Sightless Voices: Unleashing Potential

Jennifer talks with therapist Andrea Escoto about losing vision from a brain tumor at 20, rebuilding independence through blindness training, and now counseling others at Family Houston. She shares the emotional realities of adult‑onset blindness, ableism, and how values and community support long‑term healing and growth. Subscribe to  Sightless Voices: Unleashing Potential on Apple Podcasts...

Jennifer hosts Kathy Gallagher, a lifelong blind professional, guide dog user, and long‑time leader connected to National Industries for the Blind. Kathy shares losing her vision by age five, growing up fully included in school, discovering the freedom of guide dogs, breaking into her first job, and ultimately championing training and employment opportunities for blind professionals through NIB an...

Jennifer sits down with blind adventurer, U.S. Navy veteran, and single father Lonnie Bedwell. He shares how a 1997 hunting accident instantly blinded him, how his three young daughters pulled him out of despair, and why he says he “lost eyesight and gained vision.” Lonnie unpacks his path from solo parenting and learning daily skills without formal rehab to becoming a National Geograp...

Jennifer Parrish hosts Detrick Jones, Lighthouse alum and Creative Energy founder. He shares his journey with Cone Rod Dystrophy, youth programs' impact, nonprofit arts mission, blind cooking tips, and tiny home plans for the blind community.  Subscribe to  Sightless Voices: Unleashing Potential on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , iHeart , or wherever you get your podcasts! Support the Lightho...

Jennifer Parrish sits down with Ana Escobedo to explore sudden blindness, motherhood, rehabilitation, and how Ana rebuilt confidence and career as lead of The Lighthouse of Houston’s University of Houston FixIt Call Center. Subscribe to  Sightless Voices: Unleashing Potential on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , iHeart , or wherever you get your podcasts! Support the Lighthouse of Houston ( ht...

Jennifer Parrish talks with volunteer and retired VA low vision director Karen Petty about childhood vision loss, guide dogs, serving veterans, and her ongoing work at The Lighthouse of Houston helping people see blindness as a beginning, not an ending. Subscribe to  Sightless Voices: Unleashing Potential on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , iHeart , or wherever you get your podcasts! Support the Li...

Board chair and leadership coach Kim Colburn explains how volunteerism, corporate engagement, and strategic giving expand the impact of The Lighthouse of Houston. He shares his personal journey into service, the psychology of helping, and why leaders must model community involvement. Kim outlines practical ways individuals and companies can combine time, talent, and financial support to strengthen...

Licensed Vocational Nurse Laura Scott shares how The Lighthouse of Houston’s Adult Day Program builds community, supports whole-person health, and creates meaningful daily routine for adults who are blind or low vision. She highlights her nursing approach, practical health monitoring, and how simple wins like stabilizing blood pressure transform quality of life. Laura also offers realistic h...

Seeing isn’t required to build bridges. Today's guest, Chelsea Nguyen, shares about Beyond Our Sight where blind and low vision hosts guide participants through team building exercises while sighted participants wear blindfolds. The process highlights communication, empathy, and partnership. Collaboration deepens as groups complete tasks with only touch, sound, and teamwork. Learn more about...

Jennifer welcomes Soraya Correa, President and CEO of National Industries for the Blind, to explore meaningful employment for blind and low vision professionals. Correa explains NIB’s nationwide network, the AbilityOne program, policy priorities, and practical strategies that help employers build inclusive workplaces and advance careers beyond entry level roles.​ Learn more about NIB here ....

Jennifer Parrish welcomes Marcela San Miguel back to the show. Marcela discusses her father's passing, leadership in the Foundation Fighting Blindness, and her pageant win. Tandem biking and duathlon participation mark another milestone. She emphasizes grief counseling, finding purpose, and community involvement. Marcela plans to focus her efforts for the coming year. Subscribe to Sightless Voices...

Losing sight changes everything. Shante Hines joins Jennifer Parrish to share her story of vision loss, medical complications, and adapting to new challenges. She discusses accessing resources at the Lighthouse of Houston, connecting with community groups, and finding support through music and group activities. Steps forward come through community, technology, and persistence. Subscribe to Sightle...

How does a chance encounter reshape a career and a life? Pat Glines went from a banking job to becoming a leader in guide dog mobility, inspired by supporting a friend through vision loss. Witnessing the impact of guide dogs fueled a passion that’s spanned over three decades. Today, she dedicates herself to matching people with life-changing canine partners at Guide Dogs of Texas. Subscribe...

She rebounded after losing their sight not once, but twice. Lauren Jones’s story is one of boldness and self-advocacy, navigating total blindness after diabetic retinopathy. With support from Kris Cole Rehabilitation Center and the Lighthouse of Houston, she found new purpose in community and career readiness. Through determination and a fierce spirit, she continues to inspire others to get...

A truck driver’s world changed in an instant when blindness altered every familiar road. For Mo Frank, the shift from long highways to the welcoming halls of the Lighthouse of Houston marked the beginning of renewal. Losing his sight meant relearning daily routines and rediscovering confidence step by step. Through training in orientation, mobility, and independent living, he found strength...

What began as a challenge in the kitchen became Christine Ha’s defining creation. After losing her vision in her twenties, she learned to move by instinct, relying on sound, touch, and memory to guide her craft. Cooking transformed from a test of endurance into an art of adaptation. When she stepped onto the national stage and captured the title of MasterChef, her talent proved that vision t...

A dedicated Army medic’s transformation into a leading advocate for blinded veterans reflects the power of resilience and purpose. Dr. Thomas Zampieri’s journey began with a military calling inspired by family heroes and evolved into a distinguished medical career. When retinitis pigmentosa ended his surgical work, he redirected his expertise toward advancing policy and support for vet...

Vivecca Hartman, board member at The Lighthouse of Houston and parent of an adult son who is deafblind, shares practical insights on building community resources and advocacy for families affected by dual sensory loss. The episode details her experience with educational advocacy, navigating life beyond school years, and the development of programs like TouchBase Center for the Deaf-Blind . Hartman...

Reaching the first anniversary of Sightless Voices: Unleashing Potential marks more than a milestone. During this episode, Jennifer Parrish is joined by The Lighthouse's president Jenna Dhayer, as they share the stories, connections, and community that have grown around every episode. Behind each conversation lies thoughtful feedback and heartfelt messages from listeners, along with inspiring jour...

Charlie Hardwick discusses accessible technology for vision loss, adaptive strategies for daily living, and career transitions as a visually impaired journalist, musician, and graphic designer. He and Jennifer cover assistive devices like Be My Eyes and VoiceVista, digital tools for creative work, and best practices for visually impaired travel. Charlie shares experience running with Achilles Inte...

Ruby Cabral joins the show to talk about orientation and mobility (O&M) and activities of daily living (ADL) services for blind and visually impaired people at The Lighthouse of Houston. This episode highlights how O&M and ADL support independence, explains practical training and technologies, covers career pathways, describes resource access, and identifies challenges related to specialis...

What does it take to push forward when it feels like life keeps throwing challenges your way?  Danelle Chaplain knows what it means to confront vision loss, fight cancer, and juggle parenting while building a new life through the Lighthouse of Houston.  In this episode: Danelle talks about finding the strength to move forward each day. She shares what it’s like to rebuild independe...

What happens when your life changes after a single spot in your eyesight turns out to be something bigger?  Jason Garza faced vision loss, got diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, and faced the reality of family falling apart because of it.  In this powerful conversation, he talks about: Learning he was legally blind after ignoring that first warning sign Losing his independence and findin...

What does it mean to lose your sight and keep moving forward?  Reverend Michael Garrett has spent his life as a leader and advocate in the blind and low vision community. He’s faced changes in vision, learned new ways to adapt, and built up others…both on and off the field.  On today’s episode: Michael shares what it’s like to grow up with retinitis pigmentosa an...

What does it mean to create a lasting impact in your city? We often think about the ways people connect, raise funds, and volunteer—sometimes never knowing the full reach of their actions. Karen Craig has spent decades working within the Houston Delta Gamma Foundation. Her journey shows how simple service projects can bring people together and fill real needs in the blind and low vision comm...