May 13, 2025 • 39 mins
What happens when your entire life changes in an instant? For Sara Freeman Smith, losing 95% of her vision wasn't the end of her story—it was the beginning of something much greater.
In this profound conversation, Sara shares her remarkable journey as a disability advocate, career navigator, and author of "Turning Stones Into Gems: Learn How to Find Purpose in Your Life and Career." With warmth and wisdom, she reveals how her greatest challenge became her greatest gift, teaching her the power of asking for help and the patience to receive divine guidance.
"God does not call the equipped; He equips the called," Sara explains, describing how her initial resistance transformed into acceptance and eventually purpose. Through her "Six P's" approach beginning with prayer and planning, she demonstrates how detours and challenges actually prepare us for future opportunities we couldn't imagine for ourselves.
The episode showcases remarkable accessibility technology, from smartphone features to the revolutionary Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses that allow Sara to read menus, mail, and navigate the world independently. For employers wondering about accommodations, Sara offers practical insights on creating accessible environments and understanding that simple adjustments make all the difference.
Perhaps most powerful is Sara's approach to disclosure and self-advocacy in professional settings. With the mantra "rejection is protection," she demonstrates how confidence in explaining one's needs while highlighting one's abilities creates the right match between talent and opportunity.
Whether you're facing your own challenges, supporting someone with a disability, or simply seeking inspiration to transform obstacles into opportunities, this episode will move you from what Sara calls a "pity party" to a "propel party." Visit urGems.com to discover more resources and connect with Sara's transformative message.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
The SJ Childs Show is Backford's 13th season.
Join Sarah Bradford and the SJChilds Show team as they explore
the world of autism and sharestories of hope and inspiration.
This season we're excited tobring you more autism summits
featuring experts and advocatesfrom around the world.
Speaker 2 (00:30):
Go to sjchildsorg hey everyone.
Speaker 3 (00:36):
just wanted to give you an update.
The second annual InternationalAutism Summit was such a
success.
Thank you to our sponsors andour amazing speakers.
If you're interested in seeingany of those sessions, go to my
YouTube channel, the SG ChildShow the live tab and you can
see each day and their sessionsare timestamped in the
(00:58):
description.
Speaker 4 (00:59):
Hope to see you guys there there, hi, welcome to the
SJ Child Show today.
Today I am being met withanother Sarah, so you better bet
it's going to probably be thebest episode yet.
Absolutely Number 310, if we'recounting.
(01:20):
We are doing some work and we're, you know, just really, like
you said, even if we can impactone or two people in the
community, in our neighborhood,in our church, anywhere that we
can be just a resource to anyone, then let us be.
(01:43):
I said just yesterday or justthe other day on the summit, if
I can be the beacon of lightthat come to people to help them
share their stories, please,please, let me be that and come
and let's do it all together.
Speaker 5 (01:59):
Absolutely, absolutely.
Speaker 4 (02:02):
Thanks so much for being here today.
Absolutely, absolutely Thanksso much for being here today and
for my wonderful listeners andaudience.
Please introduce yourself andlet them know a little bit about
yourself and what brought youhere, sure.
Speaker 5 (02:13):
I'm Sarah Freeman Smith and I am a first and
foremost disability advocatebecause I am legally blind
probably about 95% vision lossat this stage and I also am a
career navigator and author andspeaker of an inspirational book
entitled Turning Stones intoGyms Learn how to Find Purpose
(02:37):
in your Life and Career.
And my journey has always mycareer journey has always been
on the HR recruiting side, whereI would go out, seek and try to
attract talent to come to workfor my organizations and then
when I retired, of course Icouldn't retire, I had to get
back into the game.
(02:57):
And now I am helping others tryto figure out what do I want to
be.
Sometimes, when I grow up aftera second or third time and in
my instance, I'm totallyreinventing myself.
So if I can do it, what's theexcuse of others so being able
to just be able to provide thoseresources and encouragement?
Speaker 4 (03:17):
so I love that.
I love that.
In fact, a little personalstory that you might love as
well.
My grandfather passed away justa couple years ago at 96.
Oh, wow.
But let me tell you, he numberone remarried at 85.
Oh, my goodness, he continuedhis education continually.
(03:42):
He was always doing continuededucation, constantly doing
history and all these amazingthings.
And he also I think it was likehe was 92 when he had an
unfortunate fall, but that wasthe last time he did roofing
work on his own.
Oh, my goodness, no excuses.
(04:04):
Like you can do things you know.
And and I always say likesometimes even my own mom will
be, oh, I don't know what to,like I, I don't think I can
reach and I'm like no, no, no,no.
Speaker 5 (04:14):
Even your own dad, like he restarted his whole life
exactly reach down and get thatdna that he imparted on you
that's right that's the truth,absolutely, absolutely, and it
does.
And it begins with your mindsetthat that's the first and
foremost, because what, what'sin our mind will drive the rest
of us.
And so if I convince myselfwhat I cannot do, guess what you
(04:36):
will achieve every aspect ofthat.
So it's just really positioningand changing that mindset
that'll make a world ofdifference, I love that, and
where do people start on thisjourney with you?
Well, for me, it is aboutsitting down and really, really,
first and foremost, admittingto yourself you need help,
(04:59):
because a lot of us just trudgethrough and push through and you
know we may be the person thateveryone asks us for advice or
help, but sometimes it's abouthumbling yourself, swallowing
that pride and that ego.
And in my instance, some 20years ago, when I began to lose
my vision, it was like you mean,I got to ask for help, I'm the
(05:23):
helper, I can't be the helpee.
But it was about sitting downand taking that quiet time,
meditation.
And for me, I'm a, I'm in gradschool, I'm a mother, wife,
community advocate, you know,involved in my church.
(05:48):
And suddenly you're finallytold because there's no reason
why you're losing your visionthat not only will you not be
able to cure it, it is acondition that is genetic and it
will lead to your totalblindness.
And I tell you, I was on a pityparty for a good minute because
I'm going what in the world am Igoing to do?
(06:09):
How can I do?
Everything that I did was, youknow, so dependent upon my
vision?
And I'm crying out angry.
I have to admit it's like goingthrough, you know, seven stages
of grief.
I mean, I'm upset with God andI'm going why me, why me, why me
, I'm doing all these things.
I'm just checking off all mylittle boxes, that I've, of
course, said to myself that Ithought I was doing right.
(06:31):
And God clearly spoke and saidwhy not you, sarah?
What makes you any better thanothers?
Do you realize that there arepeople that would give their
right arm and leg to be in yourposition?
So let's go take a visit, youknow, down the MD Anderson
Hospital I'm in the medicalcenter capital of the world in
Houston.
And do you want to start at theinfant side?
(06:52):
So that gives you a little bitof reflection.
And so at that point you reallyreally have to start deep and
get off that merry-go-round.
For me, and that was the prayerand the meditation.
And then God said okay, now Ican speak to you.
Here's what you will do.
And the main thing he wanted meto do is I'm saying to myself I
can't do this.
(07:12):
Write a third edition of thebook before I had sight, before
I could do, because the book wasinitially published about 25
years ago and this is my thirdedition.
Now what are you saying?
I can't do that?
That's at least what I'mtelling myself.
But the one thing I've learnedGod does not call the equip, he
equips the called.
(07:33):
And he said you can do this andyou will do this, and I'm going
to go through you so you canencourage others and let them
know, even at this point, evenat this season, that there's
more that I have for you to do.
And so that's the first step istaking that quiet time and, to
be honest with you, sarah, a lotof people don't want to give up
(07:53):
that.
You know, we're on social media, we're doing our own thing and
we just kind of squeeze in thatlittle quiet time, but it's so,
so important.
It's like trying to have aconversation one way.
How can you tell me everythingyou want to do, but then when I
go to speak, you get up offthose knees.
You get up.
Okay, I gotta go.
Speaker 4 (08:12):
So yes, I love that you said that, because I think a
big part of and I, you know, Iam also on my own spiritual
journey.
My husband and I are taking ahigher self course on the side,
together as a couple, and andwe're just embracing some of
these ideas, that kind of we'veknown all along, but putting
(08:35):
everything together in in itsown daily practice is so special
, so powerful.
And I think one thing that Ireally resonated with me and
what you're saying is that youreally, for the next step, you
have to be ready to receive.
In order to receive, you've gotto be quiet, you've got to be
(08:58):
settled, you've got to be overwanting to ask or over asking
and ready to get answers andready to receive that.
And then you get this powerful,you know inspiration and now,
like you said, help others,because there's so much power in
(09:19):
people's stories.
Everybody's journey is so veryunique and nothing will be the
same for two people or you knowindividuals, but the we can all
take like learning lessons.
You know from everyone andlearn a little bit from every
(09:40):
person.
Speaker 5 (09:41):
Right, and that is that that's so, so, so, very
true.
Every person Right, and that isthat that's so, so, so very
true.
And then when you take thatquiet time, that's when you know
you, like you said, you getthese revelations, you get these
inspirations.
And in my book I talk there'ssix P's.
So the first one is prayer, andthe second one is you're going
to get a plan.
But then we put ourself in themix of it.
(10:03):
We're trying to figure out now,how am I going to do this?
Now, I don't know anybody likethis.
Oh, that seems too enormous.
I'm so again, we are rattlingour mind and our brain and all
of these things on.
How am I going to do this?
It's because the one thing Iknow that whatever we can think
of, then that's not God's plans.
Because guess what, If youcould think of something to do,
(10:26):
what do you need God for?
It is always going to besomething far bigger than you
would ever think you could grasp.
And again he says I'm going togo through you, but I am also
the same God that gives you thevision.
I will give you the provisions.
I'm going to equip you and putpeople in front of you.
You just need to look up, askfor help, and it's right there.
(10:47):
And that's the part of the planthat you go oh, you mean, I got,
yeah, but it's step by step.
He's not going to play thewhole movie out for me.
You know which I want?
Okay, can I see the part thatyou want me to play and
determine if I want to play that?
No, you don't get to do that.
It's like step by step by step,and then it starts forming a
(11:12):
picture and you go oh, mygoodness, I never knew Sarah had
this background, when all theseyears I knew her as this and
you've been doing, oh, yeah, butyou never asked, or it wasn't
important that I know that untilthat moment, at that time.
So that's the beauty of whenthe plan begins to unfold and
(11:33):
then you can share that withothers and people go oh, I've
been.
That's the only reason Icouldn't do it, because I
couldn't figure out how to startthat next career or that new
business.
Well, that's the problem weblock our own blessings.
We get in our own way, Isn't?
Speaker 4 (11:44):
that true, and there can be several plans.
You don't have to just have one.
I mean, I and there will bedetours, yes, right, detours
absolutely.
Speaker 5 (11:54):
But those are good detours, because these are
lessons you have to learn nowbecause you're going to face
something down the road and if Ididn't have that experience
from that detour, oh my gosh howthat ending would be totally
different.
So it's being able to not onlyadjust, to say it's going to
(12:14):
change, but remember thiswhatever that purpose of that
plan, it's not going to go away.
In my instance, I thought I hadcompleted it some 20 years ago.
Okay, I wrote the book, I spoke, I did all those things.
Okay, I wrote the book, I spoke, I did all those things.
I'm back in corporate America,I'm doing my own thing.
Why in the world.
Speaker 2 (12:29):
I got to do that again.
Speaker 5 (12:30):
Well, god would send me perfect strangers tracking me
down on LinkedIn saying youknow, that book you read wrote
20 years ago.
We're going through thispandemic.
We need that same encouragementnow.
And I'm going.
You've, that's God, and youhave no other excuse.
(12:53):
And then I still sit and hesends someone else.
He says, okay, that burningbush didn't get your attention,
let me send a towering infernoor something you know.
So eventually, you know that,you know, okay, I got to do this
.
Now what?
And boom, someone drops into.
It was amazing.
Oh, I do books and and Ipublish and I work with, you
(13:16):
know, blind and low vision.
What?
Okay, I never.
So those are the things thatthat help, but being able to
share with people.
Yes, I had some detours and yes, I just flat out got out of the
line and did my own thing, butGod said save that spot, she'll
be back here.
She's out there in the parkinglot.
Everybody else is in thestadium.
(13:38):
Yeah, I love that In the parkinglot thinking, oh, I got this I
don't need.
Okay, you told me my marching,I didn't tell you to go do it,
and so here I come back a yearor two late.
Excuse me, excuse me.
Speaker 4 (14:02):
As I tell my friends, that's my spot.
Yeah, we've been waiting on youand I get a chance to sit right
back and say, okay, I'm payingattention now, but I love that.
You know, I'm parenting a teenright now and I think that my
husband, you know, when she'slike, oh why, why are things
going?
My husband always says to hereverything is a test.
The sooner you overcome this,it will change and you'll be on
to the next one.
It's so kind of almost lovelyto hear it doesn't ever.
(14:28):
That's this.
Is it Like it is on the changeright?
Speaker 5 (14:34):
And I, and trust me, I, I, I have empathy for you.
I only have one man child andat that time, when he was going
through those teen years, when Iam losing my vision, of course,
why can't?
Why, why, why?
And I would always tell him Isaid, listen, this is exactly
right, this is a test, but guesswhat?
God does not grade on a passcurve system.
(14:56):
Okay, just because someone gotan 85, you don't get to pass.
You either pass or you fail.
If you fail, guess what?
You're going to stay in thesame class until you pass.
So the quicker you learn thislesson, you get promoted to the
next lesson.
So keep asking me why?
Because you keep making thesame mistake and guess what?
(15:17):
you're not getting out of thisclass until you learn it so and
at that point he would go ohokay, all right, now we got it,
now we go to the next challengeand, of course, yeah, here we go
oh, it's such a yeah and youknow no parenting.
Speaker 4 (15:36):
I'll tell you, I have three and there's nothing that
works.
Once with the end, no, Itotally know that.
Speaker 5 (15:44):
I totally get it Totally.
Speaker 4 (15:48):
It's the same in the corporate world, though.
You can completely understandthat, and I have worked in that
as well.
I completely understand that,and isn't it funny how it can be
almost like comparative.
You know, I know.
Speaker 3 (16:02):
And that's the other thing.
Speaker 5 (16:03):
So often we want to separate some of those life
lessons, but they're so to me,when God actually speaks.
It is so applicable ineverything.
It's not just do it here andthen leave it there, as my
pastor says.
Don't be, you know, sittinghere and you're the Christian in
the church and as soon as youget to the parking lot, you're
yelling and doing all thoseother little snag, nasty things.
(16:25):
It doesn't happen like that.
It continues, and you can applythis through everything that
you do.
It's just taking the time tojust go.
Okay, I don't have to fightthis battle.
Let me just put this over tothe side and things will work
itself out.
So yeah, absolutely.
Speaker 4 (16:42):
You know how, what type of tools have you and
resources do you use foryourself?
Now, I know that some of ourdisability advocates and
listeners would love to hearabout that, and you know I had
just recently done anotherepisode with a woman who talked
a lot about like the screenreaders and how important that
(17:06):
is, and I still don't have mywebsite fixed yet, because I
learned so much on that, I know.
And now I'm like, okay, I'mgoing to fix this, yes, yes, yes
, the more we know, right.
Speaker 5 (17:18):
Absolutely, absolutely, because that's one
of the main things.
As a career navigator with myHR background, whenever I have
an opportunity to talk tocompanies, I said one of the
first steps well, how can weattract people?
I said, well, it's almost likeinviting someone to your house,
(17:39):
but you know that I'm blind.
But you've got all theseTiffany glass and all these
little curios and all thesethings and you've got the
slippery Persian rug and I comein either with a service dog or
a cane and I'm whacking, goingaway.
And you didn't prepare yourhouse.
So, in other words, thecompanies.
If you want to attract someonewith a visual impairment, first
and foremost, when you say youhave an opening, your website
has to be accessible and that'sa simple fix.
(18:00):
If you get a software designer,there's guidelines that they
can easily tap in.
They go back programs.
So those little buttons anddropdowns that, just like your
guest talked about, that screenreader, it slides over and it'll
read this is the search boxtype of text.
Well, there's some other reallycool tools.
Uh, one of the basics is I Icurrently just um started doing
(18:23):
some workshops for seniors, uh,that have vision loss and anyone
, not necessarily seniors, butspecifically targeting seniors
for two reasons.
One, most of them have no clueabout the technology and two,
when they do hear about thetechnology, they quickly say
they can't do it.
But something as simple.
Here's my.
I have an iPhone, but even anAndroid phone.
(18:46):
There's a simple feature undergeneral settings or
accessibility.
It's a built-in, almost byitself, that you turn on
something called voiceover,similar to a screen reader.
It's a built in almost byitself that you turn on
something called voiceover,similar to a screen reader.
It's not Siri, because Siri is.
Everybody has Siri.
That's the AI.
We're talking to it, asking thequestions, but there's a
feature called voiceover and allI do is here's my cell phone,
(19:07):
let me see if I can turn it upand I turn it.
Anything that I touch, oh yes, Iturn it.
Anything that I touch, oh yes,show notifications, page one of
two.
So it's telling me everything.
So people say how do you readyour text messages?
How do you do?
(19:27):
Because voiceover, I'm doingtwo things I'm listening and I'm
also manipulating it with myfingers.
But anything that I touch,it'll read.
And if I get to a website or I'mreading you know a lengthy
attachment I just swipe myfinger and it starts at the top,
or I keep swiping if I need toget to the middle, or I can make
(19:48):
some adjustments, and I can goto all of these things.
It it's right there.
And then, on top of that, youhave a toll-free number that you
can call apple or google who,uh?
Or the the basis of android,and ask questions and say I
can't figure out why isn't thisworking, and they'll walk you
through it.
So it's something as simple asthat that allows me to do that.
(20:10):
And then there's free apps, andthen the latest and coolest
tool are called ray-ban metasmart glasses.
They talk, you put them on andbasically they seem through blue
.
Oh my gosh, someone calls andI'm talking to you right now
(20:36):
through my glasses.
Oh my goodness Can you hear me?
Yes, I can.
Then it's a partnership betweenRay Ban and Meta, you know
Facebook, et cetera.
They partnered, they built inan AI feature as well.
So it gives you hands freeusage.
It wasn't created for the blindand visually impaired.
(21:00):
Actually, I think it wascreated for gamers, because it
allows you to take videos andphotos without using your, your
camera on your phone.
You can just give the command,say, take a photo and then
download it to your social mediaimmediately hands-free.
But you get, you're going to gointo your little app and then,
boom, boom, it's on it's online.
(21:22):
Well, guess what?
And also with AI, I can sayread what I have in my hand,
tell me what's on my computerscreen, tell me what's on TV,
and it'll read these things.
So it is so, so cool.
And I can't.
It doesn't enhance my vision,but I'm talking to it using the
AI functionality as well as thehands-free, where I can send
(21:45):
text messages, answer my calls,things of that nature.
So it is the latest andgreatest tool and it's the price
point is so economical under$300.
Oh, my God, yes.
And so gamers, sighted people.
I love it.
I use it every day.
I can grab my mail.
(22:06):
My husband hands me my.
I don't have to, I don't haveto go and open up my phone and
do.
I can just simply glance andsay who's the addressee from,
and then it'll say you know it'sa statement.
Okay, then I can say you knowBank of America.
Okay, boom Read.
And I can even tell it to go toa certain section.
Yesterday we were at arestaurant and my husband hadn't
been there before and he'sreading.
Normally he would read the menuto me in advance.
(22:28):
I said, hey, just give me themenu.
And I went straight, opened up,just put it in front of me and
said read the types of salads.
And it read me the four typesof salad I was already ready to
order.
Speaker 4 (22:41):
Oh, my gosh Amazing.
I know I'm so happy for that.
Speaker 5 (22:47):
These are simple tools, but then there's a wealth
of tools for people, fromBraille displays to the various
types of magnifiers Some peoplehave different levels of sight,
so some that provide contrastand CCTVs.
I advise people and I have aresource page on my website that
(23:09):
go start with your stateagencies.
Every state has a vocationalrehabilitation group.
Sometimes they're incorporatedthrough the employment office
group, other times they'restandalone.
So, whatever your state has,but start with them and people
can get services and they canpurchase these screen readers,
(23:32):
purchase, even offer, you know,a discount, or get iPhones or
Androids or things of thisnature.
You just have to find out whatservices are available, the
training that's available, soreaching out and learning the
power of asking, as I tellpeople, that was my two greatest
lessons was one, the power ofasking for help, and number two,
(23:53):
being patient, because God says, sarah, you're not patient
enough, you have to be patient.
Speaker 4 (24:01):
So what's your website?
I want to put it up on thescreen.
Speaker 5 (24:04):
The website is U as in United, R as in Robert GEMS.
G-e-m-s dot com stands for youAre GEMS, I couldn't write Y-O-U
, so you are G-E-M-S dot com.
And there's a disabilityresource page, a list of how to
find your state agency.
Speaker 3 (24:26):
if you don't know Can I do that correctly.
Speaker 5 (24:27):
Organizations.
Now, you know, I can't see that.
Speaker 4 (24:31):
Oh no, that's right.
Speaker 5 (24:33):
There we go.
So u r g e m s dot c o m should.
And then w w in front of it, ww, that should take.
Speaker 4 (24:41):
My goodness, what a goofball.
But no, it happens all the timeI have been married.
Speaker 5 (24:47):
I've been married almost 45 years and my husband
said it's right over there,where's there?
Right there, and I'm looking athim and then he suddenly oh so,
trust me, it happens, ithappens.
But no, you are gemscom, so theresource page would extremely.
(25:09):
It has organizations asorganizations and I love the
fact that I can help people.
If you're looking for a job, itgives you some tips and some
tools.
But what if I'm an employer?
What if I know a company?
And why aren't we hiring morepeople, not just visually
impaired, but people withdisabilities?
There's so many misconceptionsthat people have from a business
(25:32):
sector oh, it's going to costme this.
Oh, I can't afford theaccommodations.
Oh, what if this?
I mean dispelling all of thosethings that if you just take the
time to sit and look at whatthe benefits are in hiring
individuals with a wide array ofdisabilities and I used to even
work with individuals throughthe state as a personal job
(25:54):
coach and from individuals thatwere autistic to visual
impairment, physical impairments, in all the whole gamut, and I
just loved being able to sharewith them, be confident in
yourself and sit down and beable to explain what you can do.
But you also need to be able toask for those necessary
accommodations and why you needthem.
Speaker 4 (26:16):
Yeah, and you know, disclosure is a very big
conversation going on right nowand I think it's great.
I think it's great that we'retalking about it and we're we're
really just talking about a lotof things that we should be
talking about, and I think thatthat's good.
Speaker 5 (26:32):
And disclosure is unique for each person.
It's up to individuals becausesome, as I tell people, some
disabilities, if they'reinvisible, the law does not
require you to walk in and justlist the things that you need
for accommodations.
It's up to you.
So it's the way you approach it.
So it's the way you approach itNow, in my instance, when I, if
(26:54):
I were to go and interview, I'mcoming in with the cane and I'm
going to have to ask somebodywhere is the such and such
office or where is Bill or Bobor Sally or whomever.
So it's going to be clear thateven though I look like, as most
(27:20):
people say, you don't look likeyou're blind, because you're
looking at me and I'm going,well, I'm following where my
ears tell me and I'm assumingyou're in front of me, you know
one of those type things.
So and then I kind of go well,how does a blind people do you
think we all look like RayCharles sister or Stevie Wonder?
Well, I mean, but that's okay,I totally get it.
So I use that as an opportunityto really educate and inform.
And then at that point, but thenI know I'm the elephant in the
room because, again, they'vetalked to Sarah, we've emailed,
I've done whatever, and now Iwalk in and they go oh no, now
(27:41):
what do we do with her?
Well, then I come in with mycell phone and I say listen, I'm
not doing social media, this ismy accessibility tool.
I have my notes written here.
So, if you see me, I'mlistening, it's not a
distraction to you, but I'mlistening to some follow-up
notes that I have in order toask some certain questions.
And if you send me something,if you put it in an electronic
(28:03):
version, I can read that fasterinstead of handing it to me with
a piece of paper.
However, if you do, I can take aphoto of that and then it can
be read back, but then I need alittle bit of time to do it.
So, whatever is most convenientfor you, and at that point
they're going okay, I think shehas a grasp of this.
So, and the only other thing is, I asked someone identify
yourself when you start talkingto me.
(28:24):
Because, again, if you're in aroom and Bob and Sally and all
these people, hey, I'm Bob, soI'm listening, so I can begin to
recognize the voice.
So, just being confident inbelieving in yourself and you
know, if it's meant to be, it'sgreat, but if that organization
does not, you know, want to hireme, hey, I say hey, I'm happy,
(28:45):
because I don't want to besomewhere where someone doesn't
want me.
Speaker 4 (28:48):
Isn't that the truth?
Rejection is protection.
Rejection is protection.
That's what we say in ourfamily.
Speaker 5 (28:54):
Absolutely, and that is protection and rejection is
protection.
Speaker 4 (28:55):
That's what we say in our family.
Speaker 5 (28:55):
Absolutely, that's just one check box another, yes,
and I just keep it moving.
Speaker 4 (28:59):
Okay, thank you, love it oh man, I'm so glad that we
found each other.
This is so fantastic.
Speaker 5 (29:05):
Well, you found me because you were on and I said
oh how cool.
And I I immediately checked outyour website and I said oh God,
thank you so so much.
Speaker 4 (29:19):
I'm so glad too.
I'm really, really glad becauseI want to be accessible to
everyone.
Streamyard, which we're usingright now, has amazing
accessibility.
Speaker 5 (29:31):
Extremely accessible.
This was one of the first,besides Zoom, that I got
introduced to and I justabsolutely because the host she
said, oh, I didn't realize that,well, I'm not sure.
I said I can do a quick little,you know, do some research real
fast, because I always ask whatkind of platform?
And this was eight, nine monthsago and sure enough, they had
(29:52):
all the check boxes that it wasaccessible and, like Podmatch,
that you found me, that was oneof the reasons I connected with
them because, again, they hadbuilt in and they even had hired
someone who was blind to help,you know, consult with them to
make sure it was accessible.
So I love being able to dothose sorts of things.
(30:14):
So kudos, kudos.
Speaker 4 (30:15):
Yeah, definitely, and I'm really glad that you
mentioned that, because thoseare some really great resources
for people that are interestedin finding guests or being hosts
or anything.
It's an amazing place it is.
It is on both sides of the fence, host or yes, yes absolutely
and it was really great when Idecided to kind of hone in a
(30:40):
little bit more, in that I couldnarrow down.
Well, I'm not really interestedin just having like a business
marketing guest on, like, Ireally want to stick to this
community and everything, and Ilove that.
I love that.
Speaker 5 (30:54):
But you can do that deep dive in, in, in, find your
own specialty.
Yeah absolutely, absolutely, Iknow.
Speaker 4 (31:02):
What is go?
What kind of things are youworking on now?
What can we look forward toseeing and what are you going to
be doing?
Speaker 5 (31:12):
Well, one of the things, as I stated, I'm
starting to do seminars at mylocal library that we are going
to start filming so that I canupload it, and I'm going to
create a YouTube channel so morepeople can get Sarah and get
exposed to the seminars that I'mdoing, both from teaching
people some of the accessibilitytools and making them aware of
(31:34):
that.
But, more importantly, I'm alsogoing to try to put on a line.
I do a workshop on helpingpeople find their career.
You know their next step, butit's sitting down and breaking
that down, taking the time andthe steps.
So look forward to gettingseeing a YouTube channel that
(31:57):
I'll be able to upload that andoffer some courses and also some
seminars that people can justclick and go.
Hey, I can do this for my, youknow, for my mom or someone that
you might know that suddenly islosing their vision, because it
doesn't just, you know, affectseniors, even though you know
baby boomers will all be over 65by the year 2029.
(32:18):
And in vision loss, a good 20%of our population each decade
will lose a portion of theirvision.
So it is just being aware ofsome of the tools that are
available.
And then I also want to shareon like Instagram.
I tell people about my glassesand also some of the cool things
watching TV using audiodescription.
(32:41):
People realize they're going.
How are you watching movies andTVs?
You can go to the movie theater, get a certain particular
headset and sit there, enjoy themovie right there with the rest
of your family and not have anyclue what's on that screen, but
you're following the storylineall because of audio description
and going to the theater.
I went to see Hamilton about amonth ago at our theater and had
(33:04):
a headset, had a tactile tour,went behind the stage, felt the
props, got a feel.
And then you come back, put theheadset on and they're
describing the characters.
But I'm telling people who aresighted no, that's not Jefferson
, that's George Washington.
He's talking to some.
Oh, I didn't know, because theaudio description person is
they've got the whole play, youknow they've got, you know the
(33:25):
script and they know who's who.
So these are things that peoplecall and that's free.
I said yes when I purchased myticket.
I just asked will there be anaudio description for this
particular service?
And they'll tell me.
When I never knew that, I saidit's all the power of asking.
Speaker 4 (33:40):
Yeah, amen, it's all in the power of asking yes.
I love that, absolutely, I lovethat and I think that you have
to, just like you said, you haveto just quiet yourself, be
humble, be realized that inasking, those opportunities will
(34:00):
come, they will start toprovide themselves around you
and that's your opportunity tograsp on those and just Exactly,
Exactly.
Speaker 5 (34:12):
And, sarah, the one thing I find that within the
disability community we convinceourselves, our own self-talk oh
I won't be able to compete, oh,I don't think I'll.
But if we stop the negativevoices in turn and trust the
faith that, hey, I can do this,it may be different and it may
take me a little bit longer, butI can achieve it.
(34:34):
I believe in myself.
If you don't believe inyourself, you certainly can't go
out and convince someone else.
But it becomes contagious whenyou believe you know what you're
capable of and you continuallyinvest in yourself.
I call it my little bully systemBelieve, understand love and
invest in yourself.
I call it my little bullysystem Believe, understand love
and invest in yourself.
If you don't, it's not going tocome out in people, it's
(34:55):
contagious.
They go.
How do you do?
I want to do that?
I'm talking to a lady that's 86years old and I'm going to sit
and tutor her one-on-one becauseshe wants to learn how to use
her.
She saw me using my phone, 86years old, and I said I want to
be like you when I get to thatpoint, you know that is so cool.
But she said I can sense thatyou are, so I just want to do.
(35:19):
I said trust me, you can passme, I'm just going to give you,
I'm going to get you started andthen you can be off to the
races.
So that definitely I hope, ifnothing else, through either my
book or some of my speeches andI love anywhere that I have an
opportunity to speak toindividuals.
I love being able to do thatbecause I know I'll at least
(35:40):
grab one person with thatpositive nugget that they can
get off their pity party and onto a propel party.
Speaker 3 (35:47):
And tell us the name of the book again.
Speaker 5 (35:50):
The name of the book is Turning Stones Into Gems
Learn how to find purpose inyour life and career.
You can purchase that book onmy website or at any of your
bookstores.
Amazon it's audible version onaudiblecom ebook as well as,
obviously, the goodold-fashioned, you know, not
hardback but paperback versionas well.
(36:12):
So absolutely, absolutely.
Speaker 4 (36:15):
Congratulations on the successes that you have
created for yourself throughyour own curiosity, openness and
, just you know, love andpassion for yourself and your
community that you're sharingthis information with and just
changing, helping change lives,and I'm so grateful that we had
(36:38):
this time together today.
Speaker 5 (36:40):
Absolutely, I am as well.
I'm so, so thankful, and I justwant to pray and wish you
continued blessings in all thatyou're doing it's great, I love
listening.
I've already got three podcastsdown and I've got more to come.
Speaker 3 (36:54):
Absolutely.
Speaker 4 (36:56):
I guess you get squared away for the next, while
I know, absolutely, absolutely.
Oh, thank you so much for yourtime.
It was so lovely to connectwith you and I would love to
stay in touch.
Speaker 5 (37:08):
Yes, we will.
We will Absolutely.
Speaker 2 (37:24):
In the heart of the city.
She's shining bright, oh yeah,stories of love and courage all
throughout the night, her voiceresonating an anthem for all.
Through the trials and trials,she answers the call.
A mother and a fighter,breaking barriers and strife.
(37:45):
Love is her guide.
She'll never hide.
She's changing the world foryou with the heart that speaks
(38:14):
in strong, empathy's melody.
In our journey we all belong.
Followers, stars in the night.
So bright, 44,000 voicessharing in the light.
She stands for family,advocates for more Movement of
compassion.
Ways we'll soar.
Podcast together, symphony ofsupport, creating life changing
rapport.
She's changing the world foryou With a heart that's fierce
and strong.
Empathies and melody In ajourney we all belong.
(38:38):
Through her eyes, A visionclear.
Together we rise, sheddingfears in every heart.
She plants the seed ofunderstanding and love for
dearly me.
She's changing the world foryou With a heart that's fierce
(39:08):
and strong.
Empathies and melodies.
Thank you.
The SJ Childs Show is Backford's 13th season.
Join Sarah Bradford and the SJChilds Show team as they explore
the world of autism and sharestories of hope and inspiration.
This season we're excited tobring you more autism summits
featuring experts and advocatesfrom around the world.
Speaker 2 (00:30):
Go to sjchildsorg hey everyone.
Speaker 3 (00:36):
just wanted to give you an update.
The second annual InternationalAutism Summit was such a
success.
Thank you to our sponsors andour amazing speakers.
If you're interested in seeingany of those sessions, go to my
YouTube channel, the SG ChildShow the live tab and you can
see each day and their sessionsare timestamped in the
(00:58):
description.
Speaker 4 (00:59):
Hope to see you guys there there, hi, welcome to the
SJ Child Show today.
Today I am being met withanother Sarah, so you better bet
it's going to probably be thebest episode yet.
Absolutely Number 310, if we'recounting.
(01:20):
We are doing some work and we're, you know, just really, like
you said, even if we can impactone or two people in the
community, in our neighborhood,in our church, anywhere that we
can be just a resource to anyone, then let us be.
(01:43):
I said just yesterday or justthe other day on the summit, if
I can be the beacon of lightthat come to people to help them
share their stories, please,please, let me be that and come
and let's do it all together.
Speaker 5 (01:59):
Absolutely, absolutely.
Speaker 4 (02:02):
Thanks so much for being here today.
Absolutely, absolutely Thanksso much for being here today and
for my wonderful listeners andaudience.
Please introduce yourself andlet them know a little bit about
yourself and what brought youhere, sure.
Speaker 5 (02:13):
I'm Sarah Freeman Smith and I am a first and
foremost disability advocatebecause I am legally blind
probably about 95% vision lossat this stage and I also am a
career navigator and author andspeaker of an inspirational book
entitled Turning Stones intoGyms Learn how to Find Purpose
(02:37):
in your Life and Career.
And my journey has always mycareer journey has always been
on the HR recruiting side, whereI would go out, seek and try to
attract talent to come to workfor my organizations and then
when I retired, of course Icouldn't retire, I had to get
back into the game.
(02:57):
And now I am helping others tryto figure out what do I want to
be.
Sometimes, when I grow up aftera second or third time and in
my instance, I'm totallyreinventing myself.
So if I can do it, what's theexcuse of others so being able
to just be able to provide thoseresources and encouragement?
Speaker 4 (03:17):
so I love that.
I love that.
In fact, a little personalstory that you might love as
well.
My grandfather passed away justa couple years ago at 96.
Oh, wow.
But let me tell you, he numberone remarried at 85.
Oh, my goodness, he continuedhis education continually.
(03:42):
He was always doing continuededucation, constantly doing
history and all these amazingthings.
And he also I think it was likehe was 92 when he had an
unfortunate fall, but that wasthe last time he did roofing
work on his own.
Oh, my goodness, no excuses.
(04:04):
Like you can do things you know.
And and I always say likesometimes even my own mom will
be, oh, I don't know what to,like I, I don't think I can
reach and I'm like no, no, no,no.
Speaker 5 (04:14):
Even your own dad, like he restarted his whole life
exactly reach down and get thatdna that he imparted on you
that's right that's the truth,absolutely, absolutely, and it
does.
And it begins with your mindsetthat that's the first and
foremost, because what, what'sin our mind will drive the rest
of us.
And so if I convince myselfwhat I cannot do, guess what you
(04:36):
will achieve every aspect ofthat.
So it's just really positioningand changing that mindset
that'll make a world ofdifference, I love that, and
where do people start on thisjourney with you?
Well, for me, it is aboutsitting down and really, really,
first and foremost, admittingto yourself you need help,
(04:59):
because a lot of us just trudgethrough and push through and you
know we may be the person thateveryone asks us for advice or
help, but sometimes it's abouthumbling yourself, swallowing
that pride and that ego.
And in my instance, some 20years ago, when I began to lose
my vision, it was like you mean,I got to ask for help, I'm the
(05:23):
helper, I can't be the helpee.
But it was about sitting downand taking that quiet time,
meditation.
And for me, I'm a, I'm in gradschool, I'm a mother, wife,
community advocate, you know,involved in my church.
(05:48):
And suddenly you're finallytold because there's no reason
why you're losing your visionthat not only will you not be
able to cure it, it is acondition that is genetic and it
will lead to your totalblindness.
And I tell you, I was on a pityparty for a good minute because
I'm going what in the world am Igoing to do?
(06:09):
How can I do?
Everything that I did was, youknow, so dependent upon my
vision?
And I'm crying out angry.
I have to admit it's like goingthrough, you know, seven stages
of grief.
I mean, I'm upset with God andI'm going why me, why me, why me
, I'm doing all these things.
I'm just checking off all mylittle boxes, that I've, of
course, said to myself that Ithought I was doing right.
(06:31):
And God clearly spoke and saidwhy not you, sarah?
What makes you any better thanothers?
Do you realize that there arepeople that would give their
right arm and leg to be in yourposition?
So let's go take a visit, youknow, down the MD Anderson
Hospital I'm in the medicalcenter capital of the world in
Houston.
And do you want to start at theinfant side?
(06:52):
So that gives you a little bitof reflection.
And so at that point you reallyreally have to start deep and
get off that merry-go-round.
For me, and that was the prayerand the meditation.
And then God said okay, now Ican speak to you.
Here's what you will do.
And the main thing he wanted meto do is I'm saying to myself I
can't do this.
(07:12):
Write a third edition of thebook before I had sight, before
I could do, because the book wasinitially published about 25
years ago and this is my thirdedition.
Now what are you saying?
I can't do that?
That's at least what I'mtelling myself.
But the one thing I've learnedGod does not call the equip, he
equips the called.
(07:33):
And he said you can do this andyou will do this, and I'm going
to go through you so you canencourage others and let them
know, even at this point, evenat this season, that there's
more that I have for you to do.
And so that's the first step istaking that quiet time and, to
be honest with you, sarah, a lotof people don't want to give up
(07:53):
that.
You know, we're on social media, we're doing our own thing and
we just kind of squeeze in thatlittle quiet time, but it's so,
so important.
It's like trying to have aconversation one way.
How can you tell me everythingyou want to do, but then when I
go to speak, you get up offthose knees.
You get up.
Okay, I gotta go.
Speaker 4 (08:12):
So yes, I love that you said that, because I think a
big part of and I, you know, Iam also on my own spiritual
journey.
My husband and I are taking ahigher self course on the side,
together as a couple, and andwe're just embracing some of
these ideas, that kind of we'veknown all along, but putting
(08:35):
everything together in in itsown daily practice is so special
, so powerful.
And I think one thing that Ireally resonated with me and
what you're saying is that youreally, for the next step, you
have to be ready to receive.
In order to receive, you've gotto be quiet, you've got to be
(08:58):
settled, you've got to be overwanting to ask or over asking
and ready to get answers andready to receive that.
And then you get this powerful,you know inspiration and now,
like you said, help others,because there's so much power in
(09:19):
people's stories.
Everybody's journey is so veryunique and nothing will be the
same for two people or you knowindividuals, but the we can all
take like learning lessons.
You know from everyone andlearn a little bit from every
(09:40):
person.
Speaker 5 (09:41):
Right, and that is that that's so, so, so, very
true.
Every person Right, and that isthat that's so, so, so very
true.
And then when you take thatquiet time, that's when you know
you, like you said, you getthese revelations, you get these
inspirations.
And in my book I talk there'ssix P's.
So the first one is prayer, andthe second one is you're going
to get a plan.
But then we put ourself in themix of it.
(10:03):
We're trying to figure out now,how am I going to do this?
Now, I don't know anybody likethis.
Oh, that seems too enormous.
I'm so again, we are rattlingour mind and our brain and all
of these things on.
How am I going to do this?
It's because the one thing Iknow that whatever we can think
of, then that's not God's plans.
Because guess what, If youcould think of something to do,
(10:26):
what do you need God for?
It is always going to besomething far bigger than you
would ever think you could grasp.
And again he says I'm going togo through you, but I am also
the same God that gives you thevision.
I will give you the provisions.
I'm going to equip you and putpeople in front of you.
You just need to look up, askfor help, and it's right there.
(10:47):
And that's the part of the planthat you go oh, you mean, I got,
yeah, but it's step by step.
He's not going to play thewhole movie out for me.
You know which I want?
Okay, can I see the part thatyou want me to play and
determine if I want to play that?
No, you don't get to do that.
It's like step by step by step,and then it starts forming a
(11:12):
picture and you go oh, mygoodness, I never knew Sarah had
this background, when all theseyears I knew her as this and
you've been doing, oh, yeah, butyou never asked, or it wasn't
important that I know that untilthat moment, at that time.
So that's the beauty of whenthe plan begins to unfold and
(11:33):
then you can share that withothers and people go oh, I've
been.
That's the only reason Icouldn't do it, because I
couldn't figure out how to startthat next career or that new
business.
Well, that's the problem weblock our own blessings.
We get in our own way, Isn't?
Speaker 4 (11:44):
that true, and there can be several plans.
You don't have to just have one.
I mean, I and there will bedetours, yes, right, detours
absolutely.
Speaker 5 (11:54):
But those are good detours, because these are
lessons you have to learn nowbecause you're going to face
something down the road and if Ididn't have that experience
from that detour, oh my gosh howthat ending would be totally
different.
So it's being able to not onlyadjust, to say it's going to
(12:14):
change, but remember thiswhatever that purpose of that
plan, it's not going to go away.
In my instance, I thought I hadcompleted it some 20 years ago.
Okay, I wrote the book, I spoke, I did all those things.
Okay, I wrote the book, I spoke, I did all those things.
I'm back in corporate America,I'm doing my own thing.
Why in the world.
Speaker 2 (12:29):
I got to do that again.
Speaker 5 (12:30):
Well, god would send me perfect strangers tracking me
down on LinkedIn saying youknow, that book you read wrote
20 years ago.
We're going through thispandemic.
We need that same encouragementnow.
And I'm going.
You've, that's God, and youhave no other excuse.
(12:53):
And then I still sit and hesends someone else.
He says, okay, that burningbush didn't get your attention,
let me send a towering infernoor something you know.
So eventually, you know that,you know, okay, I got to do this
.
Now what?
And boom, someone drops into.
It was amazing.
Oh, I do books and and Ipublish and I work with, you
(13:16):
know, blind and low vision.
What?
Okay, I never.
So those are the things thatthat help, but being able to
share with people.
Yes, I had some detours and yes, I just flat out got out of the
line and did my own thing, butGod said save that spot, she'll
be back here.
She's out there in the parkinglot.
Everybody else is in thestadium.
(13:38):
Yeah, I love that In the parkinglot thinking, oh, I got this I
don't need.
Okay, you told me my marching,I didn't tell you to go do it,
and so here I come back a yearor two late.
Excuse me, excuse me.
Speaker 4 (14:02):
As I tell my friends, that's my spot.
Yeah, we've been waiting on youand I get a chance to sit right
back and say, okay, I'm payingattention now, but I love that.
You know, I'm parenting a teenright now and I think that my
husband, you know, when she'slike, oh why, why are things
going?
My husband always says to hereverything is a test.
The sooner you overcome this,it will change and you'll be on
to the next one.
It's so kind of almost lovelyto hear it doesn't ever.
(14:28):
That's this.
Is it Like it is on the changeright?
Speaker 5 (14:34):
And I, and trust me, I, I, I have empathy for you.
I only have one man child andat that time, when he was going
through those teen years, when Iam losing my vision, of course,
why can't?
Why, why, why?
And I would always tell him Isaid, listen, this is exactly
right, this is a test, but guesswhat?
God does not grade on a passcurve system.
(14:56):
Okay, just because someone gotan 85, you don't get to pass.
You either pass or you fail.
If you fail, guess what?
You're going to stay in thesame class until you pass.
So the quicker you learn thislesson, you get promoted to the
next lesson.
So keep asking me why?
Because you keep making thesame mistake and guess what?
(15:17):
you're not getting out of thisclass until you learn it so and
at that point he would go ohokay, all right, now we got it,
now we go to the next challengeand, of course, yeah, here we go
oh, it's such a yeah and youknow no parenting.
Speaker 4 (15:36):
I'll tell you, I have three and there's nothing that
works.
Once with the end, no, Itotally know that.
Speaker 5 (15:44):
I totally get it Totally.
Speaker 4 (15:48):
It's the same in the corporate world, though.
You can completely understandthat, and I have worked in that
as well.
I completely understand that,and isn't it funny how it can be
almost like comparative.
You know, I know.
Speaker 3 (16:02):
And that's the other thing.
Speaker 5 (16:03):
So often we want to separate some of those life
lessons, but they're so to me,when God actually speaks.
It is so applicable ineverything.
It's not just do it here andthen leave it there, as my
pastor says.
Don't be, you know, sittinghere and you're the Christian in
the church and as soon as youget to the parking lot, you're
yelling and doing all thoseother little snag, nasty things.
(16:25):
It doesn't happen like that.
It continues, and you can applythis through everything that
you do.
It's just taking the time tojust go.
Okay, I don't have to fightthis battle.
Let me just put this over tothe side and things will work
itself out.
So yeah, absolutely.
Speaker 4 (16:42):
You know how, what type of tools have you and
resources do you use foryourself?
Now, I know that some of ourdisability advocates and
listeners would love to hearabout that, and you know I had
just recently done anotherepisode with a woman who talked
a lot about like the screenreaders and how important that
(17:06):
is, and I still don't have mywebsite fixed yet, because I
learned so much on that, I know.
And now I'm like, okay, I'mgoing to fix this, yes, yes, yes
, the more we know, right.
Speaker 5 (17:18):
Absolutely, absolutely, because that's one
of the main things.
As a career navigator with myHR background, whenever I have
an opportunity to talk tocompanies, I said one of the
first steps well, how can weattract people?
I said, well, it's almost likeinviting someone to your house,
(17:39):
but you know that I'm blind.
But you've got all theseTiffany glass and all these
little curios and all thesethings and you've got the
slippery Persian rug and I comein either with a service dog or
a cane and I'm whacking, goingaway.
And you didn't prepare yourhouse.
So, in other words, thecompanies.
If you want to attract someonewith a visual impairment, first
and foremost, when you say youhave an opening, your website
has to be accessible and that'sa simple fix.
(18:00):
If you get a software designer,there's guidelines that they
can easily tap in.
They go back programs.
So those little buttons anddropdowns that, just like your
guest talked about, that screenreader, it slides over and it'll
read this is the search boxtype of text.
Well, there's some other reallycool tools.
Uh, one of the basics is I Icurrently just um started doing
(18:23):
some workshops for seniors, uh,that have vision loss and anyone
, not necessarily seniors, butspecifically targeting seniors
for two reasons.
One, most of them have no clueabout the technology and two,
when they do hear about thetechnology, they quickly say
they can't do it.
But something as simple.
Here's my.
I have an iPhone, but even anAndroid phone.
(18:46):
There's a simple feature undergeneral settings or
accessibility.
It's a built-in, almost byitself, that you turn on
something called voiceover,similar to a screen reader.
It's a built in almost byitself that you turn on
something called voiceover,similar to a screen reader.
It's not Siri, because Siri is.
Everybody has Siri.
That's the AI.
We're talking to it, asking thequestions, but there's a
feature called voiceover and allI do is here's my cell phone,
(19:07):
let me see if I can turn it upand I turn it.
Anything that I touch, oh yes, Iturn it.
Anything that I touch, oh yes,show notifications, page one of
two.
So it's telling me everything.
So people say how do you readyour text messages?
How do you do?
(19:27):
Because voiceover, I'm doingtwo things I'm listening and I'm
also manipulating it with myfingers.
But anything that I touch,it'll read.
And if I get to a website or I'mreading you know a lengthy
attachment I just swipe myfinger and it starts at the top,
or I keep swiping if I need toget to the middle, or I can make
(19:48):
some adjustments, and I can goto all of these things.
It it's right there.
And then, on top of that, youhave a toll-free number that you
can call apple or google who,uh?
Or the the basis of android,and ask questions and say I
can't figure out why isn't thisworking, and they'll walk you
through it.
So it's something as simple asthat that allows me to do that.
(20:10):
And then there's free apps, andthen the latest and coolest
tool are called ray-ban metasmart glasses.
They talk, you put them on andbasically they seem through blue
.
Oh my gosh, someone calls andI'm talking to you right now
(20:36):
through my glasses.
Oh my goodness Can you hear me?
Yes, I can.
Then it's a partnership betweenRay Ban and Meta, you know
Facebook, et cetera.
They partnered, they built inan AI feature as well.
So it gives you hands freeusage.
It wasn't created for the blindand visually impaired.
(21:00):
Actually, I think it wascreated for gamers, because it
allows you to take videos andphotos without using your, your
camera on your phone.
You can just give the command,say, take a photo and then
download it to your social mediaimmediately hands-free.
But you get, you're going to gointo your little app and then,
boom, boom, it's on it's online.
(21:22):
Well, guess what?
And also with AI, I can sayread what I have in my hand,
tell me what's on my computerscreen, tell me what's on TV,
and it'll read these things.
So it is so, so cool.
And I can't.
It doesn't enhance my vision,but I'm talking to it using the
AI functionality as well as thehands-free, where I can send
(21:45):
text messages, answer my calls,things of that nature.
So it is the latest andgreatest tool and it's the price
point is so economical under$300.
Oh, my God, yes.
And so gamers, sighted people.
I love it.
I use it every day.
I can grab my mail.
(22:06):
My husband hands me my.
I don't have to, I don't haveto go and open up my phone and
do.
I can just simply glance andsay who's the addressee from,
and then it'll say you know it'sa statement.
Okay, then I can say you knowBank of America.
Okay, boom Read.
And I can even tell it to go toa certain section.
Yesterday we were at arestaurant and my husband hadn't
been there before and he'sreading.
Normally he would read the menuto me in advance.
(22:28):
I said, hey, just give me themenu.
And I went straight, opened up,just put it in front of me and
said read the types of salads.
And it read me the four typesof salad I was already ready to
order.
Speaker 4 (22:41):
Oh, my gosh Amazing.
I know I'm so happy for that.
Speaker 5 (22:47):
These are simple tools, but then there's a wealth
of tools for people, fromBraille displays to the various
types of magnifiers Some peoplehave different levels of sight,
so some that provide contrastand CCTVs.
I advise people and I have aresource page on my website that
(23:09):
go start with your stateagencies.
Every state has a vocationalrehabilitation group.
Sometimes they're incorporatedthrough the employment office
group, other times they'restandalone.
So, whatever your state has,but start with them and people
can get services and they canpurchase these screen readers,
(23:32):
purchase, even offer, you know,a discount, or get iPhones or
Androids or things of thisnature.
You just have to find out whatservices are available, the
training that's available, soreaching out and learning the
power of asking, as I tellpeople, that was my two greatest
lessons was one, the power ofasking for help, and number two,
(23:53):
being patient, because God says, sarah, you're not patient
enough, you have to be patient.
Speaker 4 (24:01):
So what's your website?
I want to put it up on thescreen.
Speaker 5 (24:04):
The website is U as in United, R as in Robert GEMS.
G-e-m-s dot com stands for youAre GEMS, I couldn't write Y-O-U
, so you are G-E-M-S dot com.
And there's a disabilityresource page, a list of how to
find your state agency.
Speaker 3 (24:26):
if you don't know Can I do that correctly.
Speaker 5 (24:27):
Organizations.
Now, you know, I can't see that.
Speaker 4 (24:31):
Oh no, that's right.
Speaker 5 (24:33):
There we go.
So u r g e m s dot c o m should.
And then w w in front of it, ww, that should take.
Speaker 4 (24:41):
My goodness, what a goofball.
But no, it happens all the timeI have been married.
Speaker 5 (24:47):
I've been married almost 45 years and my husband
said it's right over there,where's there?
Right there, and I'm looking athim and then he suddenly oh so,
trust me, it happens, ithappens.
But no, you are gemscom, so theresource page would extremely.
(25:09):
It has organizations asorganizations and I love the
fact that I can help people.
If you're looking for a job, itgives you some tips and some
tools.
But what if I'm an employer?
What if I know a company?
And why aren't we hiring morepeople, not just visually
impaired, but people withdisabilities?
There's so many misconceptionsthat people have from a business
(25:32):
sector oh, it's going to costme this.
Oh, I can't afford theaccommodations.
Oh, what if this?
I mean dispelling all of thosethings that if you just take the
time to sit and look at whatthe benefits are in hiring
individuals with a wide array ofdisabilities and I used to even
work with individuals throughthe state as a personal job
(25:54):
coach and from individuals thatwere autistic to visual
impairment, physical impairments, in all the whole gamut, and I
just loved being able to sharewith them, be confident in
yourself and sit down and beable to explain what you can do.
But you also need to be able toask for those necessary
accommodations and why you needthem.
Speaker 4 (26:16):
Yeah, and you know, disclosure is a very big
conversation going on right nowand I think it's great.
I think it's great that we'retalking about it and we're we're
really just talking about a lotof things that we should be
talking about, and I think thatthat's good.
Speaker 5 (26:32):
And disclosure is unique for each person.
It's up to individuals becausesome, as I tell people, some
disabilities, if they'reinvisible, the law does not
require you to walk in and justlist the things that you need
for accommodations.
It's up to you.
So it's the way you approach it.
So it's the way you approach itNow, in my instance, when I, if
(26:54):
I were to go and interview, I'mcoming in with the cane and I'm
going to have to ask somebodywhere is the such and such
office or where is Bill or Bobor Sally or whomever.
So it's going to be clear thateven though I look like, as most
(27:20):
people say, you don't look likeyou're blind, because you're
looking at me and I'm going,well, I'm following where my
ears tell me and I'm assumingyou're in front of me, you know
one of those type things.
So and then I kind of go well,how does a blind people do you
think we all look like RayCharles sister or Stevie Wonder?
Well, I mean, but that's okay,I totally get it.
So I use that as an opportunityto really educate and inform.
And then at that point, but thenI know I'm the elephant in the
room because, again, they'vetalked to Sarah, we've emailed,
I've done whatever, and now Iwalk in and they go oh no, now
(27:41):
what do we do with her?
Well, then I come in with mycell phone and I say listen, I'm
not doing social media, this ismy accessibility tool.
I have my notes written here.
So, if you see me, I'mlistening, it's not a
distraction to you, but I'mlistening to some follow-up
notes that I have in order toask some certain questions.
And if you send me something,if you put it in an electronic
(28:03):
version, I can read that fasterinstead of handing it to me with
a piece of paper.
However, if you do, I can take aphoto of that and then it can
be read back, but then I need alittle bit of time to do it.
So, whatever is most convenientfor you, and at that point
they're going okay, I think shehas a grasp of this.
So, and the only other thing is, I asked someone identify
yourself when you start talkingto me.
(28:24):
Because, again, if you're in aroom and Bob and Sally and all
these people, hey, I'm Bob, soI'm listening, so I can begin to
recognize the voice.
So, just being confident inbelieving in yourself and you
know, if it's meant to be, it'sgreat, but if that organization
does not, you know, want to hireme, hey, I say hey, I'm happy,
(28:45):
because I don't want to besomewhere where someone doesn't
want me.
Speaker 4 (28:48):
Isn't that the truth?
Rejection is protection.
Rejection is protection.
That's what we say in ourfamily.
Speaker 5 (28:54):
Absolutely, and that is protection and rejection is
protection.
Speaker 4 (28:55):
That's what we say in our family.
Speaker 5 (28:55):
Absolutely, that's just one check box another, yes,
and I just keep it moving.
Speaker 4 (28:59):
Okay, thank you, love it oh man, I'm so glad that we
found each other.
This is so fantastic.
Speaker 5 (29:05):
Well, you found me because you were on and I said
oh how cool.
And I I immediately checked outyour website and I said oh God,
thank you so so much.
Speaker 4 (29:19):
I'm so glad too.
I'm really, really glad becauseI want to be accessible to
everyone.
Streamyard, which we're usingright now, has amazing
accessibility.
Speaker 5 (29:31):
Extremely accessible.
This was one of the first,besides Zoom, that I got
introduced to and I justabsolutely because the host she
said, oh, I didn't realize that,well, I'm not sure.
I said I can do a quick little,you know, do some research real
fast, because I always ask whatkind of platform?
And this was eight, nine monthsago and sure enough, they had
(29:52):
all the check boxes that it wasaccessible and, like Podmatch,
that you found me, that was oneof the reasons I connected with
them because, again, they hadbuilt in and they even had hired
someone who was blind to help,you know, consult with them to
make sure it was accessible.
So I love being able to dothose sorts of things.
(30:14):
So kudos, kudos.
Speaker 4 (30:15):
Yeah, definitely, and I'm really glad that you
mentioned that, because thoseare some really great resources
for people that are interestedin finding guests or being hosts
or anything.
It's an amazing place it is.
It is on both sides of the fence, host or yes, yes absolutely
and it was really great when Idecided to kind of hone in a
(30:40):
little bit more, in that I couldnarrow down.
Well, I'm not really interestedin just having like a business
marketing guest on, like, Ireally want to stick to this
community and everything, and Ilove that.
I love that.
Speaker 5 (30:54):
But you can do that deep dive in, in, in, find your
own specialty.
Yeah absolutely, absolutely, Iknow.
Speaker 4 (31:02):
What is go?
What kind of things are youworking on now?
What can we look forward toseeing and what are you going to
be doing?
Speaker 5 (31:12):
Well, one of the things, as I stated, I'm
starting to do seminars at mylocal library that we are going
to start filming so that I canupload it, and I'm going to
create a YouTube channel so morepeople can get Sarah and get
exposed to the seminars that I'mdoing, both from teaching
people some of the accessibilitytools and making them aware of
(31:34):
that.
But, more importantly, I'm alsogoing to try to put on a line.
I do a workshop on helpingpeople find their career.
You know their next step, butit's sitting down and breaking
that down, taking the time andthe steps.
So look forward to gettingseeing a YouTube channel that
(31:57):
I'll be able to upload that andoffer some courses and also some
seminars that people can justclick and go.
Hey, I can do this for my, youknow, for my mom or someone that
you might know that suddenly islosing their vision, because it
doesn't just, you know, affectseniors, even though you know
baby boomers will all be over 65by the year 2029.
(32:18):
And in vision loss, a good 20%of our population each decade
will lose a portion of theirvision.
So it is just being aware ofsome of the tools that are
available.
And then I also want to shareon like Instagram.
I tell people about my glassesand also some of the cool things
watching TV using audiodescription.
(32:41):
People realize they're going.
How are you watching movies andTVs?
You can go to the movie theater, get a certain particular
headset and sit there, enjoy themovie right there with the rest
of your family and not have anyclue what's on that screen, but
you're following the storylineall because of audio description
and going to the theater.
I went to see Hamilton about amonth ago at our theater and had
(33:04):
a headset, had a tactile tour,went behind the stage, felt the
props, got a feel.
And then you come back, put theheadset on and they're
describing the characters.
But I'm telling people who aresighted no, that's not Jefferson
, that's George Washington.
He's talking to some.
Oh, I didn't know, because theaudio description person is
they've got the whole play, youknow they've got, you know the
(33:25):
script and they know who's who.
So these are things that peoplecall and that's free.
I said yes when I purchased myticket.
I just asked will there be anaudio description for this
particular service?
And they'll tell me.
When I never knew that, I saidit's all the power of asking.
Speaker 4 (33:40):
Yeah, amen, it's all in the power of asking yes.
I love that, absolutely, I lovethat and I think that you have
to, just like you said, you haveto just quiet yourself, be
humble, be realized that inasking, those opportunities will
(34:00):
come, they will start toprovide themselves around you
and that's your opportunity tograsp on those and just Exactly,
Exactly.
Speaker 5 (34:12):
And, sarah, the one thing I find that within the
disability community we convinceourselves, our own self-talk oh
I won't be able to compete, oh,I don't think I'll.
But if we stop the negativevoices in turn and trust the
faith that, hey, I can do this,it may be different and it may
take me a little bit longer, butI can achieve it.
(34:34):
I believe in myself.
If you don't believe inyourself, you certainly can't go
out and convince someone else.
But it becomes contagious whenyou believe you know what you're
capable of and you continuallyinvest in yourself.
I call it my little bully systemBelieve, understand love and
invest in yourself.
I call it my little bullysystem Believe, understand love
and invest in yourself.
If you don't, it's not going tocome out in people, it's
(34:55):
contagious.
They go.
How do you do?
I want to do that?
I'm talking to a lady that's 86years old and I'm going to sit
and tutor her one-on-one becauseshe wants to learn how to use
her.
She saw me using my phone, 86years old, and I said I want to
be like you when I get to thatpoint, you know that is so cool.
But she said I can sense thatyou are, so I just want to do.
(35:19):
I said trust me, you can passme, I'm just going to give you,
I'm going to get you started andthen you can be off to the
races.
So that definitely I hope, ifnothing else, through either my
book or some of my speeches andI love anywhere that I have an
opportunity to speak toindividuals.
I love being able to do thatbecause I know I'll at least
(35:40):
grab one person with thatpositive nugget that they can
get off their pity party and onto a propel party.
Speaker 3 (35:47):
And tell us the name of the book again.
Speaker 5 (35:50):
The name of the book is Turning Stones Into Gems
Learn how to find purpose inyour life and career.
You can purchase that book onmy website or at any of your
bookstores.
Amazon it's audible version onaudiblecom ebook as well as,
obviously, the goodold-fashioned, you know, not
hardback but paperback versionas well.
(36:12):
So absolutely, absolutely.
Speaker 4 (36:15):
Congratulations on the successes that you have
created for yourself throughyour own curiosity, openness and
, just you know, love andpassion for yourself and your
community that you're sharingthis information with and just
changing, helping change lives,and I'm so grateful that we had
(36:38):
this time together today.
Speaker 5 (36:40):
Absolutely, I am as well.
I'm so, so thankful, and I justwant to pray and wish you
continued blessings in all thatyou're doing it's great, I love
listening.
I've already got three podcastsdown and I've got more to come.
Speaker 3 (36:54):
Absolutely.
Speaker 4 (36:56):
I guess you get squared away for the next, while
I know, absolutely, absolutely.
Oh, thank you so much for yourtime.
It was so lovely to connectwith you and I would love to
stay in touch.
Speaker 5 (37:08):
Yes, we will.
We will Absolutely.
Speaker 2 (37:24):
In the heart of the city.
She's shining bright, oh yeah,stories of love and courage all
throughout the night, her voiceresonating an anthem for all.
Through the trials and trials,she answers the call.
A mother and a fighter,breaking barriers and strife.
(37:45):
Love is her guide.
She'll never hide.
She's changing the world foryou with the heart that speaks
(38:14):
in strong, empathy's melody.
In our journey we all belong.
Followers, stars in the night.
So bright, 44,000 voicessharing in the light.
She stands for family,advocates for more Movement of
compassion.
Ways we'll soar.
Podcast together, symphony ofsupport, creating life changing
rapport.
She's changing the world foryou With a heart that's fierce
and strong.
Empathies and melody In ajourney we all belong.
(38:38):
Through her eyes, A visionclear.
Together we rise, sheddingfears in every heart.
She plants the seed ofunderstanding and love for
dearly me.
She's changing the world foryou With a heart that's fierce
(39:08):
and strong.
Empathies and melodies.
Thank you.
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