Stephen Kuusisto has been blind since birth, and he didn’t grow up in a time (or household) that accepted or accommodated his disability. Later in life, he partnered up with a guide dog, Corky, which opened up doors for greater adventure and independence. We discuss his memoir “Have Dog, Will Travel,” guide dogs, stereotypes about blindness and more with Mayo Clinic expert Dr. Brittni Scruggs. 

This episode was made possible by the generous support of Ken Stevens.

We talked with:

• Professor Stephen Kuusisto, who has been blind since birth, is the author of "Eavesdropping: A Memoir of Blindness and Listening" and the acclaimed memoir "Planet of the Blind", a New York Times “Notable Book of the Year”. He has also published "Only Bread, Only Light", a collection of poems from Copper Canyon Press. Recognized by the New York Times as “a powerful writer with a musical ear for language and a gift for emotional candor,” Steve has made numerous appearances on programs including The Oprah Winfrey Show, Dateline NBC, National Public Radio and the BBC. His newest memoir is “Have Dog, Will Travel.”  
• Brittni Scruggs, M.D., Ph.D., is a board-certified adult and pediatric vitreoretinal surgeon. Her clinical expertise includes retinal diseases, including retinopathy of prematurity. In addition to her clinical practice, Dr. Scruggs teaches medical students, graduate students, residents, and fellows, and she participates in several clinical trials for inherited retinal diseases. As one of the Principal Investigators in the Mayo Retinal Regenerative Medicine Laboratory, Dr. Scruggs focuses on the optimization of gene therapy and cell-based therapy for improved safety and efficacy in patients with retinal degeneration. She is a member of the Mayo Gene Therapy Working Group.

Purchase “Have Dog, Will Travel.”

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