Through Our Eyes

12/25/2024

❄ ❄️ ❄ Happy Holidays! ❄ ❄️ ❄

Wishing you a season filled with joy, peace, and togetherness. May this time of year bring warmth to your heart, light to your spirit, and happiness to your home. Here's to celebrating the beauty of diversity and the joy that unites us all!

09/06/2024

Congratulations, Gia! She did it again - the first GOLD medal for the US in the 2024 Paralympics!

https://www.10news.com/sports/paris-2024-olympics/meet-the-athlete-who-won-usas-first-gold-medal-at-the-2024-paris-paralympics

The winner of the United States' first gold medal at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games joined Scripps News to talk about her journey and what it was like to stand alone atop the podium.

08/28/2024

Our latest episode is ready! Check it out today! Empowering the Blind Community: Amy Wilson's Journey to Safety Advocacy

In this episode we speak with Amy Wilson, founder of the Safety Positive Foundation, who shares her journey from being a tomboy growing up in Missouri, diagnosed with juvenile macular degeneration at age 10, to accepting her blindness and launching a nonprofit.

Listen here! https://linktr.ee/throughoureyespodcast

08/13/2024

In this episode of the "Through our Eyes" podcast by the Pediatric Retinal Research Foundation, hosts Lisa Recchia and Breyanna Willett engage with Taengkwa Sturgill, a 22-year-old student studying special education. Tanengkwa shares her journey living with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), detailing her adoption from Thailand and the challenges she faced due to her visual impairment. She expresses deep gratitude for the care and support she received from Dr. Capone and the Associated Retinal Consultants, which helped maintain her light perception through surgeries and ongoing treatments.

Taengkwa discusses her passion for special education, driven by her own experiences and a desire to inspire others facing disabilities. She emphasizes the importance of inclusivity and encouragement in both education and everyday life. Looking ahead, Taengkwa envisions a career dedicated to teaching young children with special needs, aiming to make a lasting impact by fostering positivity and resilience.

Listen to this episode and find us on social here:
https://linktr.ee/throughoureyespodcast

This podcast is brought to you by the Pediatric Retinal Research Foundation. https://www.prrf.org

08/07/2024

Hannah, a content creator, discusses her journey with vision loss and how she has utilized social media as a therapeutic outlet. Hannah began creating videos on TikTok and YouTube in 2023 to cope with her vision loss, which drastically changed during the pandemic. With the tool of humor, she transformed the challenges of her condition into clever videos, receiving laughs and positive feedback from friends and family. This creative process helped Hannah manage her depression and struggles while making others laugh, while simultaneously serving as her personal therapy. Despite her initial reluctance to acknowledge her vision impairment, Hannah found solace in the supportive community that her videos fostered, and she continues to share her experiences candidly and humorously.

Listen to the episode today: https://linktr.ee/throughoureyespodcast

Hannah also delves into her background, explaining that she was born with cone dystrophy, a rare genetic retinal disease that gradually worsened her vision. Initially, she maintained a near-normal life, working as a professional photographer for 13 years. However, in 2019-2020, her condition rapidly deteriorated, leaving her with only a pinhole of vision in one eye. This transition was tough, especially during the pandemic, but her family and friends provided crucial support. Hannah shares that joining online communities and connecting with others who have similar experiences was invaluable. She stresses the importance of communication and patience, advising those newly experiencing vision loss to seek support and be open about their needs.

This podcast is brought to you by the Pediatric Retinal Research Foundation. Learn more at www.prrf.org.

08/01/2024

In this podcast episode, we hear a compelling narrative of resilience and adaptation from Aisha, who experienced sudden vision loss due to a rare condition called pseudotumor cerebri or idiopathic intracranial hypertension. Aisha shares her journey from diagnosis in adolescence to navigating high school and transitioning to a specialized blind school, providing insight into the challenges and triumphs of adjusting to a new way of life. After graduating, Aisha embarked on a vocational rehabilitation program, eventually securing a job with the assistance of employment specialists. This episode illuminates the importance of support systems, adaptability, and determination in overcoming adversity and pursuing goals despite unexpected obstacles.

Listen today: https://linktr.ee/throughoureyespodcast

This podcast brought to you by the Pediatric Retinal Research Foundation

07/25/2024

We want to wish Gia Pergolini much success and speed as she competes in the 2024 Paralympics in Paris! Gia is a paralympic gold medalist earning first place in the Toyky 2020 games! She was also featured on an episode of the Through Our Eyes podcast sharing her life as a swimmer alongside her best friend Tas.

Follow Gia's olympic success here: https://www.teamusa.com/profiles/gia-pergolini-1086381

Listen to the podcast episode here: https://www.pediatricrrf.org/through-our-eyes-podcast/2023/9/24/ha92rjjxq4l2wqwt9f53terwmshegk

07/23/2024

Sending lots of wishes for luck and success to Anastasia Pagonis aka "Tas" as she competes in the 2024 Paralympics in Paris! Tas ias a 2-time paralympic medalist (1 gold, 1 bronze) earning her medals in the Toyky 2020 games. She was also featured on an episode of the Through Our Eyes podcast sharing her life as a swimmer alongside her best friend Gia.

Follow Tas' olympic success here: https://www.teamusa.com/profiles/anastasia-pagonis-1136100

Listen to the podcast episode here: https://www.pediatricrrf.org/through-our-eyes-podcast/2023/9/24/ha92rjjxq4l2wqwt9f53terwmshegk

05/03/2024

New episode out now! Unveiling the World of Audio Gaming: A Conversation with Shelby Craig

Click here to listen: https://linktr.ee/throughoureyespodcast

In this insightful episode of the Through Our Eyes podcast, hosts Luisa and Breyanna are joined by special guest Shelby Craig to explore the world of accessible gaming. Together, they delve into the challenges and triumphs of navigating video games for individuals with visual impairments.

Shelby shares her experiences and expertise, shedding light on the strategies and tools she utilizes to enjoy a variety of games, from World of Warcraft to flight simulators. The conversation touches on the importance of accessibility in gaming and advocating for developers to prioritize inclusive design.

Through personal anecdotes and practical insights, this episode illuminates the evolving landscape of accessible gaming and the transformative impact it has on individuals and communities.

04/24/2024

“Volunteers do not necessarily have the time, they just have the heart.” – Elizabeth Andrew

Thanks for sharing your huge hearts with the vision loss and blind community! The Through Our Eyes podcast is impacting thousands of people because of this mighty group of volunteers. 💙

04/10/2024

Episode 26 is live!! Listen to our conversation with Heather Hutchinson, a blind musician, author, and social media influencer. click the link below or in our bio to listen!

https://linktr.ee/throughoureyespodcast

04/01/2024

You're sure to laugh while listening to our latest podcast episode with Heather Wolf.

Listen to the full episode here:
https://linktr.ee/throughoureyespodcast

03/21/2024

This episode features Heather Wolf, who shares her personal experiences living with retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and deafness. Heather discusses her journey of being diagnosed with RP in college and the challenges she faced due to progressive vision and hearing loss.

Listen by clicking here!

https://linktr.ee/throughoureyespodcast

Heather explains her college experience and the accommodations she received, such as orientation and mobility training and assistive technologies like high-contrast keyboards and magnification software. Despite facing social challenges due to her disabilities, Heather pursued a major in special education but later reconsidered due to the increasing difficulties.

Brought to you by the Pediatric Retinal Research Foundation.

03/15/2024

Check out the latest episode of the “Through Our Eyes” podcast with the tenacious and charming Charlie Kramer Vision ! Charlie shares his story about how he grew up with his disability and how he is now a thriving entrepreneur.

Listen Here!
https://linktr.ee/throughoureyespodcast



Pediatric Retinal Research Foundation

03/15/2024

Let's meet Charlie - a blind and visually impaired business owner! Check out the latest episode from the Through Our Eyes Podcast to hear about Charlie and how he is changing the lives of those affected by disabilities

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03/08/2024

Join us as we talk to Baisha, also known as The Indiana Blind Gir. She talks about her overall life experience, as well as what it was like for her attending vocational rehabilitation and finding a career!



03/06/2024

New episode is out now!

Leading & Thriving /w Charlie Kramer Vision | Ep #24

Charlie Kramer, a 30-year-old living with retinitis pigmentosa (RP), shares his experiences growing up with a family history of RP and how it shaped his perspective.

Click below to listen!

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/70NtVDptLjNJoKkztZjUFL?si=1d380ddbd7684892

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/through-our-eyes/id1649264434?i=1000648250927

Charlie proudly uses his cane every day and works as a life coach for people with disabilities, advocating for inclusivity and equality. He discusses his journey of accepting his disability and emphasizes the importance of awareness and seeking support. Charlie offers coaching programs to help individuals navigate challenges and build confidence. He highlights the difference between coaching and therapy, stressing the action-oriented approach of coaching. Charlie also discusses the expansion of his business, including hiring support coaches, and invites individuals to connect with him for coaching opportunities. Finally, he shares advice for those dealing with disabilities, emphasizing awareness, seeking support, and connecting with the disability community.

This podcast is made possible by the Pediatric Retinal Research Foundation.

02/22/2024

💥💥 Season 2 of the Through Our Eyes Podcast starts now!! Check out the first episode for the new season below! 💥💥

Spotify: http://tinyurl.com/3bspm252

Apple:
http://tinyurl.com/3257wkj7

Google:
http://tinyurl.com/5n7z98ys