Author: Stephanae

👩🏾‍🦯Abilities Crusader | INTJ | HSP | Collector of Knowledge | Alpaca Fanatic | Dog & Cat Parent “If I stop to kick every barking dog, I am not going to get where I'm going.” ~Jackie Joyner-Kersee Hi there! I'm Steph. Once seen as weaknesses, my introverted and highly sensitive traits are now my strengths. My introspective nature helps me experience the world deeply, listen carefully, and connect genuinely. It's been liberating to recognize the value in my intuition, empathy, critical thinking, and ability to form strong connections. I now see my sensitivity as a source of courage and creativity, allowing me to honor my true self and natural rhythms.
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Embracing Identity: Ben Akuoko’s Path to Empowerment

The header, the Beyond Sight Magazine cover, and the YouTube Thumbnail include a Portrait-style photograph of Ben standing in a gift store setting, wearing a black suit, white shirt, and a bow tie, along with sunglasses. He is smiling and has one hand on his chest. The background shows wooden shelves filled with various clothing items, shoes, and hats. A large circular window is visible, showing a glimpse of the outdoors. The area appears well-lit, with spotlights overhead. The image is styled as a magazine cover titled 'BEYOND SIGHT | A Bold Blind Beauty Project' and features 'Ben Akuoko'. The cover is dated September 2025.

“Once upon a time, it was a 15-year-old boy who didn’t know where his life would be going. It was the fear of going blind and the fear of losing his independence. And I want to go back. I wish I had a time machine and I want to go to that young, young man and say everything turned out amazingly and everything
turned out great.”

~Ben Akuoko

Editor’s Note

We are honored to showcase Ben Akuoko as September’s Man In Motion. Ben’s journey, marked by resilience, creativity, and advocacy, inspires us to reflect on the many ways we can embrace every facet of our identities. His experiences living with sight loss, while celebrating his heritage and uplifting others, remind us that true strength comes from acceptance, self-expression, and empowering community.

Ben’s message reaffirms our belief that beauty, in all its forms, thrives when we create space for every voice. We hope his story sparks meaningful conversations and encourages you to celebrate your unique journey.

Stephanae McCoy
Editor-in-Chief, Bold Blind Beauty

Beyond Sight Magazine Cover

The header, the Beyond Sight Magazine cover, and the YouTube Thumbnail include a Portrait-style photograph of Ben standing in a gift store setting, wearing a black suit, white shirt, and a bow tie, along with sunglasses. He is smiling and has one hand on his chest. The background shows wooden shelves filled with various clothing items, shoes, and hats. A large circular window is visible, showing a glimpse of the outdoors. The area appears well-lit, with spotlights overhead. The image is styled as a magazine cover titled 'BEYOND SIGHT | A Bold Blind Beauty Project' and features 'Ben Akuoko'. The cover is dated September 2025.
Beyond Sight Magazine | Ben Akuoko

YouTube Video

Ben Akuoko | September Man In Motion

Introduction and Background

The image shows Ben standing and holding a white cane. He is dressed in casual attire, wearing a blue sweater over a patterned shirt, jeans, and blue and white sneakers. The background is plain and light, indicating an indoor setting. Ben is slightly leaning forward, resting both hands on the cane and looking to the side with a thoughtful expression.
Ben posing with Cane

Hi, my name is Ben Akuoko, and I reside in Burlington, Ontario, Canada. And I would like to thank the folks at Bold Blind Beauty for giving me this opportunity of being a Man In Motion.

With my journey, I am an individual who lives with the eye condition of retinitis pigmentosa. I was diagnosed at two years old. It affects at first your night vision, your peripheral vision, and then the photo receptors. As you get older, you begin to gradually lose your vision.

Right now, I am my white cane user as well as a screen reader user. I’m also an individual who is of Ghanaian descent from my parents are both from West Africa, and I’m also a registered social worker.

Early Life and Hiding Low Vision

Ben smiling, is standing outdoors, wearing a gray long-sleeve shirt, gray sweatpants, and a white cap. He has a medal around his neck with a bib that says text "Half Marathon." He is posing with one hand on the waist and holding a blue item in the other hand. There are people and trees in the background. The scene appears to be at an outdoor event, likely a marathon or race.
Ben half-marathon

With my journey of being a person with Low Vision, as a young person, I would not identify with having low vision. So because of, um, my culture, it was hiding my low vision, so I was able to pass. Which means that I was able to be someone who looked like they didn’t have low vision. I played a lot of sports. I used to love playing basketball. I was a runner. Actually, I still am a runner, I did Olympic wrestling, and I love to play video games. So I did a lot of visual things as a young person, and I didn’t realize that I even had low vision.

So I realized that I had low vision was grade three when I couldn’t see the board, and I didn’t get it because before I thought that every other kid couldn’t see the board either. Like that, that’s the range of what you can see. But as I started to realize they were taught me braille, uh, they taught me how to use a cane. And it just started becoming reality that I had vision issues, so I realized that I was different.

Struggles in School and Hiding Disability

Growing up, I was not good at school. I didn’t want to use technology, so I was a D – C student. I just wouldn’t apply myself. I was also embarrassed by being a person who needed to have large prints or needed to use magnifiers. So I would do my best to hide my disability. I wanted to fit in, and I felt that I didn’t see other black men who identified with having a disability.

Discovering Outlets and Passions

Ben is standing on a grassy area by a serene lake, surrounded by autumn trees. He is wearing a black jacket, jeans, and red sneakers, and is smiling at the camera. In the background, there is a stone bridge reflected in the calm water, with a clear blue sky overhead. The scene is peaceful, with fallen leaves scattered around Ben.
Ben by the lake

So as I got older, I started to get into working out and making music. I make hip hop and R and B music. This was my outlet to get all my frustrations out, and this was where I got to be creative.

In grade 10, I turned to working out. I was at the gym every day during lunch, and I also turned to doing track and field.

When it came to my education, especially being a C – D student, I did post-secondary school. So I got into the field of social work, and I remember at first I was like, This is not the field for me. Like me, as a black dude doing social work, isn’t that only for women? And after three months of doing it, I fell in love with it because I had the ability to help people. And then at the same time, it’s so many different sectors that you could take part in.

Educational Achievements

So I got my social service work diploma, and then years after that, followed by my Bachelor’s of Social Work. And then finally, I got the trifecta, and I got my Master’s of social work, which was such a big accomplishment. Because, to be honest, I never thought I’d ever make it to that level.

Growing up, I always wanted to work with youth. I always wanted to educate individuals as well. So I definitely have a great job where I’m able to help youth with low vision and their families, as well as educate everybody about how we should be inclusive. I love to have fun. I do stand-up comedy, which I just got into a few years ago.

Travel, Fitness, and Living Fully

And then also, I love to travel. And I want people to know out there that even if you’re a person who has low vision and blindness, that you’re still able to travel and you’re still able to enjoy outside of your comfort zone. So I’ve been to places like Asia, Africa, and South America. And I’m looking to go to more places and travel independently.

I also love physical fitness. I ran half a marathon last year. It’s just like life, where you have to keep going and you have to accomplish your goals. I have done dance classes, and I feel like it’s so good for your soul to enjoy and to meet people.

Entrepreneurship and The Brightside Scope

Something that I’m very proud of is my side business of the Brightside Scope. With the Brightside Scope, I’m able to incorporate all my skills and all my interests into one place. Growing up, I never felt that I was able to find my place. I never saw role models who looked like me or people who identified and had the same interests as me, so I always felt like both my identities would clash.

Bringing Identities Together & Educating Others

The image shows Ben leaning against a railing or ledge, looking at the camera and smiling. They are wearing a gray T-shirt with colorful writing that spells out SOUL. The background features a cityscape with several buildings, and there is greenery visible, likely a park or forested area. The photo appears to be taken from a high vantage point, possibly a balcony or rooftop, on a clear day.
Ben has soul

With the Brightside Scope, I’m able to bring both my identities. With my love for entertainment, I’m able to bring acting, and then my love of public speaking and educating. I’m able to go into classrooms, post-secondary schools, and organizations to educate, to show how we should incorporate different people’s identities.

I also do podcasting, which I’m able to use to spread awareness about low vision and blindness, and give a different point of view on everyday topics. So I’m so proud of where this business is going, and I’m so proud to continue to educate other people about a different point of view and let other people have the opportunities to bring their identities to everyday life.

Acceptance and Looking Back

It has been such an amazing journey to really find myself. I remember as a young person, I refused to use a cane. I refused to identify as an individual who lived with low vision because I was scared. But with the motivation from others and going through my career as a social worker and just seeing other people navigate through life, I was able to learn that I should be proud of who I am and proud of both my identities.

Message of Hope

Once upon a time, it was a 15-year-old boy who didn’t know where his life would be going. It was the fear of going blind and the fear of losing his independence. And I want to go back. I wish I had a time machine, and I want to go to that young, young man and say everything turned out amazingly, and everything turned out great.

So I hope for today from my story that you’re able to start your journey on how to accept yourself.

Ben Akuoko’s Bio

Ben Akuoko is a Canadian advocate and founder of Brightside Scope, a platform dedicated to advancing awareness, representation, and empowerment within disability and cultural communities using storytelling through traditional and social media outlets. A proud Black man of Ghanaian descent living with Retinitis Pigmentosa, Ben draws on his lived experiences to champion diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in his practice. He holds a Master’s in Social Work and has served as an accessibility consultant, public speaker, mentor, and ambassador for national organizations. Through his cross-disability awareness work, lectures, and media projects, he continues to shed light on the importance of intersectionality and inclusion in all spaces.

Connecting With Ben

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Image Descriptions:

  • The header, the Beyond Sight Magazine cover, and the YouTube Thumbnail include a Portrait-style photograph of Ben standing in a gift store setting, wearing a black suit, white shirt, and a bow tie, along with sunglasses. He is smiling and has one hand on his chest. The background shows wooden shelves filled with various clothing items, shoes, and hats. A large circular window is visible, showing a glimpse of the outdoors. The area appears well-lit, with spotlights overhead. The image is styled as a magazine cover titled ‘BEYOND SIGHT | A Bold Blind Beauty Project’ and features ‘Ben Akuoko’. The cover is dated September 2025.
  • YouTube Video Description: The video features Ben, a Black man with a shaved haircut. He has a small earring and appears to be wearing a blue and white patterned shirt. He is smiling and speaks with a calm, friendly tone. He has a microphone attached to his shirt. The background is a light blue curtain.
  • Ben posing with Cane – The image shows Ben standing and holding a white cane. He is dressed in casual attire, wearing a blue sweater over a patterned shirt, jeans, and blue and white sneakers. The background is plain and light, indicating an indoor setting. Ben is slightly leaning forward, resting both hands on the cane and looking to the side with a thoughtful expression.
  • Ben half-marathon – Ben, smiling, is standing outdoors, wearing a gray long-sleeve shirt, gray sweatpants, and a white cap. He has a medal around his neck with a bib that says text “Half Marathon.” He is posing with one hand on the waist and holding a blue item in the other hand. There are people and trees in the background. The scene appears to be at an outdoor event, likely a marathon or race.
  • Ben by the lake – Ben is standing on a grassy area by a serene lake, surrounded by autumn trees. He is wearing a black jacket, jeans, and red sneakers, and is smiling at the camera. In the background, there is a stone bridge reflected in the calm water, with a clear blue sky overhead. The scene is peaceful, with fallen leaves scattered around Ben.
  • Ben has soul – The image shows Ben leaning against a railing or ledge, looking at the camera and smiling. They are wearing a gray T-shirt with colorful writing that spells out SOUL. The background features a cityscape with several buildings, and there is greenery visible, likely a park or forested area. The photo appears to be taken from a high vantage point, possibly a balcony or rooftop, on a clear day.
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Bold Blind Beauty Website Update: A Bold New Chapter!

This image depicts the life cycle of a butterfly in an elegant and symbolic manner, with clear visual representation of its transformation from caterpillar to chrysalis to adult butterfly, all set against a solid black background for a striking contrast that emphasizes the objects in the frame. The scene appears to be outdoors, but the plain backdrop gives the layout an artistic, staged feel for illustrative purposes. The main focus is a thin, vibrant green stem that stretches horizontally across the frame, serving as the foundation on which the various stages of the butterfly's development are displayed. In summary, the image encapsulates a cycle of metamorphosis with artistic flair, spotlighting the distinct stages of a butterfly’s development from caterpillar to chrysalis to adult. It evokes introspection on the themes of change, growth, and the ethereal beauty of nature’s processes.

“The secret of change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new.”

~Socrates

We’re entering an exciting new era at Bold Blind Beauty, and we want you on this journey with us!

This is an indoor scene featuring a minimalist design. The primary objects in the image are three rectangular picture frames aligned horizontally on a wall. Each frame contains a single bold black letter on a white background, collectively spelling out the word 'AIR.' The letters are capitalized, simple, and sans-serif in style. The frames are black, which creates a striking contrast with both the white internal background and the gray brick wall behind them. A = Access - Creating a truly equitable world requires intentionality and compassion. Prioritizing access to fundamental human rights—including food, education, employment, healthcare, housing, technology, and transportation—empowers individuals and strengthens communities. By working together and embracing universal design, we can build a future where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. I = Inclusion - True inclusion means welcoming and valuing individuals at every level and in every space—from the boardroom to entry-level positions, and throughout business, community, and social life. Embracing our differences and appreciating people for who they are creates a culture where everyone belongs and can flourish. This respect for human dignity is essential for a just and equitable society. R = Representation - In our multicultural society, every person deserves to feel valued, seen, and heard. People with disabilities are a vital part of this tapestry, and their authentic representation across all sectors—business, politics, the arts, media, sports, and beyond—is crucial. Seeing positive reflections of ourselves in these spaces unlocks limitless possibilities and inspires us all to achieve our full potential.

In our mission to elevate A.I.R. (Access, Inclusion, and Representation)™, we’re streamlining our online presence. By the end of August 2025, all content on our website, except for the “About,” “Store,” and other relevant pages, will be removed. But don’t worry! Every empowering video blog, interview, and feature will be available in one accessible, audio-friendly space on our YouTube channel: YouTube.com/@BoldBlindBeauty.

Why the Change?

We’re making it even easier for you to find inspiring stories, practical resources, and the real voices that empower our community, all with enhanced accessibility.

Stay Connected

Thank you for your support, enthusiasm, and for helping us build a space where every story matters. Together, we embody resilience, celebrate authenticity, and champion the beauty of diversity. This is just the beginning, and we’re so grateful to have you with us!

Stephanae McCoy
Editor-in-Chief, Bold Blind Beauty

Image descriptions:

  • The header depicts the life cycle of a butterfly elegantly and symbolically, with a clear visual representation of its transformation from caterpillar to chrysalis to adult butterfly, all set against a solid black background for a striking contrast that emphasizes the objects in the frame. The scene appears to be outdoors, but the plain backdrop gives the layout an artistic, staged feel for illustrative purposes. The main focus is a thin, vibrant green stem that stretches horizontally across the frame, serving as the foundation on which the various stages of the butterfly’s development are displayed. In summary, the image encapsulates a cycle of metamorphosis with artistic flair, spotlighting the distinct stages of a butterfly’s development from caterpillar to chrysalis to adult. It evokes introspection on the themes of change, growth, and the ethereal beauty of nature’s processes.
  • This is an indoor scene featuring a minimalist design. The primary objects in the image are three rectangular picture frames aligned horizontally on a wall. Each frame contains a single bold black letter on a white background, collectively spelling out the word ‘AIR.’ The letters are capitalized, simple, and sans-serif in style. The frames are black, which creates a striking contrast with both the white internal background and the gray brick wall behind them.
    • A = Access – Creating a truly equitable world requires intentionality and compassion. Prioritizing access to fundamental human rights, including food, education, employment, healthcare, housing, technology, and transportation, empowers individuals and strengthens communities. By working together and embracing universal design, we can build a future where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
    • I = Inclusion – True inclusion means welcoming and valuing individuals at every level and in every space, from the boardroom to entry-level positions, and throughout business, community, and social life. Embracing our differences and appreciating people for who they are creates a culture where everyone belongs and can flourish. This respect for human dignity is essential for a just and equitable society.
    • R = Representation – In our multicultural society, every person deserves to feel valued, seen, and heard. People with disabilities are a vital part of this tapestry, and their authentic representation across all sectors—business, politics, the arts, media, sports, and beyond—is crucial. Seeing positive reflections of ourselves in these spaces unlocks limitless possibilities and inspires us all to achieve our full potential.

Posted on by

Overcoming Obstacles: Carina Comer’s Bakery Journey

The header, the Beyond Sight Magazine cover, and the YouTube Thumbnail include a Portrait-style photograph (featured in the Beyond Sight Magazine cover template). It shows an image of Carina standing in front of a backdrop of a large circular logo for 'Carina's Bakery,' which is highlighted with a butterfly design, symbolizing transformation and growth. The logo is surrounded by a pale blue circle, creating a soft contrast against the overall warm and inviting atmosphere of the bakery setting. Carina is dressed in a bright blue shirt, which conveys a sense of vibrancy and friendliness. She is holding up a Disability Pride flag that has bold stripes of black, white, green, yellow, blue, and red. The image is styled as a magazine cover, titled ‘BEYOND SIGHT | A Bold Blind Beauty Project,’ and features Carina Comer. The cover is dated August 2025.

Along the way, I got to learn family traditions and hear stories from my past. And I got to figure out how I could create and express myself through my baking.

~Carina Comer

Editor’s Note

Carina Comer, wearing a bright blue chef's jacket, smiles while holding a clapperboard for a documentary titled 'Legacy Makers'. The background features stage lights and a film reel design with the text 'NEW DOCUMENTARY TV SHOW COMING IN 2025' prominently displayed.

This month, Bold Blind Beauty’s Woman On The Move is Carina Comer, a powerhouse of determination, creativity, and heart. From battling cancer as an infant to navigating vision loss, workplace barriers, and the often cutthroat culinary world, Carina has faced challenge after challenge and turned each one into an opportunity to build something extraordinary.

Rooted in her Scandinavian heritage and fueled by a vegan lifestyle, Carina’s bakery is more than a place for delicious treats; it’s a haven where people of all abilities can feel safe, valued, and free to express who they truly are. Her journey is a testament to grit, perseverance, and the belief that when doors close, you can create your own.

As Carina says, baking has been her way to create, connect, and give back, from beachside bake sales for cancer patients to running a thriving business that uplifts others with disabilities. She reminds us that living boldly means embracing your values, owning your story, and making space for others to shine alongside you.

Stephanae McCoy
Editor-in-Chief, Bold Blind Beauty

Beyond Sight Magazine Cover

Cover image of Beyond Sight Magazine featuring Carina Comer, who is smiling and holding a flag that reads 'DISABILITY PRIDE MONTH.' She is wearing a blue shirt and stands in front of a large sign with the Carina's Bakery logo.
Beyond Sight Magazine |  Carina Comer

YouTube Video

August Woman On The Move | Carina Comer

Introduction and Background

Hi. I’m Carina here with my guide dog, Moby. Hi Moby.

I am 33, and I am legally blind due to an astrocytoma (cancerous brain tumor) I had as an infant. And as a result of that, I have tunnel vision in one eye, no vision at all, and no light perception in the other eye. The nerves were severed by the tumor, and it also caused hormonal loss in the pituitary and other long-lasting health effects.

Family Background and Values

But I grew up in a very determined, humble, well-grounded, and entrepreneurial family with lots of values. Both my grandfathers came from Sweden and Ireland, and worked their way up through the military, through odd jobs, until they both opened their own businesses in Connecticut, where I’m originally from.

So it was just natural to have that determination to carry forward no matter what happened. Even when the tumor relapsed and I had to go get radiation treatment, I made an adventure out of it, and it was exhausting, but it shaped who I am today and shaped what I would do in terms of philanthropy and how I viewed the world.

School Experience and Early Challenges

Also, what shaped me is the fact that I went to a public school, and I had aids that would help me get large print, help me get around, which both, you know, put a target on my back for being special. But also made it so I had to, you know, figure out how to navigate in the normal world without a cane ’cause my parents didn’t know what that was until I was 16, and the blind commission basically there, you know, suggested it.

But I managed even without a whole lot of self-confidence, and I buried myself in school, in the work itself, not to have to deal with the social situation of how kids thought of me differently and not worthy of their interaction.

I connected with adults, and I especially connected to the feelings I got when in the kitchen with my mom. I could forget about all the crazy diets and health regimens I was on and feel the calming nature that kneading dough has. And get a little taste of sweetness and be able to share that with others in a way that I couldn’t at that time express myself.

Discovering Baking and Philanthropy

A round cake topped with a layer of caramel and a generous amount of toasted almond slices.
Display case filled with various baked goods, including cookies, pastries, and cakes, in a bright and welcoming bakery setting, featuring a menu board and colorful decorations.
A brightly lit bakery interior featuring a yellow wall adorned with blue butterfly murals and the word 'Bakery' elegantly painted. The space includes white tables and chairs, creating a welcoming atmosphere.
Three freshly baked almond cakes placed on a wooden surface, showcasing a golden-brown crust with slivered almonds on top.
A packaged cookie labeled 'Moby's Kisses,' featuring a soft almond butter cookie topped with a chocolate 'kiss.' The packaging is bright and colorful, displaying the bakery's logo and emphasizing its vegan, gluten-free, and allergy-friendly attributes.

Along the way, I got to learn family traditions and hear stories from my past. And I got to figure out how I could create and express myself through my baking. Eventually turned into a philanthropic bake sale that would last all summer. I would take it to the tricycle to sell at the beach and raise money for cancer patients. I figured out a way to make it happen. When I started crashing the tricycle later on because I was losing vision again, I stumbled through it, and eventually, that’s what led me to getting a guide dog.

Culinary School Journey

Meanwhile, I met people who really encouraged the culinary side of me and encouraged me to go to pastry school at Johnson Wales. It was an eye-opening look into how cutthroat the industry is. Sure, on paper, I had accommodations, and I would get large print textbooks and audiobooks when possible.

Although it was not easy, I had to do a lot of that work myself. But when it came to making a cake in three hours that looked amazing, there was no accommodation. And there was no getting the teacher, or at least I didn’t know how, to ask the teacher to show me again in private. Never mind the fact that kids would look at me sideways when I’d be standing there at the end, and when it was cleaning time, and I wouldn’t know what to do ’cause I felt like I was just in the way if I tried to go get something, or I was too slow.

Challenges like that continued as I tried to find internships and then find work, and I had to settle for more free internships instead. Or found work but still felt like I was being targeted. So I went to grad school, moved out to Oregon, I fell in love with its foodie scene and its transportation and acceptance.

Career Challenges and Starting Own Business

But even after going to grad school here, I still have the door upon door shut in my face. An interview would go great, and then I’d pull out my cane at the end to get out of the interview room and make my way safely home. And you could see the air change, and you could feel the disappointment, and I would never hear from them again.

So I had to go my own way. I turned what had been a side business, a hobby, selling big goods at a farmer’s market and renting out a way too expensive commissary kitchen that also didn’t know how to accommodate a person with disability. And I opened my own business that celebrates my Scandinavian roots, my vegan lifestyle, and creates a place where not only I feel safe, but my employees with all kinds of disabilities feel safe as well and can express who we truly are. Thank you.

Carina’s Bio

Carina is a cancer survivor from Connecticut who always knew she wanted to be a baker. Despite being severely vision impaired, she attended pastry school and many hard-won steps in her career took her to Oregon and eventually opened a bakery celebrating her Scandinavian roots and vegan lifestyle while making a way for people with disABILITIES to have gainful employment and a place in their community. 

Connecting With Carina Comer

Connecting With Bold Blind Beauty

Image descriptions:

  • The header, the Beyond Sight Magazine cover, and the YouTube Thumbnail include a Portrait-style photograph (featured in the Beyond Sight Magazine cover template). It shows an image of Carina standing in front of a backdrop of a large circular logo for ‘Carina’s Bakery,’ which is highlighted with a butterfly design, symbolizing transformation and growth. The logo is surrounded by a pale blue circle, creating a soft contrast against the overall warm and inviting atmosphere of the bakery setting. Carina is dressed in a bright blue shirt, which conveys a sense of vibrancy and friendliness. She is holding up a Disability Pride flag that has bold stripes of black, white, green, yellow, blue, and red. The image is styled as a magazine cover, titled ‘BEYOND SIGHT | A Bold Blind Beauty Project,’ and features Carina Comer. The cover is dated August 2025.
  • Carina Comer, wearing a bright blue chef’s jacket, smiles while holding a clapperboard for a documentary titled ‘Legacy Makers’. The background features stage lights and a film reel design with the text ‘NEW DOCUMENTARY TV SHOW COMING IN 2025’ prominently displayed.
  • Video Description: Carina is a woman with fair skin and reddish cheeks. She wears square, black-rimmed glasses and has wavy, reddish-brown hair. She is wearing a blue shirt and blue earrings.
  • A 5-panel grid of Carina’s Bakery assorted baked goods.

Posted on by

Shawn’s Journey: Resilience Beyond Sight Loss

A Portrait-style photograph of Shawn sitting at a table in what looks like a cafe or coffee shop setting. He is wearing a beige or tan-colored jacket and a dark-colored hat. He has a friendly, relaxed expression on his face as he holds a mug, likely containing a hot beverage such as coffee or tea. The background behind him suggests a cozy, indoor environment with brick walls and what appears to be some decorative elements or artwork. The image is styled as a magazine cover titled 'BEYOND SIGHT | A Bold Blind Beauty Project' and features 'Shawn AKA @Mindful Cyclops'. The cover is dated August 2025.

“My main message to every visually impaired person is that it’s not worth giving up the fight. It’s so difficult in the beginning, like a grieving process with steps that can come in any order. You may reach acceptance and then struggle again, but those moods fade away.”

~Shawn

Editor’s Note

Earlier this year, when I joined TikTok, Shawn was one of the very first creators I discovered—and from the start, his account stood out to me for its sharp humor and unflinching honesty about living with sight loss. His story resonates deeply, not only because he ended up in the Pittsburgh area, but also through the parallels in our experiences: the vitrectomies, the doctor who kept giving false hope, and the waves of grief that come with vision loss—yet the persistence to keep moving forward.

In this month’s Man In Motion feature, we’re honored to share Shawn’s candid journey. As he reminds us: “My main message to every visually impaired person is that it’s not worth giving up the fight. It’s so difficult in the beginning, like a grieving process with steps that can come in any order. You may reach acceptance and then struggle again, but those moods fade away.”

Shawn’s blend of humor, advocacy, and creative spirit brings light to our community and reminds us all that, even through struggles, connection and hope are possible. I invite you to watch Shawn’s video or read the transcript below as we celebrate his resilience and impact.

Stephanae McCoy
Editor-in-Chief, Bold Blind Beauty

Beyond Sight Magazine Cover

a Portrait-style photograph of Shawn sitting at a table in what looks like a cafe or coffee shop setting. He is wearing a beige or tan-colored jacket and a dark-colored hat. He has a friendly, relaxed expression on his face as he holds a mug, likely containing a hot beverage such as coffee or tea. The background behind him suggests a cozy, indoor environment with brick walls and what appears to be some decorative elements or artwork. The image is styled as a magazine cover titled 'BEYOND SIGHT | A Bold Blind Beauty Project' and features 'Shawn AKA @Mindful Cyclops'. The cover is dated August 2025.
Beyond Sight Magazine | Shawn AKA @Mindful Cyclops

YouTube Video

Shawn AKA Mindful Cyclops | August Man In Motion

Introduction: Shawn’s Early Life and Love for Art

Hey, I’m Shawn, and I’m here to tell the story about my vision loss. So even since I was five years old, I loved art just my entire life. I knew that’s what I wanted to do, I just wanted to be creative. And from a young age, I found any way to create art that I could.

The Onset of Health Issues

When I was eight years old, I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes after my body went into shock. After that, that led to rationing insulin, doing things like that, and my diabetes wasn’t under great control. Throughout the teenage years, I noticed that my vision was getting slightly worse, but I just thought that’s what happened when you had to wear glasses. You had to get a new strength every year.

Pursuing Dreams Amidst Challenges

When I turned 27 years old, I started attending the Art Institute of Pittsburgh online for Graphic Design. I was excited about it. It’s what I had always wanted to do and didn’t even know. At the same time, I was working for a security company. I was up for a promotion to a field supervisor position with a company car. Everything was going great.

The Turning Point: Vision Loss

And one day, I started to notice a swirl, like a whirlpool, in my vision. I wasn’t sure what was happening, so I just went to an optometrist and asked them, you know, what could this be? When she looked into my eyes, she almost yelled and said that I needed to go see an ophthalmologist. So of course I did. 

That led down a very long road. When I went to see him, he wanted to do surgery right away. So he started with my right eye and did a vitrectomy. The next day, it became infected with a staph infection, and I went back to him weekly to have the eye checked. I could tell that it wasn’t gonna get better, but he kept saying, “It’s gonna be fine, it’s going to be fine.” Then one day he told me, “I’m sorry, I can’t save that eye.” He was finally honest with me. 

So after that, the eye was removed, and I got a prosthetic, and he was doing laser treatments on my left eye. The equipment was very outdated, and I ended up with a lot of peripheral loss and damage to my left eye.

So I finally went to a university hospital. They did everything they could, and I still have some remaining vision around 25%. 

Coping with Vision Loss

A black and white photograph of Shawn wearing sunglasses and a dark-colored short-sleeved button-up with dark pants. He is seated in a chair with his hands resting on both arms and his white cane in his right hand. The background suggests an indoor or enclosed setting, with what appears to be wooden or metal paneling or structures visible behind him. The black and white format adds to the vintage or classic feel of the photograph.

When I was told I was going to get the vision back in my eye, I was excited I could go back to school, and that’s when things got dark for me because they told me that my vision wasn’t going to get any better. 

My favorite thing was oil painting, and when I looked at my paintings, I could make out the details. But when I tried to paint again, I couldn’t create detail. I had a friend and his wife asked me to paint them some cherry blossoms for their living room. So I agreed, but I told them it’s gonna be kind of expressionist because I can’t see anymore. When I gave it to them, they looked like I’m not even sure what the look was on their face, but they looked disappointed and kind of sad. And at that moment, I realized I didn’t need to pick up a brush again.

So when dealing with the grief of losing my vision, I had an emotional breakdown, like I think a lot of the visually impaired and blind community does. I destroyed every painting that I had ever made that was in my possession. I threw away almost all of my paintbrushes except the ones that I couldn’t part with ’cause they were my favorites. Then, when they told me that my vision wasn’t going to get any better as far as me being able to read an actual physical book, I had over 400 books, and I donated all of them, and it was rough.

For the next 10 years, I basically just sat in my parents’ house because it was a small town and no one thought that the visually impaired or blind could do anything. So that’s what I was told. 

A New Beginning: Advocacy and Creativity

This image depicts a romantic moment between newlyweds. The scene appears to be taking place indoors, with a brick wall serving as the backdrop. Shawn and his wife are embracing and sharing a kiss. His wife is wearing a white dress with her wavy green hair draped over her shoulders. Shawn is wearing a blue dress shirt with white suspenders.
Newlyweds

Finally, in 2019, I moved to Pennsylvania and got orientation and mobility training. I got everything I needed. During that time, I got diagnosed with end-stage kidney disease and got a transplant, and it sounds cheesy, but I told myself, if I get this transplant, I’m going to help people. Right now, I have just volunteered to go to Washington, DC, for the American Association of People with Disabilities to go with them to a disability summit in DC in September.

This image shows Shawn with a beard, wearing a dark blue hooded sweatshirt with the text 'Transplant Tough' printed on it. The sweatshirt has a green ribbon graphic, which is a symbol associated with organ transplant awareness and support. He has a serious expression on his face and is wearing a gray beanie hat. The background appears to be an indoor setting, possibly a room or office space, with blinds or curtains visible in the window behind him. The overall tone of the image conveys a sense of determination and resilience.
Transplant Tough

I wanted to keep my promise, because I want to help people and I’m hoping to turn this into a career. But until I can do that, I’m creating TikToks to be an advocate or create humor or something relatable to the visually impaired, because it’s so hard to find the rest of our community. And that’s my way of giving back. 

A black and white photograph of Shawn and his wife, posing together. Shawn is wearing sunglasses and a dark-colored jacket, while his wife is wearing a wide-brimmed hat and her long wavy hair is cascading over both shoulders. They both have serious expressions on their faces, suggesting a formal or posed photograph.

And I look back, yeah, I miss painting, I miss all of that. But one thing that vision loss taught me was that I’m stronger than I ever thought I was. So I’ve just taken to different creative styles, like making my TikTok videos for people. Or trying to paint again, but with puff paint to make it texturized. I’m trying to get creative. I learn instruments, and honestly, I think this is a great way for my life to have turned out. 

My life’s more peaceful. I am enjoying life more, and honestly, if I hadn’t lost the vision that I lost, I don’t think I would’ve met my wife, who’s my best friend and the reason that I’m here. 

My main message to every visually impaired person, though, is that it’s not worth giving up the fight. It’s not worth it at all. It is so difficult in the beginning, so difficult. It’s a grieving process like any other one, same steps. The only thing is that no one tells you that the grieving steps can go in different orders, and as far as vision loss and blindness, you can be at acceptance, but then months later, be back at depression. But the thing is, those moods fade away.

Connecting With Shawn

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Image Descriptions:

  • The header, the Beyond Sight Magazine cover, and the YouTube Thumbnail include a Portrait-style photograph of Shawn sitting at a table in what looks like a cafe or coffee shop setting. He is wearing a beige or tan-colored jacket and a dark-colored hat. He has a friendly, relaxed expression on his face as he holds a mug, likely containing a hot beverage such as coffee or tea. The background behind him suggests a cozy, indoor environment with brick walls and what appears to be some decorative elements or artwork. The image is styled as a magazine cover titled ‘BEYOND SIGHT | A Bold Blind Beauty Project’ and features ‘Shawn AKA @Mindful Cyclops’. The cover is dated August 2025.
  • YouTube Video Description: The video features Shawn sitting on a brown couch, with a striped blanket and a window with striped blinds behind him. He is wearing glasses, a black t-shirt with a white circular graphic and a yellow sun in the middle, a necklace, and a red bracelet. He speaks directly to the camera about his vision loss and his journey through it.
  • A black and white photograph of Shawn wearing sunglasses and a dark-colored short-sleeved button-up with dark pants. He is seated in a chair with his hands resting on both arms and his white cane in his right hand. The background suggests an indoor or enclosed setting, with what appears to be wooden or metal paneling or structures visible behind him. The black and white format adds to the vintage or classic feel of the photograph.
  • A romantic moment between newlyweds. The scene appears to be taking place indoors, with a brick wall serving as the backdrop. Shawn and his wife are embracing and sharing a kiss. His wife is wearing a white dress with her wavy green hair draped over her shoulders. Shawn is wearing a blue dress shirt with white suspenders.
  • This image shows Shawn with a beard, wearing a dark blue hooded sweatshirt with the text ‘Transplant Tough’ printed on it. The sweatshirt has a green ribbon graphic, which is a symbol associated with organ transplant awareness and support. He has a serious expression on his face and is wearing a gray beanie hat. The background appears to be an indoor setting, possibly a room or office space, with blinds or curtains visible in the window behind him. The overall tone of the image conveys a sense of determination and resilience.
  • A black and white photograph of Shawn and his wife, posing together. Shawn is wearing sunglasses and a dark-colored jacket, while his wife is wearing a wide-brimmed hat, and her long, wavy hair cascading over both shoulders. They both have serious expressions on their faces, suggesting a formal or posed photograph. The background is blurred, indicating the focus is on the two individuals in the foreground. The lighting and contrast in the image create a moody, vintage-like atmosphere, giving the photograph an artistic and timeless quality.