Once a Horse Girl, Always a Horse Girl | Nikki Watson - eleVIVO

Thumbnail Description: A woman in a bright yellow hi-vis jacket and black riding helmet stands on a quiet country road holding a lead rope. A large dark brown and white horse leans its head toward her face. White bold text on the right side reads: "Rides Blind. Won't Stop."In this episode of Thriving with Vision Loss, Michelle sits down with Nikki Watson, founder and administrator of the Blind Riders Network, a global Facebook community connecting blind and low-vision equestrians around the world. Nikki lives in Great Britain and has been riding her whole life. Vision loss did not change that. It just changed how she does it.This is also a conversation between two people who share a deep love of horses. Before her work with eleVIVO, Michelle spent more than thirty years as a horseback riding instructor. This episode goes places most interviews about blindness never do, into the feel of a horse beneath you, the trust required to hack out without sight, the grief of stepping away, and the joy of coming back.If you are navigating vision loss and wondering whether the things you love are still available to you, this conversation is your answer. If you work in the blindness field, Nikki's story is a reminder of what is possible when people are given access, community, and the freedom to keep going.Thriving with Vision Loss is an eleVIVO original series sharing stories, practical tools, and lived wisdom from people building meaningful lives with blindness or low vision. eleVIVO supports individuals and families navigating vision loss, and is designed to scale in partnership with agencies and nonprofit organizations that serve them.In this episode, you will learn:How Nikki has ridden throughout her life with progressive vision lossWhat it feels like to ride without sightHow a guide dog changed her independenceWhy she stepped away from riding for a time, and what brought her backHow the Blind Riders Network startedWhat she wants anyone with vision loss to know about what they fear losingWhat part of Nikki's story resonated with you? If this conversation inspires you to share your story, email [email protected] and ResourcesIf you or someone you care about is navigating vision loss, eleVIVO offers individual subscription options, with pricing details on our website.https://elevivo.comMore from Nikki WatsonBlind Riders Network (Facebook):https://www.facebook.com/groups/354939781898398/Additional Facebook communities mentioned in this episode:Blind Riders UK (Facebook):https://www.facebook.com/groups/737244519723254/Visually Impaired Equestrians - Guiding Change (Facebook):https://www.facebook.com/AssociationVisuallyImpairedEquestriansAccessibility NoteSpecial thanks to Scott Joffre (The Blind Striker) for accessibility insights that helped shape this episode.The Blind Striker YouTube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/@theblindstrikerMusic Credit and Thank YouEnding music: "Circles" by Classless ActUsed with permission.Deep thanks to our friends in Classless Act for generously sharing their music and supporting Thriving with Vision Loss and the blindness community. The closing lyrics reflect the heart of this series, choosing your own path, making it happen, and finding your way to happiness.Learn more about Classless Act:Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/classlessactLive fan performances (shared with permission):YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@classlessactarmyThis conversation reflects personal experience and is not intended as medical or legal advice.