In this emotionally powerful Part 1 episode of Blindsight, Bill Lundgren conducts an interview with Elyse Draper. She is an author, illustrator, and founder of the VI&B Creatives Workshop. Elyse shares her incredible journey from visual artist to writer. The onset of vision loss reshaped her life. It also transformed her family dynamics and identity. Through raw stories of grief, Elyse illustrates mental health challenges. She shares tales of creative survival. Elyse invites listeners into a deeper understanding of how art can be a lifeline. The episode explores the origins of VI&B. It emphasizes the importance of peer support in the blind community. The episode also shows how writing can offer both healing and purpose.
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Come back next week for Part 2 of this inspiring conversation.
📞 Contact Information Aftersight Website: https://aftersight.org
Hike Details: https://aftersight.org/hike Email: feedback@aftersight.org Phone: (720) 712-8856 ⏱️
Chapter Markers 00:00 – Welcome to Blindsight
01:30 – Elyse’s journey from visual arts to writing 04:45 – Diagnosis, grief, and writing as catharsis
09:25 – Building VI&B: A platform for blind creatives
13:15 – Blindness and the new language of art
18:20 – Accessibility innovations driven by disability
23:00 – Career gaps for creatives with disabilities
27:45 – Hike announcement and closing remarks
