Limitless: Blind Beginnings Podcast

Episode 66 - Let‘s Talk About Voting

With a federal election coming on September 20th, we thought it would be the perfect time to talk about what it’s like to cast your vote when you are blind or partially sighted. Shawn and co-hosts Nika and Kolby welcome back Betty Nobel to the podcast where she talks about the work she does producing braille for Elections Canada, and what adaptations are in place for voters who are blind or partially sighted. For those who have never voted before and don’t know what to expect, this is the episode for you -- and just in time for you to get out there and make your voice heard on September 20th! 

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 65 - Let’s Talk About Going Back to School (Again)

It’s the first full week of September and time to dust off those backpacks and head back to the classroom! The start of the school year means big adjustments for everyone, from children going to classes for the very first time all the way to parents who have to adjust their schedules accordingly as well. This week Shawn welcomes Keisha, Randi, and Ella, all of whom are headed back to school this week, to discuss what it’s like to be headed to in-person classes again. They talk about everything from Guide Dog etiquette and the challenges of navigating COVID-19 measures as a student who is blind or partially sighted to the adjustments of schedules and pressures of a new year of post-secondary education after years of being out of school. It’s a full course load of subjects in this episode that you won’t want to skip!

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 64 - Let‘sTalk About BC Blind Sports

With the Paralympics still in full swing, we wanted to keep talking about sports, so this week Shawn and co-host Jinnie welcome Brian Cowie, the President of BC Blind Sports and Recreation Association to the show. They discuss all the different sports the BC Blind Sports offers, the importance of adapted sports, and even Brian’s own athletic career. 

BC Blind Sports and Recreation Association
https://bcblindsports.bc.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 63 - Let's Talk About Paralympic Tandem Cycling

The Tokyo 2020 Paralympics start August 24, so this week we are talking with two Paralympians who just happen to be our own Shawn Marsolais and her Tandem Cycling pilot, Lisa. Join Nika as she takes over hosting duties to interview Shawn and Lisa and find out about their experiences at the 2004 Athens Paralympics as competitors in Tandem Cycling. They discuss everything from the relationship and bond that forms between pilot and athlete as well as what their training regiment was like, what it was like competing at an elite level and even what the Canadian Paralympic Team swag was like! 

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 62 - Let’s Talk About The Importance of Audio Description

Audio description is an extremely valuable way for people who are blind or partially sighted to be able to access many TV shows, movies, and other programming. But apart from just pure entertainment, audio description can also offer up some very important lessons and learning moments for children who are blind or partially sighted. This week Shawn and co-host Kolby welcome Maria, who is the parent of a daughter who is blind, to discuss what kind of developmental impact audio description can have  on young children. 

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 61 - Let's Talk About Friends

This week we’re talking about friends -- and no, we don’t mean that TV show with Jennifer Aniston. That discussion over at the Central Perk will have to wait because this episode is a full house (no, not THAT full house) as Shawn welcomes Ishita and her friend Jaslene as well as John and his friend Michael to the show to discuss the dynamics of friendship when one friend is sighted and the other is blind or partially sighted. It’s an open and frank conversation that is also filled with laughter and wonderful stories of the power of friendship that you and your BFFs 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 60 - Let’s Talk About Hobbies

What kind of hobbies do you think people who are blind or partially sighted might be interested in and take part in on a regular basis? The answers might surprise you as Shawn welcomes a panel of co-hosts including Clement, Ishita, John and Nika to discuss some of the many hobbies that they enjoy, which include watching anime, sports, video gaming, 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 59 - Let’s Talk About Ableism - Part 2

Shawn and co-hosts Nika and Clement continue their discussion of ableism from last week and talk about their own personal experiences with it. They discuss their internalized ableism and how it can affect their own behaviors, as well as concepts such as “inspiration porn” and how it can be damaging to how disability is viewed in the mainstream.

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 58 - Let's Talk About Ableism - Part 1

This week we are excited to present the first part of a two-part special episode on ableism. Join Shawn and co-hosts Nika and Clement as they have an open and frank conversation about ableism, defining it and sharing personal experiences which detail the implications and impact that it can have in the lives of people with disabilities.

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 57 - Let’s Meet Anu

This week Shawn and co-host Jinnie are excited to welcome Anu Pala, certified life coach and trainer, to the podcast in order to talk all about skincare and make-up. They discuss some of the challenges of using makeup when you are blind or partially sighted as well as sharing starter tips and the importance of self image and confidence that comes with self-care.

A-Nu Vision
https://www.a-nuvision.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!