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! 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 Tess! Standing Voice Interview https://news.standingvoice.org/tess-ballis TEDx Talk - https://youtu.be/qhoGts4PGXM Key Points: 0:00 - Introduction, Background, and Content Warning 4:20 - 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: https://news.standingvoice.org/tess-ballis https://visionfortomorrow.org/ https://www.underthesamesun.com/ https://www.ohchr.org/en/stories/2022/03/attacks-against-people-albinism-are-hate-crimes-un-albinism-expert https://www.hrw.org/news/2019/07/01/out-shadows-resilience-and-courage-people-albinism-mozambique https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/voices/we-are-tired-of-being-ignored https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/voices/q-and-a-an-international-movement-for-albinism-rights https://www.voanews.com/a/africa_women-mothers-children-albinism-suffer-worst-discrimination-report-finds/6185246.html https://www.thejfa.com/read/on-the-african-continent-discrimination-against-people-with-albinism-is-intensifying https://minorityrights.org/programmes/library/trends2020/tanzania/ Transcript - https://www.legallyblondeblind.com/post/23-making-our-voices-heard-albinism-and-human-rights-advocacy-feat-tess-ballis

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  - 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! 1:05 - 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: https://themighty.com/2017/08/what-pictures-not-to-post-online-kids-disabilities/ https://www.themobilityresource.com/blog/post/gone-too-far-when-posting-about-your-childrens-health-crosses-the-line/ https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2015/07/16/parents-and-social-media/ https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2020/01/31/parents-online-sharing-can-be-particularly-problematic-autistic-kids-heres-why/ https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2017/04/youtube-family-vloggings-dark-side.html https://aliceleme.medium.com/until-children-are-protected-family-youtube-channels-should-not-exist-5d89429835a6 https://www.newstatesman.com/science-tech/2016/04/why-youtube-mums-are-taking-their-kids-offline https://neoreach.com/family-vloggers/ Transcript - https://www.legallyblondeblind.com/post/22-before-posting-about-your-child-s-disability-listen-to-this

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 will outline 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! 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: 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: https://themaneater.com/pressures-in-school-lead-to-gifted-kid-burnout/ https://medium.com/mindsets/gifted-kid-burnout-breaking-free-of-smartness-2c29e71a6cd0 https://www.queensjournal.ca/story/2021-02-01/student-life/gifted-kid-burnout-is-more-than-a-punchline/ Transcript - https://www.legallyblondeblind.com/post/21-gifted-talented-blind-kids

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  - 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: 0:45 - 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: https://nfb.org/programs-services/free-white-cane-program https://www.enhancedvision.com/low-vision-info/should-you-be-using-a-white-cane.html https://lighthouseguild.org/the-white-cane-symbolizes-self-reliance-and-accomplishment/#:~:text=Despite%20technological%20advances%2C%20the%20white,to%20travel%20independently%20and%20safely https://www.letsenvision.com/blog/all-you-need-to-know-about-the-white-cane Cane Training on my Own Terms https://lhblind.org/everything-you-need-to-know-about-white-canes/ https://wecapable.com/blind-cane-tip-types/ https://wecapable.com/blind-cane-tip-types/ https://www.acb.org/whitecane https://brailleinstitute.org/white-cane-day Transcript - https://www.legallyblondeblind.com/post/20-white-canes-in-the-wild

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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!” “Even if a comment seems small or unimportant to you, it can do real harm” 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: 2:00 - What are microaggressions? 5:10 - Why call microaggressions subtle acts of exclusion (SAE)? 8:15 - What kinds of microaggressions do disabled people tend to experience? 17:25 - How can you address microaggressions or subtle acts of exclusion? 18:46 …As a recipient? 20:20 …As an initiator? 22:30 …As a bystander? Resources: Subtle Acts of Exclusion: How to Understand, Identify, and Stop Microaggressions by Tiffany Jana and Micheal Baran https://adayinourshoes.com/ableist-microaggressions-iep-meeting/ https://adayinourshoes.com/racist-microaggression-iep/ https://nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/bm/bm21/bm2102/bm210211.htm https://www.vox.com/2015/2/16/8031073/what-are-microaggressions Transcript - https://www.legallyblondeblind.com/post/19-how-many-fingers-am-i-holding-up

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! Tikia Kidd is a wife, mother, and educator who lives in Illinois with her loving husband and their two exceptional children. She is a Parent Education Coordinator with NOAH and wrote Life with JAK to provide communities a non-fiction, family-friendly, and diverse book about Albinism. “I wanted to celebrate how brilliant, intelligent, and beautiful people with albinism are.” Purchase Life with J.A.K.: Living with Albinism! Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/Life-J-K-Living-Albinism/dp/0997171901 Barnes & Noble - https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/life-with-jak-living-with-albinism-tikia-kidd-tbd/1140422927 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: 2:45 - How did you find out about JAK’s albinism and how did you process the new diagnosis? 13:00 - How did you explain albinism to your family and friends? Were there any misconceptions you encountered? 21:0 - What inspired you to write Life with J.A.K: Living with Albinism? 25:15 - What are some of the main messages you wanted to convey in the book? 27:00 - How have you used the book to educate those around you? 30:00 - How did you involve JAK in the process of creating Life with JAK and how did you foster self-advocacy skills? Transcript - https://www.legallyblondeblind.com/post/18-life-with-jak-embracing-albinism-and-low-vision

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. “A lot of eye conditions do not have early symptoms. You may not realize you are losing your vision because it is progressing very slowly. You often hear the phrase ‘ignorance is bliss’, but when it comes to your eye health, that is not the case” 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/ Learn more about the Prevention of Blindness Society! Website - https://www.youreyes.org/ Instagram - http://www.instagram.com/youreyesdc Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/youreyesdc Key Points: 1:25 - What is the Prevention of Blindness Society and what services do they provide in the DC Metro area? 4:25 - Why is preventative care so important in eye health? 7:50 - How often should people receive eye exams? 9:30 - What is the current state of access to vision care in the United States, especially in the DMV area? 13:20 - What are social determinants of health? 17:25 - Are there certain communities disproportionately impacted by vision loss? 19:20 - How has COVID-19 impacted vision care and Prevention of Blindness Society’s initiatives? 24:15 - How can people learn more about and support the Prevention of Blindness Society? 25:38 - How do you recommend spreading awareness and talking with family members about vision care? 28:18 - How does Prevention of Blindness Society ensure blind people are central in their advocacy efforts? Transcript - https://www.legallyblondeblind.com/post/17-understanding-vision-loss-and-preventative-care

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 help reveal how to make the world more accessible. WARNING: Marissa discusses sexual assault from 14:15-16:20, so please skip that portion if you find the topic upsetting. “This is how we make meaningful change. These hard conversations can help us raise awareness for and analyze the barriers facing blind people.” 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: 2:15 - Why discuss the most challenging aspects of blindness? 4:22 - Pathologizing Albinism and Blindness 6:20 - Viewing Blindness as a Tragedy 8:45 - Awkward Interactions with Sighted People 10:12 - Low Expectations for Blind People 13:10 - Frustration 14:20 - Sexual Assault 17:00 - Driving and Transportation 19:00 - Career Prospects 20:30 - What can we do to combat these challenging realities? Resources: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/toxic-positivity#is-it-ok-to-be-negative https://www.smartvisionlabs.com/blog/becoming-blind-ranked-in-top-4-worst-things/ Transcript - https://www.legallyblondeblind.com/post/16-let-s-talk-about-the-hard-things