This one is real.

We’re talking about what it’s actually like working outside of the blindness bubble. Not conferences. Not advocacy spaces. Regular workplaces. Offices. Meetings. Systems that were never built with us in mind.

We share our experiences being the only blind person in the room, the pressure to prove ourselves before we even open our mouths, and the exhausting dance of deciding when to educate and when to just do your job. There are stories of discrimination, yes. But there are also stories of unexpected allies, managers who stepped up, and coworkers who surprised us in the best way.

We get into inaccessible software, awkward interviews, assumptions about productivity, and the constant need to advocate for basic accommodations. We also talk about why it matters that blind people show up in every industry, not just blindness organizations. Visibility changes perception. Presence shifts culture. And sometimes just existing in the space is the statement.

This episode is about honesty, growth, frustration, and persistence. If you’ve ever felt underestimated at work or wondered how to push back without burning bridges, this conversation is for you.

And we really do want to hear your stories.

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We’re kicking off 2026 by naming our very first Mom of the Month, and it had to be REL Cooper. Friend of the show, blind mom, entrepreneur, homeschooler, and all-around force, REL joins Josselyn, Kisha, and Terrin for an episode that feels like sitting at the table with people who really know each other. Danny pops in with his usual chaos, the drinks are flowing, and the stories come fast.

The episode opens with catch-ups and life updates, from Kisha being nominated for a major PTA honor, to Terrin stumbling into a full-circle connection with a tattoo artist whose family shares a blindness journey of their own. Josselyn admits she’s running on wine and an empty stomach, Danny shocks everyone with his beverage choices, and the group dynamic does what it does best.

Then REL takes the mic. She talks about growing up blind, losing her remaining vision as a kid, and building a life that now includes a marriage, two kids, homeschooling, and multiple businesses. She shares how she met her husband Vision, how their partnership grew from friendship into family and work, and why entrepreneurship became the path forward when traditional jobs weren’t opening doors.

REL breaks down the businesses she and Vision have built together, from furnished rental investing through Access Your Place, to Penny Works, an AI website builder designed with blind users in mind, to her passion projects centered on supporting moms. She also gets real about past ventures that didn’t work, the lessons they left behind, and why no experience is wasted if you actually learn from it.

The conversation moves into homeschooling, how they make it work day to day, why structure looks different in their house, and how learning happens in conversations, play, and everyday life. They talk socialization myths, flexibility, and the pressure parents put on themselves to do things the “right” way. Along the way there are parenting stories, throwback memories, and moments that only happen when people have real history together.

This episode is equal parts laughter, honesty, business talk, parenting reality, and mindset shifts. It’s a strong start to a new year and a perfect introduction to REL Cooper as our first Mom of the Month for 2026.

shesrel.com

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Money planning can get complicated fast when disability benefits are involved, so we brought in someone who truly understands how the system works. In this episode, we’re joined by Ashley Melero from The Arc of Texas for a clear, grounded conversation about ABLE accounts and Special Needs Trusts, and why knowing the difference between the two matters more than most people realize.

Ashley walks us through what ABLE accounts are, why they were created, and how they allow people with disabilities to save money without risking Medicaid or Social Security. We talk contribution limits, who can open and manage an account, how parents can use them for minors, and what happens as balances grow. She also explains what counts as a disability-related expense and why documentation is key.

From there, we shift into Special Needs Trusts and the common mistakes families make when planning for the future. Ashley explains the difference between third-party and self-settled trusts, why inheritances need to be handled carefully, and how pooled trusts can remove a lot of the stress that comes with managing funds and staying compliant with benefit rules.

We also cover the parts people often avoid talking about, including Medicaid payback provisions, how marriage and employment can affect benefits, and why small steps like adding transfer-on-death designations or updating a will can make a major difference down the line.

If you’ve ever felt stuck between wanting financial security and fearing the loss of benefits, this episode helps untangle that tension. It’s a straightforward conversation about planning ahead, protecting access to care, and making sure your money works for you instead of against you.

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Money is one of those topics that can feel heavy fast, especially when you’re trying to rebuild, stretch a fixed income, or figure things out after time spent at home raising kids. In this episode, we sit down with Anthony for a grounded conversation about money that speaks to real situations, not perfect ones. He shares his own experience moving through debt and finding financial stability, along with the mindset shifts that helped him stop feeling stuck.

We talk about budgeting in a way that makes sense for people living on a fixed income and for moms who are re-entering the workforce or trying to regain financial footing after staying home. Anthony explains how to be more intentional with spending, how to approach money conversations with a partner, and how everyday choices can quietly shape your financial future. He also walks through tools like IRAs and Roth accounts in plain language, so you can understand what they are and why they matter without feeling overwhelmed.

This episode is for anyone who wants to feel less anxious about money and more aware of how to work with what they have. It’s honest, realistic, and focused on building confidence one step at a time, no matter where you’re starting from.

Reach Anthony: [email protected]

Anthony’s suggestions:

Opening a Capital One account (no minimum banking fees), which can help you build a simple system to track spending and start budgeting: https://www.capitalone.com/bank/money-management/banking-basics/opening-a-bank-account-online/

Dave Ramsey’s book The Total Money Makeover (available on BARD and Bookshare): https://store.ramseysolutions.com/money/books/the-total-money-makeover-by-dave-ramsey/

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If you’ve ever wondered whether the signs you’re seeing mean something more, or you’ve already been down the road of seeking an autism diagnosis for your child, this episode is one you’ll want to sit with.

Josselyn and Terrin speak honestly about their experiences raising autistic daughters, including the early stages of denial, the moment they realized they were the only ones in their families acknowledging what was happening, and what it took to fully accept and move forward with a diagnosis. They break down how autism diagnoses work today, why the term Asperger’s is no longer used, and what actually separates Levels 1, 2, and 3.

They also talk through the day-to-day realities that come with parenting autistic kids, redirecting behaviors, managing sensory needs, and adjusting parenting styles to meet their children where they are. From different types of sensory input their daughters seek out to tools and items that help with regulation, they share what has worked in their own homes.

The conversation also takes a necessary turn toward advocacy. Josselyn and Terrin discuss why organizations like Autism Speaks have faced backlash, and why person-first language is often pushed by people who are not autistic themselves. They draw clear parallels to disability language within the blind community and explain why lived experience matters more than outside policing.

This episode is grounded in real parenting, real questions, and real learning. If you’re curious, concerned, or already working through an autism diagnosis, there’s a lot here that may help you feel less alone and more informed.

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First episode of the new year, and we’re easing back in by catching you up on our lives. We talk about how the holidays actually went, who we spent time with, what worked, and what we are glad is officially over. From family moments to quiet resets, it’s a real look at how we wrapped up the year.

We also share our resolutions and personal goals for the year ahead, the realistic ones and the stretch goals we are holding ourselves to.

To close it out, we keep things fun with a quick Playlist Playoff, picking our walk-on songs for 2026 and explaining why each one fits our mindset going forward.

New year energy, honest conversation, and a little music to set the tone.

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First episode of the new year, and we’re easing back in by catching you up on our lives. We talk about how the holidays actually went, who we spent time with, what worked, and what we are glad is officially over. From family moments to quiet resets, it’s a real look at how we wrapped up the year.

We also share our resolutions and personal goals for the year ahead, the realistic ones and the stretch goals we are holding ourselves to.

To close it out, we keep things fun with a quick Playlist Playoff, picking our walk-on songs for 2026 and explaining why each one fits our mindset going forward.

New year energy, honest conversation, and a little music to set the tone.

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Merry Christmas from the Babies Down, Bottles Up crew! This episode is a fun holiday special, full of festive energy and end-of-year laughs. We kick things off by talking about what our kids are most excited for this Christmas, from the gifts they have been counting down for to the little traditions that make the season feel special.

Then it is time for a Playlist Playoff holiday edition, where we each share our top three Christmas songs we absolutely cannot stand. Strong opinions are shared, feelings may be hurt, and no one backs down.

We also reveal what our Secret Santas got us, unwrapping and reacting in real time as we talk through the gifts and the thought behind them.

Before closing out the episode, we take a moment to say thank you. To everyone who has pressed play, shared an episode, supported our work, mentioned us to a friend, sponsored an episode, or believed in the mission, we are incredibly grateful. A huge thank you as well to all of our guests and supporters this year.

Celebrate the holidays with us, get a few laughs in, and wrap up the year together. We will see you in 2026.

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Amber from WonderBaby.org joins us for a conversation that feels like sitting down with the friend every parent of a disabled child wishes they had sooner.

Amber takes us back 20 years to when WonderBaby.org first started, long before Facebook groups and endless resource websites existed. What began as a need for information turned into a lifeline for families raising children with disabilities. She talks about the parents she’s connected with over the years, the friendships that grew out of shared experiences, and what it really means to be a steady resource for families who are figuring things out as they go.

We get into adapting mainstream toys for kids with different needs and the simple materials Amber keeps on hand to make toys more accessible. She also shares practical advice for relatives and extended family, especially during holidays and gatherings, on how to make things easier and more inclusive for families who are already doing a lot of planning behind the scenes.

Then Amber delivers something parents will want to bookmark, her favorite toy picks broken down by category. From sound and music toys to tactile and exploration toys, light-up toys for kids with light perception, movement and motor skill toys, braille toys, and other developmentally appropriate options, she gives thoughtful recommendations and explains why they matter.

We wrap up with Amber offering grounded advice for parents and advocates who are supporting children with special needs and want to feel more confident doing it.

If you are looking for ideas, reassurance, and tools you can actually use, this episode is one you will want to listen to more than once.

Visit WonderBaby: https://www.wonderbaby.org

Email Amber: [email protected]

WonderBaby on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wonderbaby.org/

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When your child has to go into the hospital, everything shifts. In this episode, Kisha and Terrin open up about their personal experiences with surgeries, long hospital stays, and what it takes to keep yourself together when your child is on the operating table.

They break down how they prepared themselves and their kids, physically and emotionally, for surgery day, from pre-op appointments to fasting rules to finding age-appropriate ways to explain what is about to happen. They also talk about the anxiety that builds as surgery approaches and the different ways they have learned to stay grounded while waiting for updates.

Once surgery is over, that is when the real work begins. Kisha and Terrin walk through the recovery phase at home, comforting kids through pain, handling mobility limitations, and staying on top of medication schedules without mistakes. They also get real about how they label and identify prescriptions as blind moms and why asking for weight-based doses is one of the most important safety steps you can take.

This episode also digs into medication awareness inside the hospital, specifically fentanyl, why it is commonly used, how it is administered, and the questions every parent should be ready to ask before anything is given. They talk openly about overdose concerns, what warning signs look like, and how to advocate for your child in a medical setting.

Terrin also shares her experience with long-term hospital stays: what to pack, how to make an unfamiliar room feel a little more like home, staying strong when you are hit with hard news, and balancing communication with doctors while still trying to maintain a sense of normalcy for the rest of your family.

They also discuss anesthesia. Together, they talk through what parents should expect before, during, and after anesthesia, how kids often respond differently than adults, and the little things they wish they had known sooner, told through their own real experiences.

From prepping your kid for surgery to surviving days or weeks in the hospital, this episode is an honest look at what families actually go through. If you ever find yourself in this situation, this one will prepare you in ways you did not know you needed.

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