Show Notes:

Episode Summary:

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad podcast, host AAron sits down with speaker and change-navigation expert Laura Bratton to explore her journey of losing sight as a teenager and learning to live fully in a sighted world. Laura shares powerful insights on self-respect, faith, grit, and gratitude as tools for navigating life’s most challenging transitions. Together, they unpack the true meaning of inclusion, the importance of validating emotions, and the everyday accommodations that make independence possible. This heartfelt conversation offers practical wisdom for anyone experiencing change, grief, or moments of self-doubt.

Key Takeaways:

Self-Respect First – Inclusion begins with respecting yourself; it naturally extends into how you treat others.

Validate Emotions – Healing starts by acknowledging feelings like fear, grief, or anxiety instead of suppressing them.

Grit Redefined – Grit isn’t pushing through blindly; it’s choosing small, consistent steps toward long-term goals.

Gratitude as Fuel – Gratitude isn’t for adversity itself, but for what helps you navigate through it.

Accommodations Empower – Tools like Siri, Alexa, screen readers, canes, and guide dogs make independence possible, not exceptional.

About the Guest(s):

Laura Bratton:

Laura was born and raised in South Carolina. At the age of nine, Laura was diagnosed with an eye disease and faced the difficult reality that she would become blind. Over the next ten years, she experienced the traumatic transition of adjusting to life without sight.

Laura adjusted to her new normal and was able to move forward in life as she graduated from Arizona State University with a BA in psychology. She then was the first blind student to receive her Masters of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary. She is the author of the book Harnessing Courage.

Laura founded Ubi Global, which is an organization that provides speaking and coaching to empower all people to overcome challenges and obstacles with grit and gratitude.

Laura's definition of inclusion:

Inclusion is respect. For us to respect ourselves and respect other people.

Connect with Laura Bratton:

Website: https://www.laurabratton.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-bratton-speaking/

SPAM© Count:

Host:

Yes

Current Guest: 

No

Cumulative Guest Stats:

Yes - 65

No - 90

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