Blonde and Blind

Blonde and Blind

By Marissa NissleyEducationSelf-Improvement
Download on the App Store

Blonde and Blind episodes

  • 27. I’m Not Broken: Why Albinism Advocacy is more Valuable than Genetic Research

    I have never wanted a “cure” for my albinism and corresponding visual impairment, but only recently found the words to explain why. Research regarding treatments for and the genetic origins of disabilities raises complex ethical questions. Does studying albinism in a laboratory genuinely improve people’s lives, or does it merely satisfy the curiosity of medical professionals? In “I’m Not Broken,” I argue that albinism should be viewed as part of one’s identity and a source of community rather than an undesirable mutation. I consider the emotional, social, and political impacts of seeking to reverse or cure blindness. I then argue how redirecting these funds towards developing assistive technology, advocating for legislative changes, and providing necessities (sunscreen, UV protective gear, etc.) to people with albinism would have a stronger impact. Keep in mind that this is a deeply personal subject. My goal is to share my perspective and lived experience—not speak on behalf of the entire albinism community. 


    Connect with Blonde & Blind!

    Website  - https://www.blondeblind.com/ 

    Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/blondeblindgirl/ 

    Facebook - https://m.facebook.com/legallybb/?locale=sq_AL 

    LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blonde-blind 

    YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJz_ng0bHVm0s33plEl5Kpg 


    X - https://twitter.com/marissa_nissley


    Resources & Transcript - https://www.blondeblind.com/post/27-i-m-not-broken-why-albinism-advocacy-is-more-valuable-than-genetic-research



    24 min
  • 26. SMALLS TALK: Meeting and Training with My First Guide Dog

    There is more to “guide dogging” than meets the eye. Contrary to popular belief, guide dogs are not perfect robots or GPS systems who can single-handedly take handlers to class or tell them when to cross the street. Working with assistance animals is much like learning a language, an entirely new way of communicating. In the 26th episode of Legally Blonde & Blind, I share my experiences applying for and training with my first guide dog. Tune in to learn more about my challenges, success, and takeaways from my first month as a guide dog handler!

    “I got a guide dog because I wanted to prioritize my happiness and safety over arbitrary notions of necessity or independence.”

    Connect with Blonde & Blind!

    Website  - https://www.blondeblind.com/ 

    Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/blondeblindgirl/ 

    Facebook - https://m.facebook.com/legallybb/?locale=sq_AL 

    LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blonde-blind 

    YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJz_ng0bHVm0s33plEl5Kpg 


    X - https://twitter.com/marissa_nissley

    Key Points:
    0:00 - Introduction!
    1:50 - All About Smalls!
    6:00 - Why did I record this episode a month after being matched?
    7:10 - Disclaimers
    8:45 - Why did I apply for a guide dog?
    9:00 - Reframing my Attitudes towards Disability and Independence
    13:00 - Investing in Myself
    14:30 - Choosing Joy
    16:00 - What is the application process like?
    18:20 - What I learned from my first month as a guide dog handler
    18:40 - Bonding doesn’t happen instantly
    19:30 - Having a guide dog is a CHOICE
    21:15 - Feedback does not equal Failure
    22:45 - Dogs learn from EVERYTHING
    24:20 - Take things one step at a time
    25:00 - Guide dog training is VERY emotional
    27:00 - Confidence is key
    Resources & Transcripts - https://www.blondeblind.com/post/26-smalls-talk-meeting-and-training-with-my-first-guide-dog

    28 min
  • 25. Blind Ladies Breaking into Corporate America (feat. Kathryn Webster)

    Less than 30% of working-age blind adults in the United States are employed full-time. Approximately only 16% of them have a Bachelor’s degree or higher. Tired of being the only blind person in the room, Kathryn Webster joins Marissa to discuss how her organization Together Achieving Dreams will increase employment opportunities for the low vision community. She specifically focuses on management consulting, big law, finance, and other fields where blind people are especially underrepresented. Tune in for advice on networking, interviewing, and breaking into Corporate America!

    Kathryn Webster is a 2023 MBA candidate at Harvard Business School. Upon graduation, she will be joining KKR, a global investment firm, in New York. She graduated with high honors from Wake Forest University with a Bachelor of Science in Statistics and Computer Science. Kathryn is a leader in the National Federation for the Blind and previously served as President of the National Association of Blind Students. She currently serves on the board of the Lighthouse of San Francisco, BLIND, Inc., the Jacobus tenBroek Memorial Fund, and Business Opportunities for the Blind. She approaches each day with the motivation to break the stigma and prove that blind people can achieve anything they want in the world.
    “I want us to break into Corporate America. The 75% unemployment rate statistic hasn’t changed for decades.”
    Connect with Blonde & Blind!

    Website  - https://www.blondeblind.com/ 

    Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/blondeblindgirl/ 

    Facebook - https://m.facebook.com/legallybb/?locale=sq_AL 

    LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blonde-blind 

    YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJz_ng0bHVm0s33plEl5Kpg 

    X - https://twitter.com/marissa_nissley

    Connect with Kathryn Webster and TAD!
    Website - https://tadfoundation.org/
    Instagram - https://instagram.com/togetherachievingdreams?igshid=Zjc2ZTc4Nzk=
    Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/people/Together-Achieving-Dreams-Foundation-Inc/100086574137762/
    LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathryncornellwebster
    Key Points:
    0:00 - Introduction!
    2:35 - Could you describe your blindness and what the world looks like to you?
    3:51 - What sparked your interest in disability advocacy?
    5:54 - What inspired you to create Together Achieving Dreams?
    11:02 - What are the unique challenges blind people face in corporate America?
    13:10 - What is it like interacting with colleagues who have little to no experience working with blind people?
    15:33 - What resources is TAD going to provide for blind students?
    18:45 - How can people connect with TAD and learn more?
    20:10 - What advice do you have for job hunting, recruiting, and interviewing?
    23:30 - Outro
    24:20 - Guide Dog blooper :)
    Resources & Transcript - https://www.blondeblind.com/post/25-blind-ladies-breaking-into-corporate-america-feat-kathryn-webster

    26 min
  • 24. Two Feet Instead of Four Wheels

    Driving is a rite of passage in the United States and many people with albinism find themselves on the cusp of qualifying for a license. In the 24th episode of Legally Blonde & Blind,  Marissa shares how she learned to accept and embrace her status as a nondriver. Tune in to learn about bioptics, low vision driving regulations, and ways to support those without a license. Driving should not be the only way to attain independence and freedom!


    “Being a nondriver does not mean you will be any less independent. It does not mean you will be a passenger in your mom’s car for the rest of your life. Thousands of blind people have found their way, and so will you.”


    Connect with Blonde & Blind!

    Website  - https://www.blondeblind.com/ 

    Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/blondeblindgirl/ 

    Facebook - https://m.facebook.com/legallybb/?locale=sq_AL 

    LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blonde-blind 

    YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJz_ng0bHVm0s33plEl5Kpg 
    X - https://twitter.com/marissa_nissley



    Key Points:

    2:25 - Low Vision Driving Basics

    3:36 - Bioptic Telescopes

    5:50 - Safety Considerations

    9:52 - Attitudes towards Driving

    13:05 - How can we better support nondrivers?

    13:09 - Acknowledging the Downsides of Car Dependency

    14:57 - Increasing exposure to public transportation

    15:52 - Offering rides

    17:32 - Take a deep breath!


    Resources & Transcript - https://www.blondeblind.com/post/24-two-feet-instead-of-four-wheels

    21 min
  • 23. Making our Voices Heard: Albinism and Human Rights Advocacy (feat. Tess Ballis)

    How can we help people with albinism facing violence and discrimination in East Africa as college students halfway across the world? On Episode 23 of Legally Blonde & Blind, Tess Ballis joins Marissa to discuss healthcare, education, and dispelling harmful myths surrounding albinism at a grassroots level. She explains how advocating for human rights has boosted her confidence and encouraged her to embrace albinism as part of her identity. Listeners will learn about concrete actions they can take no matter what their resources are.

    Tess Ballis is a junior at Northwestern University studying history and political science. Her parents founded the nonprofit Vision for Tomorrow, which seeks to empower people with low vision through research, advocacy, and awareness campaigns. She was a keynote speaker at the 2018 Skin Cancer Foundation of South Africa Summit and gave a TEDx Talk titled “Albinos Don’t Have Souls: What it means to be human from someone who has been told she is not.”
    "I just want people to realize we—as people with albinism—have a genetic condition. It affects our hair, our skin and our eyes, but that is the only difference. We are human beings, the same as anyone else."
    Connect with Blonde & Blind!

    Website  - https://www.blondeblind.com/ 

    Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/blondeblindgirl/ 

    Facebook - https://m.facebook.com/legallybb/?locale=sq_AL 

    LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blonde-blind 

    YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJz_ng0bHVm0s33plEl5Kpg 

    X - https://twitter.com/marissa_nissley

    Connect with Tess!
    Standing Voice Interview https://news.standingvoice.org/tess-ballis
    TEDx Talk - https://youtu.be/qhoGts4PGXM
    Key Points:
    0:00 - Introduction, Background, and Content Warning
    4:20 - What sparked your interest in albinism and human rights advocacy?
    6:20 - A crash course on albinism and human rights
    10:45 - What is currently being done in the nonprofit space to address these issues?
    12:55 - Where are the gaps? What more would you like to see done?
    18:45 - What made you want to speak publicly about albinism & human rights?
    25:00 - How has advocacy work influenced your personal relationship with albinism?
    27:45 - Why do you choose to use the phrase Person with Albinism?
    31:45 - How can other people with albinism process these harsh realities and feel empowered rather than discouraged?
    36:00 - How can people get involved? What nonprofits and NGOs should people check out?
    Resources & Transcript - https://www.blondeblind.com/post/23-making-our-voices-heard-albinism-and-human-rights-advocacy-feat-tess-ballis

    43 min
  • 22. Before Posting about your Child’s Disability, Listen to this…

    Many parents of children with disabilities or chronic illnesses use social media to share information and connect with others, but when does this go too far? In Episode 22 of Legally Blonde & Blind, Marissa discusses issues surrounding representation and consent when sharing a child’s disability on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, or other social media platforms. Tune in to learn why “raising awareness” and “inspiring others” is often not as straightforward or impactful as mommy bloggers believe.

    “My fear is that when parents take up so much space on social media, they send the message that people need to speak for us, that we can’t share our own stories.”


    Connect with Blonde & Blind!

    Website  - https://www.blondeblind.com/ 

    Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/blondeblindgirl/ 

    Facebook - https://m.facebook.com/legallybb/?locale=sq_AL 

    LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blonde-blind 

    YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJz_ng0bHVm0s33plEl5Kpg 
    X - https://twitter.com/marissa_nissley


    Key Points:

    0:00 - Introduction!

    1:05 - Why did I decide to make this episode?

    2:25 - Why do parents share about their child’s disability on social media?

    6:55 - Issues Surrounding Informed Consent

    11:39 - Issues Surrounding “Raising Awareness”

    12:18 - Inspiration Porn

    13:50 - Exotification and Objectification

    15:20 - Amplifying our Differences

    16:50 - Not Everyone Needs to be an Ambassador

    18:00 - Centering Parents

    18:49 - What should parents do?


    Resources & Transcript - https://www.blondeblind.com/post/22-before-posting-about-your-child-s-disability-listen-to-this

    24 min
  • 21. Gifted & Talented Blind Kids

    In “Gifted & Talented Blind Kids,” Marissa explains why she and many other students with visual-impairments tend to be perfectionists in the classroom. This episode will outline how the U.S. education system fosters toxic attitudes towards grades, success, and intelligence that disproportionately impact disabled students. Tune in to learn about setting realistic goals, developing healthy coping skills, and detaching self-worth from grades.

    “How can we raise society’s expectations for blind people without feeling like we as individuals need to be perfect?”


    Connect with Blonde & Blind!

    Website  - https://www.blondeblind.com/ 

    Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/blondeblindgirl/ 

    Facebook - https://m.facebook.com/legallybb/?locale=sq_AL 

    LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blonde-blind 

    YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJz_ng0bHVm0s33plEl5Kpg 
    X - https://twitter.com/marissa_nissley


    Key Points:

    3:20 - How do Gifted & Talented programs and advanced classes negatively impact the mental health of students?

    8:45 - How does disability relate to perfectionism? Why do many blind students feel intense pressure to overachieve?

    12:30 - What are the roots of the problem?

    17:45 - How can we tackle toxic mindsets towards grades and success?


    Resources & Transcript - https://www.blondeblind.com/post/21-gifted-talented-blind-kids

    25 min
  • 20. White Canes in the Wild

    White canes in the albinism community can be rather controversial. Some view them as a useful tool for navigation while others feel they are “overkill” for people with significant residual vision. After years of resistance, I share why I decided to use a white cane and how I find it beneficial when traveling independently. “White Canes in the Wild” debunks common misconceptions and shares tips for cane training!

    “I think viewing canes as a tool in the toolbox rather than a sign of defeat would do our community a lot of good.”


    Connect with Blonde & Blind!

    Website  - https://www.blondeblind.com/ 

    Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/blondeblindgirl/ 

    Facebook - https://m.facebook.com/legallybb/?locale=sq_AL 

    LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blonde-blind 

    YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJz_ng0bHVm0s33plEl5Kpg 
    X - https://twitter.com/marissa_nissley


    Key Points:

    0:45 - Updates!

    3:30 - What are white canes?

    4:30 - Why are people, especially those with albinism, reluctant to use white canes?

    13:30 - Why did I decide to start using a cane?

    16:45 - How do people interact with cane users?

    20:30 -  Cane Training Tips!


    Resources & Transcript - https://www.blondeblind.com/post/20-white-canes-in-the-wild

    27 min
  • 19. How Many Fingers am I Holding up?

    Whether it be through invasive questions, unsolicited remarks, or condescending attitudes, people who are blind or visually-impaired experience microaggressions, actions that occur casually, frequently, and often without any negative intentions, on a daily basis. In “How Many Fingers am I Holding up?”, Marissa shares how to identify and discuss subtle acts of exclusion. Tune in to learn how to respond next time someone says “You look like a ghost!”

    “Even if a comment seems small or unimportant to you, it can do real harm”


    Connect with Blonde & Blind!

    Website  - https://www.blondeblind.com/ 

    Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/blondeblindgirl/ 

    Facebook - https://m.facebook.com/legallybb/?locale=sq_AL 

    LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blonde-blind 

    YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJz_ng0bHVm0s33plEl5Kpg 
    X - https://twitter.com/marissa_nissley


    Key Points:

    2:00 - What are microaggressions?

    5:10 - Why call microaggressions subtle acts of exclusion (SAE)?

    8:15 - What kinds of microaggressions do disabled people tend to experience?

    17:25 - How can you address microaggressions or subtle acts of exclusion?

    18:46 …As a recipient?

    20:20 …As an initiator?

    22:30 …As a bystander?


    Resources & Transcript - https://www.blondeblind.com/post/19-how-many-fingers-am-i-holding-up

    26 min

About Blonde and Blind

From the publisher's feed

A podcast created by Marissa Nissley, a legally blind recent college graduate with albinism, that will change the way you think about blindness. Episodes discuss interdependence, accessibility, and…