warning signs if something started to go wrong?

On this episode of Navigating Life with Vision Loss, Kim Wardlow welcomes Dr. Emily Cole, an ophthalmologist, vitreoretinal surgeon, and assistant professor at CU Anschutz, for an informative conversation about retinal health. Together, they explore common conditions such as retinal detachments, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and inherited retinal diseases, along with the symptoms that should prompt a visit to an eye specialist.

Dr. Cole explains what patients can expect during...

Summary

Vision loss can change more than how you see. It can affect your confidence, your routines, and your sense of who you are. Kim Wardlow welcomes Ricky Enger from Hadley for an honest conversation about grief, feeling overwhelmed, and rebuilding confidence one small step at a time. Instead of trying to learn everything at once, Ricky encourages starting with one thing that would make today a little easier.  Pasted text

They also explore Hadley’s free resources, finding connection with people who understand, and the importance of giving yourself room to adjust. For anyone fee...

Vision loss rarely happens all at once, and figuring out what comes next can feel overwhelming. Kim talks with Cristi Stearns, Katie O’Connor, and Jim “Mac” McHolland from Hadley about free resources for people adjusting to vision loss, including emotional support, peer connections, practical workshops, technology training, Braille, and support for family and friends.

They also discuss why reaching out early matters and how Hadley can help people navigate the ongoing “in-between” as vision and circumstances continue to change.

Credits

Host: Kim Wardlow
Guests: Cristi Stearns, Katie O’Connor, and Jim “Mac” McHolland...

Episode Summary

Christopher “The Official Blind Steppa” Felder joins Kim Wardlow to share the story of losing his sight after being shot during a robbery in 2012, on the same day he received his EMS badge and was preparing to begin a new career. Chris describes leaving the hospital unable to see, spending years searching for a different medical answer, and resisting the reality of blindness even while learning some of the skills he would eventually need.

Nearly eight years into that journey, a simple moment with his son became a turning point. With no o...

Episode Summary
 

Vision loss is not simply a physical change. It can carry grief, fear, anger, depression, and the painful loss of independence. Those emotions do not follow a predictable timeline, and moving forward does not mean pretending they have disappeared. 

Host Kim Wardlow welcomes Army veteran, Paralympian, and adventurer Shawn Cheshire back to Navigating Life with Vision Loss. Shawn candidly shares how a brain injury at age 36 led to total blindness, the depression and fear that followed, and the moment she realized she needed to choose what kind of life she would build.

Episode description 

At 27 years old, Lynn Jensen suddenly lost all her sight after an undiagnosed brain tumor led to emergency surgery. Her family was initially told she had only months to live. Lynn survived, but rebuilding her life required learning how to walk again, use a white cane, develop independent-living skills, and eventually trust the guide dog she never thought she wanted. 

Lynn joins Kim Wardlow to speak honestly about grief, rehabilitation, family support, peer connection, Braille, assistive technology, and the small accomplishments that restore confidence after vision loss. She also shares how her experience le...

Navigating Life with Vision Loss

Episode Title

What Do I Do Now? Finding the Next Step After Vision Loss

Show: Navigating Life with Vision Loss
Host: Kim Wardlow
Guest: Melody Bettenhausen
Producer: Jonathan Price
Presented by: Aftersight

Episode Summary

What happens when your vision is changing and your eye doctor tells you there is nothing more medically that can be done?

That sentence can sound like the end of the road. But as Kim Wardlow and Melody Bettenhausen discuss...

Episode Summary
 

When your vision begins to change, one of the hardest questions can be the simplest: Where do I even start? In the opening episode of a new season of Navigating Life with Vision Loss, host Kim Wardlow sits down with Empish Thomas and Pris Rogers from the APH Connect Center to talk about what comes next when vision loss enters your life. 

Empish and Pris walk through the resources available through the APH Connect Center, including VisionAware, CareerConnect, FamilyConnect, and its Getting Started Guide. They discuss practical first steps such as understanding yo...

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In this final episode of the sports series, host Kim Wardlow is joined by Kelly Liggett from No Barriers and Christine Holmberg, Executive Director of Foresight Adventure Guides, for a conversation about coaching, mentorship, support systems, and the power of trying something new with the right people beside you.
 

Kelly and Christine explore how coaches, guides, mentors, friends, and organizations help people with vision loss move past fear, limiting beliefs, and the lie that “I can’t do this.” The conversation highlights the importance of patience, choice, trust, kindness, encouragement, and practica...

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In this episode of Navigating Life with Vision Loss, host Kim Wardlow talks with Erin Gaston, Director of Guest Experience at Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, about how technology and accessibility are changing the live sports experience for blind and low-vision fans. 

Erin shares how her team supports guest experience across Ball Arena, Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, and the Paramount Theatre, including accessibility planning, guest relations, venue tours, sensory kits, assisted listening devices, captioning, and ongoing work toward digital wayfinding. 

A major focus of the conversation is OneCourt, a tactile broadcast devic...

1) Episode Summary 

In this episode of Navigating Life with Vision Loss, Kim Wardlow continues the sports series with Calli Roars and Terry Garrett for a conversation about adaptive recreation, guiding, trust, and what it takes to try new things safely. 

Calli brings the guide and recreation-provider perspective, while Terry shares his lived experience as a blind athlete who has participated in goalball, wrestling, martial arts, triathlon, CrossFit, climbing, cycling, swimming, and endurance sports. Together, they talk about how most sports can be adapted, but the level of support, safety planning, communication, and trust will vary de...

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Kim Wardlow welcomes Trevor Hahn for a conversation about the legacy and future of blind sports, with a strong focus on climbing, snowboarding, independence, and adaptive outdoor adventure. Trevor shares how growing up low vision shaped his relationship with sports, how losing the rest of his sight forced him to rethink identity and freedom, and how climbing helped him find his way back into adventure. 

The conversation moves through crack climbing in Moab, developing new climbing routes in South Dakota, learning from communities like Paradox Sports, and using communication systems and adaptive st...

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In this episode of Navigating Life with Vision Loss, host Kim Wardlow welcomes Jared Ciner from Spirit Club for a grounded, encouraging conversation about accessible fitness, movement, and the importance of starting where you are. As part of Aftersight’s 16-week sports series, this conversation focuses less on becoming an elite athlete and more on the simple but powerful truth that every person can move in a way that supports their body, confidence, independence, and long-term health. 

Jared explains Spirit Club’s mission to create fitness opportunities where people of all abilities feel comfor...

1) Episode Summary

In this powerful panel conversation, Kim Wardlow brings together Shawn Cheshire, Penn Street, and Christine Holmberg for an honest discussion about women in sports, blindness, access, fear, courage, and what it really takes to create opportunity. The episode starts with a clear challenge: blind women in sports should not be treated like a separate afterthought, but as athletes worthy of equal respect, visibility, and opportunity. 

From there, the conversation digs into the real barriers—lack of inclusion in mainstream sports culture, limited development pathways, the cost of adaptive competition, and the ongoing struggle to...

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 In this episode, Kim Wardlow welcomes Paralympian Lex Gillette for a clear and highly practical conversation on how track and field works for blind and low-vision athletes. They break down the difference between track and field events, explain T11, T12, and T13 classifications, and walk listeners through the real mechanics of accessibility in the sport: blindfold rules, guide runners, tethers, verbal cueing, and the trust it takes to compete at a high level. The conversation also gives a vivid picture of what it feels like to be in the blocks, on the runway, and in m...

Episode Summary

 Kim Wardlow sits down with Christine Holmberg, Executive Director of Foresight Adventure Guides for the Blind, for a conversation about skiing, confidence, freedom, and what becomes possible when blind and low-vision individuals are given the right support on the mountain. Christine shares how Foresight grew from a ski-specific program into a broader adventure organization, while still staying deeply committed to guided skiing and snowboarding at Vail and Beaver Creek.
 

The episode walks through how Foresight’s programs work for both adults and youth, including guided ski days, youth learn-to-ski trips, and the stru...

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In this episode of Navigating Life with Vision Loss, Kim Wardlow sits down with Mindy Keene for a grounded and encouraging conversation about health, wellness, and the small choices that build a stronger foundation for life. Rather than focusing only on sports performance, this episode pulls back and looks at the bigger picture: sleep, hydration, movement, nutrition, stress, self-talk, and the mental side of lasting change. 

Mindy shares her personal turning point after learning her lung function had dropped significantly, and how that moment forced her to take her health more seriously. She ta...

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This episode continues the Navigating Life with Vision Loss sports series with a bold conversation on extreme sports. Host Kim Wardlow welcomes Shawn Cheshire, who shares her journey from vision loss after a traumatic brain injury to becoming a record-setting athlete in biathlon, cycling, hiking, and mountaineering. Together, they unpack misconceptions about blindness and risk, the role of fear in growth, and why communication, trust, and the right team matter more than special equipment in many outdoor pursuits. The conversation also explores rock climbing, water adventures, and mountaineering, while giving listeners practical encouragement to try s...

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Kim Wardlow welcomes Evan Schwabrock, founder of Cane and Able Fitness, for a practical and encouraging conversation about getting started with strength training and gym fitness as a blind or low-vision person. Evan shares his story of losing most of his vision due to Leber’s Hereditary Optic Neuropathy, how his background in kinesiology and disability studies shaped his work, and why he created Cane and Able Fitness to challenge the idea that disability means inability. 

This episode focuses on real-world fitness basics rather than extreme performance. Evan breaks down the confidence, independence, and...

Episode Summary 

In this episode of Navigating Life with Vision Loss, Kim Wardlow continues the sports series by diving into aquatic sports with Jillian Stringfellow and Will Rastetter from Envision Blind Sports. Together, they unpack how blind and low-vision athletes can participate in swimming, kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding, and rowing with the right instruction, communication, and support. 

The conversation highlights a simple but powerful truth: aquatic sports are far more accessible than many people assume. Jillian and Will explain that most adaptations are not dramatic. They often come down to clearer verbal instruction, guided orientation, hands-on le...

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In this special Aftersight Original, Kim Wardlow shares the personal story behind her leadership and the road that led her to become Executive Director of Aftersight. She reflects on growing up in Lamar, Colorado, her early love for creativity, 4-H, cooking, service, travel, and the many work experiences that quietly prepared her for nonprofit leadership. 

Kim walks listeners through pivotal moments in her life—from studying abroad in Scotland and working internationally, to volunteering at what was then Radio Reading Service of the Rockies, to unexpectedly finding both her calling and her husband thro...

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In this episode of Navigating Life with Vision Loss, host Kim Wardlow continues the sports series with a conversation about team sports, adaptive recreation, and the deeper personal growth that comes through play. Guest Ashley Thomas, founder of Bridge to Sports, shares her own story of living with spina bifida, becoming a wheelchair user, discovering sport later in life, and eventually competing at a world-class level in kayaking. 

Ashley brings a powerful perspective to the conversation: sport is not just about competition. It is a tool for confidence, independence, resilience, teamwork, communication, an...

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In this episode of Navigating Life with Vision Loss, host Kim Wardlow continues the 16-week sports series with a deep dive into goalball—a fast-paced Paralympic sport designed specifically for blind and low-vision athletes. 

Kim is joined by Lisa Tarkowski, a six-time Paralympic medalist and multi-sport Paralympian (goalball and track & field), and EJ Whitney, a coach and strength/conditioning professional who has worked closely with U.S. goalball athletes. 

Together, they break down: 

Episode Summary 

Navigating Life with Vision Loss launches a new sports series—covering everything from beginner-friendly fitness routines to extreme sports—and kicks things off with beep baseball (often called “beepball”), an adaptive version of baseball designed for blind and low-vision athletes. 

Guest Ethan Johnston shares his background (growing up as the only blind kid in a small Missouri town, originally from Ethiopia) and explains how sports and music became “therapy” for him. He walks listeners through how beep baseball works—key rule differences from traditional baseball, defensive positioning, the role of a sighted pitcher and spotters, wh...

Episode Summary
In this wrap-up of the Safety Series, Kim Wardlow and a fellow Aftersight host answer listener questions about real-life safety challenges. Listeners share concerns about traveling alone, involving neighbors in a safety network, feeling secure in public spaces, avoiding online scams, and improving home safety on a budget.
Kim and her guest offer practical, honest advice—emphasizing that independence looks different for everyone, small steps matter, and safety includes both tools and community. The episode closes with a reminder to support Aftersight on Colorado Gives Day and to explore Aftersight’s other podcasts for more resources and...

1) Episode Summary
In this final episode of the safety series, Kim Wardlow explores how to build a strong personal safety network with guest Joe Strechay. Joe explains that a safety network is more than an emergency contact—it’s a mix of trusted people who support day-to-day needs like transportation, home tasks, childcare, employment, and technology.
Joe shares how his network evolved through college, cross-country moves, and international film work, emphasizing that each season of life requires different kinds of support. He highlights the importance of reciprocity, clear communication, and knowing when to let someone go if a rela...

1) Episode Summary
Host Kim Wardlow continues the Navigating Life with Vision Loss safety series by exploring what “safety” really means in parenting and caregiving—far beyond outlet covers and baby gates. Guest Bethany Joy Boring, a blind single mom, speaker, author, and mental health coach, shares candid stories about raising three boys while navigating progressive vision loss and hearing loss.
Together, Kim and Bethany unpack the balance between protecting kids and letting them grow, how blindness can actually deepen trust and connection within a family, and the emotional side of handing over the car keys—whether you’re a parent l...

Episode Summary
This episode explores the essentials of safe and confident solo travel for individuals who are blind or living with low vision. Host Kim Wardlow welcomes back seasoned traveler and travel advisor Sue Slater, who brings more than 40 years of firsthand experience traveling independently around the world.
Kim and Sue break down domestic and international travel safety, including airport navigation, researching safe neighborhoods, using rideshare responsibly, preparing for currency differences, avoiding scams and pickpockets, and keeping your passport, cards, and devices secure. Sue also highlights essential apps—including Aira, Be My Eyes, Google Translate, CityMapper, Ally, and XE...

Episode Summary
In this episode of Navigating Life with Vision Loss, host Kim Wardlow continues the Safety Series by exploring how emotional, physical, and spiritual safety impact relationships. Joined by Bill Lundgren, host of Blindsight and longtime mental health advocate, the discussion dives deep into what it means to make wise relationship choices—from family and workplace connections to romantic and community relationships.

Listeners will learn how to:
Identify the difference between safe and unsafe relationships.
Recognize subtle signs of emotional or spiritual harm.
Build boundaries rooted in self-respect and self-love.
Cultivate supportive mentors an...

In this episode of Navigating Life with Vision Loss, host Kim Wardlow welcomes Michael Hingson, Chief Vision Officer at AccessiBe, National Ambassador for the National Federation of the Blind’s Braille Literacy Campaign, and author of Thunder Dog and Live Like a Guide Dog. The conversation explores safety and self-advocacy in healthcare settings for people who are blind or have low vision. Michael shares personal stories, including a recent hospital experience that highlights gaps in staff understanding of blindness, and offers strategies for educating providers, asserting one’s needs, and ensuring safety in medical environments. He emphasizes the importance of conf...

Host Kim Wardlow welcomes Annaliese Knop, mental health professional, and Laura Millar, public health expert—co-founders of the Blind Sexuality Access Network (BSAN)—for a deep, empowering discussion about safe online dating, boundaries, consent, and healthy connections in the blind and low-vision community.
They unpack the “Be Nice and Educate” mindset often taught to blind individuals, showing how it can unintentionally suppress autonomy. Annaliese and Laura explain the FRIES model of consent (Freely given, Reversible, Informed, Enthusiastic, and Specific) and offer concrete tools to identify red flags, build confidence in saying “no,” and create emotionally and physically safe dating experiences...

Kim Wardlow talks with Desiree Farley, Community Protection Specialist at the Boulder County District Attorney’s Office, about recognizing and recovering from scams and fraud. They cover tech-support pop-ups, account takeovers, spoofed calls and AI voice mimicry, contractor and door-to-door schemes, safe public Wi-Fi use, device updates, credit freezes, and why reporting matters. Practical safeguards include family “safe words,” letting unknown calls go to voicemail, verifying businesses, and contacting banks first after any loss. Resources noted: local DA offices, Colorado AG, FTC, BBB, and AARP peer support.

2) Contact Info Guest: Desiree Farley, Community Protection Specialist, Boulder County District Attorney’s Office...

In this episode of Navigating Life with Vision Loss, host Kim Wardlow continues the safety series with a deep dive into financial safety and independence. Joining her are Chris Peterson, Founder and CEO of Penny Forward, and Liz Botner, Board Member, Financial Educator, and Accessibility Advocate. Together, they explore how education and confidence can empower individuals who are blind or have low vision to take control of their finances.
Listeners learn how to recognize and prevent financial fraud, the importance of monitoring financial activity, and practical strategies for maintaining independence even with trusted helpers. Chris and Liz share common...

In this episode of Navigating Life with Vision Loss, host Kim Wardlow continues the safety series with a focus on fraud prevention. Attorney Heidi Gassman, a specialist in trusts, estates, and fraud prevention, shares insights from 30 years of practice. The discussion covers how fraud starts, early red flags, and practical steps to protect yourself—especially in the blind and low-vision community.

Topics include the post-2020 rise in scams, the difference between disability and incapacity, and the importance of trusted relationships. Heidi explains supported decision-making agreements, powers of attorney, and best practices for reviewing legal documents accessibly. Key takeaways: pause be...

In this episode of Navigating Life with Vision Loss, host Kim Wardlow continues the safety series with a focus on digital safety and identity protection. Guest Brandon Kennelly from Trenware, Aftersight’s managed service provider, breaks down practical strategies for protecting against phishing scams, spoofed websites, and identity theft. He explains why phishing attacks have risen dramatically, how blind and low-vision users may face unique risks with inaccessible attachments like PDFs, and why a layered defense approach is essential.
The discussion covers accessible security tools such as Windows Defender and Malwarebytes, the importance of password managers and multi-factor authentication, sa...

In this episode of Navigating Life with Vision Loss, host Kim Wardlow continues the Safety Series with a deep dive into home safety and smart tools. Guest Neva Fairchild, a nationally recognized advocate and expert in independent living skills, shares her journey from growing up with low vision to becoming a leader in accessibility at the American Foundation for the Blind and Dallas Lighthouse for the Blind.
Neva highlights practical strategies for adapting the home environment: improving lighting, using color contrast, reducing clutter, and adopting labeling systems like Braille, ScriptTalk, and WayAround. She discusses the value of proactive safety—pr...

Kim Wardlow welcomes safety guide and advocate Amy Wilson to unpack why boundaries are a core safety skill—not just physically, but mentally and emotionally. Amy reframes “self-defense” to start with psychological safety: dignity, clarity, and the right to say no without apology. Together they tackle common myths (“I’m not allowed to set boundaries”), how to spot when your limits are too loose or weaponized, and what to do when people don’t respect your “no.”
Key takeaways: clarity is kindness, no is a complete sentence, and accountability is empowering—especially in a community where “instrumental aggression” (withholding help to force compliance...

In this week’s episode of Navigating Life with Vision Loss, host Kim Wardlow continues the Fall safety series with a conversation on personal and community safety. Guest Jim Pilkington, longtime accessibility advocate and One Touch Self-Defense instructor, shares his journey with retinitis pigmentosa and how he turned his lived experience into action by teaching self-defense for individuals with blindness and low vision.
Jim explores the power of situational awareness, practical self-defense training, and how body language can deter threats in public spaces. He also highlights the importance of advocacy within local communities—from contacting traffic engineers about crosswalk sign...