Sign up to save your podcasts
Or
Share Blonde and Blind
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Or
Blonde and Blind
Blonde and Blind episodes
- 8. White Hair, Don’t Care: Self Love, Acceptance & Albinism
What is albinism and what unique challenges does it present? In the eighth episode of Legally Blonde & Blind, Marissa explains how the physical appearance of people with albinism can lead to ostracization, discrimination, and low self-esteem. Tune in to learn more about how she learned to embrace her white hair, pale skin, and wiggly eyes!
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_nissleyKey Points:
3:30 - What is albinism? (aka Albinism 101)
9:41 - What unique challenges does albinism present?
11:30 - Media Representation
14:15 - Struggles in Developing Countries
16:40 - How did I learn to embrace my appearance?
17: 20 - Body Positivity vs. Neutrality
20:00 - Building Confidence
22:40 - Embracing Identity-First Language
Resources & Transcript - https://www.blondeblind.com/post/8-white-hair-don-t-care-self-love-acceptance-and-albinism
30 min - 7. Mother’s Day Special: A Conversation with Mama Nissley
How do parents of a visually-impaired child process a new diagnosis and encourage their child to develop a positive attitude towards blindness? How does one navigate the alphabet soup of IEP plans and other accommodations? In Legally Blonde & Blind’s Mother’s Day Special, Marissa’s mom shares her unique experiences and perspectives as a parent of a child with albinism.
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_nissleyKey Points:
1:30 - How did you find out about my albinism?
3:15 - How did you process my albinism diagnosis?
4:56 - What resources did you use to learn more about albinism?
7:00 - What was it like getting early intervention and accomodations at school?
11:05 - How did you handle pushback and reluctance from school administrators?
14:45 - How do you foster self-advocacy skills in blind and visually-impaired children?
17:00 - How can you help holders develop a positive view of blindness?
19:45 - How do you use social media to spread albinism awareness without oversharing?
22:55 - How did you respond to rude comments or remarks?
Resources & Transcript - https://www.blondeblind.com/post/7-mother-s-day-special-a-conversation-with-mama-nissley
28 min - 6. Miss Independent: What Does Independence Mean to Me?
How does one define independence and set reasonable goals for daily living? In this episode of Legally Blonde & Blind, Marissa discusses developing a healthy mindset towards independence and asking for help. She also shares toxic ways she used to view independence and offers advice for sighted people when assisting a blind person.
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_nissleyKey Points:
2:00 - When did I start thinking about independence?
3:15 - What are some toxic mindsets I developed towards independence?
3:30 - Does being independent mean I can never ask for help?
5:30 - Are there certain “levels” of independence?
8:05 - Is independence a binary?
10:00 - How did I develop healthy attitudes towards independence?
21:50 - How can sighted people best assist those who are blind?
Resources & Transcripts - https://www.blondeblind.com/post/6-miss-independent-what-does-independence-mean-to-me
28 min - 5. Legally Blonde & Blind Benefits
In the fifth episode of Legally Blonde & Blind, Marissa shares her favorite things about being legally blind, such as being able to make friends in the blind community, scroll through her phone with her nose, and much more! She also discusses how her blindness helped her develop communication, social, and organizational skills.
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_nissleyKey Points:
1:29 - Inspiration for Episode
6:39 - Carpooling and Reducing Carbon Footprint
8:30 - Communication Skills
12:26 - Not having to see things you don’t want to!
14:30 - Using your Nose to tap your Phone!
15:30 - Perseverance
18:03 - Reading in the Dark!
18:40 - Planning and Organization Skills
21:00 - Finding the Blind Community
Resources & Transcript - https://www.blondeblind.com/post/5-legally-blonde-blind-benefits
27 min - 4. Spilling the Disabili-TEA (feat. Samantha Hurley)
Samantha Hurley, a high school senior who has made several YouTube videos about her experiences with albinism, joins Marissa to discuss bullying, activism, and raising awareness for albinism on social media.
Samantha is a rising sophomore at the University of Georgia studying Journalism with a minor in Spanish. She is also receiving certificates in News Media and Public Affairs Communication. Her YouTube channel features several videos about albinism, body positivity, and disability activism.
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_nissleyConnect with Samantha Hurley!
YouTube - https://m.youtube.com/c/SamanthaHurley
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/samhurley/?hl=en
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-hurley-b03a20203
Key Points:
4:00 - What was it like appearing on the TV show Kim of Queens as a young child with albinism?
9:20 - Why did you make the YouTube video “Here’s the Disabili-TEA”?
11:50 - What were some of the main messages you wanted to send in the video?
15:22 - How did people react to the video?
19:00 - Did anyone ever apologize or change their behavior?
21:45 - How can people make meaningful change on social media and avoid performative activism?
Resources & Transcript - https://www.blondeblind.com/post/4-spilling-to-the-disabili-tea
27 min - 3. Virtual Learning with a Visual Impairment
From web accessibility to Zoom fatigue, blind students face a unique set of challenges while learning virtually. Marissa discusses the roadblocks she has encountered and offers practical advice based on her experiences as an online college student.
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_nissleyKey Points:
2:20 - Why has the pandemic been especially challenging for blind people?
4:21 - What unique challenges do virtual learning present for college students with visual impairments?
6:25 - Website Accessibility
8:52 - Timed Exams
11:00 - Being on Camera
12:30 - Lack of Services
13:30 - Eye Strain & Focusing
15:14 - Advice for Blind College Students Learning Virtually
15:20 - Requesting Accommodations
18:30 - Time Management & Procrastination
23:11 - Self Care
Resources & Transcript - https://www.blondeblind.com/post/3-virtual-learning-with-a-visual-impairment
27 min - 2. Not Blind to Injustice (feat. Kaleigh Brendle)
Marissa interviews Kaleigh Brendle, a high school senior in New Jersey who learned in March that the College Board would not provide paper, Braille copies of her AP exams. They discuss the legal action Kaleigh took and share self-advocacy tips.
Kaleigh Brendle is a Justice & Peace studies major at Villanova University. She directs the Sing for Serenity Choir, an international online choir for blind and visually impaired vocalists, and released her first album, Karma, in 2021. She is also the President of the New Jersey National Association of Blind Students.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 Kaleigh Brendle!YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4B5ArolwW72GiMxJSsndwQ?feature=gws_kp_artist&feature=gws_kp_artistInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/kaleighbrendle/?hl=enSpotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/0XIPvIm5qYnteMQJNPmTYe?autoplay=true&source_application=google_assistantApple Podcasts - https://music.apple.com/us/artist/kaleigh-brendle/1586133796Twitter - https://mobile.twitter.com/livewithkaleighKey Points:2:30 - Sing for Serenity Choir4:55 - What accommodations do you typically receive for tests? And how did the college board change them at the start of the pandemic?10:10 - What actions did you take after speaking with the College Board?13:09 - How did it feel to connect with other members of the blind community throughout this process?15:47 - Did you ever feel discouraged throughout the process and how did you deal with those feelings?19:51 - How can blind people advocate for themselves in their daily life?Resources:https://nfb.org/about-us/press-room/blind-students-and-advocates-resolve-dispute-college-board-over-ap-examshttps://www.foxnews.com/media/exclusive-student-files-complaint-claiming-the-college-board-ap-exams-are-discriminating-against-blind-blinds-and-deaf-studentshttps://navigatingblindness.com/2020/07/13/we-are-not-blind-to-injustice-the-2020-college-board-experience/https://nypost.com/2020/05/21/student-files-complaint-claiming-ap-exams-discriminate-against-blind-and-deaf/Resources & Transcript - https://www.blondeblind.com/post/2-not-blind-to-injustice24 min - 1. The Art of the Blind Joke
In the first episode of Legally Blonde & Blind, Marissa discusses how humor helped her develop confidence and feel more comfortable talking about her visual impairment.
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_nissleyKey Points:
2:06 - Why did I find talking about my disability challenging as a child?
3:57 - How did I learn to approach blindness and disability with humor?
7:20 - Why do I tell blind jokes?
13:25 - How should sighted people approach blind jokes?
21:20 - Rating blind jokes!
Resources & Transcript - https://www.blondeblind.com/post/1-the-art-of-the-blind-joke
26 min - 2 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…
disability justice.