This month Paige, Cathy and Jenny discuss mealtime strategies for young children with blindness and low vision. Paige and Cathy consider “aha” moments from their participation in the MRVI (Mealtime Routines for Visual Impairment) research project. After reflecting on how vision is used incidentally in learning to eat, the group discusses practical strategies such as “eating cheek to cheek” to demonstrate chewing, providing multiple accessible spoons and the importance of good lighting and positioning for utensil use. They also address how children who are G-tube fed can still meaningfully participate in mealtime routines.

Relevant Links for the episode:

Ellyn Satter’s Division of Responsibility in Feeding: https://www.ellynsatterinstitute.org/how-to-feed/division-of-responsibility/

The Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) is a framework designed to help your child master essential life skills like spatial awareness, self-advocacy, and daily independence. To see how these nine areas come to life for children who are blind and have low vision, check out VIPS's video resource, Every Child Can! and this comprehensive overview from the Perkins School for the Blind.

If you want a copy of the MRVI Idea Sheets to use as a TVI and Family team, email us at feelingthislife@vips.org. We will share them as soon as we can.

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Jenny interviews Trisha Conkin. Trisha is a Licensed Teacher for the Visually Impaired (TVI) and a Certified Orientation & Mobility Specialist (COMS) who has proudly served with VIPS for the past three years. Since beginning her career in 2002, Trisha has worked as an itinerant TVI and O&M specialist throughout Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana, supporting children from preschool through 12th grade with a wide range of vision and diverse educational needs.  She is passionate about partnering with families to help their children build independence, confidence, and the skills they need to succeed. At VIPS, Trisha is dedicated to empowering families of children with blindness or low vision to reach their fullest potential.

Paige, Jenny and Dr. Cathy explore the challenges of introducing orientation and mobility (O&M) to young children, especially the early use of canes. Dr. Cathy discusses how O&M practices have evolved and the emotional hurdles families face. Jenny and Paige share personal stories about public reactions, early independence, and building spatial awareness. The episode emphasizes supporting families, reducing stigma, and helping them understand the long‑term benefits of early O&M.

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Season 6 of Feeling This Life Season 6 is coming soon! Join us for Thriving from the Start, where we come together to break down the Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) into practical, everyday life for young children who are blind or have low vision.

What to expect this season:

• Hands-on strategies for daily routines (like neighborhood walks and mealtimes)

• Insights from those who walk the journey of blindness and low vision, TVIs, and O&M specialists

• A special book talk featuring Seeing Ability, by Jim Littlefield-Dalmares

Mark your calendar: Season 6 launches Monday, September 7th! New episodes drop on the first Monday of every month at 7:00 AM Eastern.

The Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) is a framework designed to help your child master essential life skills like spatial awareness, self-advocacy, and daily independence. To see how these nine areas come to life for children who are blind and have low vision, check out VIPS's video resource, Every Child Can! and this comprehensive overview from the Perkins School for the Blind.

We love voicemail! Please leave us a message: https://www.speakpipe.com/FeelingThisLife

Please give us your feedback using this survey link: ⁠⁠https://educationutah.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_39OmBvMih6MlgNw⁠⁠

Make a Donation to-

VIPS: ⁠⁠https://secure.vips.org/np/clients/vips/donation.jsp?forwardedFromSecureDomain=1&campaign=495⁠⁠

Follow us on Facebook @⁠Feelingthislifepodcast⁠ and Instagram @⁠Feelingthislife⁠

Email: ⁠⁠feelingthislife@vips.org⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠www.vips.org⁠