This podcast dives deep into the triumphs, challenges, and strategies that are part of the lives of those who care for young children with blindness and visual impairment, building an audio community of families, caregivers and early interventionists.
Thriving on the Sidewalk: Orientation & Mobility with Trisha Conklin
Jenny interviews Trisha Conkin. Trisha is a Licensed Teacher for the Visually Impaired (TVI) and a Certified Orientation & Mobility Specialist (COMS) who has proudly served with VIPS for the past three years. Since beginning her career in 2002, Trisha has worked as an itinerant TVI and O&M specialist throughout Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana, supporting children from preschool through 12th grade with a wide range of vision and diverse educational needs. She is passionate about partnering with families to help their children build independence, confidence, and the skills they need to succeed. At VIPS, Trisha is dedicated to empowering families of children with blindness or low vision to reach their fullest potential.
Paige, Jenny and Dr. Cathy explore the challenges of introducing orientation and mobility (O&M) to young children, especially the early use of canes. Dr. Cathy discusses how O&M practices have evolved and the emotional hurdles families face. Jenny and Paige share personal stories about public reactions, early independence, and building spatial awareness. The episode emphasizes supporting families, reducing stigma, and helping them understand the long‑term benefits of early O&M.
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VIPS: https://secure.vips.org/np/clients/vips/donation.jsp?forwardedFromSecureDomain=1&campaign=495 (https://secure.vips.org/np/clients/vips/donation.jsp?forwardedFromSecureDomain=1&campaign=495)
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Email: feelingthislife@vips.org (mailto:feelingthislife@vips.org) (http://www.anchorcenter.org/)
www.vips.org (http://www.vips.org/)
24 Aug 2026
Season 6 is coming soon!
Season 6 of Feeling This Life Season 6 is coming soon! Join us for Thriving from the Start, where we come together to break down the Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) into practical, everyday life for young children who are blind or have low vision.
What to expect this season:
Hands-on strategies for daily routines (like neighborhood walks and mealtimes)
Insights from those who walk the journey of blindness and low vision, TVIs, and O&M specialists
A special book talk featuring Seeing Ability, (https://seeingability.com/book/) by Jim Littlefield-Dalmares
Mark your calendar: Season 6 launches Monday, September 7th! New episodes drop on the first Monday of every month at 7:00 AM Eastern.
The Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) is a framework designed to help your child master essential life skills like spatial awareness, self-advocacy, and daily independence. To see how these nine areas come to life for children who are blind and have low vision, check out VIPS's video resource, Every Child Can! (https://www.vips.org/every-child-can-video-series) and this comprehensive overview from the Perkins School for the Blind (https://www.perkins.org/understanding-the-expanded-core-curriculum/).
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VIPS: https://secure.vips.org/np/clients/vips/donation.jsp?forwardedFromSecureDomain=1&campaign=495 (https://secure.vips.org/np/clients/vips/donation.jsp?forwardedFromSecureDomain=1&campaign=495)
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Email: feelingthislife@vips.org (mailto:feelingthislife@vips.org) (http://www.anchorcenter.org/)
www.vips.org (http://www.vips.org/)
4 May 2026
Let’s Talk About It: Listener Q&A
In this episode, we answer listener questions from families and professionals supporting children who are blind or have low vision. We share practical ideas, real-life experiences, and honest conversation.
Links for resources mentioned in this episode:
CVI Scottland: CVI Scotland is a charitable organization (SC046836) and comprehensive online resource dedicated to understanding, identifying, and supporting cortical visual impairment (CVI). It provides evidence-based information for parents, educators, and professionals to help them understand how CVI impacts daily life, offering, lessons, and practical tools.
https://cviscotland.org/ (https://cviscotland.org/)
CVI Now: Cerebral/Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI) is the leading cause of childhood blindness and low vision. CVI Now through Perkins School for the Blind follows current research, center the diverse CVI lived experiences, and support families and educators. Every person with CVI has the right to a timely diagnosis, and the support and access they need to find their place in the world.
https://www.perkins.org/cvi-now/ (https://www.perkins.org/cvi-now/)
Great IDEA Game Show Feeling This Life Episode:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/5kIwOomBrJkeh1FOfzSux5?si=F2AiHKjESgyknUzns6pSxA (https://open.spotify.com/episode/5kIwOomBrJkeh1FOfzSux5?si=F2AiHKjESgyknUzns6pSxA)
ECTA: The ECTA Center supports state IDEA programs in developing high-quality, effective, and sustainable state and local systems, to improve access (https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/section-303.212), services (https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/section-300.138), and supports for children with disabilities and their families that result in positive outcomes.
https://ectacenter.org/ (https://ectacenter.org/)
We love voicemail! Please leave us a message: https://www.speakpipe.com/FeelingThisLife (https://www.speakpipe.com/FeelingThisLife)
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 (https://vipsorg.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/FeelingThisLife/EaRLondIJH5DmJiX6vmHchcBaSKS6KGmB7PR3P_dc7jlSQ?e=w5A1dY).
Please give us your feedback using this survey link: https://educationutah.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_39OmBvMih6MlgNw (https://educationutah.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_39OmBvMih6MlgNw)
Make a Donation to-
VIPS: https://secure.vips.org/np/clients/vips/donation.jsp?forwardedFromSecureDomain=1&campaign=495 (https://secure.vips.org/np/clients/vips/donation.jsp?forwardedFromSecureDomain=1&campaign=495)
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Email: feelingthislife@vips.org (mailto:feelingthislife@vips.org) (http://www.anchorcenter.org/)
www.vips.org (http://www.vips.org/)
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Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
6 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
10 ratings
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