Blind Luminations

It's time for a Care Bear countdown! Here's a new episode in 5, 4, 3, 2... 1!

Oh wait, did we get that wrong? On this week's episode, Jan actually bares all about caring. More specifically, the sighted half of this relationship shares her perspective on being a caregiver to a blind husband. Beyond dealing with the normal things that make a marriage with Marc annoying, she also has an entirely different set of issues to deal with. How does she do it and what impact does it have on the couple's marriage?

Also, Jan looks at disability as a love of country music, how she thinks anyone can do what she does and probably better (she's not a great caregiver-- examples given!), and looking toward the future because she thinks they have it easier than others without disabilities.

The Blind Luminations Team (BLT? Hmmmmm... I smell a branding opportunity) don't claim to have all the answers, but they aren't afraid to be honest either. Enjoy all of this and more in our latest episode of the podcast.

(Oh yeah, you can also join us on social media too! We're on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/blindluminations/, Twitter at https://twitter.com/blindlumination/ and Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/blindluminations/ -- join the Luminati... you know you want to!)

(Episode art by Marc Rocheleau. Two stick figures of Marc and Jan stand together. Marc says, "You give me lots of TLC" and Jan replies "Don't go chasing waterfalls!" Caregiving is also written at the top of the blind sketch.)

There ain't no feast like a poutine feast!

Inspired by their recent trip to Poutine Feast Windsor (YQG represent yo,) Marc and Jan are breaking down their favourites before getting into the messy, juicy, delectable topic of food! Well, more food actually... 

The two go over what it's like to eat when you're blind and you might be surprised at how much your eyes influence your mouth. How do you tell someone where their food is on a plate? Why do restaurants give Marc anxiety? What's available to help food preparation for the blind? What are the advantages when it comes to not seeing food? It's all in this (strawberry) jam packed episode so listen up, buttercup!

Find us on all the social medias including Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/blindluminations/, Twitter at https://twitter.com/blindlumination/ and Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/blindluminations/ -- it'll be a holler and a hoot!

0:00 Episode start

0:25 Host introductions

0:41 How Darth Vader uses the force to chill out

3:01 What the show is all about

3:49 What Jan would do with the Reality Gem

6:30 Poutine Feast Windsor

17:01 Topic Of The Week: Eating When You're Blind

51:44 Blind taste test

56:09 Where to find us on social media

57:26 Last goodbyes and closing credits

(Episode art shows stick figures of Marc and Jan at Poutine Feast. The stick figure man working at Herbert's Fries' truck says "Bonjour" to the couple. Marc comments "They must be french fries!" Jan replies by saying "Ugh..." disgustedly. The drawing was done by Marc, who is completely blind... and fixed slightly by Jan.) 

It's a touchy feely episode this week... but not in the way you might expect.

Marc and Jan are ready to talk about their busy weekend before getting into the nitty gritty about the touching... oh the horror of all the touching! Anyway, ever wonder how someone's personal space evaporates after they go blind? If so, this episode has you covered! It's all about stranger danger, cold pricklies, perception and pet peeves this week so come along for the ride. (Just don't touch us... okay?) 

Be sure to follow all of our social media followables like Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/blindluminations/, Twitter at https://twitter.com/blindlumination/ and Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/blindluminations/. With so much interactivity between the three, it's like taking home Blind Luminations: Party Edition! 

0:00 Episode start

0:24 Host introductions

1:23 What the podcast is all about

3:15 What we've been up to

19:50 Topic of the week: Blindness leads to a touchy subject

47:17 Random aside about video games

55:30 Where to find us on social media

57:43 Where people can download and subscribe to the podcast

58:47 Final goodbyes and closing credits

(This week's episode art shows Stick figures of Marc and Jan waiting for a bus as another stick figure approaches them on a sunny day. The stranger asks Marc if he wants a massage as he replies “Help me?” and Jan laughs. This sketch was drawn by Marc, who is completely blind.)

Break out your party hats and do a jig because The first episode of Blind Luminations is finally here! Hoping to shed a little light on blindness, Marc (the blind guy) and his sighted wife Jan talk about their experiences dealing with this disability.

Kicking things off with the winning topic of a social media poll, the two go in depth about how Marc became blind in the first place. Listen to some of the initial struggles he's gone through and continues to deal with some 18 years later. Of course there's plenty of fun along the way as well: You can't beat stories about Dr. Evil as a male nurse and a flatulent hospital roommate!

0:25 Host introductions

1:33 What this podcast is all about

2:18 An explanation for Marc's blind sketch episode art

3:55 How we decided on this week's main topic

5:40 What Marc and Jan have been  up to

15:23 How Marc went blind

32:31 Assorted comments about Marc's story

44:57 How listeners will influence future shows

48:16 Where to find us on social media

50:11 Clips in Overcast app for iOS

51:58 Final goodbyes and credits

Be sure to give us a follow (or three) on social media as well:

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/blindlumination/

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

(Episode artwork was drawn by the blind wonder, Marc Rocheleau. It depicts two stick figures of Marc and Jan sauying hi with the words "First Episode" written at the top of the image.)