Feeling This Life

Paige, Jenny, and Cathy dive into Life in Five Senses by Gretchen Rubin, exploring how slowing down and tuning into everyday sensory experiences can deepen our connection to the world around us.  

The group reflects on what it means to truly notice life’s small details — from familiar walks and neighborhood scents to unexpected sensory discoveries. Paige shares a funny story about confusing skunk and weed smells, while Cathy describes counting bunnies and exploring during her travels. Together, they discuss how this awareness can enrich both personal life and professional practice, especially in the field of visual impairment.  

They also chat about bringing sensory awareness into education, mindfulness, and daily routines — and how paying attention to what we see, hear, smell, taste, and touch can help us find joy in familiar places.  

Jenny, Paige, and Cathy close by reflecting on how each of them plans to slow down and savor the sensory world a little more. 

"Life in 5 Senses" by Gretchen Ruben 

⁠https://gretchenrubin.com/books/life-in-five-senses/⁠  

⁠https://www.amazon.com/Life-Five-Senses-Exploring-World/dp/0593442741⁠ 

Use the Libby app to check this book out from your local library! https://help.libbyapp.com/en-us/6144.htm 

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Children who are blind and low “Vision AND” have additional needs may receive early intervention services from multiple professionals.  A list of those services can be found here.  

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Our guest for this month is Carol Spicer, an experienced pediatric occupational therapist with real life practical knowledge of how a diagnosis of a blindness or low vision can affect mealtime development!  

Carol has worked with many families of children with blindness and low vision in both educational and medical settings, guiding them through mealtime developmental challenges. While her strategies she shares on Feeling This Life this month are research-based and promising practices, she will be the first one to remind us that the “occupation of children is play” and mealtime should be a positive experience for all.   

The OT Toolbox: https://www.theottoolbox.com/  

Feeding Matters: https://www.feedingmatters.org/ 

Children’s Colorado Hospital: https://www.childrenscolorado.org/just-ask-childrens/articles/sensory-processing-disorder/ 

We love voicemail! Please leave us a message: https://www.speakpipe.com/FeelingThisLife 

Children who are blind and low “Vision AND” have additional needs may receive early intervention services from multiple professionals.  A list of those services can be found here.  

Please give us your feedback using this survey link: ⁠⁠https://educationutah.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_39OmBvMih6MlgNw⁠⁠   

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⁠⁠www.vips.org⁠ 

Paige sits down with Kacey Poynter for the first episode of season 5! Kacey shares her experiences as a parent of a child with several medical conditions. Kacey is Mom to Sonny, who has Dandy Walker Syndrome and is impacted by blindness/low vision. Sonny also has a tracheostomy and other medical needs. Kacey discusses her journey through diagnosis, treatment, and therapy for Sonny, highlighting both the challenges and triumphs she has faced along the way. She emphasizes the importance of parental advocacy, support systems, and listening to one's intuition when navigating medical and educational challenges for children with special needs. 

Cathy, Jenny, and Paige reflect on the power of Kacey’s words.  

Sonny's hashtag: #SonnyStrong  

Kacey’s Blog Post: 

https://adayinthelifeofkacey.wordpress.com/2022/09/13/the-incredible-story-of-sonny-jules/ 

Dandy Walker Alliance: https://dandy-walker.org/ 

We love voicemail! Please leave us a message: https://www.speakpipe.com/FeelingThisLife 

Children who are blind and low “Vision AND” have additional needs may receive early intervention services from multiple professionals.  A list of those services can be found here.  Please give us your feedback using this survey link: ⁠⁠https://educationutah.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_39OmBvMih6MlgNw⁠⁠   

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VIPS: ⁠⁠https://secure.vips.org/np/clients/vips/donation.jsp?forwardedFromSecureDomain=1&campaign=495⁠⁠   

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Email: ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠  

⁠⁠www.vips.org⁠ 

Get ready to join us for season 5 of Feeling This Life! The theme of season 5 is Vision AND, focusing specifically on how vision intertwines with all aspects of development and its relationship with other conditions. 

This season's book talk (October Episode): "Life in 5 Senses" by Gretchen Ruben

https://gretchenrubin.com/books/life-in-five-senses/ 

https://www.amazon.com/Life-Five-Senses-Exploring-World/dp/0593442741 

We love voicemail! Please leave us a message:  https://www.speakpipe.com/FeelingThisLife

Please give us your feedback using this survey link: ⁠⁠https://educationutah.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_39OmBvMih6MlgNw⁠⁠   

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VIPS: ⁠⁠https://secure.vips.org/np/clients/vips/donation.jsp?forwardedFromSecureDomain=1&campaign=495⁠⁠   

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Email: ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠  

Thank you for joining us for Season 4 of Feeling This Life! Please help us plan Season 5 by using this survey link: ⁠https://educationutah.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_39OmBvMih6MlgNw⁠  

Season 5 will start on September 1, 2025!

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VIPS: ⁠https://secure.vips.org/np/clients/vips/donation.jsp?forwardedFromSecureDomain=1&campaign=495⁠  

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Email: ⁠[email protected]⁠ ⁠ 

⁠www.vips.org 

Cathy spends time with Gina Fugate, computer science and technology educator, doctoral scholar, and teacher of the visually impaired.  Gina, whose vision is impacted by Retinitis Pigmentosa, is the coach of the DOT5UDOGS, the robotics team at The Maryland School for the Blind. Gina remembers her early life and how changes in technology over the years have impacted her and the students that she works with. Cathy connects coding and robotics to early learning and basic concepts that benefit all.  Gina shares her wisdom with families regarding technology and gives us a peek into what happens at robotics team meetings.   

Jenny, Cathy, and Paige demystify some computer science terms that may be new to our listeners.  Jenny tells about a free program that makes literacy accessible for readers, and Paige shares more free resources that families can access.  

Gina’s website:  

https://ginafugate.com/ 

Dolly Partin Imagination Library and American Printing House for the Blind (APH) collaboration (Braille Tales): 

https://www.aph.org/braille-tales/ 

https://www.aph.org/imagination-library-collaboration/ 

APH listing for Code and Go Mouse:  

https://www.aph.org/product/accessible-code-and-go-mouse/ 

Amazon listing for Code and Go Mouse:  

https://www.amazon.com/Learning-Resources-Robot-Activity-Pieces/dp/B01A5YMCH4/ref=sr_1_4?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.pNrgfjrwDzA3pq6I0C4QHpvi9QvxyK9-wiS4fKlfyTQP-CauncsPEos_fbBrbUIBebTcC3mrm87QmciC8Q5c9yL5h-oz2sMd82UeBbjW8si3NIVr2I15XGIknUZlZXS19PYjN92unvaFRbVYjf3hQLD5E8CmRU25vvqNsvt9ToSYTkXSTXAu6I3nfnwGWEn_idTQUKl31_FO51idhA8InYoH9w8jP35jWFMJBX_N1W73Jd0V0Nvq2cd-A5ygv2iCfiA31k8Dszc26qHPQYbGoq0kBL29y0Mgo_OYBLrFbEw.Oag3NzEObSy7QmBJavV86NagVRuu7wmOjYSXynF40fY&dib_tag=se&hvadid=617158356959&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9014243&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=7032082735960938102&hvtargid=kwd-373741283002&hydadcr=4120_13263594&keywords=code+%26+go+robot+mouse&mcid=701f6db9163b39e8bf25e4445f14f4b3&qid=1746114328&s=toys-and-games&sr=1-4 

“Connecting Dots: A Blind Life” by Joshua A. Miele with Wendell Jamieson 

https://www.amazon.com/Connecting-Dots-Blind-Joshua-Miele/dp/030683278X?tag=googhydr-20&source=dsa&hvcampaign=books&gbraid=0AAAAA-byW6DVRTkFIq4qOZtXUOg5V4gEn&gclid=Cj0KCQjwt8zABhDKARIsAHXuD7Yvm8tNXIjM21hGLnZ95m44KpEuy9YwCvylUlaaFNky1onpy9ka1rwaAgiREALw_wcB 

National Library Service equipment and materials:  

https://www.loc.gov/nls/services-and-resources/equipment-for-nls-materials/ 

First LEGO League:  

https://www.firstlegoleague.org/ 

Dash Robot:  

https://store.makewonder.com/products/dash?srsltid=AfmBOor3MsMRYAATYxQ8ZlNcFuQ0ziavl3Kq-krKYz37BuPnNzxugdBV 

Blocks4All iOS app:  

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/blocks4all/id1446492589 

Swift Playground iOS app:  

https://developer.apple.com/swift-playground/ 

Joy Player:  

https://www.aph.org/product/joy-player/ 

Seedings Book Angel Program:  

https://www.seedlings.org/free-programs/ 

Braille Institute Special Collection, referred to in this episode as Dots for Tots:  

https://www.brailleinstitute.org/library/special-collection/ 

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⁠www.vips.org 

Paige sits down with VIPS preschool teacher, Laney Reed.  Laney, who has low vision due to bilateral colobomas, shares a look at the ups and downs her early life and schooling.  Her experience as a person with low vision who teaches young children who are blind and have low vision gives us a unique perspective.  Laney shares her humor and wisdom as a lifelong learner and talks about how she found a new tool.  

Cathy, Jenny, and Paige consider the impact of Laney’s parents, and the impact that parents of children who are blind and have low vision can have on their children and their communities.   

Link to “The Great IDEA Gameshow” episode:  

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5kIwOomBrJkeh1FOfzSux5?si=rK9C3AdPSQmgq42ktTFC4Q 

Link to IDEA statute: 

https://sites.ed.gov/idea/statuteregulations/ 

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Email: ⁠[email protected]⁠ ⁠ 

⁠www.vips.org 

Dr. Penny is back to share with us her personal experiences growing up with low vision and how important it was for her to develop independence, whether it involved having chores at home, exploring and accessing textbooks at her university, or getting around as a non-driver. Check out her latest resources at the links below.  

Links:  

Dr. Penny's previous Feeling This Life episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2iSBlbAUjaCE6KuvzlFVqh?si=21Gi3BYOTLqcWxQYVfMRtQ

Project Inspire 2: Access and Equity in STEM Learning for Individuals who read braille 

https://www.pathstoliteracy.org/resource/project-inspire/ 

Finding Wheels:  Strategies to Build Independent Travel Skills for those with Visual Impairments  

https://www.tsbvi.edu/product/finding-wheels-strategies-to-build-independent-travel-skills-for-those-with-visual-impairments-electronic-file 

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Jenny interviews Kate, Kelsey & Hillary. Kate, Kelsey & Hillary are mothers who met through their children’s therapists. They have formed a unique friendship and help support each other through life events. Paige reflects on the amazing experience she has had working with these families. Cathy, Paige & Jenny all agree there is much to be learned from these amazing ladies!  

In the episode we discuss stuffed animals called Tubie Friends and siblings. 

Learn more: 

https://tubiefriends.com/main/ 

https://siblingsupport.org 

Please give us your feedback using this survey link: https://educationutah.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_39OmBvMih6MlgNw  

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VIPS: https://secure.vips.org/np/clients/vips/donation.jsp?forwardedFromSecureDomain=1&campaign=495  

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www.vips.org  

Friends and VIPS graduates Addy Clarkson and Hailey Hitner join us for this episode of Feeling This Life.  Along with Paige, Hailey and Addy reminisce about their early intervention and preschool years at VIPS. They explore how they became friends, their favorite ways to spend time together, and finally, they offer valuable advice to families on helping children build friendships.  Cathy, Paige, and Jenny reflect on Addy and Hailey’s perspective about being magical unicorns, and Cathy shares some encouraging research about the impact of spending time with friends.  

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VIPS: ⁠https://secure.vips.org/np/clients/vips/donation.jsp?forwardedFromSecureDomain=1&campaign=495⁠  

Anchor Center: ⁠https://www.anchorcenter.org/get-involved/donate/⁠  

Get in touch with us!  

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Email: ⁠[email protected]⁠  

⁠www.anchorcenter.org⁠  

⁠www.vips.org