Writing Through the Darkness: Creativity, Mental Health, and Vision Loss (Part 1)

In this emotionally powerful Part 1 episode of Blindsight, Bill Lundgren sits down with Elyse Draper—author, illustrator, and founder of the VI&B Creatives Workshop. Elyse shares her incredible journey from visual artist to writer, and how the onset of vision loss reshaped her life, family dynamics, and identity. Through raw stories of grief, mental health challenges, and creative survival, Elyse invites listeners into a deeper understanding of how art can be a lifeline. The episode explores the origins of VI&B, the importance of peer support in the blind community, and how writing can offer both healing and purpose. Come back next week for Part 2 of this inspiring conversation. At the end of the episode, Jonathan Price shares details about the upcoming Audio Trekkers Hike on September 13th—an inclusive outdoor experience for the blind and low-vision community and their supporters. 📞 Contact Information Aftersight Website: https://aftersight.org Hike Details: https://aftersight.org/hike Email: [email protected] Phone: (720) 712-8856 ⏱️ Chapter Markers 00:00 – Welcome to Blindsight 01:30 – Elyse’s journey from visual arts to writing 04:45 – Diagnosis, grief, and writing as catharsis 09:25 – Building VI&B: A platform for blind creatives 13:15 – Blindness and the new language of art 18:20 – Accessibility innovations driven by disability 23:00 – Career gaps for creatives with disabilities 27:45 – Hike announcement and closing remarks