Feeling This Life

In this episode, we answer listener questions from families and professionals supporting children who are blind or have low vision. We share practical ideas, real-life experiences, and honest conversation.  Links for resources mentioned in this episode:  CVI Scottland: CVI Scotland is a charitable organization (SC046836) and comprehensive online resource dedicated to understanding, identifying, an...

Jenny interviews Rachel Will and Meggan Heady, two experienced public school teachers who once taught her daughter. The conversation is about how educational experiences are strengthened through collaboration between families, general education teachers and teachers of the visually impaired or other specialties.   Cathy shares insights on Universal Design for Learning and how educators can create...

Paige interviews Emily Munson, a preschool teacher in an early childhood classroom for children who are medically complex. Emily shares her journey of finding her way to her dream classroom. She tells how she includes children who are blind and low vision, and gives a sneak peek into her favorite lesson to teach.  Jenny, Paige, and Cathy discuss the powerful impact of preschool. They reflect on th...

Cathy interviews Zoe Larsen Morgese, an experienced SLP. Zoe and Cathy discuss the importance of early communication between caregivers and young children with blindness and low vision.   Zoe shares her longtime experience learning about communication of the young child during mealtimes through a federal IES research project and as an SLP for educational programs across the country.  Zoe discusses...

Cathy interviews Carol Benson Puchalski. Carol and Cathy discuss the importance of social emotional development between caregivers and young children with blindness and low vision.   Carol shares her longtime experience learning about social/emotional development of the young child through research and as a consultant for the programs at Anchor Center for Blind Children in Denver, Colorado.  Carol...

Jenny interviews Christie Gage. Christie and Jenny discuss the importance and challenges of O&M and its vital role in the blind/low vision community. Christie has a bachelor’s degree in Adapted Physical Education and Health, Adapted Physical Activity, Orientation and Mobility and Specialist, and Doctorate of Education in Special Education Leadership and Management.  She has worked as an O&...

Paige, Jenny, and Cathy dive into Life in Five Senses by Gretchen Rubin, exploring how slowing down and tuning into everyday sensory experiences can deepen our connection to the world around us.   The group reflects on what it means to truly notice life’s small details — from familiar walks and neighborhood scents to unexpected sensory discoveries. Paige shares a funny story about confusing skunk...

Our guest for this month is Carol Spicer, an experienced pediatric occupational therapist with real life practical knowledge of how a diagnosis of a blindness or low vision can affect mealtime development!   Carol has worked with many families of children with blindness and low vision in both educational and medical settings, guiding them through mealtime developmental challenges. While her strate...

Paige sits down with Kacey Poynter for the first episode of season 5! Kacey shares her experiences as a parent of a child with several medical conditions. Kacey is Mom to Sonny, who has Dandy Walker Syndrome and is impacted by blindness/low vision. Sonny also has a tracheostomy and other medical needs. Kacey discusses her journey through diagnosis, treatment, and therapy for Sonny, highlighting bo...

Get ready to join us for season 5 of Feeling This Life! The theme of season 5 is Vision AND, focusing specifically on how vision intertwines with all aspects of development and its relationship with other conditions.    This season's book talk (October Episode): "Life in 5 Senses" by Gretchen Ruben https://gretchenrubin.com/books/life-in-five-senses/   https://www.amazon.com/Life-Fiv...

Thank you for joining us for Season 4 of Feeling This Life! Please help us plan Season 5 by using this survey link: ⁠https://educationutah.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_39OmBvMih6MlgNw⁠    Season 5 will start on September 1, 2025!    Make a Donation to-   VIPS: ⁠https://secure.vips.org/np/clients/vips/donation.jsp?forwardedFromSecureDomain=1&campaign=495⁠      Get in touch with us!   Follow us...

Cathy spends time with Gina Fugate, computer science and technology educator, doctoral scholar, and teacher of the visually impaired.  Gina, whose vision is impacted by Retinitis Pigmentosa, is the coach of the DOT5UDOGS, the robotics team at The Maryland School for the Blind. Gina remembers her early life and how changes in technology over the years have impacted her and the students that she wor...

Paige sits down with VIPS preschool teacher, Laney Reed.  Laney, who has low vision due to bilateral colobomas, shares a look at the ups and downs her early life and schooling.  Her experience as a person with low vision who teaches young children who are blind and have low vision gives us a unique perspective.  Laney shares her humor and wisdom as a lifelong learner and talks about how she found...

Dr. Penny is back to share with us her personal experiences growing up with low vision and how important it was for her to develop independence, whether it involved having chores at home, exploring and accessing textbooks at her university, or getting around as a non-driver. Check out her latest resources at the links below.     Links:   Dr. Penny's previous Feeling This Life episode: https://...

Jenny interviews Kate, Kelsey & Hillary. Kate, Kelsey & Hillary are mothers who met through their children’s therapists. They have formed a unique friendship and help support each other through life events. Paige reflects on the amazing experience she has had working with these families. Cathy, Paige & Jenny all agree there is much to be learned from these amazing ladies!     In the ep...

Friends and VIPS graduates Addy Clarkson and Hailey Hitner join us for this episode of Feeling This Life.  Along with Paige, Hailey and Addy reminisce about their early intervention and preschool years at VIPS. They explore how they became friends, their favorite ways to spend time together, and finally, they offer valuable advice to families on helping children build friendships.  Cathy, Paige, a...

Feeling This Life - December Book Club Little Bear Sees: How Children with Cortical Visual Impairment Can Learn to See     This month we discuss Little Bear Sees , a book written by a family who shares their journey in having a young child with a visual impairment. Aubri and Andrei Tallent, and Lukas’ grandmother Fredy Bush, walk us through Little Bear’s early medical and educational interventions...

In this episode of Feeling This Life , Cathy sits down with Paul Frazier, a graduate of VIPS who has albinism. Paul shares his journey of overcoming challenges and how he’s forged a path in diverse careers—from working with airplanes to serving as an athletic director.  Paul opens up about the importance of community, starting with his early life and his mother’s proactive role in finding support....

Jenny interviews Carol Dahmke. Carol is the HR Manager and IT Coordinator at VIPS. She is the mother of three and grandmother of five. Carol has a unique perspective to share as she has raised two sons with a visual impairment, has a grandson with a visual impairment and grew up with a father having a visual impairment. Paige, Cathy and Jenny reflect on the ways the Carol felt during different tim...

Rachel Bennett travelled a path that many mothers with a child with Cortical/cerebral Visual Impairment (CVI) encountered. The diagnosis was a long time coming and when it was discovered new world opened up for her son, Henry. Now Rachel helps to support and advocate for other families like hers through CVI Now at the Perkins School for the Blind. Listen as Dr. Cathy encourages Rachel to tell her...

The theme of season 4 is "Stories Beyond Sight: The Power of Perspective". We have a host of guests whose stories we can't wait for you to hear! This season's book club: Little Bear Sees by by  Aubri Tallent ,  Andrei Tallent , and  Fredy Bush https://littlebearsees.org/little-bear-sees-how-children-with-cortical-visual-impairment-can-learn-to-see/ Please give us your feedback us...

Please give us your feedback using this survey link: https://educationutah.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_39OmBvMih6MlgNw       Make a Donation to-   VIPS: https://secure.vips.org/np/clients/vips/donation.jsp?forwardedFromSecureDomain=1&campaign=495    Anchor Center: https://www.anchorcenter.org/get-involved/donate/       Get in touch with us!   Follow us on Facebook: @Feelingthislifepodcast In...

Cathy engages in a heartfelt conversation with Tammy Miller, dedicated teacher of the visually impaired (TVI) and mother to Nicole, who received early intervention TVI services. Tammy shares her journey of navigating her daughter's visual impairment and how the support of TVIs like Cathy inspired her to pursue a career in the field.  In this episode, we explore the pressing need for teachers o...

This episode is a follow up to Lola’s Story with Meredith Howell that was released on September 4th. If you have not listened to Lola’s story we recommend you listen to that episode before listening to this episode. Jenny interviews Rita DeVore. Rita is mother to Meredith and grandmother to Lola. Rita is also the Special Projects & Volunteer Coordinator at VIPS.  Rita tells us about her relati...

Cathy interviews Catarina Rivera, public speaker and disability and education inclusion advocate. Catarina, who has retinitis pigmentosa, has worn hearing aids from a young age and was diagnosed with a progressive vision disability at 17 years old.  Paige, Jenny, and Cathy consider how knowing what is available and having a choice about it is both inclusion and self-care.  They consider the positi...