In this heartwarming episode of The Blind Chick, Penn and Moses welcome Denise Leigh for the third and final part of their incredible conversation. Denise, a blind musician, cancer survivor, and mother, shares her inspirational journey through life, career, and motherhood. From discussing her groundbreaking role in Britain's disability arts scene to her appearances on Britain's Got Talent and performances at iconic venues like the London Paralympics, Denise offers insight into her resilience and mindset.

The episode explores the "secret sauce" for success among blind individuals, the importance of visibility in the arts, and the role of advocacy in breaking down barriers. Denise also shares personal stories, such as her son's cheeky reaction to her Operatunity win and her methods for navigating the stage as a blind performer. As the conversation wraps up, Denise emphasizes the critical role of support and belief in helping children with disabilities achieve their dreams.

Listeners are reminded of the value of programs like The Blind Chick and how they can support Aftersight’s mission to empower the blind and low-vision community.

Chapter Markers

00:00.077 – Introduction by Jonathan Price

02:22.402 – Denise Leigh: The Secret Sauce of Thriving Blind

03:47.728 – "I'm a Musician Who Happens to Be Blind"

06:01.424 – From Operatunity to Britain's Got Talent

08:19.464 – Challenges and Triumphs in Mainstream Arts

10:40.137 – Navigating Blindness on Stage

13:07.561 – BGT Audition and Simon Cowell’s Encouragement

15:29.043 – Denise’s Sons React to Her Success

17:46.549 – Reflections on Parenting and Advocacy

19:48.841 – Closing Thoughts and Future Collaborations

24:27.861 – Call to Action: Supporting Aftersight

Summary:

In part two of this heartfelt three-part series, Denise Leigh shares her journey of living with genetic blindness, parenting children with vision loss, and discovering her remarkable talent for music and opera. Denise recounts the challenges and triumphs of her early life, her musical beginnings, and her path to becoming a classically trained singer—all while navigating the unexpected twists of her family's genetic story. She also reflects on her battle with breast cancer and the enduring support of her best friend, Tess. This episode continues the inspiring conversation hosted by Penn and Moses, highlighting resilience, the power of community, and living life with grace and humor.

Chapter Markers:

00:00: Introduction and thank you for Colorado Gives donations

02:22: Denise's family learns about a rare genetic condition

04:47: Parenting challenges and the power of resilience

07:09: Genetic discoveries and their surprising outcomes

09:34: Denise’s early education and musical beginnings

12:01: Discovering a passion for brass instruments

14:17: Transitioning to opera and finding a lifelong mentor

19:14: Denise’s breast cancer journey and her enduring strength

23:59: The bond with Tess through shared struggles

26:18: Closing reflections and gratitude

Contact Information:

? Phone: (720) 712-8856

? Email: [email protected]

? Website: Aftersight.org

In this episode of The Blind Chick, hosts Penn Street and Moses Street kick off an inspiring three-part series with Denise Leigh. Denise shares her extraordinary journey of living with retinitis pigmentosa (RP), raising four children, and navigating life as a blind parent. From her early years in a challenging residential school system to raising her youngest son with RP, Denise's story is filled with resilience, humor, and deep love for her family.

This episode explores the joys and challenges of parenting while blind, the importance of community, and the emotional toll of passing on RP. Don’t miss the beginning of this incredible story.

Chapter Markers:

00:00 - Introduction: Welcome to The Blind Chick!

02:26 - Thanksgiving in 1920s Style

04:42 - Meet Denise Leigh: Her Village and Early Life

06:57 - Early School Years: A Tough Start

11:44 - Parenting Challenges as a Blind Mother

16:15 - Raising Four Kids: The Village Approach

20:50 - Discovering RP in Her Youngest Child

25:37 - The Emotional Toll of Passing on RP

27:55 - Closing and Colorado Gives Day Reminder

Contact Aftersight:

www.aftersight.org

(720) 712-8856

In this inspiring episode of The Blind Chick, Penn and Moses Street interview Wendy Fagan, the director of Envision Blind Sports. Together, they explore how Envision Blind Sports empowers individuals of all ages through adaptive sports, promoting independence, confidence, and joy.

Chapter Markers:

00:00 - Introduction

00:28 - The Philosophy of Envision Blind Sports

02:51 - Adaptive Sports Techniques

07:37 - The Bigger Picture of Sports

10:03 - Outreach and Accessibility

14:43 - Funding and Volunteer Support

19:21 - Participant Costs and Accessibility

24:00 - Future Plans: Blind Adult Camp

26:14 - Closing Remarks

Contact Information:

Envision Blind Sports

Website: www.EnvisionBlindSports.org

Facebook & Instagram: Envision Blind Sports

LinkedIn: Envision Blind Sports

Volunteer, donate, or learn more through their website's contact form.

Aftersight

Website: www.AfterSight.org

Phone: (720) 712-8856

Email: [email protected]

Colorado Gives Day

Support transformative programs like Envision Blind Sports and Aftersight by donating on December 10th. Your contributions help create life-changing opportunities for individuals with low vision or blindness.

Thank you for listening! Stay tuned for more inspiring stories on The Blind Chick!

The Blind Chick: Thanksgiving Special

In this heartfelt and humorous Thanksgiving episode, hosts Penn and Moses Street reflect on their 37 years of shared Thanksgivings, highlighting the challenges, joys, and quirky memories that make the holiday meaningful. From hilarious stories about green Jell-O salads to the significance of creating new traditions with family and friends, this episode captures the spirit of gratitude and community. The hosts also share personal milestones, reflect on life's difficulties, and celebrate their listeners for helping them surpass 40,000 downloads.

Chapter Markers:

[00:00] Intro and Reflections – Thanksgiving memories and the evolution of traditions.

[05:15] Gratitude for the Community – Celebrating 40,000 downloads and listener appreciation.

[08:30] Hike and Community Events – Highlights from Aftersight's annual hike.

[13:00] Nostalgic Thanksgiving Memories – Moses’ mom’s green Jell-O salad story.

[20:00] Modern-Day Thanksgivings – Friendsgiving and family gatherings.

[26:00] Gratitude Highlights – Penn and Moses share what they’re most thankful for.

[31:00] Wrap-Up and Call to Action – Kindness, gratitude, and Colorado Gives Day.

This Thanksgiving, consider supporting Aftersight by donating on Colorado Gives Day. Your contributions help create resources and community events that uplift the lives of people with low vision.

Visit Colorado Gives Day and search for Aftersight or contact us directly at (720) 712-8856 or email us at [email protected] to learn more.

Thank you for being part of our journey. From all of us at The Blind Chick, we wish you a joyful and memorable Thanksgiving!

Stay Connected:

Follow Aftersight on Facebook and Instagram for updates on events and new podcast episodes. Be sure to subscribe to The Blind Chick for more stories, laughs, and inspiration.

In this engaging episode of The Blind Chick, hosts Penn Street and Moses Street sit down with Wendy Fagan, founder of Envision Blind Sports, to discuss the life-changing impact of adaptive sports for blind and visually impaired individuals. Wendy shares her journey from discovering goalball and beat baseball to founding Envision Blind Sports, a nonprofit that introduces participants to over 25 different sports and activities.

Together, they explore how sports can break stereotypes, inspire confidence, and foster independence. Wendy shares heartwarming stories of athletes who found joy and purpose through adaptive sports, while emphasizing the importance of exposing participants to a variety of opportunities. From rock climbing to skiing, Envision Blind Sports is helping athletes discover their passions and integrate into their local communities.

The episode also delves into the broader challenges and misconceptions surrounding blindness and adaptive sports. Wendy and the hosts discuss how sports can be a universal language, breaking barriers and bringing people together.

Looking ahead, the hosts preview part two of their conversation with Wendy, as well as upcoming special episodes, including a Thanksgiving message and highlights from Colorado Gives Day.

Chapter Markers:

00:00 – Welcome and introduction.

05:10 – Meet Wendy Fagan.

07:34 – Origins of The Blind Chick podcast.

12:20 – Discovering adaptive sports.

14:24 – About Envision Blind Sports.

19:02 – Breaking stereotypes in sports.

23:42 – Inspiring inclusion through education.

27:50 – Part two preview and closing.

Contact Information:

Aftersight is a nonprofit organization producing The Blind Chick podcast and other empowering content for the blind and visually impaired community. Support their work through donations, and check out their other podcasts:

Website: Aftersight.org

Phone: (720) 712-8856

Email: [email protected]

Envision Blind Sports

Envision Blind Sports introduces individuals to adaptive sports, fostering confidence, independence, and joy through movement. With programs spanning 25+ sports, they empower participants of all ages to discover their passions.

Website: EnvisionBlindSports.org

Colorado Gives Day

Support Aftersight this Colorado Gives Day on December 10th! Your donations help fund inclusive programming like The Blind Chick, making a difference in the lives of blind and visually impaired individuals.

Donate Here: ColoradoGives.org

Join us next week for part two of our conversation with Wendy Fagan, and don’t miss our Thanksgiving message from Penn and Moses. Keep tuning in, and thank you for being part of the Blind Chick family!

Join hosts Penn and Moses as they continue their captivating conversation with Matt Hendrick in the second installment of his story. Matt delves deeper into his extraordinary life journey, sharing more about his out-of-body experiences, encounters with the unexplainable, and the artistic inspirations that shape his unique style. The episode highlights the role of disability in discovering purpose, finding beauty in unexpected places, and the uncharted paths that emerge from life’s challenges. Tune in to explore thought-provoking discussions on spirituality, art, and resilience.

Contact Information

Matt Hendrick:

Website: hendrickmedia.com

Social Media: @MattHendrickArt on Facebook and Instagram

Book: Uncommon Vision: Embracing the Unseen

Aftersight:

Email: [email protected]

Contact Number: (720) 712-8856

Website: aftersight.org

Support Aftersight on Colorado Gives Day! Help us continue producing impactful content by contributing to Aftersight this holiday season. Colorado Gives Day is December 10th, and every donation fuels our mission to create accessible resources for the blind and low-vision community. Your contributions make a difference in building a more inclusive world. Donations are tax-deductible, and every dollar counts toward creating content like The Blind Chick.

Chapter Markers

00:00 - Introduction and Colorado Gives Day

02:12 - Matt’s Experiences with UFOs and Openness

04:36 - Spiritual Encounters and Family Reflections

06:22 - Guardian Angel Memories and Childhood Stories

08:38 - Discussion on Ancient Art and Mysticism

10:59 - Artistic Inspiration and Techniques

13:21 - Use of AI in Art and Creating Alien Imagery

15:21 - Reflections on Disability and Purpose

17:45 - Facing Life with a Disability and Needing Support

20:09 - Finding Connection Through Disability

22:34 - Contact Information for Matt and Final Thoughts

In this captivating episode of The Blind Chick, hosts Penn and Moses Street sit down with artist and author Matt Hendrick to explore his remarkable journey. Matt, who has survived numerous near-death experiences, shares his inspiring path from a life-altering car accident to becoming an artist who paints using his mouth and hand. His newest book, Uncommon Vision: Embracing the Unseen, delves into his experiences and the profound insights he's gained from his journey, including unique perceptions, synchronicities, and the spiritual connections he's encountered. Matt also reveals his creative process, including how he utilized technology like ChatGPT to craft his memoir, bringing his story to life in ways he hadn't imagined.

Penn and Moses, known for their own adventurous lives, connect with Matt's experiences of life beyond physical limitations and share anecdotes about spiritual connections and the role of art and storytelling in processing trauma and celebrating resilience.

Stay tuned for Part Two next week, where Matt delves even further into his life and experiences.

Resources and Contact Information:

Matt's Book: Uncommon Vision: Embracing the Unseen – Available in audiobook, Kindle, and paperback.

Support Aftersight for Colorado Gives Day (December 10th): Donate and support shows like The Blind Chick, Blindsight, Navigating Life with Vision Loss, and Blind Level Tech. Your contributions make it possible to produce accessible content for the blind community.

Colorado Gives Day Donation Link

Contact Us:

Aftersight Contact Information:

Phone: (720) 712-8856

Email: [email protected]

Thank you for listening and supporting accessible storytelling. Be kind to yourself and others—it’s good for the soul!

Chapter Markers:

00:00 – Moses introduces his mountain lion story and The Blind Chick podcast.

02:23 – Moses and Penn share about meeting new friends on the trail.

04:50 – Matt describes his journey with painting as a quadriplegic.

07:15 – Matt discusses the process of writing his memoir.

09:40 – Matt and hosts discuss near-death experiences and spirituality.

12:06 – Moses shares his own experiences with premonitions and intuition.

14:30 – Penn talks about her connection with her angel, Casey.

16:53 – Penn recalls her childhood near-death experience.

19:21 – Matt and hosts discuss finding balance in spiritual connection.

21:47 – Jonathan closes Part One, encourages Colorado Gives Day donations, and thanks listeners.

The Blind Chick Podcast Summary

In this episode of The Blind Chick, your hosts Penn and Moses Street dive into a conversation with Chelsea Elder from Adaptive Adventures. Together, they explore the power of adaptive sports and how they create a supportive, tight-knit community for people with disabilities. Chelsea shares the excitement of their unique Dragon Boat Racing program and how it fosters camaraderie and confidence, especially for participants with blindness or low vision. She also highlights other inclusive programs at Adaptive Adventures, from kayaking and paddleboarding to indoor fitness and climbing.

Throughout this episode, you'll learn how Adaptive Adventures works to reduce barriers for individuals of all abilities, connecting them to a range of year-round activities and even offering specialized programs for veterans. Don’t miss this inspiring discussion on how these adaptive programs empower participants to embrace challenges and discover new passions.

Contact Information:

Aftersight

Website: aftersight.org

Phone: (720) 712-8856

Email: [email protected]

Adaptive Adventures

Website: adaptiveadventures.org

Email: [email protected]

Colorado Gives Day

Support Aftersight and Adaptive Adventures on Colorado Gives Day, happening on December 10th! Your donations help keep these programs thriving and accessible. Contribute to help expand resources for the blind and low vision community across Colorado.

Chapter Markers:

00:00 – Welcome to The Blind Chick

00:28 – Message from Producer Jonathan Price

02:43 – Introducing Chelsea Elder and Adaptive Adventures

04:34 – Dragon Boat Racing and Community Building

06:53 – The Spirit of Dragon Boat Racing

09:11 – Benefits of Adaptive Adventures Programs

11:27 – Getting Started with Adaptive Adventures

13:44 – Dragon Boat Seasons and Continuation

16:03 – Access Adventure Days and Multi-Sport Events

18:15 – Adaptive Adventures Funding and Corporate Partnerships

18:42 – Winter Programs and Indoor Activities

20:48 – Veterans and PTSD Programs

22:55 – How to Get Involved and Volunteer

Join hosts Penn and Moses Street as they tackle misconceptions about blindness and share personal, humorous stories in this episode of The Blind Chick. They’re joined by Chelsea Elder from Adaptive Adventures, who highlights the life-changing impact of adaptive sports programs. Chelsea shares how her organization provides outdoor recreation opportunities across the country for people with disabilities, along with their families and caregivers.

From kayaking to Dragon Boat racing, this episode shows that blindness is just the beginning of the adventure.

For more on Adaptive Adventures, visit adaptiveadventures.org. Have questions or comments for The Blind Chick? Reach out at (720) 712-8856 or email [email protected].

Also, don’t forget that Colorado Gives Day is coming up on December 10th! Donations open on November 1st and support Aftersight’s mission. Make a difference by contributing—it's a great tax write-off and helps us continue our work! Visit coloradogives.org for more information and to donate.

Takeaways

Blindness is often misunderstood, leading to misconceptions about what blind people look like.

Adaptive Adventures provides inclusive sports opportunities for individuals with disabilities and their families.

Community engagement is crucial for creating sustainable adaptive sports programs.

Lived experience among staff enhances the support provided to participants.

Adaptive sports can help individuals with disabilities regain confidence and independence.

Inclusion of families in adaptive sports fosters a sense of togetherness and support.

The importance of collaboration with other organizations to expand resources and reach.

Celebrating small victories can lead to significant changes in individuals' lives.

Adaptive Adventures focuses on removing barriers to participation in sports.

Creating a supportive community is essential for the success of adaptive sports programs.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to The Blind Chick Podcast

02:50 Exploring Blindness and Perception

06:00 Adaptive Adventures: A Passion for Inclusion

12:05 Community Engagement and Support

18:46 The Importance of Lived Experience

24:00 Celebrating Achievements and Community

26:53 Conclusion and Future Discussions