BABIES DOWN, BOTTLES UP

• Mom of the Month: Only grieved my blindness for a week w/ Naquela Wright

  This month, we’re putting the spotlight on Naquela Wright, a mother of two and the powerhouse cofounder of Eyes Like Mine, an organization dedicated to raising awareness about the abilities and potential of people with vision loss. Through community service projects, empowerment workshops, and advocacy events, Eyes Like Mine is reshaping how the world sees blindness. Naquela lived a full, active life throughout her teenage years—until everything changed at 18 when pseudotumor cerebri took her vision. She allowed herself just one week to grieve before making a promise to herself: she wasn’t going to let blindness define her. Five years later, not only had she adjusted, but she launched an organization that has gone on to inspire countless others. She shares her journey with us—raising a teenage son and a young daughter, balancing family life with community work, and continuing her passion for music as an R&B singer. Naquela gives us an inside look at Eyes Like Mine’s mission, past initiatives, and the many ways they continue to uplift and empower the blind community through events like the Ms. Blind Diva Empowerment Pageant, Dancing With The Blind, and the Marvelous Moms Community Baby Shower. Her story is one of action, not pity—a reminder that life doesn’t end with vision loss. It changes, grows, and, in Naquela’s case, becomes a platform for helping others. Press play to hear how she turned a life-altering moment into a life full of purpose, impact, strength, and full-on love. Learn more and connect with Naquela: Eyes Like Mine Website Naquela's Music on Soundcloud Naquela on Facebook Support us on Patreon. Email us at [email protected]. Like our Facebook page. Follow us on TikTok. Follow us on Twitter. Follow us on Instagram.

  --------  

  58:23
• Hair care, long hair, do care!

  IN this latest episode, we’re going deep into all things haircare—from the routines that keep our families’ curls and coils healthy to the bigger conversations around cultural identity and understanding. We kick things off with the products we swear by for our kids—from detanglers and leave-in conditioners to protective styles that make morning routines smoother and gentler. We break down how we manage our own hair alongside our children’s, what our typical wash days look like from start to finish, and how we’ve made space for self-care through it all. Then the conversation expands. We discuss the importance of bonnets and nighttime protection, what protective styles work for our kids, and how we maintain them throughout the week. But this isn’t just about hair—it’s about culture, too. We get honest about cultural appropriation vs. appreciation, and the way misunderstandings around race and hair often play out in society. Whether it’s braids, locs, or twist-outs, we’re shedding light on how certain styles are perceived depending on who’s wearing them—and why education matters. From the hot tools we use to the lessons we’re passing down to our kids, this episode is packed with personal tips, open conversation, and a whole lot of love for every texture, pattern, and routine. Whether you’re a parent learning to care for your child’s hair, someone building your own routine, or just curious to learn more—this is an episode you don’t want to miss. Support us on Patreon. Email us at [email protected]. Like our Facebook page. Follow us on TikTok. Follow us on Twitter. Follow us on Instagram.

  --------  

  1:12:54
• Guide dogs are just another kid. w/ Shelly, Julie and Jasmine)

  Ever wondered how blind moms juggle parenting and traveling with a guide dog? In this episode of Babies Down, Bottles Up, we’re bringing together a powerhouse panel of three moms who do just that. Meet Shelly, an attorney working between New York and New Jersey, Julie, a civil rights attorney in Baltimore, and returning guest Jasmine, whose guide dog is specially trained for running 5Ks. These moms walk us through their journey to getting a guide dog while raising kids. From choosing the right school to train with, to their initial worries, to how they prepared their homes and children for the arrival of a new working dog—it’s all on the table. They also share practical tips for traveling with kids and a dog, when to ask for help, and how to advocate in unfamiliar environments. A big part of the conversation focuses on teaching children guide dog etiquette—what to do, what not to do, and how to create respect for the working role these dogs play. Jasmine shares what made her finally decide to get a guide dog: the chance to run again, independently and confidently. If you’re a blind parent who’s ever considered getting a guide dog but didn’t know how it would fit into your life with kids—this one’s for you. Insightful, funny, and full of real-world advice, this episode brings together moms who are doing it all—with a leash in hand. Support us on Patreon. Email us at [email protected]. Like our Facebook page. Follow us on TikTok. Follow us on Twitter. Follow us on Instagram.

  --------  

  1:07:53
• Discovering my independent Structure. w/ Elizabeth of The Pacific Training Centre

  In this episode, we’re heading north—way north—to chat with Elizabeth, a mom of two and founder of the Pacific Training Centre for the Blind (PTCB) in Canada. Elizabeth’s story is anything but conventional. In the middle of a divorce, she packed up her kids, towed a trailer across the border, and enrolled at the Louisiana Center for the Blind with one goal: to bring structured discovery and true independence training back to Canada. She opens up about winning a scholarship from a national organization to attend LCB—something necessary since, unlike in the U.S., government funding for rehab centers is extremely limited in Canada. We talk about what it was like going through intensive blindness skills training with her children in tow, the emotional and physical demands of the program, and why she believed it was all worth it. Elizabeth breaks down how her own center, Pacific Training Centre, compares to LCB—what’s the same, what’s different, and how it fits into Canada’s broader system of services. She also shares important insights about sleep shades, why structured discovery matters, and the often misunderstood differences between vocational rehabilitation programs and centers that actually prioritize blind people leading blind people. Her center’s training program, appropriately named Blind People In Charge, is a direct reflection of that philosophy. We also get into the weeds with certification—NOMC vs. AER-recognized O&M instructors—and how the delivery of orientation and mobility training impacts real-world independence. Elizabeth offers advice on when it’s the right time to attend a program like LCB or PTCB, and how to resist falling back into old habits when you return home after training. Her story and the work she’s doing in British Columbia is making a lasting impact on blind Canadians seeking full, meaningful independence—and her message is loud and clear: advocate for yourself, and never settle for less than full freedom. Contact Pacific Training Centre for the Blind: Website: https://pacifictrainingcentre.ca Email: [email protected] Facebook: Pacific Training Centre on Facebook Support us on Patreon. Email us at [email protected]. Like our Facebook page. Follow us on TikTok. Follow us on Twitter. Follow us on Instagram.

  --------  

  54:15
• Mom of the month: Doc where's my socks? w/ Misha

  This month’s Mom of the Month, Misha, didn’t have time to ease into life after blindness—she had to figure it out fast. With two teenagers who she jokingly calls her second set of parents, she knew there was no option but to push forward. Just five years ago, at 29, Misha lost her vision due to pseudotumor cerebri, a condition that took everything she had known in an instant. Before blindness, she was living life on her terms—holding a high-ranking job at Newark Liberty Airport, enjoying summers outside with friends, and just getting into traveling. Then, everything changed. In this episode, Misha takes us through those first overwhelming months when life felt impossible, the support her mom gave her when she needed it most, and the way her relationship unraveled after losing her sight. But she didn’t stay down for long. After attending JKTC (Joseph Kohn Training Center) in New Jersey, she started rebuilding—learning new skills, sharpening her tech abilities, and stepping into part-time work. Travel is back on her list, and she shares her favorite place she’s been so far. She also talks about the one thing she’s most proud of since losing her sight and how she’s now exploring adaptive sports, with beep baseball catching her interest. Misha’s story is one of real life—messy, unexpected, and full of moments that remind you why you keep going. And honestly? She fits right in with us at BDBU. Support us on Patreon. Email us at [email protected]. Like our Facebook page. Follow us on TikTok. Follow us on Twitter. Follow us on Instagram.

  --------  

  45:13

Meer Kind en gezin podcasts

Trending Kind en gezin -podcasts

Over BABIES DOWN, BOTTLES UP