A Different Way of Seeing

Today I chat with Angela Blackwell, the first blind person to hike the Pondo Trail in South Africa with her guide dog, Jaydee. Angela discusses how Jaydee helped her regain her confidence and independence after her diagnosis of Retinitis Pigmentosa resulted in significant loss of visual acuity. Hiking the Pondo Trail, a four day hike on the East coast of South Africa became a challenge that Angela set for herself as a way of raising awareness that blindness does not mean living small. She is also using the project as a fund-raiser for the South African Guide-Dogs Association for the Blind. Follow Ange and Jaydees experience on the show and connect with them online: Instagram: @Angel on the Blindside. Please also support their fundraising at https://www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/paws-on-the-path Image Description: A woman sitting on a large piece of driftwood on a sandy riverbank beside a white dog. The woman has short brown hair and light skin, and she is wearing a light gray T-shirt and denim shorts, barefoot, resting her chin on her hand and facing to the right with a calm, thoughtful expression. The dog is sitting close to her left side, wearing a collar, and also facing to the right. A wide, calm river stretches behind them, with green, tree-covered hills on both sides and a pale sky with light clouds. I’d love to hear from you – contact me at Website : loisstrachan.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lstrachan Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loisstrachanspeaker This episode edited by Craig Strachan using Hindenburg PRO – find out more on Hindenburg.com Credits and music by Charlie Dyasi.

In my first ever solo episode, and possibly my shortest, I’m inviting you to reach out if you, or someone you know would be a great guest for the show. In the episode, I talk about the types of stories I like to share, and tell you how to contact me if you, your organization, or someone you know might be a good person for me to interview. Reach out to me on my website loisstrachan.com Or drop a comment on Facebook, LinkedIn or YouTube if that’s where you found this invitation. Together let’s continue sharing stories that matter Image Description: A smiling woman with short dark hair who is wearing a teal blue and silver top. Behind her are light wooden shelves containing objects such as glassware, books, DVDs and a small model of a ship. I’d love to hear from you – contact me at Website : loisstrachan.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lstrachan Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loisstrachanspeaker This episode edited by Craig Strachan using Hindenburg PRO – find out more on Hindenburg.com Credits and music by Charlie Dyasi.

In this episode, Lois speaks with Simalumba Nawa on the business case for increased inclusion in business. This wide-ranging conversation covers Sima’s story of becoming visually impaired, gaining blindness skills, how he began his work as an inclusion advocate, and some of the work he has done in this space. Sima also discusses his work with corporates in Africa demonstrating the value of increasing inclusion not only in employment, but in all facets of their business and offerings. Reach out to Sima Nawa: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/simaragnar.nawa LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simalumba-nawa-/ Dear Sighted People Blog: https://dearsightedpeople.wordpress.com/: Watch Sima’s TEDx speech: https://youtu.be/xwiGmrs8chE?si=2SOyQ3hG1k_fPN50 Image Description: A man with a goatee standing against a white background. He is wearing a black short-sleeved shirt and has a brown and white animal print over his shoulder. One hand rests on his hip and the other holds the handle of a white cane. I’d love to hear from you – contact me at Website : loisstrachan.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lstrachan Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loisstrachanspeaker This episode edited by Craig Strachan using Hindenburg PRO – find out more on Hindenburg.com Credits and music by Charlie Dyasi.

In this episode, Lois speaks with recruitment agent Karen Armour on the topic of employment for persons with disabilities. During the conversation, they explore the role of a recruiter in advocating for job seekers with disabilities, the importance of a CV to showcase your skills, and thoughts on approaching interviews. This is an episode that is filled with practical details on how to set up your CV to sell your skills, ways to prepare for an interview and how to find a recruiter who will best represent the needs of a job seeker with a disability. Reach out to Karen Armour: e-mail: karen@isisekelo.co.za Mobile: +27 (0)74 153 0992 Website: www.isisekelo.co.za LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-armour-645ba221?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app Image Description: A woman with shoulder-length wavy brown hair who is smiling gently at the camera. She is wearing a royal blue coat over a dark blouse and gray pants, and her hands are resting on her knee. I’d love to hear from you – contact me at Website : loisstrachan.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lstrachan Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loisstrachanspeaker This episode edited by Craig Strachan using Hindenburg PRO – find out more on Hindenburg.com Credits and music by Charlie Dyasi.

In this episode, Lois speaks with Dr Erna van der Westhuizen about the concept of voice economy as a way for marginalized groups, including those with disabilities, to empower and advocate for themselves. Erna developed the concept of voice economy after leading an advocacy project to explore the out of pocket expenses experienced by parents of children with disabilities. When she initially struggled to get the information she needed for the project, she started a WhatsApp group to communicate with community leaders who began adding parents and other stakeholders to the group. Within a short time it had grown to more than 3000 participants sharing their lived experiences and knowledge to benefit others in the community. Erna defines voice economy as a system of expression and an exchange of individual and collective voices to generate shared value that drives social transformation and change Discover more about voice economy at Website: www.voiceeconomy.org Read Erna’s latest article at: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12587122/ Image Description: A woman with short hair wearing a red academic gown.. She is dressed in a black and white patterned shirt and has on a pair of spectacles and a chunky Necklace of red and black. The image is taken outdoors with trees and mountains in the background. I’d love to hear from you – contact me at Website : loisstrachan.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lstrachan Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loisstrachanspeaker This episode edited by Craig Strachan using Hindenburg PRO – find out more on Hindenburg.com Credits and music by Charlie Dyasi.

In this episode, Lois speaks with Dr Julie Siemers, a specialist in patient safety. So often we hear of patients with disabilities who experience poor communication from medical professionals when undergoing treatments. While talking with Dr Julie, I learned that this form of medical gaslighting is not limited to our community, but may happen generally. Julie lists various factors that may result in patient harm, both from the side of the patient and the medical professionals. She also suggests ways in which patients can protect themselves from potentially dangerous medical situations. This is a valuable episode for anyone undergoing medical care to ensure their health and safety. Discover more about Dr Julie at Website: https://drjuliesiemers.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbWkt2P7SKI Get hold of her book at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CKRWPV8P Image Description: A woman with long, wavy brown hair smiles warmly at the camera. She is wearing a blue and white jacket over a tan blouse and gold hoop earrings. I’d love to hear from you – contact me at Website : loisstrachan.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lstrachan Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loisstrachanspeaker This episode edited by Craig Strachan using Hindenburg PRO – find out more on Hindenburg.com Credits and music by Charlie Dyasi.

With November being disability awareness month in South Africa and 14 November being the annual day dedicated to recognising those living with diabetes, it seemed an appropriate time to publish this interview. In this special two-part episode, I unpack my journey with chronic kidney disease in conversation with Jeremy Opperman. In episode 138, we discuss my diagnosis with Type 1 diabetes when I was six years old and trace the impact of diabetes on my life, resulting in my blindness at the age of 21. We then turn to my subsequent discovery that I was experiencing chronic kidney disease and track the steps that led to my starting on dialysis in January 2025. In episode 139 we explore how I’ve adapted to dialysis as a blind woman, trying to offer insights into some of the medical realities. Finally, we discuss what the future holds as I start to discover more about a possible kidney transplant. *Note: this conversation was recorded a few months ago and much has changed since then. I now have a kidney donor and am working my way through the process of preparing for the transplant. Correction: , at one point I refer to the AV graft as an artificial vascular graft. The correct term is arteriovenous Graft, which connects an artery with a vein allowing access for the dialysis to take place. Image Description: A stylised graphic of a woman with a ponytail walking with a white cane, next to an icon of an eye with curved lines suggesting vision or awareness. Below the graphic is the text:A Different Way of Seeing with Lois Strachan I’d love to hear from you – contact me at Web: https://www.loisstrachan.com/ LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lstrachan Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loisstrachanspeaker This episode edited by Craig Strachan using Hindenburg PRO – find out more on Hindenburg.com Credits and music by Charlie Dyasi.

With November being disability awareness month in South Africa and 14 November being the annual day dedicated to recognising those living with diabetes, it seemed an appropriate time to publish this interview. In this special two-part episode, I unpack my journey with chronic kidney disease in conversation with Jeremy Opperman. In episode 138, we discuss my diagnosis with Type 1 diabetes when I was six years old and trace the impact of diabetes on my life, resulting in my blindness at the age of 21. We then turn to my subsequent discovery that I was experiencing chronic kidney disease and track the steps that led to my starting on dialysis in January 2025. In episode 139 we explore how I’ve adapted to dialysis as a blind woman, trying to offer insights into some of the medical realities. Finally, we discuss what the future holds as I start to discover more about a possible kidney transplant. *Note: this conversation was recorded a few months ago and much has changed since then. I now have a kidney donor and am working my way through the process of preparing for the transplant. Correction: , at one point I refer to the AV graft as an artificial vascular graft. The correct term is arteriovenous Graft, which connects an artery with a vein allowing access for the dialysis to take place. Image Description: A stylised graphic of a woman with a ponytail walking with a white cane, next to an icon of an eye with curved lines suggesting vision or awareness. Below the graphic is the text:A Different Way of Seeing with Lois Strachan I’d love to hear from you – contact me at Web: https://www.loisstrachan.com/ LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lstrachan Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loisstrachanspeaker This episode edited by Craig Strachan using Hindenburg PRO – find out more on Hindenburg.com Credits and music by Charlie Dyasi.

In today’s episode, Lois chats with Mlimbisi Msibi (also known as Coach Jack) from Corinthians Africa, a youth empowerment organisation in Gauteng, South Africa. Amongst the programmes they offer youth, Corinthians Africa have started an active blind football team. For his work empowering both youth with and without disabilities, Mlimbisi Msibi was the recipient of a Young Mandela Award in 2025. During the conversation, Coach Jack shares the story of how Corinthians Africa came to be, and how the blind football initiative became part of their offerings. He also discusses his goal of growing the movement to allow greater numbers of blind youth to participate in blind football through the establishment of a blind soccer league in South Africa. Apologies for the minor technical difficulties experienced during this interview – sometimes that is just the way it goes! Learn more about Coach Jack and Corinthians Africa at: e-mail: Jack@corinthians.africa Instagram, Tiktok, LinkedIn and Facebook: Corinthians Africa. Coach Jack Personal: Tiktok: Coach Jack 48 LinkedIn: Mlungisi Jack Msibi Watch this short YouTube video about the story: https://youtu.be/59vFx9mr8kc?si=X63Eu_JEW3a2yb-S Image description: I’d love to hear from you – contact me at Web: https://www.loisstrachan.com/ LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lstrachan Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loisstrachanspeaker This episode edited by Craig Strachan using Hindenburg PRO – find out more on Hindenburg.com Credits and music by Charlie Dyasi.

Dr Chiggy Oghotuama is the founder of the Seizure Support Foundation in Nigeria. As a mother to a special needs child, Chiggy encountered challenges when searching for support groups in her area from whom she could learn. This led her to engage stakeholders at all levels, from parents to government, to advocate for the inclusion of children from marginalised groups in education, health and other areas of life. In this episode, I chat with Dr Chiggy about some of the initiatives that the Seizure Support Foundation has put in place in Nigeria, including an education scholarship fund, a medical outreach programme, and the video modelling project, to assist parents of children with disabilities. She describes the challenges faced by those whose lives are impacted by disability in her community and introduces us to the ASK anagram that she uses when working with parents of children with a new diagnosis of disability. Learn more about Dr Chiggy and the Seizure Support Foundation at: Website: www.seizuresupportfoundation.org e-mail: info@seizuresupportfoundation.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SeizureCare Instagram: seizure_support_foundation Image description: A woman of colour with short hair wearing glasses and a white button-up shirt, earrings, a bracelet, and a wristwatch. On a wooden stool next to her is an award plaque recognising her as a woman that Builds. Her right arm is bent and her fist is raised in a gesture of determination or celebration. I’d love to hear from you – contact me at Web: https://www.loisstrachan.com/ LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lstrachan Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loisstrachanspeaker This episode edited by Craig Strachan using Hindenburg PRO – find out more on Hindenburg.com Credits and music by Charlie Dyasi.

In this episode, I chat with Cary Lowe and Trish Butler about the complexities of travelling with a mobility impairment like multiple sclerosis. The conversation centres around a new book released by Cary, entitled “On Two Legs and Three Wheels” in which he shares some of the global travel adventures he and his wife Trish, who is a wheelchair user, have had over the years. During the chat, Cary and Trish discuss some of the most common challenges faced by travellers who are wheelchair users, ways in which the hospitality industry could make their services and venues more inclusive to all, and address the topic of travel for an ageing population. They also share a few of their wealth of travel stories, both positive and negative, to illustrate their insights. Here’s where you can find Cary’s book: https://tinyurl.com/3zj4r77m Learn more about Cary at: https://carylowewriter.com/ Image description: The cover of the book On Two Legs and Three Wheels, by Cary D Lowe. The cover shows an older man and woman outdoors. The man is standing and holding a mobility scooter handle, while the woman sits on the scooter, smiling, with her hand on the man's. They are in front of a lush, green backdrop with a tall waterfall behind them. The subtitle of the book is The Travel Adventures of a Couple Overcoming Age and Disability. I’d love to hear from you – contact me at Web: https://www.loisstrachan.com/ LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lstrachan Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loisstrachanspeaker This episode edited by Craig Strachan using Hindenburg PRO – find out more on Hindenburg.com Credits and music by Charlie Dyasi.

In this episode, I chat with Talitha Humes about her app which enables users to easily identify and take the prescribed medications required for their chronic and auto-immune conditions. After receiving a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis in 2005, Talitha realized that her medications were complex and increasingly difficult to manage accurately. Despite trying various available apps to assist her with managing her tablets, none worked well for Talitha, which began the journey of developing an app that would suit her needs. The app, See Meds, is available at no cost on IOS and will hopefully be coming to Android shortly. Since we recorded, I installed the app and tested it. From what I can see, it is almost entirely accessible for me as a blind user of an iPhone with VoiceOver. Here’s where you can find the app and read more about it: Website: www.seemymed.com See Meds App on IOS: https://apps.apple.com/za/app/see-meds/id1671939877 https://www.instagram.com/seemedsapp/ Image description: A woman with short curly light hair, wearing a light blue collared shirt. She has pearl-stud earrings and is wearing glasses with a dark frame. I’d love to hear from you – contact me at Web: https://www.loisstrachan.com/ LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lstrachan Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loisstrachanspeaker This episode edited by Craig Strachan using Hindenburg PRO – find out more on Hindenburg.com Credits and music by Charlie Dyasi.

** Do you have a goal you’d love to achieve and need help reaching it? Are you feeling overwhelmed by the challenges you face? Contact me for a free 30 minute discovery chat to see if she is the coach to help you. Drop me a mail: https://www.loisstrachan.com/contact-lois/ In this episode, we return to the subject of inclusive sport. Lois chats about inclusive archery with three-time Paralympian Shaun Anderson, and Ferdi van Eerden, who has competed four times in the World Archery Indoor Nationals. The conversation focuses on the ways in which archery can be adapted to accommodate people with differing needs, the high level of inclusion within the sport and the benefits of participating in a sport for persons with disabilities. Why not give inclusive archery a try? Reach out to Shaun and the South African National Archery Association (at the following links: Shaun website: https://odysseyarchery.co.za/ Shaun WhatsApp: +27 (0)83 658 2129 SANAA Website: https://www.sanaa.org.za/ Image description: Ferdi, A man in a wheelchair, who is wearing a blue and red shirt is aiming a bow, presumably at an archery target, On the wheelchair there is a dark blue bag containing various articles. Other competitors can be seen in the background as are archery targets and a digital scoreboard. I’d love to hear from you – contact me at Web: https://www.loisstrachan.com/ LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lstrachan Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loisstrachanspeaker This episode edited by Craig Strachan using Hindenburg PRO – find out more on Hindenburg.com Credits and music by Charlie Dyasi.

** Do you have a goal you’d love to achieve and need help reaching it? Are you feeling overwhelmed by the challenges you face? Contact me for a free 30 minute discovery chat to see if she is the coach to help you. Drop me a mail: https://www.loisstrachan.com/contact-lois/ In this episode, Lois chats with Sayyida Victoria, The Blind Butterfly. Sayyida is a woman of many talents. she works as the manager of education and training at the Lighthouse in Housten, Texas. She is the founder of the Blind Professionals Network, an NGO focusing on improving the employability of those who are blind and partially blind. She is co-host of the Blind Table Talk podcast. And she is a mom to five children. During the conversation, Sayyida talks of how she became blind, what it was like being a blind mom to her five children, the importance of education and advocacy both within and beyond the blindness sector, and the eternal question of whether or not it is okay to ask for help as an empowered, independent person with a disability. Reach out to Sayyida: Blind Professionals Network Website: blindpronet.org Blind Table Talk Website: blindtabletalk.com Email: bviempowered@outlook.com Email: blindbutterfly@icloud.com Image description: A woman with shoulder-length black hair smiling gently at the camera. She is wearing a light purple shirt over a black top and a delicate chain necklace. The lighting is soft and emphasises her face. I’d love to hear from you – contact me at Web: https://www.loisstrachan.com/ LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lstrachan Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loisstrachanspeaker This episode edited by Craig Strachan using Hindenburg PRO – find out more on Hindenburg.com Credits and music by Charlie Dyasi.

** Want to introduce the topic of inclusion to young children? My illustrated children’s books, The Adventures of Missy Mouse, are a great tool to open conversations that normalise disability. Order them at https://www.loisstrachan.com/shop/#acc-content In this episode, Lois chats with Naomi Riley, a consultant, brain injury survivor and advocate with a passion for making a difference. During the conversation, Naomi talks about growing up with a disability and the challenges she faced during her schooling. She then discusses the distracted driver accident that left her with a brain injury as an adult and the rehabilitation she underwent as a result of the accident. Naomi is the founder of the Text Pledge Project, a nationally recognized initiative addressing mental health and digital wellness through collaborative community engagement. Her work has impacted thousands of students and educators across school systems and civic organizations. She’s been featured in national media in the USA, invited to speak at education conferences and advocacy panels, and has advised business leaders and policymakers on building equitable systems that support neurodiverse communities. Reach out to Naomi : Website: https://naomilriley.com/ Text Pledge Project: https://textpledge.us/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/naomi.l.riley/ Image description: A smiling woman with long, wavy blonde hair standing outdoors in a crowd. She is wearing a stylish orange blazer over a light yellow blouse, accessorized with layered necklaces and earrings. People in casual summer clothing are visible in the background. Trees and soft-focus buildings can also be seen in the background. I’d love to hear from you – contact me at Web: https://www.loisstrachan.com/ LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lstrachan Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loisstrachanspeaker This episode edited by Craig Strachan using Hindenburg PRO – find out more on Hindenburg.com Credits and music by Charlie Dyasi.

Show Notes: ** My new book, Paws for Thought (second edition) is now available as a print book, an e-book and in audio – grab your copy today! Order it at https://www.loisstrachan.com/shop/#acc-content In this episode, Lois chats with Belinda Sampson, an empowerment coach and programme coordinator focused on lifelong learning. Following on from the last episode, where I highlighted two adaptive sports for the blind community, the conversation with Belinda focuses on her involvement with wheelchair basketball. During her education, Belinda was exposed to several adaptive sports, but it was only when she discovered wheelchair basketball that she found a sport that worked for her. Belinda describes how the sport is played, including the means by which differing levels of disability can be incorporated. I found it interesting that non-disabled people can be accommodated into wheelchair basketball as long as they are also making use of a wheelchair during the game. Following on to our discussion of wheelchair basketball, we explored Belinda’s new career focus on coaching, empowering people with disabilities to achieve their goals. Reach out to Belinda: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/belinda-sampson-developer/ e-mail: abilityflexed@gmail.com Find out more about wheelchair basketball at: Website: https://basketball.co.za/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WheelchairBasketballSA Image description: A woman of colour with braided hair who is a wheelchair user. She is wearing a dark blue sleeveless top and is resting her chin on her raised right hand, while her left hand is placed on her lap. The background of the image is a soft blue purple colour. I’d love to hear from you – contact me at Web: https://www.loisstrachan.com/ LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lstrachan Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loisstrachanspeaker This episode edited by Craig Strachan using Hindenburg PRO – find out more on Hindenburg.com Credits and music by Charlie Dyasi.

** My new book, Paws for Thought (second edition) is now available as a print book, an e-book and in audio – grab your copy today! Order it at https://www.loisstrachan.com/shop/#acc-content In this episode, Lois chats with Joseph Fleeks, one of the hosts of the Blind Table Talk Podcast. At the age of 16, a drive-by shooting resulted in Joseph becoming blind. An active athlete when he was sighted, Joseph began exploring adaptive sports soon after his rehabilitation. In this conversation, we discuss two of his sports, Beep Baseball and Goalball. From there we discuss what Joseph sees as challenges facing the blind and visually impaired community, ending off with an introduction to the Blind Table Talk platform, which will be discussed in greater detail in an episode of the membership site of this show. Reach out to Joseph at the following links: e-mail: Joseph@blindtabletalk.com Web: https://blindtabletalk.com/ YouTube: https://youtube.com/@blindtabletalk?si=7gWmI0mwEl3HI68V Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/5346006688800340 Image description: The logo of the show, A Different Way of Seeing with Lois Strachan. The image features a styalised human figure with long hair and a white cane. On the right is an image of an eye, indicating vision or sight. The colours are shades of teal blue and grey. I’d love to hear from you – contact me at Web: https://www.loisstrachan.com/ LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lstrachan Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loisstrachanspeaker This episode edited by Craig Strachan using Hindenburg PRO – find out more on Hindenburg.com Credits and music by Charlie Dyasi.

** My new book, Paws for Thought (second edition) is now available as a print book, an e-book and in audio – grab your copy today! Order it at https://www.loisstrachan.com/shop/#acc-content In this episode, Lois chats with Tarryn Tomlinson from LiveAble Universal Access Consultants, an organisation that specialises in universal access solutions for the hospitality industry. The conversation focuses on the impact that smart city initiatives could have on the inhabitants of a city, including those with disabilities. We discuss the difference between smart and traditional city planning and design, how to ensure that people with disabilities are not left behind when it comes to the design, implementation and measurement of smart initiatives, and how to ensure that people who are not able or willing to engage with technology are not marginalised. We also consider the first steps that a city like that in which both Tarryn and I live may need to take to start incorporating smart technology into the planning and design process. Reach out to Tarryn at the following links: Web: www.liveablegroup.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liveabledesign/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/liveablefocus e-mail: tarryn@liveablegroup.com Able2Travel Web: www.able2travel.co.za Image description: The logo of the show, A Different Way of Seeing, with Lois Strachan. The image features a styalised human figure with long hair and a white cane. On the right is an image of an eye, indicating vision or sight. The colours are shades of teal blue and grey. I’d love to hear from you – contact me at Web: https://www.loisstrachan.com/ LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lstrachan Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loisstrachanspeaker This episode edited by Craig Strachan using Hindenburg PRO – find out more on Hindenburg.com Credits and music by Charlie Dyasi.

** My new book, Paws for Thought (seco nd edition) is now available as a print book, an e-book and in audio – grab your copy today! Order it at https://www.loisstrachan.com/shop/#acc-content In today’s episode, Lois chats with Michelle Nell, a post-graduate psychology student and musician about living with complex disabilities. Michelle was born with glaucoma, a visual impairment, and has since received diagnoses of auto-immune conditions, psoriatic arthritis and multiple sclerosis. During the conversation Michelle shares how she views her disabilities, the process of navigating a new diagnosis of an auto-immune condition and the challenges she currently faces due to having been forced by her medical condition to put her studies on hold temporarily. She also discusses the relief of receiving a diagnosis after months of uncertainty about her medical condition and the reassurance experienced from now having a way forward with a treatment that can assist her. If you are able to make a donation to Michelle’s crowdfunding campaign, that would really help her. Crowdfunding link: https://www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/visions-for-change-supporting-a-blind-scholars-journey Reach out to Michelle: e-mail: mnellpiano@gmail.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michelle.nell.39 Follow Michelle’s writing on her Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61571289303639

** My new book, Paws for Thought (second edition) is now available as a print book, an e-book and in audio – grab your copy today! Order it at https://www.loisstrachan.com/shop/#acc-content In today’s episode, Lois chats with Katrina (Kat) Paz, the compiler of a recently published bestselling book, Trailblazing and Transforming: Success Stories of Entrepreneurs with Disabilities. Trailblazing and Transforming shares the stories of twelve people with disabilities who have achieved success in building their own companies. The purpose of the book is to build awareness of entrepreneurship as a way for people with disabilities to grow sustainable income generating organisations from their skills and passions. In the conversation, Kat discusses why entrepreneurship is such a good option for people with disabilities as a career, the diversity of those represented in the book, and what people can learn from it. Find Trailblazing and Transforming: Success Stories of Entrepreneurs with Disabilities on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/Trailblazing-Transforming-Success-Entrepreneurs-Disabilities-ebook/dp/B0F3S6BRP3/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.FFuROm34wayO82mopyepFQ.ZblSLGivwEmSRUjx1w7bVqkqQymynpi8IUp82KZ0H14&dib_tag=se&keywords=success+stories+of+entrepreneurs+with+disability+paz&qid=1746703949&s=books&sr=1-1 As a note, Trailblazing and Transforming achieved bestseller status in the categories of Home-Based Business Sales & Selling and Biographies of Social Activists on the day it launched. Find Kat Paz on the following links: Website: leapground.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LeapGround Instagram: @leapground LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/leapground/ Image description: Cover of the book Trailblazing and Transforming, Success Stories of Entrepreneurs with Disabilities, compiled by Kat Paz. The cover is in shades of blue and gray with pops of orange. It features three graphics of people from the waist down. On the left is a person with a prosthetic leg. In the middle is a person wearing business attire with a briefcase in their left hand and a white cane in their right hand. The right image is of a person in a wheelchair. I’d love to hear from you – contact me at Web: https://www.loisstrachan.com/ LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lstrachan Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loisstrachanspeaker This episode edited by Craig Strachan using Hindenburg PRO – find out more on Hindenburg.com Credits and music by Charlie Dyasi.