Paula Kissinger: Finding Normalcy and Community Through Sports

Summary Paula Kissinger, a guest on The Blind Chick podcast, shares her story of how sports became her compass through vision loss. She grew up loving sports and found a sense of normalcy and community at a summer camp for kids with visual impairments. She discovered her love for judo at the camp and went on to compete in able-bodied competitions. Paula also talks about her passion for skiing and how she learned to ski at a young age. She now mentors young skiers and encourages them to overcome their fears. Takeaways Sports can be a compass for navigating vision loss and provide a sense of normalcy and community. Judo is an accessible sport for people with visual impairments due to its tactile nature. Skiing can be enjoyed by blind and low vision individuals with the help of guides and proper training. Parents should encourage their blind or low vision children to try sports and support their progress. Overcoming fear is an important part of participating in sports and achieving personal growth. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 01:20 Growing Up in Colorado and Moving to Philadelphia 03:40 Paula's Vision Diagnosis and Journey 06:03 Discovering Sports and Judo at Summer Camp 08:23 The Impact of Sports on Paula's Life 10:38 The Accessibility of Judo for People with Visual Impairments 13:29 Skiing with Guides and Overcoming Fears 16:20 Different Styles of Guiding in Skiing 19:11 Paula's Love for Skiing and Favorite Ski Areas 22:40 Paula's Role as a Mentor for Young Skiers 24:08 Encouraging Blind and Low Vision Children to Try Sports 25:52 Overcoming Fear in Sports and Achieving Personal Growth 26:23 Conclusion and Preview of Part 2