White Canes Connect

In this episode of White Canes Connect, Lisa speaks with Greater Philly Chapter member Lyvette Byrd, CEO of For the Byrds Consulting, about her Women Healed for a Purpose Conference on October 28. One of the conference's presenters, Dr. Kevin Aiken, the Senior Pastor of Heart of Worship Restoration Center, also joins the discussion. The conference has an in-person component at Swan Waterfall Cater...

In this episode of White Canes Connect, we've got more NFB of PA State Convention coverage in the run-up to the convention in Harrisburg from November 9 through 12. Lisa and David speak to convention national Representative Pam Allen and National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania President Lynn Heitz about what we can expect. Lynn tells us of several people from Nigeria who are traveling to...

In this episode of White Canes Connect, David welcomes NFB of PA's 2nd Vice President and 2023 State Convention Chair Emily Gindlesperger to talk about the upcoming convention in Harrisburg from November 9 through 12. Emily runs down all of the planned activities for the annual event. She explains how all groups and divisions will hold their only in-person meetings of the year. Emily tells us of t...

In this episode of White Canes Connect, hosts Simon and David sit down with the inspiring Manning brothers, Brad and Bryan, the visionaries behind Two Blind Brothers. Diagnosed with Stargardt's Disease in their youth, the duo dives deep into the origins of their unique apparel brand. While Two Blind Brothers isn't legally a 501(c)(3), they passionately channel their profits to fund research throug...

Hello everybody!   Welcome to our September 2023 monthly Digest: a monthly newsletter of the National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania!   The events and information listed below will be within the National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania as well as any pertinent information from the National Federation of the Blind and the Pennsylvania blind community.   If you or anyone you know ha...

In this episode of White Canes Connect, Lisa and David talk with Melissa Wilcox, Jessica Baer, and Juliette Warren from Philly Achilles. Melissa, the founder, tells us what inspired her to start the organization over 11 years ago. Jessica discusses how she became a guide. Juliette, a former Division 1 college athlete, explains why she joined Philly Achilles. There is always a need for guides, and...

In this episode of White Canes Connect, Lisa and David talk with Chef Debra Erickson from The Blind Kitchen. Discover the unique techniques she employs in the kitchen, relying on her innovative tools to craft exquisite dishes. She explains how she learned the techniques while at culinary school after she lost her sight. Chef Debra tells us about some of the tools she uses. Some were made specifica...

In this episode of White Canes Connect, Lisa and David talk with The Blind Angel Gardener Sue Brasel. Sue is a Master Gardener, and she tells us what that means. Sue gives us some good choices on what to plant here in Pennsylvania. She also discusses ways you can garden without sight. She gives us a few options on what to do in the garden so we don't pull the wrong plant while weeding. Show notes...

  Welcome to our August 2023 monthly Digest: a monthly newsletter of the National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania! The events and information listed below will be within the National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania as well as any pertinent information from the National Federation of the Blind and the Pennsylvania blind community. If you or anyone you know have any upcoming events o...

In this episode of White Canes Connect, Lisa and David talk with Jon Katz, President and CEO of Bestwork Industries for the Blind. Jon tells us that Bestwork Industries for the Blind is a self-sustaining manufacturing facility that provides job opportunities for people who are blind. Jon, a former Marine, discusses the company's products for the Army and Navy: textile apparel items, including flee...

In this episode of White Canes Connect, Stacie and David talk with Ann Cunningham from Sensational Books and the creator of the Sensational Blackboard. Ann shares her personal story and discusses the powerful impact of the Sensational Blackboard on the blind community. The device allows individuals to create raised line drawings using regular paper and a ballpoint pen, making it accessible. The in...

In this episode of White Canes Connect, Preston and Simon talk with Joanne Kim and Ashleigh Rogers, NFB Scholarship finalists. Joanne is a rising sophomore at Temple University, while Ashleigh is an incoming freshman at Lebanon Valley College.  They discuss their experiences as visually impaired students and their career aspirations. Joanne studies environmental science and aims to work for the go...

In this episode of White Canes Connect, Lisa and David talk with Vicki Landers and Esther Gillyard about Disability Pride Week and the Disability Pride Parade in Philadelphia on June 10, 2023. Vicki, the founder and Executive Director of Disability Pride PA, tells us how the Disability Pride Parade started 11 years ago. Esther, an NFB of PA's Keystone Chapter member, mentions that she will be perf...

  Welcome to our June 2023 monthly Digest: a monthly newsletter of the National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania! During the first few days of the month, we will start sending out our calendar of events. These events will be within the National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania as well as any pertinent information from the National Federation of the Blind and the Pennsylvania blind co...

In this episode of White Canes Connect, Lisa and David talk with Shelby Perry, the founder of Eyehesive. Shelby discusses what led her to create the Eyehesive community, also known as #oneeyegang. She goes through the process of getting a prosthetic eye, which involved four sessions with her ocularist. Shelby also tells about her coaching program to help others who need a prosthetic eye or dealing...

In this episode of White Canes Connect, Preston and David talk with Erin and Bob Willman from White Cane Coffee Company. Erin tells us why and how the company got started. Bob discusses how Covid slowed their expansion plans, but now they are in a larger location in Warren, PA. He also mentions that the company is negotiating with officials in the UK to open a site in Coventry, England. Erin gets...

Welcome to our May 2023 monthly Digest: a monthly newsletter of the National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania!   During the first few days of the month, we will start sending out our calendar of events. These events will be within the National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania as well as any pertinent information from the National Federation of the Blind and the Pennsylvania blind com...

It's time to play ball! Beep baseball that is. In this episode of White Canes Connect, we learn about the sport and the Philadelphia Fire of the National Beep Baseball Association from John Margist and Scott Hogwood. Scott tells us about the zones in the field where the defensive players are while John explains what the sighted spotters can and can't do. Scott and John stated that the team is ALWA...

In this episode of White Canes Connect, we learn how to win one of three $10,000 travel grants from Flight for Sight founder Mike Walsh. Mike explains why he started the non-profit and what he wants from the three winning applicants. He hopes the winners will inspire blind and visually impaired people to get off their couches and travel. Show notes at  https://www.whitecanesconnect.com/069    Appl...

In this episode of White Canes Connect, we get to know Preston Gaylor, the Secretary of the Jigsaw Chapter. Preston is a co-host on two other podcasts, and that is why we thought he'd be a great contributor to White Canes Connect. He will fill in for Lisa occasionally. When not working on Radio Connect Live and Visioncast with JC & Friends, he loves listening to music. Preston is doing great work...

In this episode of White Canes Connect, we look at the calendar of events within the National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania and any pertinent information from the National Federation of the Blind and the Pennsylvania blind community. Special Note:  Stacie Leap has been doing a fantastic job assisting with the Monthly Digest. This month, Stacie is feeling under the weather. We all share o...

In this episode of White Canes Connect, Lisa and David talk business with Dakota Hogwood, who runs a Grab and Go at the Green Federal Building as part of the Business Enterprise Program (BEP). Dakota explains the training she received in the program and the process of bidding for locations. She also talks about her goals and what she'd like to see happen in the program. Dakota also mentioned that...

In this episode of White Canes Connect, Lisa and David speak with Tom Snedden from PACE, a prescription assistance program in Pennsylvania for those 65 and older. Tom tells us who is eligible for the program and how to sign up. Spoiler alert: it is easy to sign up! Tom also discusses how the program started and how it is funded. Tom has been running the program for 38 years and tells us that even...

In this episode of White Canes Connect, David speaks with Andrea Bilello and Becca Weber from Camp Exsighting Adventures. Andrea, the President of the non-profit, tells us it is on 300 acres in New Hampshire and is for campers with visual impairments ages six to 17. Becca, a Board Member, talks about all campers' activities during their week, including adaptive sports, kayaking, canoeing, swimming...

In this episode of White Canes Connect, David talks about the events coming up in March within the NFB of PA and outside of the affiliate that may be of interest to blind Pennsylvanians. The script for this episode was taken word-for-word from Stacie's email. Literally. If you're not on the list serv of your chapter or division, go to https://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo . Thanks again to Stacie fo...