In Episode 4 of Changing the Narrative, Murray Elbourn and Elizabeth Rouse dive into the theme of dating with blindness and low vision. Murray opens by sharing how he met his wife online through ICQ, reflecting on challenges like disclosing his vision loss and his wife’s insecurities about how he might perceive her after cataract surgery. Elizabeth follows with her own story of growing confidence, from early insecurities in high school to ending a college relationship that limited her independence. Together, they emphasize the importance of self-acceptance and being honest about one’s blindness when dating. The hosts discuss whether dating someone who is blind versus sighted makes a difference, concluding that authentic connection matters more than vision status. They also highlight the role of confidence, self-care, and independence in building healthy relationships. Elizabeth offers practical advice on using dating apps, social opportunities, and being proud of one’s identity. The episode closes with encouragement for listeners to start conversations, embrace social experiences, and define themselves beyond blindness.

In Episode 3 of Changing the Narrative, Murray Elbourn and Elizabeth Rouse dive into the realities of travel with blindness and low vision, swapping stories from Elizabeth’s Alaskan cruise and Murray’s Sydney Harbour Bridge climb to expose what travel accessibility really looks like. They unpack the debates around pre-boarding, air-travel etiquette, and the cane-as-carry-on issue, and discuss why many blind travelers reject being forced into wheelchairs just to get airport assistance. Elizabeth recalls learning to assert boundaries when strangers offer “healing” prayers, and the pair reflect on faith, acceptance, and turning blindness into purpose. Their chat moves through humor and honesty—from sensory-rich adventures in Victoria and Glacier Bay to awkward social moments and unforgettable guides who described the world through sound and smell. They celebrate technology tools like Be My AI, Aira, and Canva for alt-text, while staying candid about current tech limits such as Meta glasses. The episode closes with a look at adaptive recreation—from blind tennis partnerships to a University of Washington project developing haptic flag football—and a shared reminder that travel, like blindness itself, is best experienced through curiosity, conversation, and using every sense available.

Episode 2 of Changing the Narrative takes a deeper look at the pathways to navigating blindness and low vision. Murray and Elizabeth start with independence, unpacking what it means beyond stereotypes and showing how choice, control, and confidence shape daily life. They move into self-advocacy, explaining how speaking up in schools, workplaces, and the community shifts attitudes and opens opportunities. Technology is explored as both a lifeline and a tool for equality, from screen readers to apps that enhance mobility and communication. The hosts also confront ongoing barriers in education, employment, and culture, highlighting how persistence and resources help dismantle outdated perceptions and create more inclusive systems.

Murray and Elizabeth introduce themselves and set the mission: enable people and build community. Elizabeth traces her path from mainstream K–12 with an IEP to theater, NFB leadership, and an MFA program, stressing that blindness is a spectrum and one story is not every story. Murray covers growing up legally blind in Australia, a corporate and sports-inclusion career, and launching Amerability in the U.S. They compare generational shifts in blindness, tools and training that build real independence, and why language and expectations matter. Spotlights include the Blind Center of Las Vegas and U.S. blind tennis, with an invite to take one concrete action and report back. Weekly episodes