Endeavor to Connect
In Episode One of this three-part series, host Steve Baskis begins documenting an extraordinary expedition to Mount Kilimanjaro — the tallest mountain on the African continent. Three blind veterans, Steve Baskis, Lonnie Bedwell, and Aaron Hale, prepare to take on one of the world’s most iconic summits. Each man carries a powerful story of resilience, service, and rebuilding after vision loss, and together they are setting out to challenge both the mountain and the limits others place on blindness. In this opening chapter, Steve introduces the mission behind the series, shares what it...
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In this episode of Endeavor to Connect, host Steve Baskis is joined by his partner Ally for an honest, experience-based conversation about relationships that include blindness or visual impairment. Together, they explore how communication, independence, and mutual respect shape healthy partnerships—especially when visual cues are absent. Topics include first impressions, common misconceptions about blindness, balancing support versus caregiving, adapting to daily life, and learning to communicate clearly through tone, language, and trust. This episode is designed for partners, friends,...
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As the year comes to a close, host Steve Baskis shares a brief message of gratitude with the Endeavor to Connect community. This end-of-year episode thanks listeners for their continued support and reflects on the importance of connection and shared stories. Looking ahead to 2026, Steve invites listeners to contribute new ideas, topics, and voices that can help shape the future of the podcast. It’s a short holiday-season call to action focused on community, awareness, and growth. Listeners are encouraged to subscribe, share the show, and continue the journey with the Blind Endeavors...
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In this episode of Endeavor to Connect, host Steve Baskis shares his personal reflections on the connection between blindness and mental health. Drawing from his experience of losing his sight during military service in Iraq, Steve talks about the early challenges of recovery, the feeling of isolation, and the process of learning to adapt. He discusses how blindness affected his independence, relationships, and mindset — and how small steps forward helped him rebuild confidence and find purpose. This conversation offers an honest look at adjustment, awareness, and the importance of movement...
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In this episode of Endeavor to Connect, host Steve Baskis sits down with Joe Mornini, Executive Director of Team River Runner, to explore the power of adaptive paddling for veterans. Joe shares the origins of Team River Runner at Walter Reed in 2004, its growth to 45 chapters nationwide, and the unique “Out of Sight” programs that empower blind and visually impaired veterans to thrive on rivers, lakes, and oceans. Steve reflects on his personal journey—from early struggles with paddling after injury to tackling rivers across the country and even the Grand Canyon—thanks to the skills,...
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In this inspiring episode of Endeavor to Connect, host Steve Baskis sits down with fellow blind veteran, adventurer, and motivational speaker Lonnie Bedwell. From summiting towering peaks and kayaking the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon, to mentoring others in adaptive sports, Lonnie shares his pursuit of the Explorers Grand Slam—a challenge to climb the highest peak on every continent and reach both poles. Together, Steve and Lonnie reflect on the power of community, the innovations that make adventure possible, and the mindset that turns obstacles into opportunities. Whether it’s...
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On the final day of an unforgettable adventure in Crested Butte, Colorado, blind and visually impaired veterans gather on the Oh-Be-Joyful Trail to reflect on a week filled with physical challenge, camaraderie, and personal growth. In this episode, host Steve Baskis captures raw, heartfelt conversations with fellow veterans and supporters during a mountain hike that marks the culmination of adaptive cycling, climbing, and rafting activities. These interviews offer insight into what it means to navigate life after vision loss—and how experiences like this can reignite purpose, independence,...
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In this personal and revealing episode of Endeavor to Connect, Steve Baskis invites you into his home and daily life as a blind Army veteran. Through honest narration and immersive sound, he shares how he navigates the world without sight—offering insights into adaptive living, technology, and the overlooked details most people never consider. It’s a rare glimpse into the quiet strength and ingenuity behind true independence.
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In this first episode of *Endeavor to Connect*, host Steve Baskis shares his personal story of navigating life after sudden blindness due to a combat injury in Iraq. Steve, a blind Army veteran and founder of the Blind Endeavors Foundation, uses Apple’s built-in screen reader, VoiceOver, to independently guide himself through 16 thoughtful questions. He speaks candidly about the emotional impact of vision loss, adapting to a new reality, the role of technology in gaining independence, and the power of connecting with others who’ve been through similar experiences. VoiceOver is a screen...
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Our mission is to initiate and foster meaningful connections between members of the blind/visually impaired community and society at large. We aim to connect people with resources, provide a platform to share experiences, and tell stories of resilience and courage. Visual impairment and blindness affect a large percentage of the population in one way or another, and we want to help people learn, adapt, and move forward with their lives. In Endeavor to Connect, we engage in deep, honest conversations with people who have been touched by blindness in various ways. We will speak with...
info_outlineOur mission is to initiate and foster meaningful connections between members of the blind/visually impaired community and society at large. We aim to connect people with resources, provide a platform to share experiences, and tell stories of resilience and courage. Visual impairment and blindness affect a large percentage of the population in one way or another, and we want to help people learn, adapt, and move forward with their lives.
In Endeavor to Connect, we engage in deep, honest conversations with people who have been touched by blindness in various ways. We will speak with people who have found themselves unexpectedly thrust into a new life, to those who work on breaking down the challenges that visual impairment and blindness bring with them, to caregivers with their own perspective on vision loss. We will take you inside the world of doctors, rehabilitation specialists, developers of adaptive technology, advocates for accessibility, and many more. By taking such a diverse approach, we aim to shed light on the many influences that help to create a more inclusive world.
Through these conversations, we aim to raise awareness of the challenges people face — but also of what is possible when we manage to break down these barriers. We want to change the public perception of what it means to have a visual impairment, and we want to encourage communities to prioritize accessibility and inclusion. We are convinced that the best way to show people that blindness is a different way of experiencing the world rather than the end of a meaningful life is to give people their own voices, and let them share their own stories and insights.