Legally Blonde & Blind: Recent Episodes
Marissa Nissley
A monthly podcast exploring self-advocacy, accessibility, friendships, and other topics relating to the experiences of blind young adults!
Alcohol can be a social lubricant, so it’s no surprise that I’ve received some of the most fascinating, bizarre, and hilarious questions about my low vision at the bar. Disability is often the elephant in the room. People either avert their gaze or stare at us across the street. They either ask random, invasive questions like “what happened to you?” or chastise their children for asking about our mobility aids. However, conversations surrounding disability (if you are comfortable talking about it) do not need to be depressing, or violating. To celebrate my 21st birthday (eight months after the fact), the 32nd episode of Legally Blonde & Blind answers questions my listeners and I have received from people who might have been a little tipsy. Connect with Legally Blonde & Blind!Website - https://www.legallyblondeblind.com/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/legallybb_/?hl=en Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/legallybb/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/legally-blonde-blind/
We’ve all heard the phrase “albinism is beautiful,” and over the last decade, albino models, influencers, and advocates have taken the world by storm. But albinism representation—especially in the fashion and beauty industry—is far from perfect. In the thirtieth episode of Legally Blonde & Blind, I discuss society's evolving attitudes towards beauty and how we can more meaningfully include, uplift, and celebrate those with albinism. Tune in to learn how for me, albinism is far more than pretty white hair..it’s a community, source of pride, and part of who I am.
Connect with Legally Blonde & Blind!
Website - https://www.legallyblondeblind.com/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/legallybb_/?hl=en
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/legallybb/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/legally-blonde-blind/
Resources & Transcript - https://www.legallyblondeblind.com/post/31-albinism-is-not-an-accessory
If you were asked to picture an “athlete,” you probably wouldn’t imagine someone who is blind. But with creativity, collaboration, and a few modifications, athletes with low vision can partake in many elite and recreational activities, such as goalball, skiing, tandem cycling, and many more! Sports help athletes of all ages and abilities stay healthy, build self-confidence, and become part of a team. Liza Corso—a Paralympic silver medalist—joins Marissa to share how participating in track and field has positively impacted her life. Tune in to learn about how we can raise awareness and increase opportunities for people to participate in adaptive sports.
Liza Corso is a junior at Lipscomb University studying psychology and nutrition. She was selected to participate in the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games and won a silver medal in the 1500m. She also competes on Lipscomb’s Cross Country and Track & Field team.
“I feel that there is so much value in sports and being able to prove to yourself that you are mentally and physically tough, that you can do hard things.”
Connect with Legally Blonde & Blind!
Website - https://www.legallyblondeblind.com/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/legallybb_/?hl=en
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/legallybb/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/legally-blonde-blind/
Connect with Liza!
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/liza.corso3/
Shownotes & Transcript - https://www.legallyblondeblind.com/post/30-blind-athletics-and-the-paralympic-world
Research indicates that 55% of communication in face-to-face conversations is through nonverbal cues such as body language and facial expressions. How can blind folks navigate social settings where subtle, nonverbal communication is prevalent? In “Blind Social Butterfly,” I share my perspective on networking, mingling, and forming connections with low vision. I also offer advice for making happy hours, conferences, and other social events more accessible.
“No dogs allowed!” “Can you show me your service animal ID?” “Just take an UberPet.” In restaurants, airports, convenience stores, and Ubers across the United States, many service animal teams experience access issues and denials. A survival guide for both new and experienced service animal handlers, the twenty-eighth episode of Legally Blonde & Blind outlines the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other federal laws relating to assistance animals. I explore when, where, and why access issues most frequently occur. Based on surveys, personal experience, and testimonies from other handlers, I then offer advice on how to respectfully yet assertively handle access issues.
I have never wanted a “cure” for my albinism and corresponding visual impairment, but only recently found the words to explain why. Research regarding treatments for and the genetic origins of disabilities raises complex ethical questions. Does studying albinism in a laboratory genuinely improve people’s lives, or does it merely satisfy the curiosity of medical professionals? In “I’m Not Broken,” I argue that albinism should be viewed as part of one’s identity and a source of community rather than an undesirable mutation. I consider the emotional, social, and political impacts of seeking to reverse or cure blindness. I then argue how redirecting these funds towards developing assistive technology, advocating for legislative changes, and providing necessities (sunscreen, UV protective gear, etc.) to people with albinism would have a stronger impact. Keep in mind that this is a deeply personal subject. My goal is to share my perspective and lived experience—not speak on behalf of the entire albinism community. “I think it is very important to center lived experience and the voices of people with albinism when discussing research about our condition. Because when it’s only parents and medical professionals making these decisions, they miss part of the picture.”Connect with Legally Blonde & Blind!Website - https://www.legallyblondeblind.com/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/legallybb_/?hl=en Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/legallybb/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/legally-blonde-blind/Key Points:0:00 - Intro2:30 - Why is genetic research such a complex issue in the disability community?5:30 - NOAH and Albinism Research 7:20 - Personal and Emotional Experiences with Albinism Research 13:30 - Does focusing on albinism at the molecular level meaningfully improve people’s lives?14:25 - The “Vision” Component - Does sight equal quality of life?19:10 - The “Appearance” Component and Beauty of Biodiversity 21:05 - Final Thoughts Resources: “Should ‘Broken’ Genes be Fixed? My Daughter Changed the way I think about that Question” - https://www.statnews.com/2020/02/21/should-broken-genes-be-fixed-my-daughter-changed-the-way-i-think-about-that-questi“‘Curing Blindness:’ Why we Need a new Perspective on Sight Rehabilitation” - https://theconversation.com/curing-blindness-why-we-need-a-new-perspective-on-sight-rehabilitation-145276 “Is a ‘Cure’ for Blindness Worth $1 Million?” - https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2017/12/gene-therapy-blindness-luxturna/549059/ “Blind YouTube Star Molly Burke Doesn’t Want a Cure - SHe Wants a Voice” - https://www.msnbc.com/know-your-value/blind-youtube-star-molly-burke-doesn-t-want-cure-she-n1040376“Stop Trying to ‘Fix’ My Disability” - https://youtu.be/ZPeH43XI4vA “Do I Want to be Cured and get my Sight back?” - https://youtu.be/IpyHoO2Q-Jk “NOAH Research Program” - https://www.albinism.org/research/ “Nitisinone Increases Melanin in People with Albinism” - https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/nitisinone-increases-melanin-people-albinism
There is more to “guide dogging” than meets the eye. Contrary to popular belief, guide dogs are not perfect robots or GPS systems who can single-handedly take handlers to class or tell them when to cross the street. Working with assistance animals is much like learning a language, an entirely new way of communicating. In the 26th episode of Legally Blonde & Blind, I share my experiences applying for and training with my first guide dog. Tune in to learn more about my challenges, success, and takeaways from my first month as a guide dog handler! “I got a guide dog because I wanted to prioritize my happiness and safety over arbitrary notions of necessity or independence.”Connect with Legally Blonde & Blind!Website - https://www.legallyblondeblind.com/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/legallybb_/?hl=en Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/legallybb/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/legally-blonde-blind/Key Points: 0:00 - Introduction!1:50 - All About Smalls! 6:00 - Why did I record this episode a month after being matched?7:10 - Disclaimers8:45 - Why did I apply for a guide dog?9:00 - Reframing my Attitudes towards Disability and Independence13:00 - Investing in Myself14:30 - Choosing Joy 16:00 - What is the application process like? 18:20 - What I learned from my first month as a guide dog handler18:40 - Bonding doesn’t happen instantly 19:30 - Having a guide dog is a CHOICE21:15 - Feedback does not equal Failure22:45 - Dogs learn from EVERYTHING24:20 - Take things one step at a time25:00 - Guide dog training is VERY emotional27:00 - Confidence is keyResources: “Canes vs. Guide Dogs | Pros and Cons” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyq-JgvpvHQ&list=PLwa2HVLMFj5Vmgh7QkaCvWTHS6ZJlRVfv&index=2&t=680s “5 Things I Wish I Knew before Getting my First Guide Dog” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sZI7UTQ40g&list=PLwa2HVLMFj5Vmgh7QkaCvWTHS6ZJlRVfv&index=7 “Zenith in Action | Watching my Guide Dog Work” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRdRQ2KTkLI&list=PLwa2HVLMFj5Vmgh7QkaCvWTHS6ZJlRVfv&index=9 “How I Handle Access Issues” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEgUf7BPNJc&list=PLwa2HVLMFj5Vmgh7QkaCvWTHS6ZJlRVfv&index=21 “Try Guys Train Guide Dogs for a Day” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvAmiYQgytA “10 Worst Things about Having a Guide Dog” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVPTwDjT9Ek “I Almost Left Training without My Guide Dog” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lK1pzIvGUWA&t=244s “Guide Dog vs. Cane - Pros and Cons!” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yd2O9qmq8qc&t=918s “Guide Dog User Answers Most Googled Questions about Guide Dogs” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mZ8Hk_j9D4&t=531s “All About Guide Dog Retirement” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEkLu3UxaH4 “College Advice || Service Dog Addition” - https://youtu.be/gBN014EPez4 “The Challenges of Having a Service Dog in College” - https://youtu.be/QNnQbLiWPLQ “White Canes vs. Guide Dogs. Which is Better? 21 Pros and Cons” - https://youtu.be/IURFgbt-AGc
Less than 30% of working-age blind adults in the United States are employed full-time. Approximately only 16% of them have a Bachelor’s degree or higher. Tired of being the only blind person in the room, Kathryn Webster joins Marissa to discuss how her organization Together Achieving Dreams will increase employment opportunities for the low vision community. She specifically focuses on management consulting, big law, finance, and other fields where blind people are especially underrepresented. Tune in for advice on networking, interviewing, and breaking into Corporate America!Kathryn Webster is a 2023 MBA candidate at Harvard Business School. Upon graduation, she will be joining KKR, a global investment firm, in New York. She graduated with high honors from Wake Forest University with a Bachelor of Science in Statistics and Computer Science. Kathryn is a leader in the National Federation for the Blind and previously served as President of the National Association of Blind Students. She currently serves on the board of the Lighthouse of San Francisco, BLIND, Inc., the Jacobus tenBroek Memorial Fund, and Business Opportunities for the Blind. She approaches each day with the motivation to break the stigma and prove that blind people can achieve anything they want in the world. “I want us to break into Corporate America. The 75% unemployment rate statistic hasn’t changed for decades.”Connect with Legally Blonde & Blind!Website - https://www.legallyblondeblind.com/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/legallybb_/?hl=en Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/legallybb/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/legally-blonde-blind/Connect with Kathryn Webster and TAD!Website - https://tadfoundation.org/ Instagram - https://instagram.com/togetherachievingdreams?igshid=Zjc2ZTc4Nzk= Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/people/Together-Achieving-Dreams-Foundation-Inc/100086574137762/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathryncornellwebster Key Points: 0:00 - Introduction! 2:35 - Could you describe your blindness and what the world looks like to you? 3:51 - What sparked your interest in disability advocacy? 5:54 - What inspired you to create Together Achieving Dreams? 11:02 - What are the unique challenges blind people face in corporate America? 13:10 - What is it like interacting with colleagues who have little to no experience working with blind people? 15:33 - What resources is TAD going to provide for blind students?18:45 - How can people connect with TAD and learn more? 20:10 - What advice do you have for job hunting, recruiting, and interviewing? 23:30 - Outro 24:20 - Guide Dog blooper :) Resources: “How Kathryn Webster Owns Her Own Story, and Her Advice for Other Blind and Low Vision Employees” - https://aira.io/kathrynwebster/ “Is Consulting the Right Career for You?” - https://hbr.org/2020/07/is-consulting-the-right-career-for-you My Consulting Offer - https://www.myconsultingoffer.org/ Management Consulted - http://managementconsulted.com/case-interview/ Case in Point: Complete Case Interview Preparation - https://www.amazon.com/Case-Point-11-Interview-Preparation/dp/0986370762
Driving is a rite of passage in the United States and many people with albinism find themselves on the cusp of qualifying for a license. In the 24th episode of Legally Blonde & Blind, Marissa shares how she learned to accept and embrace her status as a nondriver. Tune in to learn about bioptics, low vision driving regulations, and ways to support those without a license. Driving should not be the only way to attain independence and freedom!
“Being a nondriver does not mean you will be any less independent. It does not mean you will be a passenger in your mom’s car for the rest of your life. Thousands of blind people have found their way, and so will you.”
Connect with Legally Blonde & Blind!
Website - https://www.legallyblondeblind.com/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/legallybb_/?hl=en
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/legallybb/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/legally-blonde-blind/
Key Points:
2:25 - Low Vision Driving Basics
3:36 - Bioptic Telescopes
5:50 - Safety Considerations
9:52 - Attitudes towards Driving
13:05 - How can we better support nondrivers?
13:09 - Acknowledging the Downsides of Car Dependency
14:57 - Increasing exposure to public transportation
15:52 - Offering rides
17:32 - Take a deep breath!
Resources:
- Albinism and Driving Bulletin - https://www.albinism.org/information-bulletin-albinism-and-driving/
- “Is Low Vision Driving an Option?” - https://familyconnect.org/browse-by-age/teenagers/transition-to-independence-teenagers/preparing-for-independent-travel/is-low-vision-driving-an-option/
- “The Negative Consequences of Car Dependency” - https://www.strongtowns.org/journal/2017/11/2/the-negative-consequences-of-car-dependency
- “Driving with Low Vision” - https://www.lowvision-nj.com/driving-with-low-vision/
- “Proceed With Caution: Low Vision and Driving” - https://www.reviewofoptometry.com/article/proceed-with-caution-low-vision-and-driving
- “Driving and Low Vision - What Optometrists Must Know” - https://eyesoneyecare.com/resources/driving-and-low-vision-what-optometrists-must-know/
Transcript - https://www.legallyblondeblind.com/post/24-two-feet-instead-of-four-wheels
How can we help people with albinism facing violence and discrimination in East Africa as college students halfway across the world? On Episode 23 of Legally Blonde & Blind, Tess Ballis joins Marissa to discuss healthcare, education, and dispelling harmful myths surrounding albinism at a grassroots level. She explains how advocating for human rights has boosted her confidence and encouraged her to embrace albinism as part of her identity. Listeners will learn about concrete actions they can take no matter what their resources are. Tess Ballis is a junior at Northwestern University studying history and political science. Her parents founded the nonprofit Vision for Tomorrow, which seeks to empower people with low vision through research, advocacy, and awareness campaigns. She was a keynote speaker at the 2018 Skin Cancer Foundation of South Africa Summit and gave a TEDx Talk titled “Albinos Don’t Have Souls: What it means to be human from someone who has been told she is not.”"I just want people to realize we—as people with albinism—have a genetic condition. It affects our hair, our skin and our eyes, but that is the only difference. We are human beings, the same as anyone else."Connect with Legally Blonde & Blind!WebsiteInstagram Facebook LinkedInConnect with Tess! Standing Voice InterviewTEDx Talk Key Points: 0:00 - Introduction, Background, and Content Warning4:20 - What sparked your interest in albinism and human rights advocacy? 6:20 - A crash course on albinism and human rights 10:45 - What is currently being done in the nonprofit space to address these issues? 12:55 - Where are the gaps? What more would you like to see done? 18:45 - What made you want to speak publicly about albinism & human rights?25:00 - How has advocacy work influenced your personal relationship with albinism? 27:45 - Why do you choose to use the phrase Person with Albinism? 31:45 - How can other people with albinism process these harsh realities and feel empowered rather than discouraged? 36:00 - How can people get involved? What nonprofits and NGOs should people check out?Resources:Standing Voice Vision for TomorrowUnder the Same Sun Attacks Against People with Albinism are Hate Crimes - UN Albinism Expert Out of the Shadows: The Resilience and Courage of People with Albinism in Mozambique“We are Tired of Being Ignored” Q&A: An International Movement for Albinism RightsWomen, Mothers of Children with Albinism Suffer Worst Discrimination, Report FindsOn the African continent, discrimination against people with albinism is intensifyingTanzania: For people with albinism, hate speech and discrimination have moved online
Many parents of children with disabilities or chronic illnesses use social media to share information and connect with others, but when does this go too far? In Episode 22 of Legally Blonde & Blind, Marissa discusses issues surrounding representation and consent when sharing a child’s disability on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, or other social media platforms. Tune in to learn why “raising awareness” and “inspiring others” is often not as straightforward or impactful as mommy bloggers believe.
“My fear is that when parents take up so much space on social media, they send the message that people need to speak for us, that we can’t share our own stories.”
Connect with Legally Blonde & Blind!
Website
Key Points:
0:00 - Introduction!
1:05 - Why did I decide to make this episode?
2:25 - Why do parents share about their child’s disability on social media?
6:55 - Issues Surrounding Informed Consent
11:39 - Issues Surrounding “Raising Awareness”
12:18 - Inspiration Porn
13:50 - Exotification and Objectification
15:20 - Amplifying our Differences
16:50 - Not Everyone Needs to be an Ambassador
18:00 - Centering Parents
18:49 - What should parents do?
Resources:
- What Pictures Not to Post Online of Your Child With a Disability
- Gone too Far? When Posting about your Child’s Health Crosses the Line
- Parents and Social Media
- Parents’ online sharing can be particularly problematic for autistic kids. Here’s why.
- The Dark Side of YouTube Family Vlogging
- Until Children are Protected, Family YouTube Channels Should Not Exist
- Why YouTube Moms are Taking Their Kids Offline
- Top Family Vloggers
In “Gifted & Talented Blind Kids,” Marissa explains why she and many other students with visual-impairments tend to be perfectionists in the classroom. This episode outlines how the U.S. education system fosters toxic attitudes towards grades, success, and intelligence that disproportionately impact disabled students. Tune in to learn about setting realistic goals, developing healthy coping skills, and detaching self-worth from grades.
“How can we raise society’s expectations for blind people without feeling like we as individuals need to be perfect?”
Connect with Legally Blonde & Blind!
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Key Points:
3:20 - How do Gifted & Talented programs and advanced classes negatively impact the mental health of students?
8:45 - How does disability relate to perfectionism? Why do many blind students feel intense pressure to overachieve?
12:30 - What are the roots of the problem?
17:45 - How can we tackle toxic mindsets towards grades and success?
Resources: Pressures in School lead to Gifted Kid Burnout Gifted Kid Burnout: Breaking Free of “Smartness” “Gifted Kid Burnout” is more than a punchline
White canes in the albinism community can be rather controversial. Some view them as a useful tool for navigation while others feel they are “overkill” for people with significant residual vision. After years of resistance, I share why I decided to use a white cane and how I find it beneficial when traveling independently. “White Canes in the Wild” debunks common misconceptions and shares tips for cane training!
“I think viewing canes as a tool in the toolbox rather than a sign of defeat would do our community a lot of good.”
Connect with Legally Blonde & Blind!
Website
Key Points:
0:45 - Updates!
3:30 - What are white canes?
4:30 - Why are people, especially those with albinism, reluctant to use white canes?
13:30 - Why did I decide to start using a cane?
16:45 - How do people interact with cane users?
20:30 - Cane Training Tips!
Resources:
- Free White Cane Program
- Should you be using a white cane?
- The White Cane Symbolizes Self-Reliance and Accomplishment
- All you need to know about the white cane
- Cane Training on my Own Terms
- Everything you need to know to know about White Canes
- Blind Cane: Different Types of Tips
- 10 Fascinating Facts about the White Cane
- White Cane Laws for States
- White Cane Day
Connect with Legally Blonde & Blind!
Website
Podcast Trailer Transcript
Whether it be through invasive questions, unsolicited remarks, or condescending attitudes, people who are blind or visually-impaired experience microaggressions, actions that occur casually, frequently, and often without any negative intentions, on a daily basis. In “How Many Fingers am I Holding up?”, Marissa shares how to identify and discuss subtle acts of exclusion. Tune in to learn how to respond next time someone says “You look like a ghost!”
Tikia Kidd, author of Life with J.A.K: Living with Albinism, joins Marissa to share her experiences raising and advocating for her son Julian (aka J.A.K) who has albinism. They discuss processing a new diagnosis, embracing differences, and fostering self-advocacy skills. Tune in to learn how parents can educate relatives, teachers, and other community members about albinism!
Sean Curry joins Marissa to discuss the current state of access to vision care in the United States, particularly in the DC metro area, and the importance of eye exams. Tune in to learn more about how public transportation, income, and other social determinants of health impact vision loss (and what you can do about it!).
Sean Curry is the Associate Director of Programs for the Prevention of Blindness Society of Metropolitan Washington who has a Masters in Public Health from The George Washington University. He oversees low vision community and health education events in the District of Columbia, Northern Virginia, and Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties of Maryland.
Sometimes the glass feels half empty, and that’s okay. In “Let’s Talk about the Hard Things,” Marissa shares the most challenging aspects of living with albinism and low vision, including inaccessible buildings, awkward interactions, and society’s low expectations for blind people. Acknowledging and discussing these frustrating realities can reveal how to make the world more accessible.
WARNING: Marissa discusses sexual assault from 14:15-16:20. If you find this topic upsetting, please skip this portion!
Lia Stone joins Marissa to discuss gaining confidence and independence in the kitchen with low vision. She shares several organizational tips as well as approaches for handling knives, oven, and other potentially dangerous tools. They also discuss the benefits of attending a training center and when to ask for sighted help. Tune in to learn about developing cooking and baking skills without starting a fire!
Key Points:
0:00 - Introduction!
2:40 - Information about the NFB Scholarships!
10:20 - How do blind people get started in the kitchen?
13:45 - What are some good starter meals or recipes?
16:30 - Apps and Assistive Technology
20:00 - Handling Sharp and Hot Objects
23:30 - Organization Tips
25:00 - Handling Spills and Messes
29:45 - What are the benefits of attending a training center?
40:45 - How do you balance wanting to be independent with asking for help?
Shaara Roman joins Marissa to discuss her experiences implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion programs (DEI) as well as what companies can do, both at the individual and organizational level, to prioritize accessibility in these efforts. Tune in to learn more about amplifying the voices of disabled employees in the workplace!
Shaara Roman is a former Chief Human Resources Officer and the CEO of The Silverene Group, a boutique management and culture consulting group. Her firm helps organizations foster engaged and productive teams by removing toxic stressors in the workplace. She also helps leaders through pivotal organizational changes, such as rapid growth, mergers, and acquisitions.
Key Points:
1:44 - What inspired you to pursue a career in Human Resources and management consulting?
6:45 - What are some of the biggest issues facing disabled employees in the workplace?
10:35 - How would you define Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion?
15:45 - What are some common misconceptions surrounding DEI programs?
18:20 - What are some of the most common barriers and challenges organizations encounter when implementing DEI programs?
28:15 - How can organizations ensure disabled people are included in DEI efforts?
31:45 - How do you think we can help organizations move beyond viewing workplace accommodations or DEI training as an obligation? What can we do to make companies more interested in building an inclusive workplace?
38:30 - Most of Legally Blonde & Blind’s listeners are college students preparing to begin full-time careers. What advice do you have for us as we navigate recruiting, interviews, and hiring?
After several months living in Georgetown, exploring D.C., using public transit, and getting lost more than a few times, Marissa discusses the unexpected challenges she encountered as a blind person navigating a new city. She shares how her attitudes towards blindness and independence have changed since moving away from home. Tune in to learn more about mobility and gain several “blind hacks” for getting around.
Key Points:
0:00 - Intro!
2:25 - Inspiration for Episode
4:15 - Anxieties Surrounding Moving Out
16:03 - Orientation & Mobility Training Advice
22:00 - Tips for Transitioning to a New School/City
29:25 - Practical Blind Hacks!
33:45 - Reflection on the Past Year
41:50 - Outro!
Jenna Giesecke joins Marissa to share how she developed and adapted to a tic disorder during the COVID-19 pandemic. They discuss transitioning to college, requesting accommodations, and finding a place in the disabled community. Tune in to learn more about the intersection between disability and mental health!
How does gender identity impact the way blind women live, work, and travel independently? In the next episode of Legally Blonde & Blind, Marisa and special guest Mia Parra discuss the intersection of gender, sexuality, and blindness. Tune in to learn how their combined identities influence how they receive help, view their appearance, approach dating, travel alone, and pursue friendships.
WARNING: From 21:40-27:00, Mia Parra and Marissa discuss sexual harassment and assault. If you don’t want to hear about these topics, make sure to skip this segment!
In the tenth episode of Legally Blonde & Blind, Marissa discusses how inspiration porn and other narratives surrounding disability made it challenging for her to share her story. She’ll then share some writing, editing, and brainstorming tips she’s gathered along the way.
Marissa interview’s Alanna Cronk, the founder of 1AC-CESSIBILITY, They discuss how the hyper-competitive culture and inflexible, “one size fits all” structure of speech and debate harms participants, especially those who are members of marginalized communities. Learn how speech and debate tournaments can create a more welcoming environment that encourages students to prioritize their mental and physical well-being!
What is albinism and what unique challenges does it present? In the eighth episode of Legally Blonde & Blind, Marissa explains how the physical appearance of people with albinism can lead to ostracization, discrimination, and low self-esteem. Tune in to learn more about how she learned to embrace her white hair, pale skin, and wiggly eyes!
How do parents of a visually-impaired child process a new diagnosis and encourage their child to develop a positive attitude towards blindness? How does one navigate the alphabet soup of IEP plans and other accommodations? In Legally Blonde & Blind’s Mother’s Day Special, Marissa’s mom shares her unique experiences and perspectives as a parent of a child with albinism.
How does one define independence and set reasonable goals for daily living? In this episode of Legally Blonde & Blind, Marissa discusses developing a healthy mindset towards independence and asking for help. She also shares toxic ways she used to view independence and offers advice for sighted people when assisting a blind person.
In the fifth episode of Legally Blonde & Blind, Marissa shares her favorite things about being legally blind, such as being able to make friends in the blind community, scroll through her phone with her nose, and much more! She also discusses how her blindness helped her develop communication, social, and organizational skills.
Samantha Hurley, a high school senior who has made several YouTube videos about her experiences with albinism, joins Marissa to discuss bullying, activism, and raising awareness for albinism on social media.
From web accessibility to Zoom fatigue, blind students face a unique set of challenges while learning virtually. Marissa discusses the roadblocks she has encountered and offers practical advice based on her experiences as an online college student.
Marissa interviews Kaleigh Brendle, a high school senior in New Jersey who learned in March that the College Board would not provide paper, Braille copies of her AP exams. They discuss the legal action Kaleigh took and share self-advocacy tips.
In the first episode of Legally Blonde & Blind, Marissa discusses how humor helped her develop confidence and feel more comfortable talking about her visual impairment.