Careers for the Blind

Suzy Wilburn was a talented athlete who played soccer and softball as a young adult and was building a career in IT when her life changed at age 27. She was diagnosed with Stargardt disease, a form of vision loss that forced her to rethink both her life and her career.

After struggling to find her path, Suzy connected with the Lighthouse for the Blind and began working with a rehabilitation counselor. She quickly realized that she wanted—and was capable of—more challenging work than she was initially being offered. Suzy continued to advocate for herself and pursue opportunities that would allow her talents to shine.

That determination led her to an internship with Dogs Inc., which became the beginning of a meaningful and successful career. Over the years, Suzy continued to take on new challenges and rise through the organization. Today, she serves as Senior Director of Operational Logistics.

In this episode, Suzy shares her journey of adapting to vision loss, advocating for herself, and building a rewarding career by refusing to let other people's expectations define what she could accomplish.

In this inspiring episode, we sit down with James Blaise, who lost his sight at an early age but refused to let it define his future. Through determination and resilience, James earned his law degree, passed the bar exam, and pursued his lifelong dream of becoming an author.

James shares his remarkable journey, the challenges he overcame, and the inspiration behind his debut crime novel, Red, Hummingbird. We also discuss the release of the audiobook, now available on Audible, making his gripping story accessible to even more readers and listeners.

Join us for a conversation about perseverance, purpose, and proving that no obstacle is too great when you're determined to follow your passion.

https://www.audible.com/pd/Red-Hummingbird-Audiobook/B0H7CWV7FX?eac_link=2Y42cfhnPZX5&ref=web_search_eac_asin_1&eac_selected_type=asin&eac_selected=B0H7CWV7FX&qid=bngwKZIKo4&eac_id=136-2177917-1519011_bngwKZIKo4&sr=1-1

Matthew Sherwood, who lost his vision shortly after beginning his professional career due to Leber's Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON) and Best disease. Rather than allowing vision loss to define his future, Matthew built an impressive career in finance and investment management.

Today, Matthew serves as the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer of Pothos Partners. Throughout his career, he has held leadership roles across the investment industry, managing assets in a variety of capacities, leading portfolio management teams, serving as the CEO of a startup, and now overseeing investment strategy and operations at Pothos Partners.

Matthew shares his journey of adapting to vision loss while navigating the highly competitive world of finance, the lessons he's learned as a leader, and the mindset that has helped him succeed. Whether you're interested in investing, leadership, or stories of resilience, this conversation offers valuable insights and inspiration for anyone pursuing ambitious career goals.

In this episode of Careers for the Blind, we speak with Domonique Lawless, who has been blind since birth and has spent her life advocating for the opportunities and training she needed to succeed. From a young age, Domonique learned the importance of self-advocacy, ensuring she received the education and support necessary to pursue her goals.

Initially aspiring to become a teacher, Domonique earned dual certifications as both an Orientation and Mobility Instructor and a Braille Instructor. Her passion for empowering others has remained a constant throughout her career. Today, she serves as the National Program Director for the Blinded Veterans Association, where she works to support and improve the lives of blinded veterans across the country.

In addition to her professional leadership, Domonique embraces her entrepreneurial spirit as the founder of her own life coaching business, helping individuals overcome challenges, build confidence, and achieve their personal and professional goals.

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https://www.tiktok.com/@competitiveedge?_r=1&_t=ZP-96aDWD3pOYB

https://linktr.ee/Competitive_edge

Jeff Noga built a long and successful career at ExxonMobil, including several years in a supervisory role, before his life took an unexpected turn. Midway through his career, he was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa—a progressive vision condition that would challenge both his professional and personal life.

With a wife and two young children at home, Jeff was determined to keep moving forward and continue providing for his family. In this episode, he opens up about the obstacles he faced, the adjustments he had to make, and the resilience it took to navigate vision loss while maintaining his career.

In this episode of Careers for the Blind, I sit down with James Ashworth to discuss his journey through vision loss while building a successful career in the airline industry. Diagnosed with cone-rod dystrophy after already establishing himself professionally, James shares how he first began noticing changes in his vision and the challenges that followed.

James talks about the tremendous support he received from many of his supervisors, while also opening up about the moments where he had to advocate strongly for himself when others questioned whether he could take on new responsibilities with accommodations in place. Through persistence, determination, and a willingness to embrace new challenges, James consistently proved his abilities through excellent work and leadership.

That drive ultimately helped him rise through the ranks and build an impressive career at Southwest Airlines. His story is a powerful example of resilience, self-advocacy, and the importance of giving people the opportunity to succeed based on their talent and performance rather than assumptions about disability.

Rick Blair’s journey at Schneider Electric is a powerful story of resilience, adaptation, and self-advocacy. Over the course of several decades with the company, Rick experienced gradual vision loss, eventually becoming fully blind later in his career. While he benefited from supportive supervisors along the way, Rick also had to consistently advocate for the accommodations he needed to succeed in his role.

In this episode, Rick shares what it takes to navigate a long-term career while adjusting to significant vision changes, offering insight into both the challenges and opportunities that come with it. His story highlights the importance of workplace inclusion, persistence, and speaking up for what you need.

We also discuss an exciting new job opportunity at Schneider Electric in the field of digital accessibility, with an open invitation for individuals with disabilities to apply.

https://careers.se.com/jobs/112490?lang=en-us&previousLocale=en-US

Be sure to check out the link below for a YouTube demonstration of the RightHear app, a tool helping improve accessibility and independence for people who are blind or visually impaired.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFw3t3F2sss

Jenna Tiberi’s journey to becoming a social worker is a powerful story of perseverance and self-advocacy. Along the way, she heard many “no’s” before finally receiving a “yes,” especially after choosing to be upfront about her vision loss early in the interview process. Refusing to let barriers define her path, Jenna continues to take on the world alongside her guide dog, demonstrating resilience, confidence, and determination. Her story is an inspiring reminder of what’s possible when you stay true to yourself and keep moving forward.

Today’s episode features Eileen Rivera Ley, a powerhouse at the intersection of business, innovation, and blindness advocacy. Eileen brings an impressive academic background, having earned a degree in economics from Harvard and an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. Her career includes work at the Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins, but her entrepreneurial spirit ultimately led her to found Blind Savvy USA. Today, she serves as president of this innovative training and consulting company focused on low vision and blindness, helping organizations and individuals rethink what’s possible through education, strategy, and lived experience.

Brett Boyer has been blind his entire life, and his career journey is a testament to persistence and self-discovery. Along the way, he’s worked in a wide variety of roles, always pushing to find work that truly aligned with his interests and values. After exploring many different paths, Brett ultimately found a place where his passion and purpose came together at the Colorado Center for the Blind. In this episode, we hear Brett’s story and the lessons he’s learned about perseverance, meaningful work, and finding the right fit.