In this inspiring episode, we’re exploring the powerful intersection of music and accessibility with three incredible guests: Dr. Bradley Black, a world-renowned pediatric ophthalmologist and founder of the Vision Through Music program, Makayla, a passionate young musician and student in the program, and Maykaya’s mother Joann.

Dr. Bradley Black (he/him) practiced pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He is past president of the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (AAPOS) and the Louisiana Academy of Eye Physicians and Surgeons (LAEPS). He has served on the boards of directors of AAPOS, the Children’s Eye Foundation, the Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute, and LAEPS. He received the Honor Award, Senior Honor Award, and the Lifetime Achievement Award from AAPOS and the Achievement Award, Secretariat Award, and the Outstanding Advocate Award from the American Academy of Ophthalmology. He was elected to the American Ophthalmological Society. In 2024, he received the Parks Silver Medal, the highest honor awarded by AAPOS and CEF-AAPOS. Dr. Black is active in international ophthalmology. He served on the Orbis International Cybersight Medical Advisory Board and has performed and taught pediatric eye surgery in more than thirty countries.

One of his greatest professional achievements to date is founding the Vision Through Music program of the Children's Eye Foundation, which seeks to increase the number of music teachers who work with blind and partially sighted children nationwide. He and his wife, Cindy, have two children and two grandchildren. In his leisure time, you can often find Dr. Black sailing the Gulf of Mexico on his thirty-five-foot sloop.

Makayla Alger (she/her) is a passionate student of the Children’s Eye Foundation’s Vision Through Music Program (VTM). From an early age, she found joy in singing and playing on her sister’s keyboard. She is currently learning violin and will soon begin voice lessons through the VTM program. Makayla lives with a mutation to the TUBB4B gene, which has led to degenerative vision and bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. Over time, she has lost night vision, experienced a decrease in peripheral vision, and developed nystagmus. Her mother, Joann, vividly remembers taking Makayla to a pediatric ophthalmologist, who determined she would need glasses for life. Initially overwhelmed and unsure whether her young daughter would keep them on, Joann recalls when Makayla looked up at her parents and with a soft voice appreciatively said, “thank you.” From that moment, she never took her glasses off. Joann says the family has gotten creative to make things more accessible at home. Beyond her love of music, Makayla is also the author of “The Way I See It”, a story following Elena, a visually and hearing-impaired red fox who navigates Vermont’s scenic trails using her heightened senses. Along her journey, Elena meets many woodland creatures and teaches them important lessons about awareness, kindness, and understanding. Makayla and her mom Joann hope to raise awareness about TUBB4B genetic testing, as well as encourage more research into its progression and ultimately a cure.

Whether you’re a parent, educator, healthcare provider, or music lover, this conversation will show you just how transformative inclusive programming can be.

Mentioned in this episode:

• Vision Through Music program: VisionThroughMusic.org or email contact@visionthroughmusic.org
• Academy of Music for the Blind: ouramb.org
• Makayla’s book, The Way I See It available here on Amazon.
• Girl Scouts of America: GirlScouts.org
• Summer Camp IN-SIGHT: in-sight.org/camp

Stay tuned for the next new episode of “It Happened To Me”! In the meantime, you can listen to our previous episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, streaming on the website, or any other podcast player by searching, “It Happened To Me”.

“It Happened To Me” is created and hosted by Cathy Gildenhorn and Beth Glassman. DNA Today’s Kira Dineen is our executive producer and marketing lead. Amanda Andreoli is our associate producer. Ashlyn Enokian is our graphic designer.

See what else we are up to on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and our website, ItHappenedToMePod.com. Questions/inquiries can be sent to ItHappenedToMePod@gmail.com.

In this heartfelt episode we welcome guest Carissa Carroll, M.Ed., Founder and Executive Director of Jack’s Basket, a nonprofit that has transformed the way families experience a Down syndrome diagnosis.

A former educator with degrees from Bethel University and the University of Minnesota, Carissa taught at both the elementary and collegiate levels. But her life—and her mission—changed forever after the birth of her son Jack, and an abrupt, assumptive diagnosis experience. Determined to ensure future families would feel supported, celebrated, and connected, Carissa launched Jack’s Basket in Jack’s honor.

Since then, over 11,000 families in 55 countries have received baskets filled with love, resources, and messages of hope. Carissa now leads her organization full-time and presents to healthcare professionals nationwide on how to deliver diagnoses without bias, while also engaging donors and volunteers who help carry out Jack’s Basket’s powerful mission.

• What is Down syndrome and how it affects individuals and families
• Carissa’s personal story of receiving Jack’s diagnosis and the emotional impact
• The inspiration behind launching Jack’s Basket
• What’s inside a welcome basket and how it brings comfort to new families
• Carissa’s advocacy for bias-free diagnosis delivery in medical settings
• Common misconceptions about Down syndrome
• Why early connection and community support are crucial
• Memorable moments from Jack’s life and the families they’ve served
• Advice for new parents, healthcare providers, and loved ones welcoming a baby with Down syndrome
• Media highlights, including Carissa’s appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show and DNA Today podcast (Episode #333)

Jack’s Basket Website

Request a Basket

Genetic Counseling Webinar: "Communicating Unexpected News"

Stay tuned for the next new episode of “It Happened To Me”! In the meantime, you can listen to our previous episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, streaming on the website, or any other podcast player by searching, “It Happened To Me”.

“It Happened To Me” is created and hosted by Cathy Gildenhorn and Beth Glassman. DNA Today’s Kira Dineen is our executive producer and marketing lead. Amanda Andreoli is our associate producer. Ashlyn Enokian is our graphic designer.

See what else we are up to on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and our website, ItHappenedToMePod.com. Questions/inquiries can be sent to ItHappenedToMePod@gmail.com.

In this powerful episode of It Happened To Me, co-hosts Cathy Gildenhorn and Beth Glassman are joined by two fierce patient advocates and changemakers in the sickle cell disease community: Wunmi Bakare and Dima Hendricks. Both women are living with sickle cell disease and have transformed their lived experiences into platforms for storytelling, education, and change.

They are also the co-hosts of #ThroughTheGenes, a podcast that launched last year on World Sickle Cell Day (June 19, 2024). The show explores gene therapy and other innovative treatments for sickle cell disease while centering patient voices. With a second season debuting again on June 19th (exactly a month from today!), Wunmi and Dima continue to bring much-needed visibility to a condition that is often misunderstood and underfunded. And they will be joined by a new dynamic host, Christelle Salomon!

Topics Discussed:

• What is sickle cell disease and how it impacts daily life
• The emotional and physical toll of living with a chronic, invisible illness
• Medical gaslighting and how to advocate for yourself
• Finding community and realizing you’re not alone
• Blending identity, advocacy, and creativity in the public eye
• Insights into gene therapy, including CRISPR technology and treatment considerations
• Health equity and why access to care must be a priority in the sickle cell space
• The power of patient-centered storytelling through #ThroughTheGenes podcast

During the episode Beth referenced a previous episode with someone who has pancreatic cancer, you can listen to Leslie Waldman’s full interview on Episode 25 here.

Catch up with all of season 1 of #ThroughTheGenes podcast right now, before season 2 launches on World Sickle Cell Day on June 19th, 2025.

Both podcasts, It Happened To Me and #ThroughTheGenes are part of Gene Pool Media, the science podcast network. Be sure to check out all these science shows, many of which discuss medical challenges.

Stay tuned for the next new episode of “It Happened To Me”! In the meantime, you can listen to our previous episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, streaming on the website, or any other podcast player by searching, “It Happened To Me”.

“It Happened To Me” is created and hosted by Cathy Gildenhorn and Beth Glassman. DNA Today’s Kira Dineen is our executive producer and marketing lead. Amanda Andreoli is our associate producer. Ashlyn Enokian is our graphic designer.

See what else we are up to on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and our website, ItHappenedToMePod.com. Questions/inquiries can be sent to ItHappenedToMePod@gmail.com.