A Different Way of Seeing

Sponsor me the cost of a cup of coffee and help me continue creating content:

https://ko-fi.com/adifferentwayofseeing

What happens when we stop trying to make disability palatable and start talking honestly about the anger, frustration, barriers and absurdities that disabled people experience?

In this episode, Lois chats with Laura Stinson, host of the Bad Attitudes Podcast, about disability representation, independence, ableism and life as a disabled entrepreneur.

Laura lives with osteogenesis imperfecta, also known as brittle bone disease, and uses a wheelchair. Through Bad Attitudes, she challenges stereotypes and gives disabled people space to say the things they are often expected to keep quiet about, while helping non-disabled listeners understand how attitudes, decisions and inaccessible environments affect disabled lives.

Lois and Laura unpack what independence really means, including why needing support does not make someone less independent. They also explore the pressures disabled people can face to prove their self-sufficiency, the realities of being a disabled artist and entrepreneur, and the importance of authenticity, humour and even a little sarcasm when challenging ableism.

With plenty of honest conversation about disability, creativity, podcasting and challenging assumptions, this episode asks some deceptively simple questions: What does independence really mean? Who gets to define a “good attitude”? And what might change if disabled people were simply given the opportunity to participate fully in society?

Tune in for a conversation that is thoughtful, candid and unapologetically honest about disability.

Reach out to Laura:

Website: badattitudespod.com

Social media: https://linktr.ee/badattitudespod?

Bad Attitudes Shop: badattitudesshop.etsy.com

FairyNerdy: https://linktr.ee/fairynerdy

Image Description:

A woman with wavy light purple hair who is wearing a black top with a pattern of red and pink flowers. She is facing slightly to the right and has a neutral expression. The image background is mostly blue.

I’d love to hear from you – contact me at

Website : loisstrachan.com

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lstrachan

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loisstrachanspeaker

This episode edited by Craig Strachan using Hindenburg PRO – find out more on Hindenburg.com

Credits voiced by Simalumba Nawa

Sponsor me the cost of a cup of coffee and help me continue creating content:

https://ko-fi.com/adifferentwayofseeing

In this episode, Lois Strachan and Jeremy Opperman discuss the final steps taken to confirming the date of Lois's kidney transplant surgery.

During the conversation they explore the impact that a 10 week wait for approval from the Department of Health had on Lois, the intervention of Dr Karl le Roux in facilitating the process, and Lois’s preparations for the surgery and recovery.

Lois also expresses her extreme gratitude to the many people who assisted, encouraged and supported her on the journey of dialysis and the transplant.

A note on timing: this episode was recorded at the beginning of June 2026, a week before the surgery was due to take place. Due to Lois’s recovery, it is only being released in October, approximately 4 months later.

To learn more about Jeremy and his work, go to www.disabilitydesk.co.za

I’d love to hear from you – contact me at

Website : loisstrachan.com

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lstrachan

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loisstrachanspeaker

This episode edited by Craig Strachan using Hindenburg PRO – find out more on Hindenburg.com

Credits read by Simalumba Nawa.

Sponsor me the cost of a cup of coffee and help me continue creating content:

https://ko-fi.com/adifferentwayofseeing

In this episode of the A Different Way of Seeing podcast, I hand the microphone over to Jeremy Opperman as he chats to my husband, Craig Strachan, on what it is like for him being married to a blind woman.

The conversation covers different aspects of our life together as a couple, and explores whether or not blindness is the elephant in the room that is both unavoidable and constantly present.

Ranging from housework to travel, from reading to music, from movies to societal perceptions, this is an honest and in-depth discussion of a marriage and how it operates when one partner is blind.

As a bonus, this is a great episode for anyone who has ever wanted to discover more about Craig as a person, and the life he leads.

Image Description:

A bald man wearing a black crew-neck shirt. He has brown eyes and is smiling at the camera..

I’d love to hear from you – contact me at

Website : loisstrachan.com

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lstrachan

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loisstrachanspeaker

This episode edited by Craig Strachan using Hindenburg PRO – find out more on Hindenburg.com

Credits read by Simalumba Nawa.

Sponsor me the cost of a cup of coffee and help me continue creating content:

https://ko-fi.com/adifferentwayofseeing

What does it mean to discover your neurodivergent identity later in life, while raising neurodivergent children of your own?

In this episode of A Different Way of Seeing, Lois Strachan speaks with Kori Mock, a mother, advocate and coach who shares her journey of being diagnosed with ADHD and autism level 1 later in life.

Kori talks openly about supporting parents of neurodivergent children, particularly mothers, and explains how her coaching practice helps neurodivergent women reclaim their identities, build confidence and embrace their strengths.

The conversation explores practical strategies for navigating neurodivergent life, from creating sensory-friendly spaces and developing effective communication systems to establishing routines that bring structure and predictability.

Kori also shares valuable resources for women, including the Autistic Women and Non-Binary Network and the Autistic Girls Network, as well as her online community, Neurodivergent Mom Life: ADHD + AuDHDSupport, where mothers can connect, share experiences, and find support.

This is an insightful and empowering conversation about diagnosis, motherhood, identity, advocacy and learning to understand yourself through a neurodivergent lens.

Note: Kori has recently married, which is why her name differs between the interview and this description. We wish Kori and her husband every happiness.

Reach out to Kori:

Substack: https://substack.com/@thekoric⁩

YouTube: www.youtube.com/cthekoric⁩

Image Description:

A woman with long, straight black hair seated cross-legged on a cushioned chair. She is wearing a green shirt with a decorative pattern near the neckline, and light beige pants with elastic cuffs at the ankle. Her hands rest loosely in her lap.

I’d love to hear from you – contact me at

Website : loisstrachan.com

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lstrachan

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loisstrachanspeaker

This episode edited by Craig Strachan using Hindenburg PRO – find out more on Hindenburg.com

Credits and music by Charlie Dyasi.

Sponsor me the cost of a cup of coffee and help me continue creating content:

https://ko-fi.com/adifferentwayofseeing

What happens when your sight changes dramatically after decades of stability?

In this episode of A Different Way of Seeing, Lois Strachan speaks with Hannah Weymouth, a blind content creator better known online as Blind & Bored.

Hannah shares her journey with cone dystrophy and the rapid deterioration of her vision after years of stable legal blindness.

She reflects on the ways she learned to mask her visual impairment in her career as a photographer, and the profound process of adapting to a new level of blindness.

From rediscovering independence with a white cane to using bump dots and assistive technology such as Envision AI, Hannah offers an honest look at the practical and emotional realities of adapting to changing vision.

She also talks about becoming a content creator and using humour to navigate challenges, connect with audiences, and challenge assumptions about blindness.

This is a conversation about adaptation, identity, technology, creativity and finding laughter in unexpected places.

Follow Blind & Bored on social media:

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@blindbored?_r=1&_t=ZP-92TCYoMPU3K⁩

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/17oA1rPDUx/?mibextid=wwXIfr⁩

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@blindandbored?si=JdhD_UH7rPHKN8kA⁩

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blindnbored?igsh=NDNiajVxM3hwcHRj&utm_source=qr⁩

Image Description:

A black-and-white image of a smiling woman with light, long, curly hair. She is wearing large round eyeglasses and a thin dark necklace. Two lines of large white text is positioned on the left side over the dark background, reading Blind & Bored. The l in Blind” is extended downward as a vertical line between the words, with a small feather shape at the top of the letter and a solid dot at the very bottom, giving it a logo-like appearance.

I’d love to hear from you – contact me at

Website : loisstrachan.com

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lstrachan

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loisstrachanspeaker

This episode edited by Craig Strachan using Hindenburg PRO – find out more on Hindenburg.com

Credits and music by Charlie Dyasi.

Sponsor me the cost of a cup of coffee and help me continue creating content:

https://ko-fi.com/adifferentwayofseeing

Accessibility is often seen as complex, expensive, or something that requires specialist knowledge. But what if assessing your venue’s accessibility could be as simple as having a conversation on WhatsApp?

In this episode of A Different Way of Seeing, Lois Strachan speaks with Taryn Tomlinson from Livable Group about Ava, an innovative AI-powered accessibility assessment tool designed to help hospitality businesses evaluate how accessible their properties are for everyone.

Taryn explains how Ava guides users through a simple self-assessment, measuring everything from parking spaces and door widths to accessible bathrooms and emergency lighting. Within an hour of completing the assessment, businesses receive practical recommendations to help them improve accessibility and move closer to universal access standards.

We also discuss why Ava was created, the importance of making accessibility achievable for small and medium-sized hospitality businesses across South Africa, and exciting plans to expand the technology to restaurants, bars, and tourist attractions.

Join us for a fascinating conversation about how technology is making accessibility more practical, more affordable, and more achievable for businesses and the communities they serve.

Reach out to Tarryn Tomlinson:

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.liveablegroup.com

Image Description:

Stylized illustration of a woman with a ponytail walking with a long white cane. To her right is a large outlined eye symbol with three curved lines beneath it, suggesting sound or radiating perception. Below the logo is text reading A Different way of Seeing with Lois Strachan.

I’d love to hear from you – contact me at

Website : loisstrachan.com

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lstrachan

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loisstrachanspeaker

This episode edited by Craig Strachan using Hindenburg PRO – find out more on Hindenburg.com

Credits and music by Charlie Dyasi.

Enjoyed this episode? Sponsor me the cost of a cup of coffee and help me continue the show:

https://ko-fi.com/adifferentwayofseeing

Another short solo episode explaining why the show will be having a break due to my recovery from a major surgical operation.

If you miss me take a look at my content on the following links:

Website: https://www.loisstrachan.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lois.strachan

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lstrachan

YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/loisstrachan/

Podcast Feed: https://rss.com/podcasts/different-way-of-seeing/

Image Description:

Stylized illustration of a woman with a ponytail walking with a long white cane. To her right is a large outlined eye symbol with three curved lines beneath it, suggesting sound or radiating perception. Below the logo is text reading A Different way of Seeing with Lois Strachan.

I’d love to hear from you – contact me at

Website : loisstrachan.com

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lstrachan

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loisstrachanspeaker

This episode edited by Craig Strachan using Hindenburg PRO – find out more on Hindenburg.com

Credits and music by Charlie Dyasi.

Enjoyed this episode? Sponsor me the cost of a cup of coffee and help me continue the show:

https://ko-fi.com/adifferentwayofseeing

In this episode, Lois chats with Belinda Leibowitz, Hazel Sacharowitz and Karen Denton from the Low Vision Centre of Learning, a global organisation that aims to empower those living with blindness and low vision, and professionals working with the community.

Using the ERIC acronym, LVCoL provides education, resources, information and courses to their extensive network through their website, monthly events and their WhatsApp groups.

During the conversation, occupational therapist Belinda, optometrist Hazel, andeducation expert Karen discuss the founding of LVCol, the work they do and how their diverse backgrounds help them to provide a multi-disciplinary approach to all that they do.

To learn more about LVCoL, find the following links:

Website: www.lvcol.org

The Facebook groups are :

Low vision interest group South Africa

South African group for people who are visually impaired

Image Description:

I’d love to hear from you – contact me at

Website : loisstrachan.com

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lstrachan

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loisstrachanspeaker

This episode edited by Craig Strachan using Hindenburg PRO – find out more on Hindenburg.com

Credits and music by Charlie Dyasi.

Enjoyed this episode? Sponsor me the cost of a cup of coffee and help me continue the show:

https://ko-fi.com/adifferentwayofseeing

In this episode Lois speaks with Elle Rowlands, a graphic designer and small business owner from New South Wales, Australia who has spina bifida. Elle discusses her journey from traditional employment to entrepreneurship, starting her graphic design business called By Elle Creative in 2020.

They explore the challenges people with disabilities face in mainstream employment, particularly around consistency, energy levels, and physical access, as well as the benefits of entrepreneurship which allows for greater control over work arrangements.

Elle shares her advice for others considering starting their own business, emphasizing the importance of going at one's own pace, building sustainable systems, and not being overwhelmed by mistakes..

The conversation also touches on Elle's emerging public speaking career focusing on disability advocacy.

Reach out to Elle at the following links:

Website:

https://byellecreative.com.au

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/byellecreative?igsh=MTg4eWI5Y20wdDcydg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

Speaking page:

https://byellecreative.com.au/speaking

Image Description:

Woman with long straight light-brown hair and blue eyes smiling at the camera. She is wearing rectangular eyeglasses and a pale pink T-shirt, with small red embroidered text reading By Elle Creative. Below the woman are indistinct red flowers.

I’d love to hear from you – contact me at

Website : loisstrachan.com

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lstrachan

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loisstrachanspeaker

This episode edited by Craig Strachan using Hindenburg PRO – find out more on Hindenburg.com

Credits and music by Charlie Dyasi.

Enjoyed this episode? Sponsor me the cost of a cup of coffee and help me continue the show:

https://ko-fi.com/adifferentwayofseeing

In this episode, Lois chats with Sriram Ganesh from the company Luminade about Lumen, a new voice-controlled app designed to make digital life more accessible for people with vision loss and neurodivergent conditions.

Sriram shares how Lumen uses natural voice conversations to help users manage emails and complete digital tasks without needing to navigate complex screens or master traditional screen readers. During the conversation, he demonstrates the app in action and discusses current and upcoming features, including support for Gmail, multiple email accounts, calendar integration, and Google Drive access.

If you’re interested in beta testing the Lumin product, Sriram also shares the process to join the team.

To learn more about Sriram and gain early access to Lumin, check out the following:

Website - https://luminade.ai/r/adifferentwayofseeing

X : https://x.com/TalkToLumin

Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/talktolumin/

Sriram's linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sriramganesh/

Image Description:

A black background with a white geometric logo and white text. The logo is near the top centre. It has a white square with its top-right corner folded down, showing two triangular layers underneath in light and dark grey, like a page being turned. Below the logo, large white text has the name of the app, Lumin. Under that, smaller gray text says:

Talk to your email.

I’d love to hear from you – contact me at

Website : loisstrachan.com

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lstrachan

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loisstrachanspeaker

This episode edited by Craig Strachan using Hindenburg PRO – find out more on Hindenburg.com

Credits and music by Charlie Dyasi.