In this emotionally powerful Part 1 episode of Blindsight, Bill Lundgren sits down with Elyse Draper—author, illustrator, and founder of the VI&B Creatives Workshop. Elyse shares her incredible journey from visual artist to writer, and how the onset of vision loss reshaped her life, family dynamics, and identity. Through raw stories of grief, mental health challenges, and creative survival, Elyse invites listeners into a deeper understanding of how art can be a lifeline. The episode explores the origins of VI&B, the importance of peer support in the blind community, and how writing can offer both healing and purpose.

Come back next week for Part 2 of this inspiring conversation.

At the end of the episode, Jonathan Price shares details about the upcoming Audio Trekkers Hike on September 13th—an inclusive outdoor experience for the blind and low-vision community and their supporters.

📞 Contact Information

Aftersight Website: https://aftersight.org

Hike Details: https://aftersight.org/hike

Email: [email protected]

Phone: (720) 712-8856

⏱️ Chapter Markers

00:00 – Welcome to Blindsight

01:30 – Elyse’s journey from visual arts to writing

04:45 – Diagnosis, grief, and writing as catharsis

09:25 – Building VI&B: A platform for blind creatives

13:15 – Blindness and the new language of art

18:20 – Accessibility innovations driven by disability

23:00 – Career gaps for creatives with disabilities

27:45 – Hike announcement and closing remarks