In this powerful episode, we sit down with Laura Bratton, author of Harnessing Courage, who transformed her journey of vision loss into a framework for resilience that anyone can apply to life's challenges.

When Laura was diagnosed with a rare retinal disease at age nine, doctors could only tell her she would eventually lose her sight—they couldn't predict when. What began as a routine eye exam quickly spiraled into years of adaptation, learning braille, and discovering how to navigate a world she could no longer see.

Laura shares the raw, unfiltered reality of transitioning to blindness—from the initial denial to the development of her "three Gs" framework: grit, gratitude, and grief. She introduces us to her guide dog Jira, and explains how this extraordinary companion became a transformative force that changed her outlook on the future.

With refreshing candor, Laura breaks down her powerful philosophy that helped her not just survive but thrive despite overwhelming circumstances. She offers actionable insights on self-advocacy, embracing ongoing grief as part of healing, and finding strength in community when your own reserves run dry.

This conversation isn't just for people dealing with vision loss. Laura's insights apply to anyone facing a crisis that demands resilience, advocacy, and the courage to acknowledge grief while still moving forward.

In This Episode, You'll Learn:

• How to break overwhelming challenges into manageable, bite-sized pieces
• Why finding a "gratitude buddy" can transform your perspective
• The power of self-advocacy and asking for what you need
• Why leaning on others' strength isn't weakness—it's essential
• How to embrace grief as an ongoing companion that changes shape throughout your life
• Why your struggles make you more relatable and trustworthy to others
• The importance of balancing grit and gratitude to create a foundation for moving forward
• The difference between being positive and toxic positivity
• Practical ways to harness courage even when facing insurmountable odds
• How to give yourself permission to have bad days without guilt

Learn more about Laura by visiting her website

Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts

"This is my go-to podcast for inspiration and to discover new approaches to embrace the challenges in my life." If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me reach more people -- just like you -- find strategies and insights to do the things that feel undoable. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. Follow now!

Sign up for my newsletter and learn more about these remarkable stories at www.jessicafeinstories.com

Order Jessica's memoir, Breath Taking: A Memoir of Family, Dreams, and Broken Genes

Music credit: Limitless by Bells