John Bramblitt is a visual artist, a song writer, author, and a motivational speaker. He studied at the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas, where he graduated with honors. John is ranked as the #1 blind painter in the world and is currently the only blind muralist in the world. His works have been sold in over twenty different countries. John has worked with countless charities and non-profits helping them to raise funds in positive, fun and creative ways. He has appeared internationally in print, TV and radio. He has appeared on CBS Evening News with Katie Couric, ABC, and BBC Radio, and he's been featured in The New York Times and Psychology Today.

John only started painting in 2001, when he was 30, after losing his sight to an epilepsy-related condition. He is 'functionally blind'. This means his eyes can only differentiate between light and darkness. John taught himself how to paint using raised lines to help him find his way around the canvas, and through haptic visualization, which enables him to "see" his subjects through touch. using raised lines to help him find his way around the canvas. His work is colorful and bold. John also has painted two large scale murals- one in Brooklyn, New York specifically in the Bushwick neighborhood, which is the world's first mural painted by a blind artist, and one in the Bishop Arts ‘District in Dallas, Texas. John has never seen his wife Jacqui, his son Jack, or his dog Echo, but he has painted incredible portraits of them.

Shouting in the Dark, describes John’s journey navigating through this new territory of blindness, and how he ultimately rekindles his joy, passion, and relationships through art. He is also the subject of the award winning documentary shorts, "Line of Sight' and “Bramblitt.” John’s work has received much recognition including the ‘Most Inspirational Video of 2008′’ from YouTube. In addition, John has received three Presidential Service Awards for his inclusive art workshops for children. He currently works as a consultant for museums in developing programs that are designed to include everyone. John has worked with countless charities and non-profits helping them to raise funds in positive, fun and creative ways. 

In the interview with our Different & Able President and Founder, Alexandra Nicklas, John shares how he acquired his vision loss, how he adjusted to his life with blindness, and how art helps him cope with all the ups and downs in life. John’s ultimate goal is to express himself more everyday, and to help others do the same. According to John, “Many of the most interesting parts of a person are invisible and hidden from view anyway. I think my blindness might be just the lens that is needed to see into that world.”

Elexis “Lex” Gillette is a globally recognized Paralympic track and field athlete and is graduate of East Carolina University, where he majored in recreation management. He is the current world record holder in the long jump, a four-time Paralympic medalist, a three-time long jump world champion, and an 18-time national champion. Lex is the only totally blind athlete to ever eclipse the 22-foot barrier in the long jump. Not only is he an inspiration on the field, Lex is also a motivational speaker; who has spoken to organizations both large and small, including Fortune 500 corporations, trade associations, professional sports teams, non-profit foundations, and school districts. In addition, Lex is a singer/song-writer who recorded a song called, “On the Stage.” 

At the age of seven, Lex started to lose his vision. He underwent a series of recurrent retina detachments and surgeries in response. By the age of eight, he knew he would be blind, but he continued to excel in school with his sighted peers. He learned to use a folding cane and his school provided him with braille alternatives to reading assignments. HIs mother, Verdina, invested in him the skills to live independently and achieve success. 

Lex has reframed moments of uncertainty into moments of opportunity. His phrase, “No Need for Sight When You Have a Vision®,” epitomizes the “no excuses'' approach to living life to the fullest. Lex’s book, FLY!: Find Your Own Wings And Soar Above Life's Challenges tells his great story and his important, inspirational messages. Due to postponement of the Tokyo Paralympics, Lex will have to wait for his next chance to win a gold medal. Nonetheless Lex states, “There is nothing that can deter us from realizing our dreams.” With an additional year to prepare, Lex is ready to go for the gold in 2021!

Interviewed by our Different & Able Executive Director, Kristina Spiropoulos, Lex shares his experience with blindness and highlights his athletic career. His enthusiastic and spirited personality shines in the interview, as he discusses his love of sneakers, music, and his multifaceted life, on and off the field. Lex continues to prove, with every jump that, “For those determined to fly, having no wings is just a little detail.”

Four individuals discuss their stories in the work place in the face of their disabilities. 

Bradford and Bryan Manning, brothers born with Stargardt's Disease, are the founders of Two Blind Brothers, a clothing line which donates 100% of its profits to medical research into curing blindness. In this video, D&A President and Founder Alexandra Nicklas talks to Bradford and Bryan about their brand's mission, the advocacy work they do, and the experience of growing up with Stargardt's. Enjoy! 

Uri Schneider, M.A. CCC-SLP is a partner at Schneider Speech (based in both the U.S. and Israel) and a faculty member at the School of Medicine at University of California at Riverside. Uri has worked with people all over the world to face both the physical and emotional manifestations of speech conditions. He specializes in working with people who stutter as well as those with Asperger's Syndrome, Auditory Processing Disorder, Aphasia, and swallowing issues. In this conversation with D&A Executive Director Kristina Spiropoulos, Uri answers various questions that people with speech issues and their family members will be interested in. We invited our community members to submit questions for Uri, which lead to a thought-provoking and resource-rich conversation. Enjoy!