Lois Strachan

Dr Chiggy Oghotuama is the founder of the Seizure Support Foundation in Nigeria. As a mother to a special needs child, Chiggy encountered challenges when searching for support groups in her area from whom she could learn.

This led her to engage stakeholders at all levels, from parents to government, to advocate for the inclusion of children from marginalised groups in education, health and other areas of life.

In this episode, I chat with Dr Chiggy about some of the initiatives that the Seizure Support Foundation has put in place in Nigeria, including an education scholarship fund, a medical outreach programme, and the video modelling project, to assist parents of children with disabilities. She describes the challenges faced by those whose lives are impacted by disability in her community and introduces us to the ASK anagram that she uses when working with parents of children with a new diagnosis of disability.

Learn more about Dr Chiggy and the Seizure Support Foundation at:

Website: www.seizuresupportfoundation.org

e-mail: [email protected]

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SeizureCare

Instagram: seizure_support_foundation

Image description:

A woman of colour with short hair wearing glasses and a white button-up shirt, earrings, a bracelet, and a wristwatch. On a wooden stool next to her is an award plaque recognising her as a woman that Builds. Her right arm is bent and her fist is raised in a gesture of determination or celebration.

I’d love to hear from you – contact me at

Web: https://www.loisstrachan.com/

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lstrachan

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loisstrachanspeaker

This episode edited by Craig Strachan using Hindenburg PRO – find out more on Hindenburg.com

Credits and music by Charlie Dyasi.

In this episode, I chat with Cary Lowe and Trish Butler about the complexities of travelling with a mobility impairment like multiple sclerosis. The conversation centres around a new book released by Cary, entitled “On Two Legs and Three Wheels” in which he shares some of the global travel adventures he and his wife Trish, who is a wheelchair user, have had over the years.

During the chat, Cary and Trish discuss some of the most common challenges faced by travellers who are wheelchair users, ways in which the hospitality industry could make their services and venues more inclusive to all, and address the topic of travel for an ageing population. They also share a few of their wealth of travel stories, both positive and negative, to illustrate their insights.

Here’s where you can find Cary’s book:

https://tinyurl.com/3zj4r77m

Learn more about Cary at:

https://carylowewriter.com/

Image description:

The cover of the book On Two Legs and Three Wheels, by Cary D Lowe. The cover shows an older man and woman outdoors. The man is standing and holding a mobility scooter handle, while the woman sits on the scooter, smiling, with her hand on the man's. They are in front of a lush, green backdrop with a tall waterfall behind them. The subtitle of the book is The Travel Adventures of a Couple Overcoming Age and Disability.

I’d love to hear from you – contact me at

Web: https://www.loisstrachan.com/

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lstrachan

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loisstrachanspeaker

This episode edited by Craig Strachan using Hindenburg PRO – find out more on Hindenburg.com

Credits and music by Charlie Dyasi.

In this episode, I chat with Talitha Humes about her app which enables users to easily identify and take

the prescribed medications required for their chronic and auto-immune conditions.

After receiving a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis in 2005, Talitha realized that her medications were

complex and increasingly difficult to manage accurately. Despite trying various available apps to assist

her with managing her tablets, none worked well for Talitha, which began the journey of developing an

app that would suit her needs.

The app, See Meds, is available at no cost on IOS and will hopefully be coming to Android shortly.

Since we recorded, I installed the app and tested it. From what I can see, it is almost entirely accessible

for me as a blind user of an iPhone with VoiceOver.

Here’s where you can find the app and read more about it:

Website: www.seemymed.com

See Meds App on IOS: https://apps.apple.com/za/app/see-meds/id1671939877

https://www.instagram.com/seemedsapp/

Image description:

A woman with short curly light hair, wearing a light blue collared shirt. She has pearl-stud earrings and is

wearing glasses with a dark frame.

I’d love to hear from you – contact me at

Web: https://www.loisstrachan.com/

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lstrachan

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loisstrachanspeaker

This episode edited by Craig Strachan using Hindenburg PRO – find out more on Hindenburg.com

Credits and music by Charlie Dyasi.

** Do you have a goal you’d love to achieve and need help reaching it? Are you feeling overwhelmed by the challenges you face? Contact me for a free 30 minute discovery chat to see if she is the coach to help you.

Drop me a mail: https://www.loisstrachan.com/contact-lois/

In this episode, we return to the subject of inclusive sport. Lois chats about inclusive archery with three-time Paralympian Shaun Anderson, and Ferdi van Eerden, who has competed four times in the World Archery Indoor Nationals.

The conversation focuses on the ways in which archery can be adapted to accommodate people with differing needs, the high level of inclusion within the sport and the benefits of participating in a sport for persons with disabilities.

Why not give inclusive archery a try?

Reach out to Shaun and the South

African National Archery Association (at the following links:

Shaun website: https://odysseyarchery.co.za/

Shaun WhatsApp: +27 (0)83 658 2129

SANAA Website: https://www.sanaa.org.za/

Image description:

Ferdi, A man in a wheelchair, who is wearing a blue and red shirt is aiming a bow, presumably at an archery target, On the wheelchair there is a dark blue bag containing various articles. Other competitors can be seen in the background as are archery targets and a digital scoreboard.

I’d love to hear from you – contact me at

Web: https://www.loisstrachan.com/

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lstrachan

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loisstrachanspeaker

This episode edited by Craig Strachan using Hindenburg PRO – find out more on Hindenburg.com

Credits and music by Charlie Dyasi.

** Do you have a goal you’d love to achieve and need help reaching it? Are you feeling overwhelmed by the challenges you face? Contact me for a free 30 minute discovery chat to see if she is the coach to help you.

Drop me a mail: https://www.loisstrachan.com/contact-lois/

In this episode, Lois chats with Sayyida Victoria, The Blind Butterfly.

Sayyida is a woman of many talents. she works as the manager of education and training at the Lighthouse in Housten, Texas. She is the founder of the Blind Professionals Network, an NGO focusing on improving the employability of those who are blind and partially blind. She is co-host of the Blind Table Talk podcast. And she is a mom to five children.

During the conversation, Sayyida talks of how she became blind, what it was like being a blind mom to her five children, the importance of education and advocacy both within and beyond the blindness sector, and the eternal question of whether or not it is okay to ask for help as an empowered, independent person with a disability.

Reach out to Sayyida:

Blind Professionals Network Website: blindpronet.org

Blind Table Talk Website: blindtabletalk.com

Email: [email protected]

Email: [email protected]

Image description:

A woman with shoulder-length black hair smiling gently at the camera. She is wearing a light purple shirt over a black top and a delicate chain necklace. The lighting is soft and emphasises her face.

I’d love to hear from you – contact me at

Web: https://www.loisstrachan.com/

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lstrachan

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loisstrachanspeaker

This episode edited by Craig Strachan using Hindenburg PRO – find out more on Hindenburg.com

Credits and music by Charlie Dyasi.

** Want to introduce the topic of inclusion to young children? My illustrated children’s books, The Adventures of Missy Mouse, are a great tool to open conversations that normalise disability.

Order them at

https://www.loisstrachan.com/shop/#acc-content

In this episode, Lois chats with Naomi Riley, a consultant, brain injury survivor and advocate with a passion for making a difference.

During the conversation, Naomi talks about growing up with a disability and the challenges she faced during her schooling. She then discusses the distracted driver accident that left her with a brain injury as an adult and the rehabilitation she underwent as a result of the accident.

Naomi is the founder of the Text Pledge Project, a nationally recognized initiative addressing mental health and digital wellness through collaborative community engagement. Her work has impacted thousands of students and educators across school systems and civic organizations. She’s been featured in national media in the USA, invited to speak at education conferences and advocacy panels, and has advised business leaders and policymakers on building equitable systems that support neurodiverse communities.

Reach out to Naomi :

Website: https://naomilriley.com/

Text Pledge Project: https://textpledge.us/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/naomi.l.riley/

Image description: A smiling woman with long, wavy blonde hair standing outdoors in a crowd. She is wearing a stylish orange blazer over a light yellow blouse, accessorized with layered necklaces and earrings. People in casual summer clothing are visible in the background. Trees and soft-focus buildings can also be seen in the background.

I’d love to hear from you – contact me at

Web: https://www.loisstrachan.com/

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lstrachan

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loisstrachanspeaker

This episode edited by Craig Strachan using Hindenburg PRO – find out more on Hindenburg.com

Credits and music by Charlie Dyasi.

Show Notes:

** My new book, Paws for Thought (second edition) is now available as a print book, an e-book and in audio – grab your copy today!

Order it at

https://www.loisstrachan.com/shop/#acc-content

In this episode, Lois chats with Belinda Sampson, an empowerment coach and programme coordinator focused on lifelong learning.

Following on from the last episode, where I highlighted two adaptive sports for the blind community, the conversation with Belinda focuses on her involvement with wheelchair basketball. During her education, Belinda was exposed to several adaptive sports, but it was only when she discovered wheelchair basketball that she found a sport that worked for her.

Belinda describes how the sport is played, including the means by which differing levels of disability can be incorporated. I found it interesting that non-disabled people can be accommodated into wheelchair basketball as long as they are also making use of a wheelchair during the game.

Following on to our discussion of wheelchair basketball, we explored Belinda’s new career focus on coaching, empowering people with disabilities to achieve their goals.

Reach out to Belinda:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/belinda-sampson-developer/

e-mail: [email protected]

Find out more about wheelchair basketball at:

Website: https://basketball.co.za/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WheelchairBasketballSA

Image description:

A woman of colour with braided hair who is a wheelchair user. She is wearing a dark blue sleeveless top and is resting her chin on her raised right hand, while her left hand is placed on her lap. The background of the image is a soft blue purple colour.

I’d love to hear from you – contact me at

Web: https://www.loisstrachan.com/

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lstrachan

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loisstrachanspeaker

This episode edited by Craig Strachan using Hindenburg PRO – find out more on Hindenburg.com

Credits and music by Charlie Dyasi.

** My new book, Paws for Thought (second edition) is now available as a print book, an e-book and in audio – grab your copy today!

Order it at

https://www.loisstrachan.com/shop/#acc-content

In this episode, Lois chats with Joseph Fleeks, one of the hosts of the Blind Table Talk Podcast.

At the age of 16, a drive-by shooting resulted in Joseph becoming blind. An active athlete when he was sighted, Joseph began exploring adaptive sports soon after his rehabilitation. In this conversation, we discuss two of his sports, Beep Baseball and Goalball.

From there we discuss what Joseph sees as challenges facing the blind and visually impaired community, ending off with an introduction to the Blind Table Talk platform, which will be discussed in greater detail in an episode of the membership site of this show.

Reach out to Joseph at the following links:

e-mail: [email protected]

Web: https://blindtabletalk.com/

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@blindtabletalk?si=7gWmI0mwEl3HI68V

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/5346006688800340

Image description:

The logo of the show, A Different Way of Seeing with Lois Strachan. The image features a styalised human figure with long hair and a white cane. On the right is an image of an eye, indicating vision or sight. The colours are shades of teal blue and grey.

I’d love to hear from you – contact me at

Web: https://www.loisstrachan.com/

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lstrachan

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loisstrachanspeaker

This episode edited by Craig Strachan using Hindenburg PRO – find out more on Hindenburg.com

Credits and music by Charlie Dyasi.

** My new book, Paws for Thought (second edition) is now available as a print book, an e-book and in audio – grab your copy today!

Order it at

https://www.loisstrachan.com/shop/#acc-content

In this episode, Lois chats with Tarryn Tomlinson from LiveAble Universal Access Consultants, an organisation that specialises in universal access solutions for the hospitality industry.

The conversation focuses on the impact that smart city initiatives could have on the inhabitants of a city, including those with disabilities.

We discuss the difference between smart and traditional city planning and design, how to ensure that people with disabilities are not left behind when it comes to the design, implementation and measurement of smart initiatives, and how to ensure that people who are not able or willing to engage with technology are not marginalised. We also consider the first steps that a city like that in which both Tarryn and I live may need to take to start incorporating smart technology into the planning and design process.

Reach out to Tarryn at the following links:

Web: www.liveablegroup.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liveabledesign/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/liveablefocus

e-mail: [email protected]

Able2Travel Web: www.able2travel.co.za

Image description:

The logo of the show, A Different Way of Seeing, with Lois Strachan. The image features a styalised human figure with long hair and a white cane. On the right is an image of an eye, indicating vision or sight. The colours are shades of teal blue and grey.

I’d love to hear from you – contact me at

Web: https://www.loisstrachan.com/

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lstrachan

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loisstrachanspeaker

This episode edited by Craig Strachan using Hindenburg PRO – find out more on Hindenburg.com

Credits and music by Charlie Dyasi.

** My new book, Paws for Thought (seco nd edition) is now available as a print book, an e-book and in

audio – grab your copy today!

Order it at

https://www.loisstrachan.com/shop/#acc-content

In today’s episode, Lois chats with Michelle Nell, a post-graduate psychology student and musician

about living with complex disabilities. Michelle was born with glaucoma, a visual impairment, and has

since received diagnoses of auto-immune conditions, psoriatic arthritis and multiple sclerosis.

During the conversation Michelle shares how she views her disabilities, the process of navigating a new

diagnosis of an auto-immune condition and the challenges she currently faces due to having been forced

by her medical condition to put her studies on hold temporarily.

She also discusses the relief of receiving a diagnosis after months of uncertainty about her medical

condition and the reassurance experienced from now having a way forward with a treatment that can

assist her.

If you are able to make a donation to Michelle’s crowdfunding campaign, that would really help her.

Crowdfunding link:

https://www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/visions-for-change-supporting-a-blind-scholars-journey

Reach out to Michelle:

e-mail: [email protected]

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michelle.nell.39

Follow Michelle’s writing on her Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61571289303639