Blind and Refined
A routine physical for 28 year old John Powers led to an eye specialist informing John that half his sight was gone. He had no idea. A degenerative eye disease (choroideremia) would eventually lead to blindness. 30 years later, John recounts what helped and hindered him on his “challenging and messy” journey of sight loss.
This is a candid narrative in which denial and resistance eventually gave way to acceptance and the assistance of a supportive community and the riches of his Christian faith.
“I think there are others out there who get a life changing diagnosis, and all of a sudden, they have to find a new way forward.”
Blind and Refined
Episode 7 - Getting Lost to Find My Way
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
In this final episode of Blind and Refined Season 1, John recounts lessons from his blindness training in Des Moines—where getting lost, quite literally, became a path to finding confidence and independence. Reflecting on how discomfort and challenge can refine us, he invites listeners to consider what has helped and hindered their own growth. With gratitude and humor, John and his guide dog Gibbs wrap up Season 1 with encouragement to keep growing, even when the way forward isn’t clear.
Cover artwork: Jennie Lodien
Editing assistance, Ann Powers and Wayne Hepler
Audio Editing: Reed Seely
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/christopher-galovan/peace-be-with-you
License code: 6BBTWLZGASK3QFNM