Welcome to The Eye Love Podcast: A Journey Through Stories

We are beyond excited to announce the upcoming launch of The Eye Love podcast! So, what can you expect from this new offering? The answer is simple: storytelling.

This isn’t your usual educational or lecture-style podcast. No, this is about stories—real stories that paint vivid pictures in your imagination of the world from the perspective of those affected by blindness or visual impairment. Stories that inspire kindness, understanding and inclusion. Stories that you can see, hear, and feel. Stories that will open your eyes to the realities of living with visual impairment in a sighted world.

Our mission is clear: to increase awareness of the lived experiences of those with visual impairment and blindness and to penetrate societal thinking about blindness. We want to use this medium to go beyond statistics, medical terms, and generalizations. Instead, we aim to share authentic, raw, and motivating accounts of what it really means to navigate life when vision isn’t a given.

Why Stories?

It’s simple—stories have power. They have the power to connect us, to create empathy, and to foster understanding. So often, blindness is misunderstood. People don’t always know what it’s like to live with a visual impairment, and unfortunately, many don’t even realize how pervasive this condition is in society. Through storytelling, we hope to humanize these experiences, making them more relatable to everyone.

In each episode, we’ll chat with real people who are directly affected by blindness or visual impairment. These individuals will share their personal journeys—how they adapt, how they overcome challenges, and how they thrive in a world that was not designed for them. It’s a raw, real, and sometimes uncomfortable look at how life feels when accessibility is limited, but it’s also inspiring. You’ll hear about resilience, perseverance, and the power of the human spirit.

What’s the Bigger Picture?

We’ll also be taking a closer look at what it’s like to live with visual impairment in our local context here in Trinidad and Tobago. We know that we have a long road ahead when it comes to achieving full accessibility and universal eye care. But it’s crucial that we talk about it, that we start to make these issues visible. We’ll dive into the challenges that come with navigating a society where accessibility often takes a back seat, and explore the steps that need to be taken to create a more inclusive environment for everyone, regardless of their vision.

But this podcast is not just about challenges—it’s also about celebrating triumphs. It’s about shining a light on people who are defying the odds, overcoming obstacles, and finding joy and purpose in their lives. Whether it’s someone succeeding in their career despite a visual impairment or a community effort to create better facilities, we want to show the inspiring side of blindness and visual impairment.

Why Should You Tune In?

You may wonder, "Why should I listen?" You might think blindness or visual impairment isn’t something that affects me directly. But here’s the truth: it might. It could be a family member, a neighbour, a colleague. You might never have realized just how often these stories intersect with your own life. Through these conversations, we aim to break down the walls of misunderstanding and create more compassion, awareness, and inclusion.

This podcast is for anyone who wants to understand blindness in a deeper, more personal way. It’s for those who are curious, those who want to be better allies, and those who just want to hear stories that are as real as they are inspiring.

So, stay tuned, because the stories we’ll be sharing are ones you won’t want to miss. They will make you see the world in a whole new way. And maybe, just maybe, they’ll inspire you to take action in your own life. Whether it’s to offer more support, advocate for better accessibility, or simply to open your heart and mind to those living with blindness or visual impairment. And of course, to look after your own eye health.

We can't wait for you to join us on this journey. Together, we’ll bring the invisible into the light—one story at a time.