Today I am speaking with Penn Street! She shares with me her life as a young tom-boy and her adventurer's spirit. The harrowing tale of survival and healing from a rattlesnake bite and how she overcame all the no's in life and learned to navigate her vision loss on her own terms. I know you will find great inspiration in what she has to share with us today!

Here's a bit more about Penn Street
Penn Street lost most of her eyesight at age nine from Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) after being bit by a rattlesnake. Her tom-boy spirit proved the medical teams wrong over and over again. She not only survived, but thrived. SJS compromised Penn's sight, but not her tom-boy spirit. She made the choice early that she would not be shoved to the sidelines. Her career spans decades working in the disability communities. Her passion is showing others that the outdoors is for all of us and we have to show up and be at the table when discions are being made. Penn has rafted the Grand Canyon, summited many of the peaks in surrounding her home in Colodo, skiis the steep winter trails, paddle boards, and takes long walks every chance she gets. She is also the host of the podcast, The Blind Chick.

Connect with Penn

Website: http://www.aftersight.org

Catch Penn's podcast here: https://aftersight.org/audio-publications/the-blind-chick/

Follow Penn on social (click the links below)
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/penn.street

Thanks for listening! Off The Beaten Path is brought to you by Dave Epstein and Awarewolf Gear, makers of the All Terrain Cane and the Urban Xplorer. To purchase a cane or find out more visit https://awarewolfgear.com/awghome

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Today I welcome blind wood burning artist, Krista Webb to the Off The Beaten Path studio. Krista has Usher's syndrome and is a huge advocate of staying in the game. We talked about her life as an artist, family life and her time as a young athlete. I know you will find her story inspirational!

Krista is 37 years old and is a wife of 16 years, mother of 2 boys who are 10 and 12, and a wood burning artist. Krista has Usher syndrome which is hearing loss and vision loss through Retinitis Pigmentosa. Krista has been using her white cane for as long as she discovered wood burning art since 2019. It’s been a journey building a relationship and feeling the pride she currently has with her white cane. Krista uses her Instagram sharing her wood burning art, educating the world that blindness is a spectrum, and simply connecting with other low vision / blind people globally.

To see Krista's wood burning art follow her on instagram by clicking the link below:
http://www.instagram.com/blindlove.woodburning

Thanks for listening! Off The Beaten Path is brought to you by Dave Epstein and Awarewolf Gear, makers of the All Terrain Cane and the Urban Xplorer. To purchase a cane or find out more visit https://awarewolfgear.com/awghome

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Today I have a chat with Sam Seavey of the blind life we talk about his support systems, family and how he got started producing the Blind Life Podcast and his mission. We also talked about some common experiences being blind and he handles them.
I am always super inspired by Sam and I know you will be too.

Here's a bit more about Sam Seavey
Sam Seavey, the visionary behind The Blind Life YouTube channel, has emerged as a trailblazer in the field of assistive technology. Recognized as a top resource by the Foundation Fighting Blindness, The Blind Life has amassed over 60,000 subscribers and offers a treasure trove of informative videos. Sam provides invaluable insights on daily tasks, reviews cutting-edge assistive devices, and conducts interviews with influential figures in the visually impaired community.

Sam's journey began at age 11 when he was diagnosed with Stargardt's, a form of early-onset macular degeneration. Over three decades, he has immersed himself in research and become proficient in all things assistive technology. His expertise has garnered recognition in esteemed publications like USA TODAY and WIRED Magazine. Sam collaborates with tech giants such as Google, Sony, and Apple, is a national and international speaker, and also creates content for websites.

Currently, Sam leads the assistive technology program at a nonprofit organization, providing comprehensive training on life-changing technologies. His dedication shines through in his work with clients and his commitment to disseminating knowledge through YouTube. With a mission to empower individuals to live their best blind life, Sam constantly strives to enhance the lives of others.

To Connect with Sam

Via email: sam@theblindlife.net
Website: www.theblindlife.net

Catch his podcast here: https://www.youtube.com/@theblindlife

Follow Sam on social (click the links below)
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theblindlifesam
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theblindlifesam/?hl=en

Thanks for listening! Off The Beaten Path is brought to you by Dave Epstein and Awarewolf Gear, makers of the All Terrain Cane and the Urban Xplorer. To purchase a cane or find out more visit https://awarewolfgear.com/awghome

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