Navigating Life with Vision Loss

SummaryVision 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 textThey also explore Hadley’s free resources, finding connection with people who understand, and the importance of giving yourself room to adjust. For anyone feeling stuck, Ricky offers a reminder: “Today is not forever.”CreditsHost: Kim WardlowGuest: Ricky Enger, HadleyProducer: Jonathan PricePresented by: AftersightContact InformationAftersight: aftersight.orgQuestions, feedback, or guest inquiries: [email protected]: Jonathan Price — [email protected] with Aftersight: Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedInHadley: hadleyhelps.orgPhone: 800-323-4238App: Search for “Hadley Helps” in the App Store or Google Play. Contact Hadley to learn about its Adjusting and Coping Together series, support groups, and other resources discussed in this episode.  Pasted text

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.CreditsHost: Kim WardlowGuests: Cristi Stearns, Katie O’Connor, and Jim “Mac” McHollandProduced by: AftersightNavigating Life with Vision Loss is brought to you by Aftersight.ResourcesLearn more about Hadley and its free resources for people experiencing vision loss at HadleyHelps.org.Healthcare providers and organizations interested in connecting with Hadley can visit HadleyHelps.org/partner.For more information about Aftersight and our podcasts, visit Aftersight.org. (00:00) - Finding Support After Vision Loss (01:42) - Meet the Hadley Team (03:01) - Connecting Patients with Hadley (07:09) - Where Do You Begin? (09:16) - The Donahoe Center for Support (13:16) - Peer and Group Support (14:33) - When You’re Not Ready Yet (18:25) - Practical Everyday Resources (19:19) - Technology and Adjusting to Vision Loss (21:43) - Learning Braille (24:15) - Hadley’s App and Digital Resources (26:24) - Supporting People Around the World (28:17) - Stories of Growing Independence (30:50) - Support for Family and Friends (32:02) - Between the Visits (34:40) - Living in the In-Between (36:03) - Closing Thoughts

Episode SummaryChristopher “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 one available to take his son to basketball practice, Chris chose to pick up his cane, trust God, and get him there himself. That decision began a new chapter of independence, acceptance, faith, advocacy, and purpose.Chris speaks candidly about depression, a suicide attempt, loneliness, grief, parenting, and the reality that accepting blindness does not mean the difficult days disappear. He explains how podcasting became a form of therapy and eventually a way to encourage people around the world who are navigating blindness, disability, trauma, and mental-health struggles.The conversation also explores the importance of finding community, seeking therapy, connecting with other blind and low-vision people, and refusing to allow disability to erase identity or ambition. Today, Chris is building his work as a motivational speaker, podcaster, advocate, and entrepreneur while challenging others to keep moving forward, even when life looks nothing like the future they originally imagined.Content NoteThis episode contains candid discussion of gun violence, depression, suicidal thoughts and a suicide attempt, trauma, grief, and recovery.CreditsShow: Navigating Life with Vision LossHost: Kim WardlowGuest: Christopher “The Official Blind Steppa” FelderGuest Podcast: Blind But Now I SeeProducer: Jonathan PricePresented by: AftersightContact InformationChristopher “The Official Blind Steppa” FelderWebsite: officialblindsteppa.comInstagram: @official_blindsteppaPodcast: Blind But Now I SeeBooking Email: [email protected] Phone: 347-653-0076AftersightWebsite: aftersight.orgEmail: [email protected] Office: 303-786-7777Listener Feedback: [email protected] Line: 720-712-8856ProducerJonathan PriceEmail: [email protected]: 303-786-7777

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. Together, Kim and Shawn explore why grief can remain present years after vision loss, how sadness and gratitude can coexist, and why courage means moving forward while fear is still present. Shawn also discusses reclaiming activities she once believed were gone forever, learning to use a white cane, asking for help, setting boundaries, and giving yourself permission to heal without someone else’s deadline. This conversation offers no shallow promise that everything becomes easy. Instead, it offers something more honest: you can grieve what was lost while still creating a meaningful, adventurous, and deeply fulfilling life. Content note: This episode includes candid discussion of trauma, depression, and suicidal thoughts. Credits Host: Kim Wardlow Guest: Shawn Cheshire Producer: Jonathan Price Organization: Aftersight Podcast: Navigating Life with Vision Loss Contact Information Shawn Cheshire  Website: ShawnCheshire.org Nonprofit: Choosing to See Instagram: @shawn_cheshire Documentary: Blind AFShawn’s nonprofit, Choosing to See, provides encouragement, opportunities, and assistance to people who are blind or visually impaired. Her documentary, Blind AF, follows her 3,600-mile cross-country journey on a single, non-tandem bicycle. Official documentary synopsis Aftersight  Website: Aftersight.org Email: [email protected] Phone: 303-786-7777  Listener feedback: [email protected] Programming inquiries: Jonathan Price at [email protected] 00:11 Introducing Shawn Cheshire 01:00 How a Brain Injury Led to Vision Loss 03:22 Denial and the Hope of Getting Better 05:20 Depression, Grief, and Losing Independence 07:27 Why Grief Does Not Follow a Timeline 11:05 When Gratitude and Grief Coexist 13:23 Fear of Leaving the House 16:02 Choosing What Kind of Person to Become 17:59 Taking the Next Step While Still Afraid 19:56 Reclaiming Cooking After Seven Years 21:51 The White Cane and the Pressure to “Accept” Blindness 24:42 Why Sadness Can Remain Years Later 28:11 Vulnerability, Strength, and Public Expectations 30:08 Rebuilding Identity After Trauma 32:20 Resilience Through Blindness and Hearing Loss 34:39 Carrying the Emotional Weight 37:07 Helpful Support, Unwanted Help, and Self-Advocacy 41:22 What Shawn Would Say to Someone Still Grieving 43:19 Closing Thoughts and Aftersight Programs 45:15 Choosing to See and the Blind AF Documentary

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 led to a 25-year career as a vision rehabilitation specialist and inspired her book, Best Kept Secrets for Travelers with Sight Loss. For Lynn, losing sight was devastating, but living with sight loss does not have to be. The path forward begins one step at a time. Learn more about Lynn and her accessible travel guide at blindtraveltips.com. Learn more about Aftersight’s programs, podcasts, and peer-support resources at aftersight.org.