BABIES DOWN, BOTTLES UP

We’re kicking off our blind dads series with an incredible guest—Tanner Gers. Adaptive sports athlete, beep baseball hall of famer, CEO of AccessAbility Officer, and proud dad to a little girl, Tanner brings the kind of energy and insight you don’t want to miss.

He shares the story of how his life changed at 21 after a devastating car accident that led to vision loss and four brain surgeries. From there, Tanner takes us through how he leaned into prayer, meditation, and mindset to not just recover, but rebuild.

Sports played a huge role in that rebuild. Tanner breaks down how he got involved in everything from goalball to track and field, and how beep baseball became a huge part of his life. He even opens up about the tough side—dealing with concussions and the physical toll of staying in the game.

We also dig into his work with AccessAbility Officer, the consulting company he founded to connect blind professionals with meaningful jobs in digital accessibility. Tanner brings up some real concerns about the future of accessibility jobs as AI advances, including how data sharing could open the door to discrimination. His goal? Push for legislation that protects our community.

Tanner was an absolute blast to talk to—full of humor, honesty, and straight-up motivation. This is a powerful way to kick off a month dedicated to spotlighting blind fathers.

Visit AccessAbility Officer and learn more about the CAT Program: https://accessabilityofficer.com

Support us on Patreon.

Email us at [email protected].

Like our Facebook page.

Follow us on TikTok.

Follow us on Twitter.

Follow us on Instagram.

If you’ve ever wondered what our unfiltered chaos sounds like behind the paywall—this is it.

This week’s teaser is a sneak peek at the kind of content you’ll get when you join us on Patreon for just $5/month at patreon.com/babiesdownbottlesup. Spoiler: it’s messy, hilarious, slightly unhinged, and 100% real.

We’re talking tajín on fruit (and judging each other’s choices), Terrin’s daughter going full horror movie scream over a red racer snake during speech therapy, and Josselyn schooling us on venomous caterpillars in the South. Then things take a left turn (as usual): we relive our first tampon attempts, the very real pain of IUDs, and how men get to breeze through vasectomies with ice packs and Netflix.

We also break down the wild story of a Florida daycare worker who wrote a note to a parent—on a kid’s stomach. Yes, you read that right.

Finally, we’re manifesting our hot girl summer energy with excitement for the sun, school being OUT, and all the mayhem that comes with it.

Want the full uncensored, laugh-until-you-snort version of us? Come pregame with us every week on Patreon. Trust—it’s a good time.

Support us on Patreon.

Email us at [email protected].

Like our Facebook page.

Follow us on TikTok.

Follow us on Twitter.

Follow us on Instagram.

Happy Mother’s Day from Babies Down, Bottles Up!

This week, we’re kicking back and having some fun with a few games that brought out all the laughs—and a couple of unexpected truths. From guessing which of our moms said the wildest things growing up, to figuring out who lived through some hilarious mom moments, we kept each other on our toes. There’s also a round of Two Truths and a Lie, and a favorite segment of ours called the Playlist Playoff, where we each picked a song that matches our parenting vibe.

It’s not polished. It’s not perfect. It’s just us, showing up as moms and friends, laughing about the things we’ve survived and the music that gets us through. Press play and hang out with us while you get ready for Mother’s Day weekend.

Support us on Patreon.

Email us at [email protected].

Like our Facebook page.

Follow us on TikTok.

Follow us on Twitter.

Follow us on Instagram.

This week on Babies Down, Bottles Up, we’re talking all things homemaking—how we keep our homes functional, cozy, and uniquely our own while managing life as blind moms. From organizing the kitchen to styling a space that feels good, this episode is full of tips, laughs, and real-life solutions.

We kick things off by sharing the one thing in our homes we’re obsessed with—or the one thing that drives us absolutely nuts. Then it’s all about decor: how we approach it, what styles speak to us, and how detailed (or minimal) we get when it comes to designing a space.

We also walk through our cleaning routines, talk about systems that help us stay on top of the chaos, and share hacks for making your space both beautiful and manageable. You’ll hear how we meal plan, keep track of pantry staples, and build routines that actually work.

Whether you’re just trying to keep your space livable or love turning your home into a sanctuary, this episode brings plenty of relatable takes and useful ideas.

Support us on Patreon.

Email us at [email protected].

Like our Facebook page.

Follow us on TikTok.

Follow us on Twitter.

Follow us on Instagram.

This month, we’re putting the spotlight on Naquela Wright, a mother of two and the powerhouse cofounder of Eyes Like Mine, an organization dedicated to raising awareness about the abilities and potential of people with vision loss. Through community service projects, empowerment workshops, and advocacy events, Eyes Like Mine is reshaping how the world sees blindness.

Naquela lived a full, active life throughout her teenage years—until everything changed at 18 when pseudotumor cerebri took her vision. She allowed herself just one week to grieve before making a promise to herself: she wasn’t going to let blindness define her. Five years later, not only had she adjusted, but she launched an organization that has gone on to inspire countless others.

She shares her journey with us—raising a teenage son and a young daughter, balancing family life with community work, and continuing her passion for music as an R&B singer. Naquela gives us an inside look at Eyes Like Mine’s mission, past initiatives, and the many ways they continue to uplift and empower the blind community through events like the Ms. Blind Diva Empowerment Pageant, Dancing With The Blind, and the Marvelous Moms Community Baby Shower.

Her story is one of action, not pity—a reminder that life doesn’t end with vision loss. It changes, grows, and, in Naquela’s case, becomes a platform for helping others. Press play to hear how she turned a life-altering moment into a life full of purpose, impact, strength, and full-on love.

• Eyes Like Mine Website
• Naquela's Music on Soundcloud
• Naquela on Facebook

Support us on Patreon.

Email us at [email protected].

Like our Facebook page.

Follow us on TikTok.

Follow us on Twitter.

Follow us on Instagram.

IN this latest episode, we’re going deep into all things haircare—from the routines that keep our families’ curls and coils healthy to the bigger conversations around cultural identity and understanding.

We kick things off with the products we swear by for our kids—from detanglers and leave-in conditioners to protective styles that make morning routines smoother and gentler. We break down how we manage our own hair alongside our children’s, what our typical wash days look like from start to finish, and how we’ve made space for self-care through it all.

Then the conversation expands. We discuss the importance of bonnets and nighttime protection, what protective styles work for our kids, and how we maintain them throughout the week. But this isn’t just about hair—it’s about culture, too. We get honest about cultural appropriation vs. appreciation, and the way misunderstandings around race and hair often play out in society. Whether it’s braids, locs, or twist-outs, we’re shedding light on how certain styles are perceived depending on who’s wearing them—and why education matters.

From the hot tools we use to the lessons we’re passing down to our kids, this episode is packed with personal tips, open conversation, and a whole lot of love for every texture, pattern, and routine.

Whether you’re a parent learning to care for your child’s hair, someone building your own routine, or just curious to learn more—this is an episode you don’t want to miss.

Support us on Patreon.

Email us at [email protected].

Like our Facebook page.

Follow us on TikTok.

Follow us on Twitter.

Follow us on Instagram.

Ever wondered how blind moms juggle parenting and traveling with a guide dog? In this episode of Babies Down, Bottles Up, we’re bringing together a powerhouse panel of three moms who do just that. Meet Shelly, an attorney working between New York and New Jersey, Julie, a civil rights attorney in Baltimore, and returning guest Jasmine, whose guide dog is specially trained for running 5Ks.

These moms walk us through their journey to getting a guide dog while raising kids. From choosing the right school to train with, to their initial worries, to how they prepared their homes and children for the arrival of a new working dog—it’s all on the table. They also share practical tips for traveling with kids and a dog, when to ask for help, and how to advocate in unfamiliar environments.

A big part of the conversation focuses on teaching children guide dog etiquette—what to do, what not to do, and how to create respect for the working role these dogs play. Jasmine shares what made her finally decide to get a guide dog: the chance to run again, independently and confidently.

If you’re a blind parent who’s ever considered getting a guide dog but didn’t know how it would fit into your life with kids—this one’s for you. Insightful, funny, and full of real-world advice, this episode brings together moms who are doing it all—with a leash in hand.

Support us on Patreon.

Email us at [email protected].

Like our Facebook page.

Follow us on TikTok.

Follow us on Twitter.

Follow us on Instagram.

In this episode, we’re heading north—way north—to chat with Elizabeth, a mom of two and founder of the Pacific Training Centre for the Blind (PTCB) in Canada. Elizabeth’s story is anything but conventional. In the middle of a divorce, she packed up her kids, towed a trailer across the border, and enrolled at the Louisiana Center for the Blind with one goal: to bring structured discovery and true independence training back to Canada.

She opens up about winning a scholarship from a national organization to attend LCB—something necessary since, unlike in the U.S., government funding for rehab centers is extremely limited in Canada. We talk about what it was like going through intensive blindness skills training with her children in tow, the emotional and physical demands of the program, and why she believed it was all worth it.

Elizabeth breaks down how her own center, Pacific Training Centre, compares to LCB—what’s the same, what’s different, and how it fits into Canada’s broader system of services. She also shares important insights about sleep shades, why structured discovery matters, and the often misunderstood differences between vocational rehabilitation programs and centers that actually prioritize blind people leading blind people. Her center’s training program, appropriately named Blind People In Charge, is a direct reflection of that philosophy.

We also get into the weeds with certification—NOMC vs. AER-recognized O&M instructors—and how the delivery of orientation and mobility training impacts real-world independence. Elizabeth offers advice on when it’s the right time to attend a program like LCB or PTCB, and how to resist falling back into old habits when you return home after training.

Her story and the work she’s doing in British Columbia is making a lasting impact on blind Canadians seeking full, meaningful independence—and her message is loud and clear: advocate for yourself, and never settle for less than full freedom.

• Website: https://pacifictrainingcentre.ca
• Email: [email protected]
• Facebook: Pacific Training Centre on Facebook

Support us on Patreon.

Email us at [email protected].

Like our Facebook page.

Follow us on TikTok.

Follow us on Twitter.

Follow us on Instagram.

This month’s Mom of the Month, Misha, didn’t have time to ease into life after blindness—she had to figure it out fast. With two teenagers who she jokingly calls her second set of parents, she knew there was no option but to push forward. Just five years ago, at 29, Misha lost her vision due to pseudotumor cerebri, a condition that took everything she had known in an instant.

Before blindness, she was living life on her terms—holding a high-ranking job at Newark Liberty Airport, enjoying summers outside with friends, and just getting into traveling. Then, everything changed. In this episode, Misha takes us through those first overwhelming months when life felt impossible, the support her mom gave her when she needed it most, and the way her relationship unraveled after losing her sight.

But she didn’t stay down for long. After attending JKTC (Joseph Kohn Training Center) in New Jersey, she started rebuilding—learning new skills, sharpening her tech abilities, and stepping into part-time work. Travel is back on her list, and she shares her favorite place she’s been so far. She also talks about the one thing she’s most proud of since losing her sight and how she’s now exploring adaptive sports, with beep baseball catching her interest.

Misha’s story is one of real life—messy, unexpected, and full of moments that remind you why you keep going. And honestly? She fits right in with us at BDBU.

Support us on Patreon.

Email us at [email protected].

Like our Facebook page.

Follow us on TikTok.

Follow us on Twitter.

Follow us on Instagram.

In this episode, we’re shining a light on the strength, resilience, and sheer determination of single mothers who do it all. We’re joined by two incredible women—licensed marriage counselor Shaii and former co-host Izzie—who share their personal journeys of navigating motherhood, independence, and self-growth while raising their children on their own.

Becoming a single mom right at the start of grad school was never part of the plan, but Shaii took on the challenge head-on. She opens up about her fears of passing down her brittle bone disease and how, despite knowing her blindness was congenital, that wasn’t her biggest concern when having children. She also shares the heartbreaking story of a father figure who entered her son’s life, only to abandon him—an experience that led her to seek a Black male therapist to support her son’s emotional well-being. Plus, Shaii gets candid about the realities of dating as a single blind mother and what she’s learned along the way.

Long-time listeners may remember Izzie, a former co-host and friend of the show. It’s been five years, and she’s back to catch us up on where life has taken her. From becoming a single mom and struggling in an unsupportive Seattle, to returning to New Jersey only to feel stripped of her independence, she shares the emotional and financial challenges that nearly broke her. But her story doesn’t stop there—she found her footing in Colorado, where a local nonprofit provided housing and resources for single mothers, helping her rebuild from the ground up. Izzie also speaks on the importance of therapy, how it has helped both her and her daughter, and the intense eye surgeries she endured while trying to stabilize life as a single mom.

This episode is a powerful reminder of the sacrifices, strength, and perseverance it takes to raise a child alone. Shaii and Izzie prove that single blind moms don’t just survive—they thrive.

Support us on Patreon.

Email us at [email protected].

Like our Facebook page.

Follow us on TikTok.

Follow us on Twitter.

Follow us on Instagram.