Hello!

I always loved sharing stories as a child, especially through Littlest Pet Shop YouTube videos and skits with size 72 font scripts. I spent my days in elementary school imagining myself as a superhero or pop star, creating a school newspaper on the playground, and writing teen dramas starring three-inch plastic dogs. But here’s the catch:

 

I hated talking about myself.

 

I hated hearing my voice in recordings. Icebreakers such as “Two Truths and a Lie” made me cringe. Even though I was extremely outgoing and extroverted, I never wanted to draw too much attention towards my interests, accomplishments, and especially my disability. 

​

I'm albino, which means my body doesn't produce the pigment that darkens hair, skin, and eyes. In addition to platinum blonde hair and pale skin, albinism causes varying degrees of visual impairments. Some people have enough vision to drive, but others—like me—are legally blind (learn more about albinism on my FAQ page).

 

I thought my white hair, pale skin, and wiggly eyes were the elephant in the room. I figured that if I earned straight A’s, took advanced classes, and impressed my teachers, people would ignore my albinism. Asking for help or talking about my low vision evoked feelings of shame, embarrassment, and anxiety. 

 

But as I became older, gained confidence, and learned more about disability activism, I realized that my blindness is a characteristic and part of who I am. Embracing the social model of disability, or quite simply the notion that “I am not the problem,” helped me become a significantly happier and more socially-conscious person. 

 

I started Blonde & Blind because I wanted to shout from the rooftops how much embracing disability identity and pride can change one’s life. I am literally bursting at the seams with pride for the beauty, resilience, and accomplishments of the albinism community. Podcasting has allowed me to meet amazing friends and mentors, gain the language to describe my experiences, and raise awareness for the daily challenges disabled people face.

 

After spending my entire life writing and listening to other people’s stories, I finally felt ready to share my own. And that’s why I launched Blonde & Blind in November 2020.