Legally Blonde & Blind (2024)

29/01/2024

WHAT KINDS OF SPORTS CAN BLIND PEOPLE DO? 🏃‍♀️🏀🚴‍♀️

In Episode 30 of Legally Blonde & Blind, Liza Corso shares her experience competing in track and field at the Paralympics, but that’s just one of MANY sports accessible to blind and disabled folks! Check out my list below:

1.GOALBALL - Players compete in teams of three and try to throw a ball which has bells inside into the opponent’s goal. The US Association of Blind Athletes (USABA) has goalball teams across the country open to athletes of all levels.

2.SKIING - Blind athletes can ski and snowboard with the help of a guide who is either tethered to or follows closely in front of the skier. The American Blind Skiing Foundation and the USABA host several skiing camps and day trips during the winter.

3.BEEP BASEBALL - Pretty self explanatory…it’s an adaptive version of baseball! I couldn’t even explain regular baseball, so I highly recommend visiting the National Beep Baseball Association’s website for more information. Beep kickball is also very popular!

4.RUNNING - Blind folks can participate in track and field, cross country races, a local 5K, or marathons with the help of hats, sunglasses, and/or guide runners. USABA, Achilles International, and Dare2Tri are great resources, especially for those interested in distance running. Did you know some guide dog schools teach certain dogs to guide their handlers running short distances?

5.TANDEM CYCLING - Two riders, one bike. Sighted guides or “captains” ride in the front while blind folks, called “stokers,” pedal in the back. Facebook groups and organizations like InTandem Cycling, Bicycling Blind, and local USABA chapters are great places to find partners. And YES, both riders have to contribute equally and pedal.

6.GOLF - Sighted guides can provide descriptions of the course and ensure that the club head is positioned behind the ball. Check out the Blind Golf Association for more information!

7.SOCCER - An adapted form of soccer for those who are blind or partially sighted. It’s played in over 60 countries and is the fastest-growing Paralympic sport in the World.

8.JUDO - The most popular form of martial arts for those with low vision!

9. ANYTHING ELSE THEY WANT - There’s very few sports and activities that are completely off-limits for blind folks. With creativity, collaboration, and a few adaptations, everyone can enjoy athletics. Some sports I didn’t list are swimming, hiking, rock climbing, and many more!

24/01/2024

For most of my life, I never thought of myself as an athlete. I thought I needed to be 5’10”, have a six pack, and play “normal” sports (i.e. without accommodations or adaptations) to be athletic. Raising awareness for adaptive sports and the Paralympics—as Liza explains in the 30th episode of Legally Blonde & Blind—will expand what people think of as an “athlete” and make sports more accessible for all.

“Raising awareness for the Paralympics and adaptive sports will shift people’s picture of what sports look like and help them realize that they too can be an athlete. They don’t have to complete internationally to love and enjoy sports.” - Liza Corso

Be My AI: The image features a quote on a background that resembles a blue running track with white lane markings. At the top, it reads "LEGALLY BLONDE & BLIND" in bold, capitalized letters. Below this header is a portrait of a smiling young woman with long, wavy blonde hair, wearing a black top with the letters "IPSCO" visible on the collar. The quote says:

"Raising awareness for the Paralympics and adaptive sports will shift people's picture of what sports look like and help them realize that they too can be an athlete. They don't have to compete internationally to love and enjoy sports."

At the bottom of the image, the name "Liza Corso" is highlighted, followed by the subtitle "31. Liza Corso: Blind Athletics and the Paralympic World".

06/01/2024

It’s not every day that a Paralympian comes onto your podcast. Episode 30 “Blind Athletics and the Paralympic World (feat Liza Corso)” is NOW AVAILABLE! 🏃‍♀️

Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/30-blind-athletics-and-the-paralympic-world-feat-liza-corso/id1534785941?i=1000640750391

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/episode/0XYbz01IMUXzLCZp48WZYu?si=Pf4k9VHNQG-CTQCJo-ZXJg

If you were asked to picture an “athlete,” you probably wouldn’t imagine someone who is blind. But with creativity, collaboration, and a few modifications, athletes with low vision can partake in a wide variety of elite and recreational activities, such as goalball, skiing, tandem cycling, and many more! Sports help athletes of all ages and abilities stay healthy, build self-confidence, and become part of a team. Liza Corso—a Paralympic silver medalist—joins Marissa to share how participating in track and field has positively impacted her life. Tune in to learn about how we can raise awareness and increase opportunities for people to participate in adaptive sports.

Liza Corso is a junior at Lipscomb University studying psychology and nutrition. She was selected to participate in the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games and won a silver medal in the 1500m. She also competes on Lipscomb’s Cross Country and Track & Field team.

Be My AI: The image is a promotional graphic for a podcast episode. At the top, it says "Legally BLONDE & BLIND" in bold letters with an illustration of pink glasses below. The middle section has a photo of a female athlete running, wearing a red and blue top with "USA" and "CORSO" printed on it, and a white visor with "USA" on the front. Below the photo, it's labeled "NEW EPISODE Episode 30 Blind Athletics and the Paralympic World (feat. Liza Corso)" in pink and white text on a dark purple background. At the bottom, there's a pink play button and a timeline indicating the episode duration of 28:17.

01/01/2024

Legally Blonde & Blind Bookshelf — 2023 Favorites! 📚

1.If you want to stare out of an airplane window and completely rethink your relationship towards blindness (in the best way possible), read THE COUNTRY OF THE BLIND by Andrew Leland

2.If you want to root for the satisfying downfall of a narrator who steals her dead “best friend’s” manuscript, read YELLOWFACE by R.F. Kuang

3.If you want to meet lovable characters and learn a ton about Deaf culture, read TRUE BIZ by Sara Novic Also pick this up if you were forced to read The Miracle Worker in middle school and want a book where Deaf characters have lines of dialogue.

4.If you want to read a fascinating, thoughtful memoir about mental illness, friendship, and intelligence, read THE BEST MINDS by Johnathan Rosen.

5.If you’re mad that AP U.S. History didn’t cover disability history, read BEING HEUMANN by Judith Heumann

Image Description: Text that reads “Legally Blonde & Blind / 2023 Favorites” above five iPads displaying the covers of Marissa’s five favorite books of the year: The Country of the Blind, Yellowface, True Biz, The Best Minds, and Being Heumann

29/12/2023

Legally Blonde & Blind is baaaack! Episode 30 “Blind Athletics and the Paralympic World” with LIZA CORSO premieres on JANUARY 6TH. 🏃‍♀️💨

If you were asked to picture an “athlete,” you probably wouldn’t imagine someone who is blind. But with creativity, collaboration, and a few modifications, athletes with low vision can partake in a wide variety of elite and recreational activities, such as goalball, skiing, tandem cycling, and many more! Sports help athletes of all ages and abilities stay healthy, build self-confidence, and become part of a team. Liza Corso—a Paralympic silver medalist—joins Marissa to share how participating in track and field has positively impacted her life. Tune in to learn about how we can raise awareness and increase opportunities for people to participate in adaptive sports.

Liza Corso is a junior at Lipscomb University studying psychology and nutrition. She was selected to participate in the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games and won a silver medal in the 1500m. She also competes on Lipscomb’s Cross Country and Track & Field team.

Image Description: A picture of Liza, a young woman with blonde hair wearing a white baseball hat, track shorts, and a racing bib, running. There is text in the graphic that reads “Liza Corso: Blind Athletics and the Paralympic World / Premieres January 6th”

07/11/2023

UPDATE: Legally Blonde & Blind episodes will return in JANUARY 2024! 🎙️

One of my favorite things about Legally Blonde & Blind is that I can follow my passion, creativity, and intuition rather than strict deadlines. I’ve taken a break from podcasting over the past year and it has allowed me to return with fresh ideas. I will SEE you all in two months! 🕶️

Image Description: Text that reads “UPDATE: Legally Blonde & Blind will return in January 2024” in front of a white and pink background.

24/09/2023

“With all the stigma surrounding blindness, sometimes people act as if we should feel ‘lucky’ for having friends or employers who ‘look past’ our disability. But that is the bare minimum. You are valuable. You deserve to be in a space and to be around people who make you feel included.”

Listen to episode 29 of Legally Blonde & Blind, “Blind Social Butterfly,” to learn more about meeting new people and forming authentic connections!

Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/26-smalls-talk-meeting-and-training-with-my-first-guide-dog/id1534785941?i=1000602306177

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/episode/4ZnQkYJfsKUGxiycNgsTmj?si=vI_2SB9IQbS3h-5OsjHAtA

YouTube - https://youtu.be/OIJUWvKNBZ4?si=M4k2OL0MAXLGOUR2

Research indicates that 55% of communication in face-to-face conversations is through nonverbal cues such as body language and facial expressions. How can blind folks navigate social settings where subtle, nonverbal communication is prevalent? In “Blind Social Butterfly,” I share my perspective on networking, mingling, and forming connections with low vision. I also offer advice for making happy hours, conferences, and other social events more accessible.

Image Description: Quote that reads “With all the stigma surrounding blindness, sometimes people act as if we should feel ‘lucky’ for having friends or employers who ‘look past’ our disability. But that is the bare minimum. You are valuable. You deserve to be in a space and to be around people who make you feel included.” There is a photo of people dancing in the background with strobe lights.

02/09/2023

Legally Blonde & Blind is back! Episode 29 “Blind Social Butterfly” is now AVAILABLE! 🦋

On this episode, I discuss…
• Challenges blind people encounter when networking and socializing
• Navigating rigid, unwritten social norms and expectations
• How to make social events and activities more accessible

Research indicates that 55% of communication in face-to-face conversations is through nonverbal cues such as body language and facial expressions. How can blind folks navigate social settings where subtle, nonverbal communication is prevalent? In “Blind Social Butterfly,” I will share my perspective on networking, mingling, and forming connections with low vision. I will also offer advice for making happy hours, conferences, and other social events more accessible.

Image Description: A cartoon of a cocktail with text that reads “Blind Social Butterfly / Networking, Mingling, and Forming Connections with Low Vision”

30/08/2023

Fun Fact: Anti-Laptop policies are ableist. Handwritten notes don’t work for those who can’t read or write them

Many professors require students to take handwritten notes unless they have academic accommodations. They often argue that technology is a distraction and that hand-writing notes leads to higher rates of retention. But these policies single-out disabled students and fail to acknowledge how technology increases accessibility in education.

Reasons a Student Could Need a Laptop:
• Low Vision (large-print text and screen readers)
• Limited hand mobility (alternative input devices like head pointers)
• Cannot afford or carry physical textbooks
• Inputs notes in dictation software to study
• Dyslexia (specialized fonts and note-taking software)
• Uses AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) devices and software

Technology is ESSENTIAL for many disabled folks. As a blind student, my laptop allows me to enlarge my textbooks and complete work efficiently while avoiding eye strain. “No Laptop” policies force students to disclose their need for accommodations to the entire class, which is extremely uncomfortable for many. Professors should let students take ownership of their education and decide what works best for them.

Image Description: Slide 1 shows a laptop on a white table with text that reads “Anti-Laptop policies are ableist.” The following slides have the text in the caption.

14/08/2023

Legally Blonde & Blind is BACK with “Blind Social Butterfly” premiering on September 1st! 🤝

Research indicates that 55% of communication in face-to-face conversations is through nonverbal cues such as body language and facial expressions. How can blind folks navigate social settings where subtle, nonverbal communication is prevalent? In “Blind Social Butterfly,” I will share my perspective on networking, mingling, and forming connections with low vision. I will also offer advice for making happy hours, conferences, and other social events more accessible.

Image Description: A cartoon of a cocktail with text that reads “Blind Social Butterfly / Networking, Mingling, and Forming Connections with Low Vision”

29/06/2023

We don’t need a pill to cure albinism. Focus on making the world accessible instead of making me “normal.” 🧬🤍

NOAH recently announced that it had awarded $125,000 in grants to four institutions conducting albinism research. Many of them are hoping to find a “treatment” to reverse the low-vision and lack of pigment our condition causes. Two researchers, for example, are testing nearly “1000 possible drug treatments for Albinism.” There are better ways to help people in our community. We can improve quality of life without fundamentally altering who we are.

Albinism is not a tragedy, and our bodies do not need to be fixed. Lack of access to healthcare, sunscreen, monoculars, glasses, and UV protective gear is a problem. Our white hair, wiggly eyes, and “abnormal” genes are not. Medical treatments will not do anything to eliminate the ignorance and discrimination we encounter on a daily basis. When you look at our identity only through the lens of a microscope in a laboratory, you miss a huge piece of the picture.

$125,000 is a life-changing amount of money. Think of all we could do instead! We could provide free dermatology exams, design community-based education programs, and award more substantial albinism scholarships (because $1,000 barely makes a dent with today’s college tuition rates). I am by no means a scientist, but if business school has taught me anything, it’s to look for the highest return on investment. Even if a treatment were discovered (which is not a guarantee), would it be affordable and accessible to those struggling the most? On the other hand, fighting misinformation, discrimination, and poverty benefits everyone.

Personally, I would NEVER take a pill that could reverse the impacts of albinism, even if it were free of charge and had no side effects. It goes against everything I stand for. I am proud of who I am. Albinism has given me so much more than a visual impairment. Without this genetic “abnormality,” I would never get to work with a guide dog and meet so many wonderful people in the blind community. The thought of living in a world with less people like me is rather depressing. Also, I’m not sitting in my apartment twiddling my thumbs and waiting to participate in a clinical trial or experimental treatment. I’m pursuing a bachelor degree, exploring Washington DC, completing a summer internship, meeting new people, and ENJOYING life without pigment! To me, these treatments would erase my identity, lived experience, and community. Not to mention waste time, energy, and money I could put towards things that bring me joy.

While pursuing treatment for albinism would be an incredibly complex and personal decision, advocacy groups significantly influence how people view disability. Is albinism beautiful or is it something that needs to be treated with a pill? Medical research, especially for a condition like albinism that does not inherently lower life expectancy, reinforces the idea that having a disability or genetic variation means there is something “wrong” with you. I believe lbinism organizations can set a strong example for parents, children, and doctors by celebrating albinism instead of treating it as a defect.

I felt compelled to share my perspective and lived experience. You can hear more of my thoughts by listening to Episode 27 of Legally Blonde & Blind ‘I’m Not Broken: Why Albinism Advocacy is More Valuable than Genetic Research.”

Image Description: A white and pink pill above text that reads “We don’t need a pill to cure albinism. Focusing on making the world accessible instead of making me ‘normal.’”

27/06/2023

Legally Blonde & Blind is on summer break! Below is what I will be up to in the summer months ☀️🕶️⛱️

• Improving editing and audio quality of Legally Blonde & Blind episodes
• Recruiting guests to discuss blind sports, STEM, and much more! (feel free to send me a DM if you have any collaboration ideas!)
• Writing episodes about networking, access intimacy, and other topics rarely discussed in the blind community
• Experiencing my first full-time summer internship and beginning to think about post-grad jobs

Image Description: Graphic of palm trees on an island above text that reads “Legally Blonde & Blind is on…Summer Vacation!”

18/06/2023

“The good outweighs the bad. Access issues, while annoying and frustrating, will not be the defining feature of your life with a service animal.”

Many are reluctant to work with service animals because of the questions, comments, and refusals of service that handlers encounter in public. But access issues—while exhausting, frustrating, and absolutely unacceptable—will only be one small part of your relationship with a guide dog. You will also find joy, companionship, and kind, supportive people. The good outweighs the bad. Never let the ignorance of few outweigh your right to safety and happiness. 💕

Image Description: A picture of Marissa and Smalls laying in bed above a quote that reads “The good outweighs the bad. Access issues, while annoying and frustrating, will not be the defining feature of your life with a service animal.” Marissa is a woman with short white hair scratching her guide dog,a female yellow Labrador named smalls who is lying on her back.

08/06/2023

Take a look at the results from my Service Animals & Access Issues survey! I’m so grateful that many of my listeners shared their perspectives on where, why, and how to address access denials. Their advice helped me create “Guide Dogs & Access Issues: A Survival Guide.” Learn more about the rights of service animal teams and how to address discrimination in the newest episode of Legally Blonde & Blind. 🦮🚕

Image Descriptions:
Picture 1 - “Service Animals & Access Issues: Survey Responses.” Above the text is a pink meter ranging from a frowning to a smiling emoji.
Picture 2 - A bar chart displaying responses to “How frequently do you experience access issues?” 4 = Never, 14 = A few times a year, 16 = Once a Month, 2 = Once a Week, 1 = More than once a Week
Picture 3 - A word cloud displaying responses to the question “Where do you most frequently experience access issues?” The words from largest to smallest include: Ubers, Restaurants, Taxis, Grocery Stores, Chains, Ethnic Eateries, Airports, Buffets,Convenience Stores, Medical Facilities.
Picture 4 - A pie chart displaying responses to the question “How do you respond to access issues?” 70.6% = Directly confront the employee or manager, 17.6% = Leave and take no further action, 11.8% = Leave and contact the company
Picture 5 - A pie chart displaying responses to the question “Do you carry a service animal ID?” 51.4% = No, 48.6% = Yes
Picture 6 - A pie chart displaying responses to the question “Have you ever contacted an attorney or pursued legal action related to an access issue?” 83.8% = No, 16.2% = Yes

07/06/2023

“Guide Dogs & Access Issues: A Survival Guide” is FINALLY AVAILABLE! 🦮🚕

Listen to Episode 28 of Legally Blonde & Blind on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and any other podcasting platform. Visit www.legallyblondeblind.com to learn more!

Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/26-smalls-talk-meeting-and-training-with-my-first-guide-dog/id1534785941?i=1000602306177

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/episode/4ZnQkYJfsKUGxiycNgsTmj?si=vI_2SB9IQbS3h-5OsjHAtA

“No dogs allowed!” “Can you show me your service animal ID?” “Just take an UberPet.” In restaurants, airports, convenience stores, and Ubers across the United States, many service animal teams experience access issues and denials. A survival guide for both new and experienced service animal handlers, the twenty-eighth episode of Legally Blonde & Blind outlines the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other federal laws relating to assistance animals. I explore when, where, and why access issues most frequently occur. Based on surveys, personal experience, and testimonies from other handlers, I then offer advice on how to respectfully yet assertively handle access issues.

Image Description:
Picture 1 - “Guide Dogs & Access Denials / Survival Guide / Premieres June 1st.” There are graphics of an iPhone, taxi, bullhorn, lightbulb, dog, wheelchair, and silverware surrounding the text.
Picture 2 - Episode 28 of Legally Blonde & Blind playing on Spotify. Above is text that reads “28. Guide Dogs & Access Issues: A Survival Guide”

04/06/2023

The albinism cinematic universe is expanding! Check out Albinism: More than Meets the Eye! 🤍

Esther Rosi-Kessel is a senior at Boston Latin School in Boston, Massachusetts and created this podcast as a capstone project. Albinism: More than Meets the Eye aims to educate people on albinism beyond just the basic medical information which can be found anywhere. It also aims to give people with albinism a space to share their stories and feel heard.

You can find Albinism: More than Meets the Eye on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. You can learn more at https://www.meetstheeyepodcast.com/?fbclid=PAAaaFbD9P9v_GpVGsTOXJO23OSX-G-5bWbGxfOAXDOf9NiWxbnldgdzL_1zM Keep an eye out for an episode featuring yours truly 🎙️

Image Description: The cover of “Albinism: More than Meets the Eye” featuring people with albinism of various ages.

02/06/2023

Episode 28 of Legally Blonde & Blind, “Guide Dogs and Access Issues: A Survival Guide” will be available NEXT WEEK!

Unfortunately, my new apartment does not have WiFi and my phone’s personal hotspot is not strong enough to upload the episode from my laptop. I’m hoping to get a router installed in the next few days…apologies for the delay!

Image Description: A pink speech bubble that reads “Oh, SNAP!”

28/05/2023

Happy National Sunscreen Day! Most people with albinism are diehard skin protection enthusiasts, so I want to challenge all my PIGMENTED viewers and followers to wear sunscreen this summer! Sunblock prevents sun spots, wrinkles, and most importantly, SKIN CANCER! Even if you don’t get sunburns, your skim can still be damaged by the sun’s UV rays!

Image Description - Neon pink drawings of sunscreen next to pictures that read “Happy National Sunscreen Day! Even if you don’t have albinism, you should wear sunscreen because it….protects skin from sunburns, reduces risk of skin cancer, prevents wrinkles & fine lines, and prevents blotchiness & dry skin.”

24/05/2023

Alanna Cronk, who appeared on Episode 9 “1-AC: Accessibility in Speech and Debate,” graduated from Georgetown University with a major in Philosophy and minors in English + Public Health. She won the Coakley Medal, awarded to a senior who embodied the “qualities of loving service, honor and courage in all phases of their college life.”

Here are some other amazing things Alanna has done within the past two years;

— Won the Ryan Medal, the highest award bestowed by Georgetown’s philosophy department
— Wrote an honors thesis titled *Content Warning* “Community vs. Carcerality: Weaving Logics of Care in Policy and Programs for Indigenous Peoples Experiencing Suicidality”
— Organized a partnership between the Smithtown National History Museum and the Circle of Indigenous Students Alliance
— Hosted several AMAZING events on campus including “CoTheoriZine: Indigenous and Disability Coalitions” and a native student art showcase
— Convinced the National Speech and Debate Association to integrate disability accommodations into their software and best practices
— Won the Penner Research Award from the Office of the Provost
— Won the Hypatia Diversity Prize, awarded by the academic journal Hypatia

Image Description: Text that reads “Where are they now?” above two pictures of Alanna Cronk. The first photo is a headshot of Alanna. Alanna has a light to medium complexion with large dark brown curly hair and brown eyes. Alanna is smiling while wearing abalone and dentalium earrings and a white blouse. The background is dahlgren quad which has brick and bright green trees.The second photo shows Alanna holding two medals and standing next to her boyfriend in Gaston Hall, a fancy auditorium at Georgetown University.

Legally Blonde & Blind