Episodes

  • 130 - Belinda Sampson on Wheelchair Basketball

    130 - Belinda Sampson on Wheelchair Basketball
    Jul 8 2025
    Show Notes:
    ** My new book, Paws for Thought (second edition) is now available as a print book, an e-book and in audio – grab your copy today!
    Order it at
    https://www.loisstrachan.com/shop/#acc-content

    In this episode, Lois chats with Belinda Sampson, an empowerment coach and programme coordinator focused on lifelong learning.

    Following on from the last episode, where I highlighted two adaptive sports for the blind community, the conversation with Belinda focuses on her involvement with wheelchair basketball. During her education, Belinda was exposed to several adaptive sports, but it was only when she discovered wheelchair basketball that she found a sport that worked for her.

    Belinda describes how the sport is played, including the means by which differing levels of disability can be incorporated. I found it interesting that non-disabled people can be accommodated into wheelchair basketball as long as they are also making use of a wheelchair during the game.
    Following on to our discussion of wheelchair basketball, we explored Belinda’s new career focus on coaching, empowering people with disabilities to achieve their goals.
    Reach out to Belinda:
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/belinda-sampson-developer/
    e-mail: abilityflexed@gmail.com
    Find out more about wheelchair basketball at:
    Website: https://basketball.co.za/
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WheelchairBasketballSA
    Image description:
    A woman of colour with braided hair who is a wheelchair user. She is wearing a dark blue sleeveless top and is resting her chin on her raised right hand, while her left hand is placed on her lap. The background of the image is a soft blue purple colour.
    I’d love to hear from you – contact me at
    Web: https://www.loisstrachan.com/
    LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lstrachan
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loisstrachanspeaker

    This episode edited by Craig Strachan using Hindenburg PRO – find out more on Hindenburg.com
    Credits and music by Charlie Dyasi.
    Show more Show less
    39 mins
  • 129 - A Conversation with Joseph Fleeks about Living with Blindness

    129 - A Conversation with Joseph Fleeks about Living with Blindness
    Jun 24 2025
    ** My new book, Paws for Thought (second edition) is now available as a print book, an e-book and in audio – grab your copy today!
    Order it at
    https://www.loisstrachan.com/shop/#acc-content

    In this episode, Lois chats with Joseph Fleeks, one of the hosts of the Blind Table Talk Podcast.

    At the age of 16, a drive-by shooting resulted in Joseph becoming blind. An active athlete when he was sighted, Joseph began exploring adaptive sports soon after his rehabilitation. In this conversation, we discuss two of his sports, Beep Baseball and Goalball.

    From there we discuss what Joseph sees as challenges facing the blind and visually impaired community, ending off with an introduction to the Blind Table Talk platform, which will be discussed in greater detail in an episode of the membership site of this show.
    Reach out to Joseph at the following links:
    e-mail: Joseph@blindtabletalk.com
    Web: https://blindtabletalk.com/
    YouTube: https://youtube.com/@blindtabletalk?si=7gWmI0mwEl3HI68V
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/5346006688800340

    Image description:
    The logo of the show, A Different Way of Seeing with Lois Strachan. The image features a styalised human figure with long hair and a white cane. On the right is an image of an eye, indicating vision or sight. The colours are shades of teal blue and grey.
    I’d love to hear from you – contact me at
    Web: https://www.loisstrachan.com/
    LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lstrachan
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loisstrachanspeaker

    This episode edited by Craig Strachan using Hindenburg PRO – find out more on Hindenburg.com
    Credits and music by Charlie Dyasi.
    Show more Show less
    50 mins
  • 128 - Tarryn Tomlinson on Understanding Smart Cities

    128 - Tarryn Tomlinson on Understanding Smart Cities
    Jun 11 2025
    ** My new book, Paws for Thought (second edition) is now available as a print book, an e-book and in audio – grab your copy today!
    Order it at
    https://www.loisstrachan.com/shop/#acc-content

    In this episode, Lois chats with Tarryn Tomlinson from LiveAble Universal Access Consultants, an organisation that specialises in universal access solutions for the hospitality industry.

    The conversation focuses on the impact that smart city initiatives could have on the inhabitants of a city, including those with disabilities.
    We discuss the difference between smart and traditional city planning and design, how to ensure that people with disabilities are not left behind when it comes to the design, implementation and measurement of smart initiatives, and how to ensure that people who are not able or willing to engage with technology are not marginalised. We also consider the first steps that a city like that in which both Tarryn and I live may need to take to start incorporating smart technology into the planning and design process.
    Reach out to Tarryn at the following links:
    Web: www.liveablegroup.com
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liveabledesign/
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/liveablefocus
    e-mail: tarryn@liveablegroup.com
    Able2Travel Web: www.able2travel.co.za
    Image description:
    The logo of the show, A Different Way of Seeing, with Lois Strachan. The image features a styalised human figure with long hair and a white cane. On the right is an image of an eye, indicating vision or sight. The colours are shades of teal blue and grey.
    I’d love to hear from you – contact me at
    Web: https://www.loisstrachan.com/
    LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lstrachan
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loisstrachanspeaker

    This episode edited by Craig Strachan using Hindenburg PRO – find out more on Hindenburg.com
    Credits and music by Charlie Dyasi.
    Show more Show less
    55 mins
  • 127 - Michelle Nell on Navigating a Diagnosis of Complex Disabilities

    127 - Michelle Nell on Navigating a Diagnosis of Complex Disabilities
    May 27 2025
    ** My new book, Paws for Thought (seco nd edition) is now available as a print book, an e-book and in
    audio – grab your copy today!
    Order it at
    https://www.loisstrachan.com/shop/#acc-content

    In today’s episode, Lois chats with Michelle Nell, a post-graduate psychology student and musician
    about living with complex disabilities. Michelle was born with glaucoma, a visual impairment, and has
    since received diagnoses of auto-immune conditions, psoriatic arthritis and multiple sclerosis.

    During the conversation Michelle shares how she views her disabilities, the process of navigating a new
    diagnosis of an auto-immune condition and the challenges she currently faces due to having been forced
    by her medical condition to put her studies on hold temporarily.

    She also discusses the relief of receiving a diagnosis after months of uncertainty about her medical
    condition and the reassurance experienced from now having a way forward with a treatment that can
    assist her.

    If you are able to make a donation to Michelle’s crowdfunding campaign, that would really help her.
    Crowdfunding link:
    https://www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/visions-for-change-supporting-a-blind-scholars-journey

    Reach out to Michelle:
    e-mail: mnellpiano@gmail.com
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michelle.nell.39
    Follow Michelle’s writing on her Facebook page:
    https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61571289303639
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    33 mins
  • 126 - Trailblazing and Transforming Disability Entrepreneurship with Kat Paz

    126 - Trailblazing and Transforming Disability Entrepreneurship with Kat Paz
    May 13 2025
    ** My new book, Paws for Thought (second edition) is now available as a print book, an e-book and in audio – grab your copy today!
    Order it at
    https://www.loisstrachan.com/shop/#acc-content

    In today’s episode, Lois chats with Katrina (Kat) Paz, the compiler of a recently published bestselling book, Trailblazing and Transforming: Success Stories of Entrepreneurs with Disabilities.

    Trailblazing and Transforming shares the stories of twelve people with disabilities who have achieved success in building their own companies. The purpose of the book is to build awareness of entrepreneurship as a way for people with disabilities to grow sustainable income generating organisations from their skills and passions.

    In the conversation, Kat discusses why entrepreneurship is such a good option for people with disabilities as a career, the diversity of those represented in the book, and what people can learn from it.

    Find Trailblazing and Transforming: Success Stories of Entrepreneurs with Disabilities on Amazon at
    https://www.amazon.com/Trailblazing-Transforming-Success-Entrepreneurs-Disabilities-ebook/dp/B0F3S6BRP3/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.FFuROm34wayO82mopyepFQ.ZblSLGivwEmSRUjx1w7bVqkqQymynpi8IUp82KZ0H14&dib_tag=se&keywords=success+stories+of+entrepreneurs+with+disability+paz&qid=1746703949&s=books&sr=1-1
    As a note, Trailblazing and Transforming achieved bestseller status in the categories of Home-Based Business Sales & Selling and Biographies of Social Activists on the day it launched.
    Find Kat Paz on the following links:
    Website: leapground.com
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LeapGround

    Instagram: @leapground
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/leapground/
    Image description:
    Cover of the book Trailblazing and Transforming, Success Stories of Entrepreneurs with Disabilities, compiled by Kat Paz. The cover is in shades of blue and gray with pops of orange. It features three graphics of people from the waist down. On the left is a person with a prosthetic leg. In the middle is a person wearing business attire with a briefcase in their left hand and a white cane in their right hand. The right image is of a person in a wheelchair.

    I’d love to hear from you – contact me at
    Web: https://www.loisstrachan.com/
    LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lstrachan
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loisstrachanspeaker

    This episode edited by Craig Strachan using Hindenburg PRO – find out more on Hindenburg.com
    Credits and music by Charlie Dyasi.
    Show more Show less
    37 mins
  • 125 - Guillaume Hervier on Blind Tennis and Living as a Blind Person in France

    125 - Guillaume Hervier on Blind Tennis and Living as a Blind Person in France
    Apr 29 2025
    ** My new book, Paws for Thought (second edition) is now available as a print book, an e-book and in audio – grab your copy today!
    Order it at
    https://www.loisstrachan.com/shop/#acc-content

    In today’s episode, Lois chats with Guillaume Hervier, host of the French language podcast, Les Voyages A L'Aveuglette.
    Guillaume chats about his life growing up in France with retinitis pigmentosa and the accessibility features that are typically found in France for people who are blind or partially blind.
    He also discusses his love for travel, which was borne out of his participation in blind tennis. Since this was the first time I had heard of blind tennis, we dig a little deeper into how the sport is played, and Guillaume shares a little of the history of the game.
    We also talk about his time living in Indonesia and his hope to found a travel agency focused on encouraging both disabled and non-disabled French people to visit the country he came to love. Finally, he shares some of the reasons why people may wish to visit France.
    Find Guillaume on the following links:
    Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/lesvoyagesalaveuglette
    Podcast feed: https://podcasts.apple.com/fr/podcast/les-voyages-a-laveuglette/id1481509619
    Image description:
    I’d love to hear from you – contact me at
    Web: https://www.loisstrachan.com/
    LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lstrachan
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loisstrachanspeaker

    This episode edited by Craig Strachan using Hindenburg PRO – find out more on Hindenburg.com
    Credits and music by Charlie Dyasi.
    Show more Show less
    50 mins
  • 124 - Job Talk: Katey Fortun on Working as an Interior Designer with Dyslexia

    124 - Job Talk: Katey Fortun on Working as an Interior Designer with Dyslexia
    Apr 15 2025
    ** My new book, Paws for Thought (second edition) is now available. Get your copy at
    https://www.loisstrachan.com/shop/#acc-content

    In today’s episode, Lois chats with host of the Different Ability Podcast, Katey Fortun, about her work as an interior designer.
    During the conversation, Katey talks about the relief of receiving a diagnosis of dyslexia at the age of 10 years of age, because it helped her to understand her way of doing things. She acknowledges the willingness of her education system to accommodate her and some of the techniques she uses to accomplish the many diverse and creative tasks she is involved with.
    Katey emphasises the importance of using your strengths to help determine your career, rather than constantly trying to work on areas that cause you to struggle.
    Katey chats about her podcast, the Different Ability Podcast, as well as her forthcoming book, Embracing Your Different Ability: Together We Advocate: Disability Stories Through the Eyes of a Child and Parent.
    Finally, Katey speaks of her preference for the term different ability, as opposed to disability and explains why she feels the way she does.
    Reach out to Katey on
    Website: kateyfortun.com
    Podcast feed: https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/1216838.rss
    My interview on The Different Ability Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1216838/episodes/16172924-beyond-vision-empowering-a-more-inclusive-world-with-lois-strachan.mp3

    Image description:
    A woman with long blonde hair is wearing a black dress with a pattern of orange flowers. There are autumn leaves on the ground and the lighting is bright and cosy.
    I’d love to hear from you – contact me at
    Web: https://www.loisstrachan.com/
    LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lstrachan
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loisstrachanspeaker

    This episode edited by Craig Strachan using Hindenburg PRO – find out more on Hindenburg.com
    Credits and music by Charlie Dyasi.
    Show more Show less
    58 mins
  • 123 - Job Talk: Dr Lionel Smith on Working as a Medical Professional with Low Vision

    123 - Job Talk: Dr Lionel Smith on Working as a Medical Professional with Low Vision
    Apr 1 2025
    ** My new book, Paws for Thought (second edition) is now available. Get your copy at https://www.loisstrachan.com/shop/#acc-content

    In today’s episode, Lois chats with Dr Lionel Smith, a medical doctor who was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa (RP) at the age of 60. Despite his diagnosis, he continued to work in the medical field.

    During the conversation, Lionel describes his life both before and after his diagnosis, explaining how he was able to continue making a significant impact on the medical field in South Africa despite his deteriorating eyesight. He also talks about the challenges he is facing now that his RP has progressed.

    *Note from Lois: This episode is dedicated to the memory of Dr Lionel Smith, who passed away shortly before the interview was published.
    Image description:
    A middle-aged man wearing a light blue shirt. He has glasses resting on his short gray hair. The background of the image is out of focus, emphasizing the man’s face.

    I’d love to hear from you – contact me at
    Web: https://www.loisstrachan.com/
    LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lstrachan
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loisstrachanspeaker

    This episode edited by Craig Strachan using Hindenburg PRO – find out more on Hindenburg.com
    Credits and music by Charlie Dyasi.
    Show more Show less
    55 mins