Before Pauline Dowell became legally blind in her 40s she was an artist who loved to sail. After her diagnosis, she needed time to get used to things, but she wasn't willing to let go of the things she loved.  In the latest Dangerous Vision episode, Pauline talks with Randy Cohen about her love of sailing.  From a casual sail around Boston Harbor to competitive regattas Pauline shares with Randy her decision to stay in the game.  Since she loved sailing so much she decided to make a life choice that she lives with every day.  She lives in Boston Harbor on her sailboat that she shares with her guide dog Dora. 

Pauline credits the Carroll Center in Boston and Courage Sailing's Blind sailing instructions for giving her the training and confidence to set sail. Pauline inspires others to sail as well.  In 2019 she was a finalist for the Holman Prize, an international prize created to change perceptions about what blind people are capable of doing. Pauline is creating the first all woman's blind sailing team set to compete in the Newport to Bermuda Regatta.

She encourages everyone who may be going through similar challenges to just go out in the world and find what’s out there! Join clubs like Boston Blind Sailing.  Make sure to challenge yourself daily and set up goals even if they are small goals like going outside or seeing a movie in a theater. 

Boston Blind Sailing

Courageous Sailing

The Carroll Center

The Hadley School

Books/ Media Discussed

Maiden Voyage Tracy Edwards Story

Infinite Jest David Foster Wallace

Strong Motion

What does Randy Cohen and Cyrus Habib have in common? Vision loss /blindness is top of mind. Both went to Ivy League schools--Randy went to Harvard and Cyrus to Columbia then Yale Law School.  But it is something called parliamentary debate that they bond over.   Cyrus opens up about his decision to leave politics, the pull of becoming a Jesuit Priest, and the importance of being a mentor.  Cyrus calls out his friendship with Erik Weihenmayer as being a pivotal relationship in his adult life.  Cyrus encourages us all to be a mentor to someone.

New York Times: A Politician Takes a Sledgehammer to His Own Ego

Reading List

No Barriers By Erik Weihenmayer

Far From The Tree  By Andrew Soloman

Mountains Beyond Mountains By Tracy Kidder

House By Tracy Kidder

Soul of the New Machine  By Tracy Kidder

Randy and Peter were in the same class at college. Years after their 25th reunion Peter hears the story that Randy has been telling for years.  The story was a bit long to be included in the podcast episode but perfect for a bonus.