Apparently, parenting wasn’t enough character development. Life added vision loss, recovery, starting over, and a college syllabus.
Very generous. Would’ve preferred a gift card.
I’m Mandee—a blind mom raising a toddler while navigating recovery and healing from trauma, one day at a time. I’m also giving this college thing another go. I’m rebuilding a life that has taken some turns I definitely did not approve in advance. My sense of humor has gotten darker along the way. It’s been useful.
I wanted a place to talk about what that actually looks like while I’m still figuring it out. There’s a lot happening between having your life turned upside down and knowing what to do next.
That’s where the three Cs come in.
Canes are part of how I navigate the world now. Losing vision has meant learning new ways to do familiar things, planning around transportation, and asking for help with things I used to do without thinking.
Some days, I feel capable. Other days, one more inaccessible app might become my villain origin story. I’m learning how to trust myself again, including when I need support.
Crayons are for parenting. My son, Ollie, is a toddler, which means he has his own plans for how any given day should go.
Parenting while adjusting to blindness means we’re both learning as we go. He’s discovering the world, and I’m finding new ways to help him explore it. There’s plenty of love, laughter, and growing together along the way.
He’s a huge part of why I keep building this life. I want to make room for who I am beyond being his mom, too.
Comebacks are for recovery, starting over, and letting myself want a future again.
Before vision loss, my career was headed in one direction. Then the universe decided it was time for a detour, and I had to find a different way to help others. That’s what brought me back to school to pursue social work. I know how much it matters to have someone in your corner, and I want to be that person for someone else.
My own progress can be pretty ordinary: finishing an assignment, asking for help before I’m overwhelmed, or giving a rough day another chance. My sponsor reminds me that I can restart the day as many times as I need to. I’ve made good use of that policy.
Here, we’ll gradually grow as a community and share stories about disability, parenting, recovery, and rebuilding life during and after trauma. The hard stuff, the ridiculous stuff, and the small wins we’re learning to give ourselves credit for.
Maybe you’re navigating disability or parenting. Maybe you’re in recovery, healing from trauma, or finding your footing after a hard chapter in your life. Our experiences won’t all look the same, but we can listen, learn from each other, and offer the kind of support we’ve needed ourselves. Whatever brought you here, there’s room for you.
Over time, my goal is to grow CCC into a collective effort, with different voices and perspectives shaping what this space becomes. Guest stories, shared experiences, and practical ideas from people living this stuff every day. I’m starting with my own story, and I hope you’ll eventually bring yours.
If you’re figuring out your own next chapter, pull up a chair. We’ll probably have something to talk about.
Welcome to CCC. If you find my last functioning nerve, please return it.
What’s one thing you’re rebuilding right now?
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