In this episode of Visions of BVA, host Steve Baskis speaks with Lt. Col. Brian O'Connell, USAF (Ret.), a former B-52 navigator and electronic warfare officer whose life of service continued long after his Air Force career. Brian shares how glaucoma gradually changed his vision and independence, how blind rehabilitation and the Blinded Veterans Association helped him reconnect with possibility, and how adaptive sports, music, mentorship, and teaching helped him rediscover purpose and confidence. From flying in cramped B-52 cockpits to returning to the classroom as a legally blind JROTC instructor, Brian reflects on leadership, resilience, identity, adaptive sports, music, and helping students realize opportunities they never thought possible. Listeners can also read more about Brian in the Norwich University article, "Flying Blind: From B-52s to the Classroom": https://www.norwich.edu/news/flying-blind-b-52s-classroom