Water Prairie Chronicles Podcast

What is an orientation and mobility specialist, and what do they do?

Find the full directory at waterprairie.com/listen.

What is an orientation and mobility specialist, and what do they do?

How do you advocate for your visually impaired child?

Tonya learns the answers to these questions during her interview with Traci Wilkerson, a parent of two children who have a visual impairment. After becoming a mom to her children, Trace went back to school to expand her knowledge of how to help her children and started a new career as an orientation and mobility specialist.

Traci’s Instagram: @oandemom

Connect with Us: https://linktr.ee/waterprairie

Support this channel: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/waterprairie

Music Used: “LazyDay” by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Artist: http://audionautix.com/

The post Episode #9: Parenting Visually Impaired Children & The Role of an O&M Specialist appeared first on Water Prairie.

Show Notes:

Find the full directory at waterprairie.com/listen.

Can a teenager with narcolepsy play NCAA sports?

In this episode, Tonya finishes her interview with Christopher as he talks about how he manages his study and training schedule at college. He also shares how he overcame a major setback during high school before joining a Division II NCAA baseball team and what role narcolepsy plays in his daily schedule.

Be sure to listen to more of Christopher’s story in episodes 4 & 5:

Some of the information covered during Christopher’s interview:

Connect with Us: https://linktr.ee/waterprairie

Support this channel: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/waterprairie

Music Used: “LazyDay” by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Artist: http://audionautix.com/

The post Episode #8: Wake Up and Play Ball! appeared first on Water Prairie.

Do you have a sensory sensitive child and feel like visiting a kids’ museum is too much stimulus for them? Join us on a visit to Marbles Kids Museum in Raleigh, NC to see what they’re offering to families who want a sensory friendly play option. Tonya discusses the museum’s accessible features for children with different types of disabilities and the special offerings offered to families who desire a quieter play time for their children with special needs.

Find the full directory at waterprairie.com/listen.

Do you have a sensory sensitive child and feel like visiting a kids’ museum is too much stimulus for them? Join us on a visit to Marbles Kids Museum in Raleigh, NC to see what they’re offering to families who want a sensory friendly play option. Tonya discusses the museum’s accessible features for children with different types of disabilities and the special offerings offered to families who desire a quieter play time for their children with special needs.

In today’s episode, Hardin Engelhardt, the Vice President of Engagement at Marbles Kids’ Museum, talks with Tonya during a special Sensory Friendly Play event held at the museum.

• Marbles Kids Museum website
• Marbles Kids Museum on YouTube
• Marbles Instagram: @marblesraleigh

Connect with Us: https://linktr.ee/waterprairie

Support this channel: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/waterprairie

Music Used: “LazyDay” by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Artist: http://audionautix.com/

The post Episode #7: Sensory Friendly Play at Marbles Kids Museum Raleigh, NC appeared first on Water Prairie.

Show Notes:

Find the full directory at waterprairie.com/listen.

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to have your eyes dancing all the time?

In this episode of the Water Prairie Chronicles podcast, Tonya talks with Frankie Caputo, the creator of the Dancing Eyes Podcast, about growing up with congenital nystagmus. Frankie helps answer the question, what is nystagmus by sharing what his childhood was like, how he was treated by other students, and if he has needed to make modifications in how he does everyday activities. He also shares how he created his podcast and is meeting people all around the world who live with nystagmus.

Be sure to check out his podcast at https://www.youtube.com/dancingeyespodcast!

Resources mentioned in this podcast episode:

Contact Frankie:

     Instagram: @frankiecaputo22 / @dancingeyespodcast

Connect with Us: https://linktr.ee/waterprairie

Support this channel: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/waterprairie

Music Used:

“LazyDay” by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/  Artist: http://audionautix.com/

The post Episode #6: The Creator of the Dancing Eyes Podcast appeared first on Water Prairie.

In this episode, Tonya continues her conversation from Episode #4 with our son, Christopher. He tells about being misunderstood by teachers and others because of the invisible disabilities he lives with.

Find the full directory at waterprairie.com/listen.

In this episode, Tonya continues her conversation from Episode #4 with our son, Christopher. He tells about being misunderstood by teachers and others because of the invisible disabilities he lives with.

If you have a child who is misunderstood, you’ll enjoy hearing Christopher speak about his experiences and how he was eventually diagnosed with dysgraphia, ADHD, and narcolepsy. He shares tips for parents and kids and the accommodations he’s used to help him succeed in school.

Christopher’s story isn’t over yet. In Episode #8, we’ll post the rest of his story about playing baseball in college and how he went through a difficult injury that almost put an end to his dreams of playing baseball. Make sure you subscribe to the channel so you don’t miss it!

Some of the information covered during Christopher’s interview:

Connect with Us: https://linktr.ee/waterprairie

Support this channel: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/waterprairie

Music Used:

“Your Intro” by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/  Artist: http://audionautix.com/

The post Episode #5: Misunderstood Invisible Disabilities appeared first on Water Prairie.

In this episode, Tonya talks with our son, Christopher, about growing up with a sibling who has special needs. Christopher shares how his understanding of his sister’s disability has changed since he was young, and he talks about their relationship today as young adults. Next week, Christopher will continue his conversation with Tonya and share some of the challenges he has had personally and how they have impacted his desire to play baseball in college.

Find the full directory at waterprairie.com/listen.

In this episode, Tonya talks with our son, Christopher, about growing up with a sibling who has special needs. Christopher shares how his understanding of his sister’s disability has changed since he was young, and he talks about their relationship today as young adults. Special needs siblings can have a closer bond than others might expect. Next week, Christopher will continue his conversation with Tonya and share some of the challenges he has had personally and how they have impacted his desire to play baseball in college.

Next week, in Episode #5, Christopher will continue his conversation with Tonya and share some of the challenges he has had personally and how they have impacted his desire to play baseball in college.

Connect with Us: https://linktr.ee/waterprairie

Support this channel: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/waterprairie

Music Used:

“Your Intro” by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/  Artist: http://audionautix.com/

The post Episode #4: Special Needs Siblings appeared first on Water Prairie.

In this video podcast, Tonya talks with Olivia Wilkerson about what it was like to grow up having a visual impairment caused by Leber Congenital Amaurosis, a rare genetic cause of childhood blindness. 

Find the full directory at waterprairie.com/listen.

In this video podcast, Tonya talks with Olivia Wilkerson about what it was like to grow up having a visual impairment caused by Leber Congenital Amaurosis, a rare genetic cause of childhood blindness. 

During this part of Episode #3, Olivia speaks to teachers who work with visually impaired students about how they can help their students in the classroom and help them become advocates for their own needs. She also describes her adventures at Space Camp, outdoor adventure camps, her other activities, and what she plans to do in the future.

In Part 1 of this episode, Olivia shared her memories of her younger years in school and gave tips for parents of what they might consider asking to include in their visually impaired child’s IEP at school and what they can do to help prepare their child for success in middle school and beyond.

Watch Part 1 of Episode #3: https://waterprairie.com/2022/02/11/leber-congenital-amaurosis/

Olivia’s Instagram: @O_Wilkerson04

Some of the topics covered during Olivia’s interview can be explored more below:

• Job Access With Speech (JAWS)
• Nonvisual Desktop Access (NVDA)
• Braille Challenge
• SCIVIS Space Camp
• SEE Camps in NC

Connect with Us: https://linktr.ee/waterprairie

Support this channel: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/waterprairie

Music Used:

“Your Intro” by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/  Artist: http://audionautix.com/

The post Episode #3 – Part 2: Space Camp, Surfing, and Zip Lining! appeared first on Water Prairie.

In this video podcast, Tonya talks with Olivia Wilkerson about what it was like to grow up having a visual impairment caused by Leber Congenital Amaurosis, a rare genetic cause of childhood blindness. Olivia shares her memories of her younger years in school and gives tips for parents of what they might consider asking to include in their visually impaired child’s IEP at school and what they can do to help prepare their child for success in middle school and beyond.

Find the full directory at waterprairie.com/listen.

In this video podcast, Tonya talks with Olivia Wilkerson about what it was like to grow up having a visual impairment caused by Leber Congenital Amaurosis, a rare genetic cause of childhood blindness. Olivia shares her memories of her younger years in school and gives tips for parents of what they might consider asking to include in their visually impaired child’s IEP at school and what they can do to help prepare their child for success in middle school and beyond

During Part 2 of this episode, Olivia speaks to teachers who work with visually impaired students about how they can help their students in the classroom and help them become advocates for their own needs. Be sure to listen to Part 2 to hear about how Olivia’s been involved with Space Camp, outdoor adventure camps, her other activities, and what she plans to do in the future.

Watch Part 2 of Episode #3: https://waterprairie.com/2022/02/11/leber-congenital-amaurosis-and-space-camp/

Olivia’s Instagram: @O_Wilkerson04

Some of the topics covered during Olivia’s interview can be explored more below:

• Job Access With Speech (JAWS)
• Nonvisual Desktop Access (NVDA)
• Braille Challenge
• SCIVIS Space Camp
• SEE Camps in NC

Connect with Us: https://linktr.ee/waterprairie

Support this channel: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/waterprairie

Music Used:

  1) “Your Intro” by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/  Artist: http://audionautix.com/

The post Episode #3 – Part 1: Growing Up With a Visual Impairment appeared first on Water Prairie.

Show Notes:

Find the full directory at waterprairie.com/listen.

This episode of the Water Prairie Chronicles is being posted in 2 parts so be sure to listen to both sections.

If you missed it, you can listen to Episode #2 – Part 1 HERE.

Emily speaks with Tonya about what it was like growing up with albinism, high myopia and nystagmus. She gives some great advice to parents who have children with low vision and includes the accommodations she has found to be the most helpful to her in school and in college. 

Emily played goalball, a Paralympic sport, as part of a local recreational group when she was younger, and she speaks about getting a program started at her college. Listen to her description of this fun way to help connect the low vision and blind community with the sighted community in a sport that everyone can be a part of.

Emily’s Instagram: @oemilygrace

Emily’s website: EmilysOriginals.com

If you want to learn more about the sport of goalball or to purchase equipment for yourself, here are some links you might find useful. Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you click on them, they may provide funds to help support Water Prairie and the costs involved in producing the podcast. Use of these links does not affect your purchase price, and you are welcome to just look at the information without making a purchase.

Article on How to Play Goalball with video links:

Goalball Supplies:

• Goalball:
• Blackout goggles:
• Knee pads: https://amzn.to/3GpuUdf
• Elbow pads (optional): https://amzn.to/3LwpLEg
• 3mm string: https://amzn.to/3gszVqY
• Floor tape: (test on sample spot before marking the court) https://amzn.to/3HwIeOu

Music Used: “Your Intro” by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Artist: http://audionautix.com/

Connect with us: https://linktr.ee/waterprairie

Support this channel: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/waterprairie

The post Episode #2 – Part 2: Accommodations for Low Vision Students & Goalball for All appeared first on Water Prairie.

This episode of the Water Prairie Chronicles is being posted in 2 parts so be sure to listen to both sections. Emily speaks with Tonya about what it was like growing up with albinism, high myopia and nystagmus. She gives some great advice to parents who have children with low vision and includes the accommodations she has found to be the most helpful to her in school and in college. 

Find the full directory at waterprairie.com/listen.

This episode of the Water Prairie Chronicles is being posted in 2 parts so be sure to listen to both sections.

After you listen to PART 1, you can listen to Episode #2 – Part 2 HERE.

Emily speaks with Tonya about what it was like growing up with albinism, high myopia and nystagmus. She gives some great advice to parents who have children with low vision and includes the accommodations she has found to be the most helpful to her in school and in college. 

Emily played goalball, a Paralympic sport, as part of a local recreational group when she was younger, and she speaks about getting a program started at her college. Listen to her description of this fun way to help connect the low vision and blind community with the sighted community in a sport that everyone can be a part of.

Emily’s Instagram: @oemilygrace

Emily’s website: EmilysOriginals.com

If you want to learn more about the sport of goalball or to purchase equipment for yourself, here are some links you might find useful. Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you click on them, they may provide funds to help support Water Prairie and the costs involved in producing the podcast. Use of these links does not affect your purchase price, and you are welcome to just look at the information without making a purchase.

Article on How to Play Goalball with video links:

Goalball Supplies:

• Goalball:
• Blackout goggles:
• Knee pads: https://amzn.to/3GpuUdf
• Elbow pads (optional): https://amzn.to/3LwpLEg
• 3mm string: https://amzn.to/3gszVqY
• Floor tape: (test on sample spot before marking the court) https://amzn.to/3HwIeOu

Music Used: “Your Intro” by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Artist: http://audionautix.com/

Connect with us: https://linktr.ee/waterprairie

Support this channel: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/waterprairie

The post Episode #2 – Part 1: Growing Up With Albinism, Nystagmus and Low Vision appeared first on Water Prairie.