Beginning the Journey: Steve Baskis on Blindness, Recovery, and Possibility
Release Date: 05/15/2025
Kilimanjaro: Before the Climb
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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Navigating Relationships and Communication When One Partner Is Blind
Endeavor to Connect
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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End of Year Gratitude and a Call Forward to 2026
Endeavor to Connect
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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Staring Into Darkness: Reflections on Blindness and Mental Health
Endeavor to Connect
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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Guided by the River: Team River Runner’s Mission with Joe Mornini
Endeavor to Connect
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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Moving Is Living: Lonnie Bedwell’s Journey to the Explorers Grand Slam
Endeavor to Connect
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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The Last Ascent: Reflections from Blind Veterans in Crested Butte
Endeavor to Connect
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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Living Without Sight: A Day with Steve Baskis
Endeavor to Connect
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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Beginning the Journey: Steve Baskis on Blindness, Recovery, and Possibility
Endeavor to Connect
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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Endeavor to Connect Intro
Endeavor to Connect
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_outlineIn 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 reader that allows blind and low vision users to interact with Apple devices using audio feedback and keyboard commands. Learn more about VoiceOver here: https://www.apple.com/accessibility/vision/
To dive deeper into this episode, including additional insights and reflections from Steve’s story, visit the following blog post written by Susanne Meyer. She expands on topics Steve touches on and offers more detail for those wanting to explore further:
https://blindendeavors.org/beginning-the-journey-complementary-reflections-on-episode-1-of-endeavor-to-connect/
To learn more about the Blind Endeavors Foundation or to share your story, visit https://blindendeavors.org or email Steve directly at steve@blindendeavors.org.
Thank you for listening, and we hope you’ll join us for future episodes as we connect, share, and explore what’s possible after vision loss.