When Mike Mulligan went to get contacts before a high school basketball game, he had no idea that appointment would change the entire trajectory of his life. He was diagnosed with Coats' disease at 18. Mike then built something he never expected: a career dedicated to helping others navigate vision loss with confidence, independence, and possibility.

In this episode, Mike shares his journey from diagnosis to becoming both a Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist and a Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapist, and the work he does today through Blind On the Move. He breaks down why Braille still matters in a world full of audio technology, how assistive tech is opening doors that didn't exist a decade ago, and what families can do right now to help their child build independence — even when it feels easier to just step in and do it for them.

To learn more about Mike's work and find resources for the blind and low vision community, visit BlindOnTheMove.com or reach out to Mike directly at [email protected].

Want to be a guest on the podcast? If you or someone you know has a story to share — whether you've experienced a pediatric retinal condition yourself or are raising a child who has — we'd love to hear from you. Reach out to us at [email protected].

You can find more episodes and ways to get involved with the Pediatric Retinal Research Foundation here: https://linktr.ee/throughoureyespodcast