BABIES DOWN, BOTTLES UP

iv> Our Mom of the Month spotlight is back, and this time we’re welcoming Katie from Katy’s Eyes on TikTok to the mic.
Katie is a blind mom of two who has built a growing online following by simply sharing what life actually looks like in her house. From raising her kids to running her day-to-day life without sight, she’s been documenting the routines, workarounds, and moments that most people never get to see.
In this episode, Katie talks about her choice to homeschool and how she structures learning at home while still giving her kids space to explore and be kids. She shares how volunteering at her church became another place where she could stay connected to her community and contribute in ways that matter to her family.
We also talk about what it’s been like growing a social media presence while being open about blindness. Katie explains why she started posting in the first place, the reactions she gets from people online, and how those videos have turned into a space where others can ask questions, learn, and feel less alone.
Along the way we get into the everyday strategies she uses around the house, the moments that catch people off guard when they see a blind parent in action, and the importance of showing the world that blind parents are doing the same messy, funny, exhausting, rewarding job as everyone else.
Katie brings honesty, humor, and a lot of perspective to this conversation. It’s a great way to get to know another mom who’s doing things her own way and sharing it with the world.
Find Katie from Katy’s Eyes
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@katyseyes
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/KatysEyes
Instagram: http://instagram.com/katyseyes
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This one is real.
We’re talking about what it’s actually like working outside of the blindness bubble. Not conferences. Not advocacy spaces. Regular workplaces. Offices. Meetings. Systems that were never built with us in mind.
We share our experiences being the only blind person in the room, the pressure to prove ourselves before we even open our mouths, and the exhausting dance of deciding when to educate and when to just do your job. There are stories of discrimination, yes. But there are also stories of unexpected allies, managers who stepped up, and coworkers who surprised us in the best way.
We get into inaccessible software, awkward interviews, assumptions about productivity, and the constant need to advocate for basic accommodations. We also talk about why it matters that blind people show up in every industry, not just blindness organizations. Visibility changes perception. Presence shifts culture. And sometimes just existing in the space is the statement.
This episode is about honesty, growth, frustration, and persistence. If you’ve ever felt underestimated at work or wondered how to push back without burning bridges, this conversation is for you.
And we really do want to hear your stories.
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We’re kicking off 2026 by naming our very first Mom of the Month, and it had to be REL Cooper. Friend of the show, blind mom, entrepreneur, homeschooler, and all-around force, REL joins Josselyn, Kisha, and Terrin for an episode that feels like sitting at the table with people who really know each other. Danny pops in with his usual chaos, the drinks are flowing, and the stories come fast.
The episode opens with catch-ups and life updates, from Kisha being nominated for a major PTA honor, to Terrin stumbling into a full-circle connection with a tattoo artist whose family shares a blindness journey of their own. Josselyn admits she’s running on wine and an empty stomach, Danny shocks everyone with his beverage choices, and the group dynamic does what it does best.
Then REL takes the mic. She talks about growing up blind, losing her remaining vision as a kid, and building a life that now includes a marriage, two kids, homeschooling, and multiple businesses. She shares how she met her husband Vision, how their partnership grew from friendship into family and work, and why entrepreneurship became the path forward when traditional jobs weren’t opening doors.
REL breaks down the businesses she and Vision have built together, from furnished rental investing through Access Your Place, to Penny Works, an AI website builder designed with blind users in mind, to her passion projects centered on supporting moms. She also gets real about past ventures that didn’t work, the lessons they left behind, and why no experience is wasted if you actually learn from it.
The conversation moves into homeschooling, how they make it work day to day, why structure looks different in their house, and how learning happens in conversations, play, and everyday life. They talk socialization myths, flexibility, and the pressure parents put on themselves to do things the “right” way. Along the way there are parenting stories, throwback memories, and moments that only happen when people have real history together.
This episode is equal parts laughter, honesty, business talk, parenting reality, and mindset shifts. It’s a strong start to a new year and a perfect introduction to REL Cooper as our first Mom of the Month for 2026.
Find REL Cooper
shesrel.com
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Money planning can get complicated fast when disability benefits are involved, so we brought in someone who truly understands how the system works. In this episode, we’re joined by Ashley Melero from The Arc of Texas for a clear, grounded conversation about ABLE accounts and Special Needs Trusts, and why knowing the difference between the two matters more than most people realize.
Ashley walks us through what ABLE accounts are, why they were created, and how they allow people with disabilities to save money without risking Medicaid or Social Security. We talk contribution limits, who can open and manage an account, how parents can use them for minors, and what happens as balances grow. She also explains what counts as a disability-related expense and why documentation is key.
From there, we shift into Special Needs Trusts and the common mistakes families make when planning for the future. Ashley explains the difference between third-party and self-settled trusts, why inheritances need to be handled carefully, and how pooled trusts can remove a lot of the stress that comes with managing funds and staying compliant with benefit rules.
We also cover the parts people often avoid talking about, including Medicaid payback provisions, how marriage and employment can affect benefits, and why small steps like adding transfer-on-death designations or updating a will can make a major difference down the line.
If you’ve ever felt stuck between wanting financial security and fearing the loss of benefits, this episode helps untangle that tension. It’s a straightforward conversation about planning ahead, protecting access to care, and making sure your money works for you instead of against you.
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Money is one of those topics that can feel heavy fast, especially when you’re trying to rebuild, stretch a fixed income, or figure things out after time spent at home raising kids. In this episode, we sit down with Anthony for a grounded conversation about money that speaks to real situations, not perfect ones. He shares his own experience moving through debt and finding financial stability, along with the mindset shifts that helped him stop feeling stuck.
We talk about budgeting in a way that makes sense for people living on a fixed income and for moms who are re-entering the workforce or trying to regain financial footing after staying home. Anthony explains how to be more intentional with spending, how to approach money conversations with a partner, and how everyday choices can quietly shape your financial future. He also walks through tools like IRAs and Roth accounts in plain language, so you can understand what they are and why they matter without feeling overwhelmed.
This episode is for anyone who wants to feel less anxious about money and more aware of how to work with what they have. It’s honest, realistic, and focused on building confidence one step at a time, no matter where you’re starting from.
Reach Anthony: [email protected]
Anthony’s suggestions:
Opening a Capital One account (no minimum banking fees), which can help you build a simple system to track spending and start budgeting: https://www.capitalone.com/bank/money-management/banking-basics/opening-a-bank-account-online/
Dave Ramsey’s book The Total Money Makeover (available on BARD and Bookshare): https://store.ramseysolutions.com/money/books/the-total-money-makeover-by-dave-ramsey/
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