Even Broken Crayons Still Color — Krista Webb on Usher Syndrome and Joy

What this episode covers

1) Episode Summary Krista Webb returns for a full-length conversation after the 2025 Blind Travel Summit in Austin, Texas. She shares her deafblind journey with Usher syndrome (Type 2)—born hard of hearing, diagnosed at 19, and living with progressive vision loss from retinitis pigmentosa (RP) (now under five degrees of central vision at age 38). She talks candidly about what changed (night blindness, stopping night driving, then stopping driving entirely) and what didn’t: her identity as a wife, mom of two boys, and a determined creator. From there, the episode turns into a masterclass on creative grit. Krista explains how wood burning went from a $10 tool to a serious craft (and “religion”), how she learned the process (sanding, grip, machines), and how her art opened doors—connecting her to the wider deafblind community and to creators like Matthew and Paul (including the custom hat collaboration tied to “blindness is a spectrum”). The conversation widens into travel, confidence, and culture: the crew swaps stories about navigating unfamiliar terrain, being underestimated, and choosing adventure anyway—right up to Krista’s upcoming plan to climb an active volcano in Guatemala (with adaptations like ATVs if needed). They also dig into a surprisingly big topic: “body shaming” vs. what actually happens in blind/low-vision spaces, including the idea of “tech shaming,” how style and comfort intersect with vulnerability, and what respectful guiding should sound like (including when “too much narration” becomes noise). Krista closes with a grounded takeaway: you don’t need perfect circumstances to live meaningfully—find something, even small, that gives you a reason to look forward to tomorrow. 2) Contact Info Guest Krista Webb — Instagram: @blindlove.woodburning (DM to connect; she mentions she’s not actively taking orders right now)Aftersight / The Blind ChickListener email: [email protected] (general): (720) 712-8856Producer CreditProduced by Jonathan Price3) Show CreditsHosts: Penn Street, Moses StreetGuest: Krista WebbProduced by: Jonathan PriceAftersight team shout-outs (as mentioned in the episode): Evan, Jennifer, Kim, Michael4) Chapter Markers 00:00 — Cold open: “old person calendar,” wrinkle cream, and rapid-fire banter00:40 — Re-introducing Krista from the Blind Travel Summit (Austin)01:56 — What Usher syndrome is (types, hearing + vision, balance)04:18 — Diagnosis at 19, RP progression, and stopping driving06:41 — Family life: marriage, motherhood, and adapting as vision changes08:53 — How wood burning started (and why it took over)11:17 — Connecting with Matthew & Paul; “blindness is a spectrum” hats13:42 — Social media, representation, and being “real” in the community18:12 — Travel stories: humor, independence, and doing life fully22:50 — Guatemala trip + volcano climb: excitement, risk, and adaptation30:43 — Body shaming, style, and why comfort matters when you feel vulnerable35:29 — “Tech shaming,” community dynamics, and educating with grace42:32 — Guiding etiquette: asking what help is actually wanted47:02 — What’s next: Krista’s biggest wood-burn project (whimsical, inclusive art)51:43 — Can wood burning be accessible without vision? (hard truth + alternatives)58:45 — Closing message: “even broken crayons still color” + daily purpose61:06 — Where to find Krista + thank-yous63:18 — Final sendoff: kindness to self, kindness to others

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