In this episode of the Through Our Eyes Podcast, we speak with Sheldon Lewis, a dedicated professional and family man who lives with a rare inherited condition called choroideremia, which causes progressive vision loss. Sheldon shares his journey, starting with his diagnosis at age nine and navigating the challenges of vision loss without much familial support in his early years. Despite these obstacles, he built a career in the textile industry, married, and raised two sons who are free of the condition. Sheldon’s story takes a pivotal turn in his mid-forties when a fall due to his worsening vision led him to embrace the white cane, opening doors to greater independence and community support. His resilience shines through as he transitioned in his sixties to a fulfilling career in accessibility technology, working with a company that provides free website accessibility solutions for disability-focused nonprofits.

Sheldon’s story is one of perseverance and adaptability, as he reflects on overcoming fear, learning to use tools like screen readers, and finding purpose through advocacy and creative pursuits like songwriting with AI tools. He emphasizes the importance of trying new things despite challenges, engaging with his grandchildren to foster understanding, and encouraging parents to discuss future possibilities with children who have vision loss. Sheldon also offers practical advice for the sighted community, urging them to communicate directly with visually impaired individuals and offer help respectfully. His work on a new website, Vision Adventurers, aims to inspire and provide resources for the visually impaired community. The episode concludes with a heartfelt message about resilience, humor, and the power of community, leaving listeners inspired by Sheldon’s ability to reshape his future despite vision loss.

Don’t forget to like, share, and leave a comment to help us spread hope to more families. Together, we can make a difference.

Connect with us here!: https://linktr.ee/throughoureyespodcast 

Join us on this heartfelt episode of Through Our Eyes by the Pediatric Retinal Research Foundation, where Megan, a devoted mother, shares her journey raising her visually impaired son, David. Diagnosed with a rare pediatric retinal condition at six weeks old, David faced significant challenges, but with the support of an exceptional Teacher of the Visually Impaired (TVI), an inclusive school, and a tailored Individualized Education Program (IEP), he’s thriving in first grade. From learning Braille to playing goalball with classmates, David’s story highlights resilience, advocacy, and the power of community in ensuring every child can succeed. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about navigating school life, fostering inclusivity, and empowering children with visual impairments. Visit PRRF.org for more on supporting families and research into rare retinal conditions. #ThroughOurEyes #VisualImpairment #InclusiveEducation

Don’t forget to like, share, and leave a comment to help us spread hope to more families. Together, we can make a difference.

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🎙️ Meet Laura, a remarkable young woman from Michigan living with FEVR, a rare retinal disease. Diagnosed at 18 months, she’s blind in one eye but embraces life fully, from her job in memory care to training her service dog. Laura shares how her family’s support and an IEP helped her thrive, urging others: “FEVR doesn’t define you—it’s just part of your story.” Tune in for her inspiring journey and visit PRRF.org for more on pediatric retinal research! #RareDisease #Podcast #ThroughOurEyes

Don’t forget to like, share, and leave a comment to help us spread hope to more families. Together, we can make a difference.

Connect with us here!: https://linktr.ee/throughoureyespodcast 

Wallace Stuckey returns to the Through Our Eyes podcast for an in-depth conversation with Dr. Capone of the PRRF. From early childhood surgeries to navigating significant milestones like high school, college, and grad school at King's College in London, Wallace discusses overcoming challenges with the support of his family, medical team, and assistive technology. He offers insights on advocating for accessibility, embracing technology, and building a robust support system, while also sharing his passion for public service and personal hobbies like walking accessible trails and traveling. This fireside chat highlights resilience, determination, and the power of community in achieving success.

Don’t forget to like, share, and leave a comment to help us spread hope to more families. Together, we can make a difference.

Connect with us here!: https://linktr.ee/throughoureyespodcast 

In this heartfelt episode of the "Through Our Eyes" podcast, host Luisa Recchia sits down with Brianna Soper (formerly Willett) to discuss her recent wedding journey. Brianna, who has been visually impaired since her childhood due to retinitis pigmentosa, shares how her condition influenced the wedding planning process—from selecting her dress with the help of her supportive uncles to relying on her husband Matt for visual descriptions of centerpieces and other details. She highlights the importance of photography and videography in capturing moments she could later experience up close, like seeing Matt’s reaction as she walked down the aisle. Brianna also touches on unique adjustments, such as memorizing her wedding vows and navigating the challenges of changing her name post-marriage. The episode wraps up with a look into her future plans, including saving for a house and exploring options for starting a family. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about love, resilience, and celebrating life’s big moments. Plus, don’t miss details on the upcoming Family Connection Conference on April 26, 2025!

Don’t forget to like, share, and leave a comment to help us spread hope to more families. Together, we can make a difference.

Connect with us here!: https://linktr.ee/throughoureyespodcast 

In this inspiring episode of Through Our Eyes, we relaunch into a new season of the show with a powerful story of hope, resilience, and advocacy. Host Lisa Recchia welcomes Colin Walls and his father, Chuck, to share their journey navigating Colin’s diagnosis of a rare retinal disease at just four years old. From early challenges and uncertainties to becoming advocates and champions for groundbreaking research, the Walls family’s story offers valuable insights for anyone facing the unknown.

Guided by our podcast assistant, Brianna Soper, the conversation dives into their experiences, the impact of the Pediatric Retinal Research Foundation, and Colin’s inspiring determination to live a full and vibrant life. Whether it’s overcoming challenges in education, finding joy in hobbies like working on cars, or embracing the power of advocacy, this episode is a must-listen.

Stay tuned until the end for details about the upcoming Family Connection Conference in April 2025—a unique event bringing together families, experts, and advocates in the fight against retinal diseases.

Don’t forget to like, share, and leave a comment to help us spread hope to more families. Together, we can make a difference.

Connect with us here!: https://linktr.ee/throughoureyespodcast 

In this episode we speak with Amy Wilson, founder of the Safety Positive Foundation, who shares her journey from being a tomboy growing up in Missouri, diagnosed with juvenile macular degeneration at age 10, to accepting her blindness and launching a nonprofit.

Amy's foundation addresses personal safety needs in the blind community, offering services such as peer support groups, verbal advocacy training, and self-defense courses, all accessible virtually. She emphasizes the importance of personal safety, mental health, and dignity for the blind and visually impaired.

Amy also shares her personal passion for self-defense, influenced by her wrestling and judo background, and highlights the impact of her work on individuals in the blind community. The podcast concludes with details on how listeners can support the Safety Positive Foundation through donations, awareness, and getting involved.

Connect with Amy and the the Safety Positive Foundation:

https://www.safetypositivefdn.org/

https://www.instagram.com/blindamy_/reels/?hl=en 

In this episode of the "Through our Eyes" podcast by the Pediatric Retinal Research Foundation, hosts Lisa Recchia and Brianna Willett engage with Taengkwa Sturgill, a 22-year-old student studying special education. Tang shares her journey with retinopathy of prematurity, detailing her adoption from Thailand and the challenges he faced due to his visual impairment. She expresses deep gratitude for the care and support he received through the Pediatric Retinal Research Foundation and Associated Retinal Consultants, which helped maintain her light perception through surgeries and ongoing treatments.

Tang discusses her passion for special education, driven by her own experiences and a desire to inspire others facing disabilities. Shee emphasizes the importance of inclusivity and encouragement in both education and everyday life. Looking ahead, Tang envisions a career dedicated to teaching young children with special needs, aiming to make a lasting impact by fostering positivity and resilience.

Find us on social here: 

https://linktr.ee/throughoureyespodcast 

This podcast is brought to you by the Pediatric Retinal Research Foundation. https://www.pediatricrrf.org/

In this episode of the Pediatric Retinal Research Foundation podcast, Hannah, a content creator, discusses her journey with vision loss and how she has utilized social media as a therapeutic outlet. Hannah began creating videos on TikTok and YouTube in 2023 to cope with her vision loss, which started around three years prior. With the tool of humor, she transformed the challenges of her condition into clever videos, receiving laughs and positive feedback from friends and family. This creative process helped Hannah manage her difficulties while making others laugh, serving as her personal therapy. Despite her initial reluctance to acknowledge her vision impairment, Hannah found solace in the supportive community that her videos fostered, and she continues to share her experiences candidly and humorously.

Hannah also delves into her background, explaining that she was born with cone dystrophy, a rare genetic retinal disease that gradually worsened her vision. Initially, she maintained a near-normal life, working as a professional photographer for 13 years. However, in 2019-2020, her condition rapidly deteriorated, leaving her with only a pinhole of vision in one eye. This transition was tough, especially during the pandemic, but her family and friends provided crucial support. Hannah shares that joining online communities and connecting with others who have similar experiences was invaluable. She stresses the importance of communication and patience, advising those newly experiencing vision loss to seek support and be open about their needs.

In this podcast episode, we hear a compelling narrative of resilience and adaptation from a Aisha, who experienced sudden vision loss due to a rare condition called pseudo tumor cerebri or idiopathic intracranial hypertension. Aisha shares her journey from diagnosis in adolescence to navigating high school and transitioning to a specialized blind school, providing insight into the challenges and triumphs of adjusting to a new way of life. After graduating, Aisha embarked on a vocational rehabilitation program, eventually securing a job with the assistance of employment specialists. This episode illuminates the importance of support systems, adaptability, and determination in overcoming adversity and pursuing one's goals despite unexpected obstacles.

Connect with Aisha Na'Sha here: https://linktr.ee/AishaNasha 

Connect with us here!: https://linktr.ee/throughoureyespodcast