Photo by Maribel Steel Editor’s note: In celebration of National Dog Day August 26th, peer advisor Maribel Steel shares her experience of being paired up to a new guide dog in Australia. Decision Time For almost a decade, I’ve been using a white cane as my mobility aid. After my first guide dog went to … Continued
"Food is the true universal language that breaks down barriers and brings us all together—no matter who, where, or what we are." — Penny Melville-Brown, Blind Baker and Holman Prize winner When I read a message on the VisionAware message board several months ago, I knew I had to reply. It was an announcement by … Continued
Editor’s note: To celebrate the life of Louis Braille (1809-1852), who made reading and writing possible for people who are blind, we’d like to acknowledge his young entrepreneurial skill that changed "night writing" into a code of dots we know today as braille. VisionAware peer advisor Maribel Steel, shares an excerpt from her unpublished memoir. … Continued
As we begin a new year, some people may find themselves suddenly challenged by a new detour—having to navigate a life with low vision. I often find I have to renew my focus at times of great challenge and being legally blind with retinitis pigmentosa (RP), I sometimes think my parents should have given me … Continued
Do you often think about sharing your experience of vision loss but lack the resources to blog your own post? Perhaps you have a passion in other areas of your life you know would help others if they only knew what you knew, but coding a web post is not your forte? No problem—consider becoming … Continued
Compiled by Maribel Steel How exciting would it be to be able to announce to the world, "My first book has just been published!" I’m delighted to say that this is how I first heard of my fellow peer and writer friend, Mary Hiland sharing the story of her long overdue struggle to have her … Continued
What better way is there to leave a legacy to your family than to self-publish your own book? A book with stories and family recipes from three generations to nourish their future? This was my reason for keeping my publishing project a secret from my family so that I could produce the final book as … Continued
Compiled by Maribel Steel Have you wondered about publishing your own book to share your life’s experience and expertise? You may think there are a lot of books out there about living with low vision and indeed, there are quite a few—except there is always room in the world of self-publishing to include your creative … Continued
Editor’s note: Dialogue in the Dark is a worldwide social enterprise that has arrived in Melbourne, Australia. One of our peer advisors Maribel Steel has trained and is working as a tour guide for the inaugural group for the Melbourne exhibition. Here she shares how the experience is helping to "open the eyes" of the … Continued
Being blind or visually impaired doesn’t have to be a barrier to enjoying a good book. As we celebrate National Reading Month in March, peer advisor and visually impaired freelance writer, Maribel Steel, highlights some of the benefits we can all continue to enjoy either on our own or with our children when we want … Continued