Through Our Eyes

03/28/2025

In this heartfelt episode of the "Through Our Eyes" podcast, host Luisa Recchia sits down with Breyanna Soper (formerly Willett) to discuss her recent wedding journey. Brianna, who has been visually impaired since her childhood due to retinitis pigmentosa, shares how her condition influenced the wedding planning process—from selecting her dress with the help of her supportive uncles to relying on her husband Matt for visual descriptions of centerpieces and other details. She highlights the importance of photography and videography in capturing moments she could later experience up close, like seeing Matt’s reaction as she walked down the aisle. Brianna also touches on unique adjustments, such as memorizing her wedding vows and navigating the challenges of changing her name post-marriage. The episode wraps up with a look into her future plans, including saving for a house and exploring options for starting a family. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about love, resilience, and celebrating life’s big moments.

Don’t miss details on the upcoming Family Connection Conference on April 26, 2025!

Don’t forget to like, share, and leave a comment to help us spread hope to more families. Together, we can make a difference.

Listen to all episodes and connect with us here!: https://linktr.ee/throughoureyespodcast

New: Pediatric Retinal Research Foundation

02/12/2025

Spotlight on Familial Exudative Vitreoretinopathy (FEVR) ahead of . https://www.prrf.org/fevr

01/31/2025

Every journey is different, but one thing’s for sure: our community is our biggest strength.

01/31/2025

We're looking for FOUR real life stories to share during .

Please fill out this form to be featured: https://www.prrf.org/rare-disease-day-share-your-story

Image Description: poster with two girls who have purple and blue face paint and braided hair, who look at each other on a backdrop of purple and blue paint. Rare Disease Day is Feb 28, 2025.

01/30/2025

Collin Walls & his father Chuck share tips from their journey navigating low vision accessibility in college.

01/30/2025

Living with low vision in college, you often have to be your own advocate, Collin Walls and his dad, Chuck, share on the podcast. Their advice? Find your office of disability, and work with them to get the accommodations you need. It may feel like you’re asking for a lot, but you are just asking for a level playing field. Listen to the full episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/turning-challenges-into-action-the-walls-family-story-ep-32/id1649264434?i=1000684250084

Image description: Through Our Eyes Podcast logo, with the text: Don’t be afraid to be your own advocate. All you’re asking for is a level playing field.

01/30/2025

01/30/2025

Living with low vision in college, you often have to be your own advocate, Collin Walls and his dad, Chuck, share on the podcast. Their advice? Find your office of disability, and work with them to get the accommodations you need. It may feel like you’re asking for a lot, but you are just asking for a level playing field.

01/29/2025

📸Picture waking up to this view!

Well you could get a chance to stay here for a week, thanks to our generous donor Luisa as part of our charity raffle fundraiser.

Tickets are $50 and the proceeds will go towards retinal research in our PRRL labs as well as family services, podcast production, and community building.

Tap the link in our story highlights to learn more.

Image Description: tall castle-like tan buildings against the background of a lush green Italian landscape in Pacentro.

12/25/2024

❄ ❄️ ❄ Happy Holidays! ❄ ❄️ ❄

Wishing you a season filled with joy, peace, and togetherness. May this time of year bring warmth to your heart, light to your spirit, and happiness to your home. Here's to celebrating the beauty of diversity and the joy that unites us all!

09/06/2024

Congratulations, Gia! She did it again - the first GOLD medal for the US in the 2024 Paralympics!

https://www.10news.com/sports/paris-2024-olympics/meet-the-athlete-who-won-usas-first-gold-medal-at-the-2024-paris-paralympics

The winner of the United States' first gold medal at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games joined Scripps News to talk about her journey and what it was like to stand alone atop the podium.

08/28/2024

Our latest episode is ready! Check it out today! Empowering the Blind Community: Amy Wilson's Journey to Safety Advocacy

In this episode we speak with Amy Wilson, founder of the Safety Positive Foundation, who shares her journey from being a tomboy growing up in Missouri, diagnosed with juvenile macular degeneration at age 10, to accepting her blindness and launching a nonprofit.

Listen here! https://linktr.ee/throughoureyespodcast

08/13/2024

In this episode of the "Through our Eyes" podcast by the Pediatric Retinal Research Foundation, hosts Lisa Recchia and Breyanna Willett engage with Taengkwa Sturgill, a 22-year-old student studying special education. Tanengkwa shares her journey living with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), detailing her adoption from Thailand and the challenges she faced due to her visual impairment. She expresses deep gratitude for the care and support she received from Dr. Capone and the Associated Retinal Consultants, which helped maintain her light perception through surgeries and ongoing treatments.

Taengkwa discusses her passion for special education, driven by her own experiences and a desire to inspire others facing disabilities. She emphasizes the importance of inclusivity and encouragement in both education and everyday life. Looking ahead, Taengkwa envisions a career dedicated to teaching young children with special needs, aiming to make a lasting impact by fostering positivity and resilience.

Listen to this episode and find us on social here:
https://linktr.ee/throughoureyespodcast

This podcast is brought to you by the Pediatric Retinal Research Foundation. https://www.prrf.org

08/07/2024

Hannah, a content creator, discusses her journey with vision loss and how she has utilized social media as a therapeutic outlet. Hannah began creating videos on TikTok and YouTube in 2023 to cope with her vision loss, which drastically changed during the pandemic. With the tool of humor, she transformed the challenges of her condition into clever videos, receiving laughs and positive feedback from friends and family. This creative process helped Hannah manage her depression and struggles while making others laugh, while simultaneously serving as her personal therapy. Despite her initial reluctance to acknowledge her vision impairment, Hannah found solace in the supportive community that her videos fostered, and she continues to share her experiences candidly and humorously.

Listen to the episode today: https://linktr.ee/throughoureyespodcast

Hannah also delves into her background, explaining that she was born with cone dystrophy, a rare genetic retinal disease that gradually worsened her vision. Initially, she maintained a near-normal life, working as a professional photographer for 13 years. However, in 2019-2020, her condition rapidly deteriorated, leaving her with only a pinhole of vision in one eye. This transition was tough, especially during the pandemic, but her family and friends provided crucial support. Hannah shares that joining online communities and connecting with others who have similar experiences was invaluable. She stresses the importance of communication and patience, advising those newly experiencing vision loss to seek support and be open about their needs.

This podcast is brought to you by the Pediatric Retinal Research Foundation. Learn more at www.prrf.org.

08/01/2024

In this podcast episode, we hear a compelling narrative of resilience and adaptation from Aisha, who experienced sudden vision loss due to a rare condition called pseudotumor cerebri or idiopathic intracranial hypertension. Aisha shares her journey from diagnosis in adolescence to navigating high school and transitioning to a specialized blind school, providing insight into the challenges and triumphs of adjusting to a new way of life. After graduating, Aisha embarked on a vocational rehabilitation program, eventually securing a job with the assistance of employment specialists. This episode illuminates the importance of support systems, adaptability, and determination in overcoming adversity and pursuing goals despite unexpected obstacles.

Listen today: https://linktr.ee/throughoureyespodcast

This podcast brought to you by the Pediatric Retinal Research Foundation

07/25/2024

We want to wish Gia Pergolini much success and speed as she competes in the 2024 Paralympics in Paris! Gia is a paralympic gold medalist earning first place in the Toyky 2020 games! She was also featured on an episode of the Through Our Eyes podcast sharing her life as a swimmer alongside her best friend Tas.

Follow Gia's olympic success here: https://www.teamusa.com/profiles/gia-pergolini-1086381

Listen to the podcast episode here: https://www.pediatricrrf.org/through-our-eyes-podcast/2023/9/24/ha92rjjxq4l2wqwt9f53terwmshegk

07/23/2024

Sending lots of wishes for luck and success to Anastasia Pagonis aka "Tas" as she competes in the 2024 Paralympics in Paris! Tas ias a 2-time paralympic medalist (1 gold, 1 bronze) earning her medals in the Toyky 2020 games. She was also featured on an episode of the Through Our Eyes podcast sharing her life as a swimmer alongside her best friend Gia.

Follow Tas' olympic success here: https://www.teamusa.com/profiles/anastasia-pagonis-1136100

Listen to the podcast episode here: https://www.pediatricrrf.org/through-our-eyes-podcast/2023/9/24/ha92rjjxq4l2wqwt9f53terwmshegk

05/03/2024

New episode out now! Unveiling the World of Audio Gaming: A Conversation with Shelby Craig

Click here to listen: https://linktr.ee/throughoureyespodcast

In this insightful episode of the Through Our Eyes podcast, hosts Luisa and Breyanna are joined by special guest Shelby Craig to explore the world of accessible gaming. Together, they delve into the challenges and triumphs of navigating video games for individuals with visual impairments.

Shelby shares her experiences and expertise, shedding light on the strategies and tools she utilizes to enjoy a variety of games, from World of Warcraft to flight simulators. The conversation touches on the importance of accessibility in gaming and advocating for developers to prioritize inclusive design.

Through personal anecdotes and practical insights, this episode illuminates the evolving landscape of accessible gaming and the transformative impact it has on individuals and communities.