iCantCU Podcast

In this episode of the iCantCU Podcast, I talk about how the Thanksgiving holiday has changed for me over the years. Some things are better and some are not. I also talk about Giving Tuesday and ask for your support of the Keystone Chapter of the NFB of PA by going to SupportKeystoneChapter.org  to make a donation.

Show notes at https://www.iCantCU.com/155

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If you've got questions, comments, or show ideas, I want to hear from you! Call (646) 926-6350 and leave a message. Include your name and town and let me know if it is okay to use your voice on an upcoming episode. You can also email the show at [email protected]

In this episode of the iCantCU Podcast, I talk about traveling to Harrisburg, PA for the NFB of PA State Convention. It was nice to be with friends from around the state after not going last year. I also talk about celebrating Ziggy's first birthday.

Show notes at https://www.iCantCU.com/154

Traveling To The State Capital

It is pretty easy to get to Harrisburg from Philadelphia via Amtrak. It takes less than two hours. The issue is getting from my house to 30th Street Station since the Septa Regional Rail schedule has been dramatically reduced.

The State Convention

There are all sorts of events and presentations at the convention. Accessible tech was covered on Thursday afternoon. There was a ceremony to honor blind veterans that night. Friday was all about various divisions and groups like blind parents, blind merchants, and students, as well as the affiliate board meeting. General sessions on Saturday covered many topics and was very inspiring. The formal banquet Saturday night was great for connecting with old friends and making new ones. The business meeting on Sunday morning caught everyone up on the affiliate finances and what each chapter is doing for fundraising and outreach.

The Bar

As with most conventions and conferences, the bar is where most new connections and ideas were made. I talked with a few people about White Canes Connect show ideas and ideas for videos showing blind people doing the same things sighted people do.

Ziggy's Birthday

Eliz made cupcakes using a recipe from Three Dog Bakery. He loved them. I thought the cake portion was okay, but didn't like the icing. Eliz and Jacob didn't try them. It is a dog-friendly recipe.

All-Blind Fantasy Football Draft Video

In case you didn't see it yet, check out our fantasy football draft video produced by Yahoo. The Yahoo fantasy sports app is very accessible and makes our league of all blind and visually impaired players run smoothly.

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Get In Touch

If you've got questions, comments, or show ideas, I want to hear from you! Call (646) 926-6350 and leave a message. Include your name and town and let me know if it is okay to use your voice on an upcoming episode. You can also email the show at [email protected]

In this episode of the iCantCU Podcast, I talk about the documentary short made with our All Blind Fantasy Football League. It was an incredible experience, as well as a lot of fun. I also talk about the upcoming NFB of PA state convention.

Show notes at https://iCantCU.com/153

Yahoo Fantasy Sports App Extremely Accessible

This year, Yahoo brought my all-blind fantasy football league together for the first time to film a documentary about our draft. Check it out on the Yahoo YouTube to hear the story of my league.

Great Time In Orangeburg, NY

While it was great being part of this documentary, it was even better getting to meet the other people in the league IRL. Thank you, Brian Fischler for making it happen. And thank you Yahoo for making it great!

The Blind Leading The Blind

I also talk about our Keystone Chapter meeting at the Penn Museum. I was tasked with helping first-time attendees to our new location actually get to the meeting. I helped a few members get from public transport to the museum.

Follow the iCantCU Podcast so you don’t miss an episode!

Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon | Google | IHeartRadio

Reach Out On Social Media

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Get In Touch

If you've got questions, comments, or show ideas, I want to hear from you! Call (646) 926-6350 and leave a message. Include your name and town and let me know if it is okay to use your voice on an upcoming episode. You can also email the show at [email protected]

In this episode of the iCantCU Podcast, I talk about voting using a paper ballot. I also talk about more home maintenance that was needed to replace an item that was on our radar since our home inspection when we bought our house a year ago. It was an item at or near the end of its life cycle. I also give a White Canes Connect update: it is officially a podcast!

Show notes at https://www.iCantCU.com/152

Voting On Election Day

Over the last few election cycles, we’ve been voting using a paper ballot. As described by Eliz, it is not too different from answering questions on the SAT. I am interested in learning more about accessible voting from Democracy Live, the company that handles the accessibility of the ballots in Pennsylvania when I go to the NFB of PA state convention on 11 November.

More Home Repairs

Not that we didn’t expect it, but our water heater had to be replaced. The infrequent drips became steady and then the drips became a stream. It was about 15 years old and the inspector who checked out our house before we bought it in September 2020 told us it might not have much life left. Maybe we should’ve kept it and created a smoker like in Escape to the Chateau.

White Canes Connect Is On Apple Podcasts

It is official. White Canes Connect is now a podcast. Find it on Apple Podcast, Spotify, and Amazon. It will soon be on Audacy, IHeartRadio, Google Podcasts, and Youtube. You can also listen on Twitter. Follow the show @PABlindPodcast on Twitter and Instagram.

Follow the iCantCU Podcast so you don’t miss an episode!

Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon | Google | IHeartRadio

Reach Out On Social Media

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn

Get In Touch

If you've got questions, comments, or show ideas, I want to hear from you! Call (646) 926-6350 and leave a message. Include your name and town and let me know if it is okay to use your voice on an upcoming episode. You can also email the show at [email protected]

In this episode of the iCantCU Podcast, I talk with Jasmine Eiland and her father Mario. Jasmine is the very talented singer from Vancouver, Washington who recently was voted the overall winner of Believe You Can!, the talent show for blind and visually impaired performers. She tells us about her singing and learning to play the piano at an early age. She also talks about other instruments she plays. Mario tells us how they noticed Jasmine’s talent early on.

Show notes at https://www.iCantCU.com/151

Follow Jasmine On Social Media

Instagram: Jassy 202
Youtube: The Musical Poet
TikTok: Musical Poet

Follow The iCantCU Podcast

Follow the show so you don’t miss an episode! 
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon | Google | IHeartRadio

Reach Out On Social Media

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn

Get In Touch

If you've got questions, comments, or show ideas, I want to hear from you! Call (646) 926-6350 and leave a message. Include your name and town and let me know if it is okay to use your voice on an upcoming episode. You can also email the show at [email protected]

In this episode of the iCantCU Podcast, I talk about getting a prescription for a Psoriatic Arthritis medication refilled. As is usually the case, money is the problem. My co-pay is over $1100 of this $4000+ per monthly med, and my co-pay assistance has run out for the year. I also talk about the success of Believe You Can! 2021.

Show notes at https://www.iCantCU.com/150

Over $4000 Per Month For One Medicine

It is hard to believe that the small bottle of 60 pills costs north of $4000 per month. It was only a couple of years ago that I found out the price of it. Thanks to the drug manufacturer, I've paid little or, in most cases, nothing for my prescription. That all changed when our prescription coverage limited our choice to one specialty pharmacy.

Lack Of Competition Drove Co-Pay Higher

My co-pay went from around $700 to over $1100 per month. More than the drug company's assistance program would cover in a year by about $2500.

Looking For Options

I like taking the current medication. It is oral, and I know the side effects. Since it is oral, I can easily take it independently without needing someone to inspect the needle and medicine in it. Is it working like it did when I first started taking it? I don't think so. While looking for other options, I'll have to balance how well the drug works, how easy it is for me to take, the potential side effects, and what my out-of-pocket cost will be for it.

Believe You Can! A Big Success

The talent show presented by the Keystone Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of PA was a success this year! We had a 22% increase in revenue over last year's show. We had a terrific lineup of performers from all over the US. We are looking forward to 15 October 2022 for Believe You Can! 2022! In the meantime, if you'd like to donate to the Keystone Chapter, go to SupportKeystoneChapter.org!

Follow The iCantCU Podcast

Follow the show, so you don't miss an episode!

Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon | Google | IHeartRadio

Reach Out On Social Media

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn

Get In Touch

If you've got questions, comments, or show ideas, I want to hear from you! Call (646) 926-6350 and leave a message. Include your name and town, and let me know if it is okay to use your voice on an upcoming episode. You can also email the show at [email protected]

In this episode of the iCantCU Podcast, I talk about how busy #blindmonth has been for me with Believe You Can!, editing two time-sensitive White Canes Connect episodes, and various other meetings that are blindness-related. I’m going to be bored once all of these events are over.

Show notes at https://www.iCantCU.com/149

Marketing Believe You Can!

I’ve been part of two podcasts talking about the talent show that the Keystone Chapter is presenting on 10/15, White Canes Connect episode 05 and Blind Abilities episode 790. I’ve also been marketing our event on social media. Our goal is to outperform last year’s sales. Buy a $10 Individual Ticket or $25 Watch Party Ticket.

Blind Abilities Appearance

I was on episode 790 of Blind Abilities, along with Harriet Go, Keystone Chapter President, Lisa Bryant, Believe You Can! Chairwoman and host, and Stacie Leap, co-host and Keystone Chapter Board Member. We were interviewed by Blind Abilities host Simon Bonenfant, who is also Keystone Chapter Secretary. We had a nice discussion about Believe You Can! And other Keystone Chapter information. Listen to Blind Abilities episode 790.

White Canes Connect Episode 05

I had a hell of a time editing our episode about Believe You Can! The audio tracks were not syncing up, so it took me much longer than expected to finish the show. In the episode, Lisa and I talked to Harriet, Jan Lattuca, last year’s Believe You Can! Winner, and Dezman Jackson, last year’s second place finisher. They will both be performing again this year, along with Harriet, who will be playing the violin.

Blind Women’s Empowerment Conference Episode

I also had to push out White Canes Connect episode 06, since the conference is on 10/15. Editing was much easier, but because I wasn’t part of the interview, I had to listen to see what needed editing. (I usually make mental notes on what needs editing during the recording.)

Penn Museum With Aira

After our monthly Keystone Chapter meeting at the Penn Museum, we were invited to walk through the museum using Aira, a subscription service that assists blind and visually impaired people through an app on their smartphone. There are certain places that partner with Aira to allow free use while on-site, like Target stores, many airports, and the University of Pennsylvania, which the museum is part of. I always enjoy going through the museum and using Aira made it easier for me to know more about the different exhibits.

Reach Out On Social Media

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn

Get In Touch

If you've got questions, comments, or show ideas, I want to hear from you! Call (646) 926-6350 and leave a message. Include your name and town and let me know if it is okay to use your voice on an upcoming episode. You can also email the show at [email protected]

In this bonus episode of the iCantCU Podcast, I play episode six of White Canes Connect, where we learn all about the Blind Women's Empowerment Conference

Show notes at https://www.iCantCU.com/148

About Blind Women's Empowerment Conference

It began as an idea between two women that just needed a little fleshing out. Now in its sixth year, The Blind Women’s Empowerment conference has grown into a much-anticipated annual event. Take part in this year's conference at https://zoom.us/j/8204086286

Listen in on this girl power conversation with Denice Brown, president of the Greater Philly Chapter and conference co-chair, as well as Quatrina Townes (also of the Greater Philly chapter) and the conference’s first keynote speaker.

Denice gives the backstory of how it all began and Quatrina recalls sharing her testimony of battling several medical missteps and severe depression once she completely lost her vision.

Both Denice and Quatrina agree that despite many gains, there is still a need for women to support and encourage one another. The conference aims to do just that.

Event details:

Sixth Annual Blind Women’s Empowerment Conference
Featuring Sharon Maneki, Keynote Speaker
Friday October 15, 2021                       
Time: 12:00 P.M. - 3:00 P.M. EDT            This is a free event and all Women Are Welcome!

For More Information

Contact Denice Brown at [email protected] with any questions.

Reach Out On Social Media

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Get In Touch

If you've got questions, comments, or show ideas, I want to hear from you! Call (646) 926-6350 and leave a message. Include your name and town and let me know if it is okay to use your voice on an upcoming episode. You can also email the show at [email protected]

In this bonus episode of the iCantCU Podcast, I share episode five of White Canes Connect. In it, Lisa and I talk to Harriet Go, President of the Keystone Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania about how Believe You Can!, the talent show for blind and visually impaired performers came to be. We also speak with Jan Lattuca and Dezman Jackson, who finished first and second in last year's show.

Show notes at https://www.iCantCU.com/147

Believe You Can! 2020 Talent Show Winners

Jan and Dezman share reflections on last year’s inaugural show and also talk about their journeys into the music world. And guess who else is performing this year? Listen to find out.

 Buy Tickets To Believe You Can! 2021

Tickets are on sale now! Buy a $10 Individual Ticket or $25 Watch Party Ticket. Join us on Saturday, October 16 at 7:00 pm EDT and vote for your favorite performer!

You Vote, They Win Prize Money

We’ve upped the prize money this year! First place wins $150, second place $100, and third place wins $50! We got another great lineup of talented performers, so don’t miss a second.

For more information,  go to https://believeyoucan.live/

Reach Out On Social Media

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn

Get In Touch

If you've got questions, comments, or show ideas, I want to hear from you! Call (646) 926-6350 and leave a message. Include your name and town and let me know if it is okay to use your voice on an upcoming episode. You can also email the show at [email protected]

In this episode of the iCantCU Podcast, I talk about getting on board with the idea of having another cornea transplant, since it doesn’t seem like the meds are working. I also talk about all of the work I am doing for Believe You Can! 2021. It just seems like more than last year. 

Show notes at https://www.iCantCU.com/146

New Cornea Risk Versus Reward

Over the past week, I’ve realized that the recent vision loss I am experiencing is a big enough reason to do another cornea transplant. At my last appointment, my cornea specialist said there were two options: meds or surgery. I’ve tried the meds for the past six weeks and they don’t seem to be helping. Let’s see what the doc says tomorrow.

Adding Email Marketing

Since last year’s Believe You Can! Talent Show was the first one, we didn’t have an email list of ticket buyers. As the show got closer, we realized we had an email list that we could easily download from PayPal. My plate was full, so the easiest way for me to reach out to last year’s buyers was via Gmail. They have a limit of 2000 per day, so that made it a good choice.

Email Marketing Campaigns In The Future

Once the show is over, I will pick an email marketing provider (I’m currently leaning towards MailerLite) so that I can setup multiple lists for the Keystone Chapter; one for members, one for ticket buyers to BYC, one for donations, etc. It will help the chapter grow and help additional people in the blindness community in the Philadelphia area.

Buy Tickets To Believe You Can Talent Show

Tickets are on sale now for the October 16th show! Purchase an Individual Ticket or Watch Party Ticket.  If you are busy the night of the event, you could make a donation to the Keystone Chapter.  For more information on the show, check out BelieveYouCan.live.

Reach Out On Social Media

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn

Get In Touch

If you've got questions, comments, or show ideas, I want to hear from you! Call (646) 926-6350 and leave a message. Include your name and town and let me know if it is okay to use your voice on an upcoming episode. You can also email the show at [email protected]