Show Notes, Episode 29, Kristin Smedley Interview

Co-hosts: Cheryl McNeil Fisher and Kathy King

An extraordinary interview with an author who’s mission is to change perceptions of blindness around the world. An effervescent advocate, author and innovator, Kristin Smedley, author of the popular book on NLS/BARD “Thriving Blind,” joins Cheryl and Kathy for a unique author interview on Writing Works Wonders. Kristin is the mother of two young men who are blind. The success of her book has led to a worldwide community of those affected by blindness including parents, children and more. In this interview, you will also discover more about the newest initiatives regarding navigating college, and entrepreneurship, and the upcoming release of her newest book.

About Kristin Smedley
With a fun-loving spirit and energetic personality, Kristin Smedley has guided her life in the direction of a career in teaching. However, when her two sons were born blind, Kristin walked away from the classroom to teach her sons how to navigate a world they could not see. This is part of the reason Kristin’s mantra is “Life is funny… sort of.”

With the right foundation and a multitude of resources, her children have achieved
more than most sighted children their age. Kristin has seen first hand that the grim statistics in the blind community, 70% unemployment rate, 14% college graduation rate, and 60% living in poverty, are a direct result of lack of access to the right tools and resources. She has dedicated her life to changing those statistics and making sure no other Mom has to sit isolated in devastation over a rare eye disease diagnosis.

In 2011, Kristin launched a nonprofit to fund research and resources for children living with the rare eye disease her sons have, CRB1 LCA/RP. Her efforts have sparked international research, OSA legislation, and support communities, Kristin has done a TEDx Talk in New York City to change perceptions of blindness.

In 2019, Kristin published her first book called Thriving Blind: Stories of Real People Succeeding Without Sight. It achieved #1 New Release and Best Seller on Amazon for paperback and Kindle and morphed into vi rant online support communities,

Resources for this Episode

• KristinSmedley.com
• Thriving Blind book on Kindle, Amazon, NLS Talking Books, & BARD,
• Kristin’s TEDx Talk

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Cheryl McNeil Fisher – Author, Keynote Speaker, Educator and Coach. Seminars and Workshops Adults and Children. https://www.cherylmcneilfisher.com/ Submit your work for publication on our site. Guest blogging, poetry, short stories at: https://www.livinginspiredfullyeveryday.com/

Dr. Kathleen P. King– Author, Author Coach, Speaker & Professor (Ret.). https://www.transformationed.com/ Interested in technology and adult learning? Check out Dr. King’s newest book from Wiley: http://bit.ly/King2017

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