Thriving Blind

Stories of Real People Succeeding Without Sight

By: Kristin Smedley

Narrated by: Kristin Smedley, Mitchell Smedley

Blindness. A tough topic to discuss? Not anymore. In this groundbreaking book, listeners will see blindness in a whole new light. In fact, the compelling and entertaining stories will not only change perceptions of blindness, they’ll make listeners forget the people featured are actually blind.

Author Kristin Smedley’s journey began with devastation and tears after her two sons were diagnosed as blind when they were each just four months old. Eventually, she met a few people would who change her perception of what is possible for those navigating the world without sight. Those role models were the tipping point for Kristin and her sons to move from surviving blindness, to thriving. Thriving Blind introduces the listener to thirteen of those pivotal people--including a reality tv star, YouTube sensation and Teacher of the Year!

While the stories in Thriving Blind demonstrate how blind people used creativity and determination to live the life of their dreams, the lessons they convey about facing fears and crashing through society’s barriers are transformative for all who experience struggles. Kristin herself applied these lessons to her own journey. She has testified at the FDA for the first ever treatment for vision loss, coordinated the first legislation in US history to be submitted in Braille, and is a highly influential voice around the world for those living with rare eye diseases.

Thriving Blind will transform your idea of what is possible for people who encounter a devastating disability or life challenge and will catapult your motivation to set extraordinary expectations for your own life.

From the Foreword by Erik Weihenmayer (blind Author, Filmmaker, International Speaker):
“In Thriving Blind, Kristin beautifully presents how her beliefs and fears, her perspective and mindset could become either her boys’ biggest barrier or the boys’ most powerful catalyst. My mom believed in me. She saw strength, opportunity, and promise, while others saw only problems, obstacles, and limits. My dad taught me a lot about what I now call ‘a No Barriers Mindset.’ With the right support, encouragement, and belief, your child will survive (blindness). In fact, as Kristin so poignantly describes, ‘They’ll do better than survive. They will thrive.’”

©2019 Kristin Smedley (P)2023 Kristin Smedley

Listening just as good as reading

I wrote a review when I read this book, or at read most of it. I will say the same thing I did in my last review…if you are a parent who is raising a child who is blind or VI this book is for you, and if you are a VI professional this book is a great reminder of what we do counts. I originally bought it to read to a high school student on my caseload. Love listening to this book because I finally had time to finish reading it. Great narration.

Truly, an empowering must read for VIP and family

A corner stone in learning to deal with losing vision progressively or having complete blindness is learning about successful and thriving individuals with vision loss. We all learned by example! Kristin Smedley has curated a stellar group that is sure to motivate any reader!
This book also it’s a great tool to helping to dispel our Society‘s erroneous attitudes, and what it means to be blind and are in Nate abilities to thrive!
Thanks to all the Smedley family for sharing your stories!
as a 20+ year patient advocate for visually impaired, I was psyched to hear that this audible version of THRIVING BLIND is now availabe H Eric Hartman