Beyond Blindness | Resilience For Ocular Disease

It is truly inspiring to have had the honor to interview Tracey McCann a person that has overcome Dystonia which is a disease that paralyses the muscles in your body, Tracey exemplifies a person of courage and resilience with her positivity and mindset; she can’t speak do to her muscles having paralyzed her throat, never the less she has manage to become a TedX speaker and bestselling author on amazon, I was totally moved by her inner strength which I feel is a great example of life for those of us who struggle from ocular illness, to me Tracey proved that no matter our circumstances we can make the best out of any situation and grow from any obstacles. This interview humbled me and taught me so much that I decided to give it as my Christmas gift for team Beyond Blindness publishing December the 24th 2019 so that we can learn from her and take this as our example for the upcoming year 2020. On this episode you will learn three things: How to move from being a victim to a super hero. How to find courage to rice above any limitation. Find out which characteristics you should look within the people that surround you. For podcast show notes click here: THANKS TO ALL FOR LISTENING, TO ALL OF BEYOND BLINDNESS WE APPRECIATE YOU! Visit us here at: www.beyondblindness.com If you'd like to reach out and say hi, you can find Christian at @beyondblindnesspodcast on Facebook and Instagram

Ayurveda is an ancient Hindu medical profession dating back to 5000 B.C. it has its roots on balancing the human body mind connection with a combination of mindset, nutrition and herbs, it is a science that comes from the east. On today’s interview I had the pleasure to host Dr. Shivani Sood who has been practicing and studying the ayurvedic life style for 17 years, helping people from all walks of life’s heal from what seems impossible we took a deep dive into how this ancient method of healing can heal any type of ocular disease, we talk about the different herbs and processes for the healing of glaucoma, retinopathy, macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa and dry eye. This conversation was fascinating because it is impressive how ancient practices like Ayurveda are actually getting to the roots of the diseases out there and how can we all heal from toxins and the environment. On this episode you will learn three things: Find out why Ayurveda is an ancient healing practice that started on 5000 B.C. Learn how you can heal any eyesight condition with Ayurvedic medicine. Specific treatments for glaucoma, Macular degeneration, retinopathy, dry eyes and retinitis pigmentosa. For podcast show notes click here: THANKS TO ALL FOR LISTENING, TO ALL OF BEYOND BLINDNESS WE APPRECIATE YOU! Visit us here at: www.beyondblindness.com If you'd like to reach out and say hi, you can find Christian at @beyondblindnesspodcast on Facebook and Instagram

Did you know that studies point that 80 million people world wide will have glaucoma in 2020? This statistic is scary, fortunately if we as a society create awareness of this illness it can vastly be reduced and thus prevent blindness. On this episode, team beyond blindness had the privilege to host Dr. Austin Lifferth who has deep knowledge on glaucoma, but more importantly he shared insides, tactics and new technologies for glaucoma prevention. If you or a loved one have glaucoma, please do them a favor to share this important information. On this episode you will learn three things Did you know that 80 million people world wide will have glaucoma on 2020? Why should you and your loved one should have constant appointment with their ophthalmologist? Find out about the new drops that are revolutionizing the treatment of glaucoma. For podcast show notes click here: THANKS TO ALL FOR LISTENING, TO ALL OF BEYOND BLINDNESS WE APPRECIATE YOU! Visit us here at: www.beyondblindness.com If you'd like to reach out and say hi, you can find Christian at @beyondblindnesspodcast on Facebook and Instagram

THANKS TO ALL FOR LISTENING, TO ALL OF BEYOND BLINDNESS WE APPRECIATE YOU! Visit us here at: www.beyondblindness.com If you'd like to reach out and say hi, you can find Christian at @beyondblindnesspodcast on Facebook and Instagram

Grief is an extremely important process to understand, the fact of the matter is that at least one time in our lives we lose a loved one or like, in this episode we spoke with my special guest Corey Petersen on how to use the grieving process for overcoming ocular illness, she outlined the five steps for grief which I encourage you to listen and put into practice so you can heal and soothe your hart. For podcast show notes click here: THANKS TO ALL FOR LISTENING, TO ALL OF BEYOND BLINDNESS WE APPRECIATE YOU! Visit us here at: www.beyondblindness.com If you'd like to reach out and say hi, you can find Christian at @beyondblindnesspodcast on Facebook and Instagram

There are tons of people in the world who suffer from anxiety and depression,  on this special interview I had as my special guest Melissa King who approaches anxiety from a holistic perspective, with a unique combination of sleep, exercise and nutrition, as a person who has suffered from anxiety and depression, she dives in deep in to the details of a great diet, proper exercise and special tips for reducing anxiety levels. For podcast show notes click here: THANKS TO ALL FOR LISTENING, TO ALL OF BEYOND BLINDNESS WE APPRECIATE YOU! Visit us here at: www.beyondblindness.com If you'd like to reach out and say hi, you can find Christian at @beyondblindnesspodcast on Facebook and Instagram

On this episode I talk about uncertainty which is a fact of life, I teach you tactics to become more resourceful when uncertainty comes your way, for example, you feel uncertain or doubtful about overcoming the anxiety of an ocular illness, in order to be more resourceful it is imperative to pay close attention to how you speak, because this can and will affect how your subconscious mind takes in information and act upon it, I also explain the importance of focusing on the things that we currently have with an attitude of gratitude which will only enhance your internal mindset and thus you will be able to bring in to your life what you really desire. On this episode you will learn three things Uncertainty comes from the external environment and also internally. When we can’t change the situation, we are challenge to change our selves. Why should we focus on what we have in order to get what we want. For podcast show notes click here: THANKS TO ALL FOR LISTENING, TO ALL OF BEYOND BLINDNESS WE APPRECIATE YOU! Visit us here at: www.beyondblindness.com If you'd like to reach out and say hi, you can find Christian at @beyondblindnesspodcast on Facebook and Instagram

Stoicism is a philosophy of personal ethics informed by its system of logic and its views on the natural world. According to its teachings, as social beings, the path to eudaimonia (happiness) for humans is found in accepting the moment as it presents itself, by not allowing oneself to be controlled by the desire for pleasure or fear of pain, by using one's mind to understand the world and to do one's part in nature's plan, and by working together and treating others fairly and justly. The Stoics also held that certain destructive emotions resulted from errors of judgment, and they believed people should aim to maintain a will (called prohairesis) that is "in accord with nature". Because of this, the Stoics thought the best indication of an individual's philosophy was not what a person said, but how a person behaved. To live a good life, one had to understand the rules of the natural order since they thought everything was rooted in nature. For podcast show notes click here: THANKS TO ALL FOR LISTENING, TO ALL OF BEYOND BLINDNESS WE APPRECIATE YOU! Visit us here at: www.beyondblindness.com If you'd like to reach out and say hi, you can find Christian at @beyondblindnesspodcast on Facebook and Instagram

030 - How to train your brain to become stress proof with Dr. Melanie Greenberg. On this interview I had the honor to speak with Dr. Melanie Greenberg, author of the book “The Stress Proof Brain”, it was an eye opening experience to understand, how the different parts of your brain, work to produce acute or chronic stress, she gave team Beyond Blindness practical Exercises to overcome our day to day stress as well as chronic stress caused by chronic illness.  On this episode you will learn three things: What is the difference between acute and chronic stress? What is the pre-frontal cortex part of your brain? Mindfulness practices for reducing stress? 00:30 Melanie Greenberg’s Back ground 03:35 What parts of your brain are involved when facing stress? 06:50 What is the Hypothalamus in the brain? 07:30 what is cortisol hormone and its effects on our body? 08:10 What is the difference between acute and chronic stress? 11:25 What are some tips and steps to follow to reduce stress? 13:55 Mindfulness practices for reducing stress? 16:55 Where are our emotions generated in our brain? 18:10 How can self-compassion help you overcome stress? 20:20 Practical exercise: Greenberg takes us on an exercise for ocular disease and how she would approach the patient to reduce anxiety levels. 23:00 How can positive psychology can help us the avoidance of negative emotions? 25:39 What are Dr. Greenberg’s steps to harness the power of positive emotions? 30:50 Resources:         WebPage:          www.drmelaniegreenber.com Amazon Book:  “The Stress Proog Brain” Blog:                     phsychologytoday          “The mindful express self-expressed” on psychology today 32:25 Section: “THE WAY I SEE IT”

Not being able to get a job when you face a visual disability can be something to be afraid but today I had the opportunity to speak with Natalie Hadley, vice president of Outlook Business Solutions a company that provides job opportunities for the visually and the blind in the marketing area of the company. We discussed how can the visually impaired can develop the marketing skills of copy writhing, proof reading, accounting and many more. We discussed how Outlook Business Solutions provides job openings for free lancers through their web page www.outlookbusinesssolution.com. On this episode you will learn three things How is Outlook Business Solutions creating jobs on the marketing space for the visually impaired. What is copy writhing and how any visually impaired person can learn this skill and use it as a career. How much can you earn on an hourly rate with outlook business solutions. 05:26     Natalie background 08:11     What is copy writing? And how this is a career that anyone who is visually impaired can do? 10:16     How can you get started to learn copy writing to work with outlook business solutions. 13:26     How can the visually impaired apply for work with Outlook Business Solution 14:51     Other business opportunities that Outlook Business Solution for the visually impaired? 17:21     How much can I earn from my copy writing skills at Outlook Business Solutions. 18:51     Were can I get trained for marketing skills like copy writhing? 21:21     Outlook collaborative business branches for the visually impaired and the blind. 26:51     Natalie Hadley and Outlook Business Solutions contacts and resources.                 www.outlookbusinesssolution.com 28:41     Section: “ON THE WAY I SEE IT”   THANKS TO ALL FOR LISTENING, TO ALL OF BEYOND BLINDNESS WE APPRECIATE YOU! Visit us here at: www.beyondblindness.com If you'd like to reach out and say hi, you can find Christian at @beyondblindnesspodcast on Facebook and Instagram

“You will go blind”, this three words are so intimidating for anyone to be diagnosed with a progressive ocular disease, not for Virginia Jacko, we spoke about the importance of her mothers support and how her rigidness rubbed off on her and molded her personality to become the president and CEO of Miami Light House for the Blind. I asked Virginia what kind of mindset did she had to overcome blindness and she told me that her personality did not let her get to hung up on the diagnosis, instead her motivating force, was to get appropriate training so that later she could serve for the visually impaired and the blind. She explained how being president and CEO of Miami Light House has let her to mentor many people where she describes that not long ago she had a young girl that had an accident where the windshield crushed in to her face and deprived her of her eyesight. How volunteering open the doors for Virginia to become president and CEO of Miami Light House and how this simple act opened many doors for her. On this episode you will learn three things The importance of having a strong mental foundation How becoming a volunteer can open many doors, even if you are visually impaired. The importance to have a purpose to wake up every morning and do what you love. 05:53     Virginia Jacko Background 08:03     The importance of a mother’s support and education when you face an ocular disease. 11:53     Virginias mindset and way of thinking for overcoming RP (Retinitis Pigmentosa) a degenerative eye disease that leads anyone to blindness 18:18     How to apply for Miami Light House diverse rehabilitation programs. 25:48     Virginia explains to team Beyond Blindness how she was able to face fear. 30:58     How can you become more positive and have a positive outlook on life without vision. 36:08     What steps should I take when loosing my vision? 37:18     Recommendations to get on stuck from obstacles. 41:18     Resources and contacts                 www.miamilighthouse.org                 (305)8564176                 www.liighthouseshop.com 42:03     Section: “On the way I see it” THANKS TO ALL FOR LISTENING, TO ALL OF BEYOND BLINDNESS WE APPRECIATE YOU! Visit us here at: www.beyondblindness.com If you'd like to reach out and say hi, you can find Christian at @beyondblindnesspodcast on Facebook and Instagram

When you face any type of ocular illness, you need the love and support of all your family members, in this interview I sit down with Demian Vargas an exceptional human being that had to overcome blindness, divorce and face loneliness do to Keratokonus a degenerative disease of the cornea, this is a story of true resilience because Demian was able to turn things around now she is able to see and helps many people facing human corneal transplantations.  On this episode you will learn three things: Why it is important to choose the right ophthalmologist. How to overcome traumatic situations. How to become more resilient in the face of adversity 05:25     Demian Vargas introduction to the show 12:29     Keratokonus evolution in Demian Vargas, How it started. 14:25     A patients description of what is Keratokonus? 17:45     Demian Vargas physical and emotional challenges 30:35     How did Demian overcame here challenges? 39:15     Demian Vargas spiritual awakening after hitting rock bottom. 48:45     Demian Vargas Explains the benefits of energy healing. 54:50     How Demian Vargas helps people with ocular disease in the CTSG FB (cornearl transplant Support group) and the VSG FB (Visual Support Group). 01:01:35               Demians contact dlphidevelopment1111@gmail.com Corneal Transplant Support Group on facebook 01:03:15               Secion: “On the way I see it”

Did you know what is age related macular degeneration? This disease blind’s a large part of the worlds population it can start as early as 40 years of age. For many years people have been surprised to be diagnosed by this scary disease, thankfully, scientist like doctor Jane Lebkowski and her colleague’s at Regenerative Patch Technologies are working towards a great and viable solution for ending this disease once and for all. So if you a friend or a loved one has age related macular degeneration I encourage you to listen and share. On this episode you will learn three things What is the difference in between wet and dry age related macular degeneration? What is regenerative patch technologies? How does regenerative patch technologies implants stem cells in the back of the retina? 04:09     Dr. Jane Lebkowski introduction 08:49     What is wet age related macular degeneration and its treatment? 10:51     What is Regenerative Patch Technologies? 15:18     How does the regenerative patch works in dry type age related macular degeneration? 16:46     What does polarization means and how is the stem cell implant procedure done? 19:16     The early developments of dry type age related macular degeneration. 21:41     Tips and recommendations for patients facing age related macular degeneration. 24:56     What supplements should I take for age related macular degeneration? 26:01     What are the results seen on the clinical trials for regenerative patch technologies (Stem cell implants)? 27:36     How long after the surgery have you witnessed results? 28:21     How can people opt in for the 2nd phase clinical trials? 35:01     Contact to Dr. Jane Lebkowski. 35:26     Section: “The way I see it” THANKS TO ALL FOR LISTENING, TO ALL OF BEYOND BLINDNESS WE APPRECIATE YOU! Visit us here at: www.beyondblindness.com If you'd like to reach out and say hi, you can find Christian at @beyondblindnesspodcast on Facebook and Instagram

Have you ever thought how meditation can author your brain’s structure? On this interview I had the honor to have Dr. Sara Lazar professor at Harvard medical school, where we discussed how does the human brain works, the scientific benefits of meditation, what is neuroplasticity and the ability of healing our body through meditation processes On this episode you will learn three things: What is neuroscience? What does neuroplasticity means? What is the amygdala in the human brain? 04:45   Sara Lazar introduction 06:18   What is neuroscience? 07:59   How does meditation affect the body mind relationship? 08:58   What is the “amygdala” inside the brain and how does it work? 09:35     How long should the meditation practices take? 12:42     Differences of mindfulness and mantra meditations. 14:08     What does Neuroplasticity means? 15:15     Meditation, Neuroplasticity and healing. 17:00     Why does the body produces inflammation? 17:55     why is meditation better than the placebo effect? 19:26     How does Neuroscience measure brain activity? 20:36     Is your amygdala responsible for regulating your emotions? 22:38     Can meditation help beyond depression and anxiety? 24:50     Can meditation help you become more resilient? 26:34     What is the difference in between the conscious and unconscious mind? 27:28     How to change engrained negative habits? 31:47     What is mindfulness meditation? 34:34     How can meditation help anybody with ocular deficiency? 36:03     What is the difference in between the right and left side of the brain? 36:58     Can you experience altered states of consciousness with meditation? 38:58     Sara Lazar contacts 39:48     Resources application for iPhone and android devices.                (Headspace app, insight timer) 41:18     Section: On the way I see it THANKS TO ALL FOR LISTENING, TO ALL OF BEYOND BLINDNESS WE APPRECIATE YOU! Visit us here at: www.beyondblindness.com If you'd like to reach out and say hi, you can find Christian at @beyondblindnesspodcast on Facebook and Instagram

Have you ever felt like your mind is going and speaking to you at 1,000mph? Have you felt that you have 10,000 voices in your head talking at the same time? Chances are that you might be feeling this way right now. On this Interview I speak with Yogi and guru Dada Gunamuktananda where he explains the importance of meditation to get in touch with our essence for reaching levels of happiness peace and bliss. On this episode you will learn three things : How you can find everlasting happiness and bliss. How to use a proper meditation practice that will help you to be happier and peaceful. How you can contact a meditation teacher near you. (Free of cost) 04:38     Dada Gunamuktananda Yogi meditation master introduction to Beyond Blindness. 07:17     What is your inner being? 10:12     Does identification with our bodies or body parts serve us positively? 13:05     How can we get to a deeper sence of happiness? 17:01     How to shut down your inner critic? 18:57     What is the best meditation technique used by the Yogi’s to make contact with your inner being, happiness peace and bliss? 21:26     Dada’s meditation practice step by step 38:59     the meaning of the name Dada. 40:39     How to find an Ananda Marga meditation teacher near you? 41:31     How you can eradicate fear and fear of the unknown through meditation? 48:02     Why is love is the antithesis of fear? 48:23     What is love from a Yogi’s perspective? 54:04     How to transcend liming believes through meditation. 55:06     Resources and contact                 www.consciousfrontier.org                 https://www.anandamarga.org/                 dada@conciousfrontier.org                 https://www.facebook.com/Gunamuktananda                 https://www.facebook.com/AnandaMargaOnline/                 https://www.youtube.com/user/Gunamuktananda                 https://www.instagram.com/Gunamuktananda/                 For a free meditation teacher on your area:                 contact@anandamarga.email 57:51     Section: “On the way I see it” THANKS TO ALL FOR LISTENING, TO ALL OF BEYOND BLINDNESS WE APPRECIATE YOU! Visit us here at: www.beyondblindness.com If you'd like to reach out and say hi, you can find Christian at @beyondblindnesspodcast on Facebook and Instagram

Are you diabetic or do you know someone who has diabetes? As we all know, there are millions of people in the world who suffer from diabetes. I had the honor to interview the CEO and Founder of IDx a leading company focusing on Artificial Intelligence to prevent blindness from diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and macular degeneration. On this episode you will learn three things How is artificial intelligence already helping patients in the ocular space. How you can get diagnosed from diabetic retinopathy with AI, at its early stages. The future that IDx is promising for early detection of glaucoma and macular degeneration. 00:22     Dr. Michael Abramoff Introduction to beyond blindness. 00:23     What is IDx? 01;58     Why did you start IDx? 03:19     What is diabetic retinopathy and its evolution on the patient? 06:03     how does IDx’s artificial intelligence comes in to play for the early diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy. 07:42     After proper treatment can diabetic retinopathy be stopped? 08:21     IDx’s artificial intelligence approved by the FDA? 10:45     How does IDx technology helps a patient with diabetes show up to regular checkups? 11:15     How does IDx’s artificial intelligence takes pictures of the eye for the diagnosis? 14:10     If IDx’s artificial intelligence diagnoses the patient with the disease, What are the steps to take? 14:45     IDx’s upcoming artificial intelligence to diagnose Glaucoma. 16:20     What are the treatments for diabetic retinopathy? 18:35     The future of artificial intelligence for ophthalmology. 21:29     Dr. Abramoff words of encouragement for anybody with diabetic retinopathy. 22:17     IDx’s expansion to other countries in the world. 26:00     Section: On the way I see it. THANKS TO ALL FOR LISTENING, TO ALL OF BEYOND BLINDNESS WE APPRECIATE YOU! Visit us here at: www.beyondblindness.com If you'd like to reach out and say hi, you can find Christian at @beyondblindnesspodcast on Facebook and Instagram  

Post traumatic stress disorder is a serious illness that affects many people around the world, the great news is that it can be treated and thus the patient suffering from a previous trauma can get above and beyond PTSD. On this episode I hade the honor to speak with barbara harrys withfield, who specializes in the cure of PTSD with Psicotherapy and medical cannabis, we talk about her near death experience, how she got over PTSD and how she treats her patients on her private clinic in Atlanta Georgia. On this episode you will learn three things: How to know if you have PTSD or depression. What is the emotional freedom technique EFT and how you can use it. How can CBD health you get over PTSD and anxiety. 04:05     Barbara Whitfield introduction and background. 07:26     Barbara explains about here NDE (Near Dead Experience). 10:42     How did Barbara Whitfield feel when she was in to here NDE (Near Dead Experience) 11:47     Why pain killers and opioids are so addictive and thus bad for our health. 13:03     How did Barbara H. Whitfield got started treating patients with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) 15:41     How you can find out if you have PTSD or Depression? 17:48     The process that Barbara H. Whitfield uses to treat here patients which you can do at home. 20:23     How medicinal marihuana or cannabis help you get out of opioids, treat and cure PTSD. 22:39     What is the difference in between medicinal SATIVA and medicinal INDICA? And how these are used in the treatment of PTSD. 23:16     What is CBD? 24:23     Barbara explains the results that she has witnessed in her practice with cannabis on her patients with PTSD. 28:45     How can you tell if you have PTSD from a previous trauma? 34:23     How can cannabis expand your consciousness? 36:45     Research that supports how medical Marihuana/Cannabis can help you heal. 38:38     SECTION: The way I see it THANKS TO ALL FOR LISTENING, TO ALL OF BEYOND BLINDNESS WE APPRECIATE YOU! Visit us here at: www.beyondblindness.com If you'd like to reach out and say hi, you can find Christian at @beyondblindnesspodcast on Facebook and Instagram Resources: Youtube:                Documentary search “The scientist” Web page:              Green flower media.

Have you been carrying past wounds like ill will, resentment anger or grief? Chances are that you might have these deep feelings inside, preventing you from experiencing peace and happiness in your life. On this episode I talk with Barbara J. Hunt a forgiveness expert with over 25 years of experience that will provide you with a thorough explanation of why we should forgive not only people but circumstances that are inevitable in our lives. On this episode you will learn three things: Why forgiveness is widely misunderstood The power of humility in the forgiveness process. The seven step forgiveness made easy process. 00:47     About episode 02:39     Barbara J. Hunt introduction and back ground. 05:10     How did Barbara get started on the spiritual path. 07:54     Why is forgiveness very miss understood? 14:49     How to find forgiveness in the diagnosis of a progressive ocular disease. 19:11     How can you recognize the inner struggles that get In your way to forgive? 21:06     How can you release resentment and anger that you most likely hold inside? 22:31     How to keep a healthy brain using forgiveness as a regular practice? 25:45     Why it is important to confess out loud or in paper your feelings. 28:15     A process that you can learn to let go of negative emotions. 33:46     How to let go. 37:13     Barbara takes us through the seven steps forgiveness process for an ocular disease diagnosis. 54:01     Section: The way I see it THANKS TO ALL FOR LISTENING, TO ALL OF BEYOND BLINDNESS WE APPRECIATE YOU! Visit us here at: www.beyondblindness.com If you'd like to reach out and say hi, you can find Christian at @beyondblindnesspodcast on Facebook and Instagram

Are you aware of the eyestrain and negative impact that your computer is causing your eyesight? On this episode I sit down with Daniel Georgiev and talk about solutions on how to diminish the harmful effects that computer screens and computer usage cause to your eyes. On this episode you will learn three things Practical advice to reduce eyestrain during computer screen time. How does your computers screen blue light enters your eyes and causes eye strain. How the software IRIS helps to protect your eyes from the computer. 00:21     Episode introduction 02:28     How to avoid eyestrain during screen time 03:17     Two practical tips to avoid eyestrain while using the computer 07:48     How the idea for avoiding eyestrain during screen time was born. 09:37     How IRIS software is helping people who spend lots of time in front of their screens. 10:00     How Daniel Georgiev’s had the idea to start looking in to a solution for reducing eyestrain for computer usage. 12:13     Daniel’s explanation of how the computer monitor has blue light that causes eyestrain and pain in your eyes. 15:28     Raising awareness of computer blue light and eye dryness. 16:30     What makes IRIS so special as a company? 16:58     What is the IRIS software all about? 19:45     What is the future for the company IRIS? 20:51     The creation of the software VISION for color blindness. 21:30     How to contact Daniel Georgiev and his company IRIS 22:17     The Section of “The way I see it” 26:32     Conclusion and promo links for get 15% discount on IRIS software. Link mention on the podcast Promo link: www.beyondblindness.com/iris IRIS Software Company: https://iristech.co/ THANKS TO ALL FOR LISTENING, TO ALL OF BEYOND BLINDNESS WE APPRECIATE YOU! Visit us here at: www.beyondblindness.com If you'd like to reach out and say hi, you can find Christian at @beyondblindnesspodcast on Facebook and Instagram  

 Have you ever wondered what the future on Stem Cells Holds for your ice? On this episode I sat down and spoke with Kevin McCormack Senior Director of Communications for the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine -CIRM-  where he explains in detail to beyond blindness the funding that they have invested in to stem cell research for macular degeneration, Retinitis Pigmentosa and Cornea, He further explains the great results researchers at UCLA have gotten so far, he explains how the future looks so promising for the ocular impaired community. On this episode you will learn three things: How stem cell funding and research are done, pllus how you can apply as a candidate. How Embryonic stem cells are grown and transfered to the eye. What are Limbal stem cells and how they will regenerate your cornea in the future. 03:14   Welcome 03:22   What is your back ground? and what is CIRM? 04:26   Clinical trials for retinitis pigmentosa and age related macular degeneration 04:54   Process to get stem cell research for age related macular degeneration 07:14   How the patient with age related macular degeneration is treated with stem cells. 08:54   How long does the surgery takes? 09:29   When will treatment be available  main stream and for the public? 11:26   How can people opt in for a clinical trial for age related macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa? Site mentioned for a clinical trial application: www.clinicaltrials.gov 12:47   How embryonic cells are grown in the laboratory. 15:03   Are there immune suppressants involved in the stem cell treatments? 16:38   Stem cell treatment for retinitis pigmentosa. 21:14   How long will stem cell treatment for retinitis pigmentosa will take to get to the general public and hospitals? 22:26   Why less patience on clinical trial for macular degeneration and more patience on clinical trial for retinitis pigmentosa? 23:33   Kevin talks about cornea and Limbal stem cells. 24:14   Where does SIRM gets its funding from? 25:09   What keeps Kevin MacCormack motivated and on top of his game? 26:12   How to contact CIRM and Kevin MacCormack? 29:14   The way I see it Link mention on the podcast California institute for regenerative medicine www.cirm.ca.gov  “The stem cellar” https://blog.cirm.ca.gov/     THANKS TO ALL FOR LISTENING, TO ALL OF BEYOND BLINDNESS WE APPRECIATE YOU! Visit us here at: www.beyondblindness.com If you'd like to reach out and say hi, you can find Christian at @beyondblindnesspodcast on Facebook and Instagram