Cathy interviews Carol Benson Puchalski. Carol and Cathy discuss the importance of social emotional development between caregivers and young children with blindness and low vision.

Carol shares her longtime experience learning about social/emotional development of the young child through research and as a consultant for the programs at Anchor Center for Blind Children in Denver, Colorado.

Carol discusses the importance of learning about early brain development and how social emotional experiences can last a lifetime. More information and videos to share are available at https://developingchild.harvard.edu/?s=Infant+mental+health and

https://www.zerotothree.org/issue-areas/infant-and-early-childhood-mental-health/

Jenny, Cathy & Paige discuss how unique real-life experiences with sleeping can be and the benefits of the resources shared by Carol as social media is not always reliable. Cathy and Paige discuss “serve and return” research as well as the goal of responsive parenting for children with blindness and low vision.

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Children who are blind and low “Vision AND” have additional needs may receive early intervention services from multiple professionals.  A list of those services can be found here.  

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Jenny interviews Christie Gage. Christie and Jenny discuss the importance and challenges of O&M and its vital role in the blind/low vision community. Christie has a bachelor’s degree in Adapted Physical Education and Health, Adapted Physical Activity, Orientation and Mobility and Specialist, and Doctorate of Education in Special Education Leadership and Management.  She has worked as an O&M for 9 years, teaching blind and visually impaired youth how to access their school and community. Currently serving 24 school districts in the state of Kentucky, she is also a licensed TVI. She has been involved with Envision Blind Sports for 12 years, providing blind and visually impaired youth sport and recreation opportunities. She has also been a Lions Club member for over 5 years and is the recipient of many Lions’ awards.

Jenny, Cathy & Paige discuss trust and safety for children who are blind and low vision, including experiences with orientation and mobility services. They explore various aspects of providing O&M services, including the benefits of early cane introduction and the challenges of limited specialist availability, while sharing personal experiences and research findings.

Christie discusses her experience with Envision Blind Sports. More information is available at https://www.envisionblindsports.org

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Children who are blind and low “Vision AND” have additional needs may receive early intervention services from multiple professionals.  A list of those services can be found  here.  

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Paige, Jenny, and Cathy dive into Life in Five Senses by Gretchen Rubin, exploring how slowing down and tuning into everyday sensory experiences can deepen our connection to the world around us.

The group reflects on what it means to truly notice life’s small details — from familiar walks and neighborhood scents to unexpected sensory discoveries. Paige shares a funny story about confusing skunk and weed smells, while Cathy describes counting bunnies and exploring during her travels. Together, they discuss how this awareness can enrich both personal life and professional practice, especially in the field of visual impairment.

They also chat about bringing sensory awareness into education, mindfulness, and daily routines — and how paying attention to what we see, hear, smell, taste, and touch can help us find joy in familiar places.

Jenny, Paige, and Cathy close by reflecting on how each of them plans to slow down and savor the sensory world a little more.

"Life in 5 Senses" by Gretchen Ruben

⁠https://gretchenrubin.com/books/life-in-five-senses/⁠

⁠https://www.amazon.com/Life-Five-Senses-Exploring-World/dp/0593442741⁠

Use the Libby app to check this book out from your local library! https://help.libbyapp.com/en-us/6144.htm

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Children who are blind and low “Vision AND” have additional needs may receive early intervention services from multiple professionals. A list of those services can be found here.

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Our guest for this month is Carol Spicer, an experienced pediatric occupational therapist with real life practical knowledge of how a diagnosis of a blindness or low vision can affect mealtime development! 

Carol has worked with many families of children with blindness and low vision in both educational and medical settings, guiding them through mealtime developmental challenges. While her strategies she shares on Feeling This Life this month are research-based and promising practices, she will be the first one to remind us that the “occupation of children is play” and mealtime should be a positive experience for all.  

The OT Toolbox: https://www.theottoolbox.com/

Feeding Matters: https://www.feedingmatters.org/

Children’s Colorado Hospital: https://www.childrenscolorado.org/just-ask-childrens/articles/sensory-processing-disorder/

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Children who are blind and low “Vision AND” have additional needs may receive early intervention services from multiple professionals. A list of those services can be found here.

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Paige sits down with Kacey Poynter for the first episode of season 5! Kacey shares her experiences as a parent of a child with several medical conditions. Kacey is Mom to Sonny, who has Dandy Walker Syndrome and is impacted by blindness/low vision. Sonny also has a tracheostomy and other medical needs. Kacey discusses her journey through diagnosis, treatment, and therapy for Sonny, highlighting both the challenges and triumphs she has faced along the way. She emphasizes the importance of parental advocacy, support systems, and listening to one's intuition when navigating medical and educational challenges for children with special needs.

Cathy, Jenny, and Paige reflect on the power of Kacey’s words.

Sonny's hashtag: #SonnyStrong

Kacey’s Blog Post:

https://adayinthelifeofkacey.wordpress.com/2022/09/13/the-incredible-story-of-sonny-jules/

Dandy Walker Alliance: https://dandy-walker.org/

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Children who are blind and low “Vision AND” have additional needs may receive early intervention services from multiple professionals. A list of those services can be found here. Please give us your feedback using this survey link: ⁠⁠https://educationutah.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_39OmBvMih6MlgNw⁠⁠

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Get ready to join us for season 5 of Feeling This Life! The theme of season 5 is Vision AND, focusing specifically on how vision intertwines with all aspects of development and its relationship with other conditions.

This season's book talk (October Episode): "Life in 5 Senses" by Gretchen Ruben

https://gretchenrubin.com/books/life-in-five-senses/

https://www.amazon.com/Life-Five-Senses-Exploring-World/dp/0593442741

We love voicemail! Please leave us a message: https://www.speakpipe.com/FeelingThisLife

Please give us your feedback using this survey link: ⁠⁠https://educationutah.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_39OmBvMih6MlgNw⁠⁠

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Email: ⁠⁠feelingthislife@vips.org⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠

Thank you for joining us for Season 4 of Feeling This Life! Please help us plan Season 5 by using this survey link: ⁠https://educationutah.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_39OmBvMih6MlgNw⁠

Season 5 will start on September 1, 2025!

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