The VIP Pod: The Visually Impaired People Podcast

In the final episode of series one, Emma talks to Jesse Dufton who is a blind rock climber. He is the first blind person to lead climb the Old Man of Hoy, which is the focus of Alastair Lee’s multi award winning documentary ‘Climbing Blind'. You can watch a trailer for the documentary here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcB39nBSv3YIn their conversation, Emma and Jesse discuss his diagnosis of Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) and rod-cone dystrophy which is a genetic condition. He was born with approximately 20% of central vision and has no peripheral vision. Despite this, Jesse has been climbing from the age of 2 with the help of his father. Jesse talks about the difference between indoor and outdoor climbing as well as the vital roles of the ‘leader’ climber and ‘second’ climber. Jesse also touches on his use of 3D mental mapping which helps him visualise his surrounds when ascending.You can rent the documentary 'Climbing Blind' as mentioned Emma and Jesse's conversation, here: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/climbingblind/361804553You can also find out more about Jesse and his upcoming climbs at his website: https://jessedufton.com/This episode was recorded remotely in June 2020.Do feel free to get in touch with the team with feedback or future guest suggestions by emailing thevippod@gmail.comInterviewed by Emma MartinsProduced & Edited by Michael Wordingham and Rupert MountjoyPodcast artwork by Jimmy ScofieldWebsite: www.jimmyscofield.comContact: jimmy.scofield.design@gmail.com---------------------------------------------------Intro music is "Ghost Byzantine" by Blue Dot Sessions, licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial License via the Free Music Archive.Interlude and Outro music is "Dead River" by Blue Dot Sessions, licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial License via the Free Music Archive

In this penultimate episode of series one, Emma talks to Gareth Davies who is from Cardiff and currently works for the RNIB. Gareth was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) at the age of 20 and in recent years has lost a lot of his vision. They discuss Gareth's love of rugby and how finding a visually impaired rugby team was hugely important for him. They also discuss his journey in accepting his eyesight and how counselling really supported this and the power of asking for help.You can read one of Gareth's RNIB health blogs from lockdown at https://www.rnib.org.uk/wales-cymru/news-wales/staying-fit-and-well-lockdown-gareth%E2%80%99s-blog and you can follow Gareth on Twitter at https://twitter.com/GBlindladThis episode was recorded remotely in July 2020.Do feel free to get in touch with the team with feedback or future guest suggestions by emailing thevippod@gmail.comInterviewed by Emma MartinsProduced & Edited by Michael Wordingham and Rupert MountjoyPodcast artwork by Jimmy ScofieldWebsite: www.jimmyscofield.com Contact: jimmy.scofield.design@gmail.com---------------------------------------------------Intro music is "Ghost Byzantine" by Blue Dot Sessions, licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial License via the Free Music Archive.Interlude and Outro music is "Dead River" by Blue Dot Sessions, licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial License via the Free Music Archive

In this episode, Emma talks to Tiggi Trethowan who worked for years as a TV producer until recently she was diagnosed with an incurable eye condition which will lead eventually to total blindness. Emma and Tiggi talk about mainly different things that affect Tiggi's life including her guide dog Jackie, working on highly successful TV shows with Bear Grylls and on the Antiques Roadshow and about the perception that some sighted people have of blind people.Tiggi also talks in detail about her own podcast - Draycott Diaries Village Podcast - which you can listen to at https://www.draycottdiaries.com/This episode was recorded remotely.Do feel free to get in touch with the team with feedback or future guest suggestions by emailing thevippod@gmail.comInterviewed by Emma MartinsProduced & Edited by Michael Wordingham and Rupert MountjoyPodcast artwork by Jimmy ScofieldWebsite: www.jimmyscofield.com Contact: jimmy.scofield.design@gmail.com---------------------------------------------------Intro music is "Ghost Byzantine" by Blue Dot Sessions, licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial License via the Free Music Archive.Interlude and Outro music is "Dead River" by Blue Dot Sessions, licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial License via the Free Music Archive