#58 Living Deafblind: Carrie Francis’ Resilience After 5th Degree Facial Cleft

Hosts Beth and Cathy sit down with Carrie Francis, a university student and passionate advocate for the blind, visually impaired, and deafblind communities. Carrie, born with a rare 5th-degree facial cleft, has overcome extraordinary medical challenges, including severe blindness and hearing impairment. Despite being told she wouldn’t survive beyond her first week of life, Carrie has defied the odds and is now pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology while dedicating her life to advocacy and community support.

 

Carrie shares her journey from childhood surgeries and speech therapy to navigating life as a deafblind person. She opens up about the misconceptions surrounding the deafblind community, the resilience required to thrive despite medical challenges, and the support systems that have helped her along the way.

 

This episode is a testament to the power of determination, the importance of advocacy, and the strength it takes to rewrite your story against all odds.

 

Key Topics Discussed:

• What is a cleft palate, and how does it differ from a cleft lip?
• The medical and emotional challenges of living with a 5th-degree facial cleft.
• Navigating life as a deafblind person: adaptations, family support, and advocacy.
• Overcoming misconceptions about the deafblind community.
• Carrie's journey to pursuing a degree in psychology and her advice for students with disabilities.
• Resilience and the factors that helped Carrie defy her initial prognosis.
• Impact of the Lions Foundation in Canada

 

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Stay tuned for the next new episode of “It Happened To Me”! In the meantime, you can listen to our previous episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, streaming on the website, or any other podcast player by searching, “It Happened To Me”. 

 

“It Happened To Me” is created and hosted by Cathy Gildenhorn and Beth Glassman. DNA Today’s Kira Dineen is our executive producer and marketing lead. Amanda Andreoli is our associate producer. Ashlyn Enokian is our graphic designer.

 

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