Limitless: Blind Beginnings Podcast

Episode 95 - Let’s Talk About The Lori Sheppard Memorial Fund Bursary

This week Shawn, along with co-hosts Jinnie and Kaya welcome Jeff West, who is one of the founders of the Lori Sheppard Memorial Bursary. They discuss the life of Lori Sheppard, the origins of the Bursary, and some of the impact that it has had on previous recipients.

Blind Beginnings’ mission is to inspire children and youth who are blind or partially sighted and their families through diverse programs, experiences, counseling and peer support, and opportunities to create fulfilling lives. Visit us online at www.blindbeginnings.ca to find out more!

Episode 94 - Let’s Meet Shawna

This week Shawn and co-host Ishita talk with Shawna, who is an Occupational Therapist who also happens to be partially sighted. With Ishita being interested in possibly pursuing that career, they discuss not only the details of the job but also what it’s like for someone who is blind or partially sighted working in the field.

Blind Beginnings’ mission is to inspire children and youth who are blind or partially sighted and their families through diverse programs, experiences, counseling and peer support, and opportunities to create fulfilling lives. Visit us online at www.blindbeginnings.ca to find out more!

Episode 93 - Let’s Meet Brian

Shawn flies solo this week as she welcomes Brian Bushway and Thomas Izdebski from Acoustic Athletics. Using the technique of echolocation, Brian is not only an accomplished mountain biker who is blind, but has also taken his talent and applied it to Acoustic Athletics, where they train sighted and non-sighted athletes sensory awareness. It’s a fascinating conversation about echolocation, the senses and sports that you won’t want to miss!

Find out more about Acoustic Athletics
https://acousticathletics.com/

Blind Beginnings’ mission is to inspire children and youth who are blind or partially sighted and their families through diverse programs, experiences, counseling and peer support, and opportunities to create fulfilling lives. Visit us online at www.blindbeginnings.ca to find out more!

Episode 92 - Let’s Talk About Babysitting

Babysitting can be a very important marker in many teenager’s lives, teaching valuable skills and a sense of responsibility. For teens who are blind or partially sighted, this is no different, and can carry with it the added feeling of trust and confidence in their own abilities. This week Shawn is joined by co-hosts Jill and Nika to discuss their own experiences and the importance babysitting can be for building confidence and skill sets.  

Blind Beginnings’ mission is to inspire children and youth who are blind or partially sighted and their families through diverse programs, experiences, counseling and peer support, and opportunities to create fulfilling lives. Visit us online at www.blindbeginnings.ca to find out more!

Episode 91 - Let’s Talk About International Women’s Day

It’s a very special episode this week as Limitless celebrates International Women’s Day, a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. Jinnie takes over hosting duties and talks with Shawn and Director of Operations for Blind Beginnings Lia Dicicco about their own professional journeys into the nonprofit sector, what it’s like to lead as women, some of the challenges that still exist in the workforce, finding a home/work balance, and much more.

Blind Beginnings’ mission is to inspire children and youth who are blind or partially sighted and their families through diverse programs, experiences, counseling and peer support, and opportunities to create fulfilling lives. Visit us online at www.blindbeginnings.ca to find out more!

Episode 90 - Let’s Meet Courtney

The Paralympics are right around the corner, which means that Paralympic fever is beginning to build here at the podcast! Shawn and co-hosts Nika and Ishita welcome Courtney Knight, a 4-time Paralympian (1996 Atlanta, 2000 Sydney, 2004 Athens and 2010 Vancouver) who competed in not only the Summer Paralympic Games, but the Winter as well! They discuss the process of becoming a Paralympian, what training was like and the kind of sacrifices that she had to make in order to compete.

Episode 89 - Let’s Talk About Accessible Transit

This week Shawn and co-host Jinnie welcome Rob Sleath, chair of Access for Sight-Impaired Consumers group (ASIC)  and member of the User Advisory Committee for Translink to the show. They talk about Translink's new initiative to bring accessible signage to bus stops all around the Lower Mainland as well as the importance of having properly trained bus drivers that understand the experience of navigating the transit system as riders who are blind or partially sighted and other advocacy projects that Rob is involved in.

Access for Sight-Impaired Consumers
https://asicbc.ca/

Blind Beginnings’ mission is to inspire children and youth who are blind or partially sighted and their families through diverse programs, experiences, counseling and peer support, and opportunities to create fulfilling lives. Visit us online at www.blindbeginnings.ca to find out more!

Episode 88 - Let’s Talk About Dating Part 2

It’s the second part in our conversation all about what it’s like to date when you are blind or partially sighted. This time around Shawn welcomes Grant and Richard to the podcast in order to get the male perspective on dating and have an open and frank discussion on everything from attraction to how to stay safe during the early stages of dating. Due to the mature subject matter on this week’s episode, listener discretion for younger listeners is advised. 

Blind Beginnings’ mission is to inspire children and youth who are blind or partially sighted and their families through diverse programs, experiences, counseling and peer support, and opportunities to create fulfilling lives. Visit us online at www.blindbeginnings.ca to find out more!

Episode 87 - Let’s Talk About White Canes

The first full week of February is White Cane Week, and to help celebrate this very special week designed to highlight the lived experiences of people who are blind or partially sighted, Shawn welcomes Nika, Jinnie, and special guest Monty to the podcast to pay tribute to everybody’s favorite mobility aid! They share some insight on the importance of this simple yet incredibly useful “blind stick” before swapping some of their favorite humorous white cane stories. It’s an episode full of information and laughter that you won’t want to miss! 

Blind Beginnings’ mission is to inspire children and youth who are blind or partially sighted and their families through diverse programs, experiences, counseling and peer support, and opportunities to create fulfilling lives. Visit us online at www.blindbeginnings.ca to find out more!

Episode 86 - Let’s Meet Sara

This week we go international as Shawn and co-host Keisha welcome Italian foreign exchange student Sara to the show to talk about what it’s like to travel and live in a different country when you are blind or partially sighted, discussing everything from navigating cultural differences to overcoming their own fears and misgivings. From insects to toilets to insects inside toilets, this episode has it all!

Blind Beginnings’ mission is to inspire children and youth who are blind or partially sighted and their families through diverse programs, experiences, counseling and peer support, and opportunities to create fulfilling lives. Visit us online at www.blindbeginnings.ca to find out more!