Aaron’s Opinion

Here I am, as promised, with a few words about myself and my life. I am 50 years old, and I have been blind since birth due to bilateral congenital glaucoma. I spent the first 6 years of my life on a forced tour of many hospitals across Europe. My father worked 14-hour days at sea, and my mother was very young, just 21, spoke only Italian, and was very shy with little formal education. And I never slept, moving between one operating room and another, an experiment for medical students and various surgeons.

After finishing my mandatory schooling, I moved to Bologna. I taught myself computer science, some English and Spanish for traveling, and I started to get around. Africa, India, Thailand, Madagascar, the Peruvian Amazon rainforest. I got to know many other blind people and started with BXC (Baseball for the Blind), which was invented here in Bologna in 1994. I got my amateur radio license in 1996, was assigned the call sign IZ4APU, and immediately became a huge enthusiast of CW (Morse code), which I practice almost exclusively.

But my greatest passion is technology, computer science, the future, automation, languages, and programming.

I'm a fan of Star Trek and good science fiction in general. I'm an avid reader of books and a listener of podcasts.

I am not married, and I don't believe in marriage. I'm curious about the idea of being a father, but I'm also doing fine as I am now, without a partner or children: you can do what you want without having to lie and without cages made of invisible bars. I've had many romantic relationships, but I never wanted to walk the conventional path that the world expects everyone to follow. As a person, I consider myself very unconventional: sincere to an almost pathological degree, profoundly free. I thrive on the fascination of ideas and the beauty of their interplay; this is also why I believe chess is the most beautiful game ever invented by man.

All the best,

Gabe.

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Hey,

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Aaron Richmond

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In this powerful and heartfelt episode, I share my journey as a visually impaired woman navigating life’s challenges—from experiencing discrimination as a college graduate to finding my voice through self-advocacy. I reflect on how these experiences have shaped me over the years and offer insight into the emotional and mental toll vision loss can have.
I also discuss the importance of mental health, self-care, and the vital need to advocate for accessibility and inclusion in all areas of life—whether in school, the workplace, or everyday living. If you’re someone pursuing college, entering the workforce, or simply learning how to live more independently with vision loss, this
episode is for you. Together, we’ll explore why it’s okay to embrace blindness or visual impairment—and how doing so can be a powerful act of strength.

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🌟 Dr. Confidence Onyeka Chukwuemezie
The Voice of Vision Beyond Sight
🕊️ “Disability is not a barrier — it’s a platform for impact.”

Dr. Chukwuemezie is a globally recognized advocate for disability inclusion, a scholar, a media personality, and a passionate nation-builder whose work bridges education, empowerment, and equality.

Blinded at the age of six, he rose above adversity to become one of Nigeria’s most influential voices for persons with disabilities. With a PhD in Peace and Conflict Resolution, and years of leadership experience, he currently serves as:

✅ Deputy Director, Disability Support Unit, University of Nigeria Nsukka
✅ Senior Staff member, Department of Special Needs Education
✅ Founder & Executive Director, Confidence Visionary Scholars Foundation
✅ Convener, Inclusive Democratic Vanguard for Persons with Disabilities
✅ Former National Campaign Director, Labour Party PWDs Directorate

🎙️ As a seasoned media personality, Dr. Chukwuemezie has used radio, television, and public speaking to champion inclusive narratives.
🎵 Gifted with a unique musical talent, he inspires through soul-stirring songs that celebrate resilience, hope, and purpose.

He has directly secured university admission for over 150 students with disabilities, driven political mobilization across the States, and represented Nigeria in key global forums on education and inclusion.

But beyond the accolades, Confidence is a husband, father, Christian, and relentless optimist — always smiling, always leading, always lifting others.

🔗 Follow his work: Confidence Visionary Scholars Foundation Nigeria – Facebook
📧 Contact: cvsfunn@gmail.com

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Aaron Richmond

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Hi Aaron,

Thanks so much for having me on your podcast — I’m really looking forward to our conversation! I thought I’d send over a quick intro so you have a bit of background before we chat.
I’m Linsay Lusyne, a travel advisor and guide dog mobility instructor with a deep passion for accessible, inclusive travel. Through my work, I support blind and low vision travelers in exploring the world with confidence — whether that’s independently or through curated group trips I organize under my community brand, Vision Loss Travel.
In addition to planning travel, I also coach travelers with vision loss on building the skills and confidence they need to navigate the world safely and independently. I run a vibrant online community, host monthly virtual events called Travel Talk Tuesdays, and lead international group trips — including recent ones to Costa Rica, Spain, and upcoming adventures in South Africa, Vietnam, and Ecuador.
My work combines my background as a certified guide dog mobility instructor and my belief that travel is one of the most empowering tools for personal growth and connection. I aim to create experiences that are sensory-rich, meaningful, and accessible — not just logistically, but emotionally.
Let me know if there’s anything else you’d like ahead of time — and I’m excited to dive into it all with you on the podcast!

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Hi Aaron,

As promised, below is a bio you may use for the podcast:

Serina Gilbert is an advocate, program manager, and content creator who’s reshaping the conversation around disability—both in the workplace and on social media. By day, she serves as a Program Manager with the Colorado Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, where she helps lead youth services and works to expand opportunities for students with disabilities through Pre-Employment Transition Services. With a strong focus on equity and access, Serina is passionate about removing barriers in education and employment systems.

After hours, she steps into the spotlight as Blindy Girl—her bold, witty, and relatable alter ego. Through storytelling, humor, and unfiltered truth, she empowers the blind and visually impaired community while educating others about the realities of living with a disability. From awkward public encounters to accessibility wins and everything in between, Serina brings a fresh and engaging voice to conversations that matter.

A self-proclaimed audio description snob, Serina combines lived experience and professional insight to create content that informs, entertains, and advocates for a more inclusive world.

You can follow Serina on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BlindyGirl and Instagram at @BlindyGirlOfficial.



Serina Gilbert
Insightful Visions Media




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