Meet Dawn Cox

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Dawn Cox. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Dawn below.

Dawn, we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?

I was incredibly fortunate to grow up in a loving and supportive family. My father instilled in me a strong belief in my own abilities, always reminding me that I could achieve anything I set my mind to. He emphasized that setbacks were not failures, but opportunities for growth.

My mother, with her unwavering love and encouragement, nurtured my confidence. She consistently pushed me to strive for my goals, never allowing my visual impairment to limit my aspirations.

My grandmother, “EMMA ,” played a significant role in shaping my character. She taught me the importance of compassion and generosity, emphasizing that true fulfillment comes from helping others.

And finally, my little sister has always been my biggest cheerleader. Her unwavering support and encouragement mean the world to me. Even now, she’s cheering me on as I embark on this interview with BoldJourney Magazine.

I am eternally grateful for the love and support of my family. They have been my constant source of strength, always pushing me to reach my full potential.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I was born with a visual impairment. As a teenager, my condition worsened due to retinal detachments caused by the shape of my eyes. I lost my right eye and struggled to adapt to monocular vision. Tragically, in my late twenties, my left eye began to detach as well. Despite numerous surgeries and the use of silicone oil, I eventually lost all sight in 2017.

This sudden and complete blindness plunged me into a deep depression. I questioned my ability to cope and wondered how I would navigate life’s challenges.

However, I eventually emerged from this dark period, determined to find meaning and purpose. I realized that many older adults who experience vision loss face similar challenges. Unlike younger individuals who attend specialized schools for the blind, older adults often have significant responsibilities, such as maintaining a home and caring for family members. Access to essential services like mobility training can also be a significant barrier, especially for those living in rural areas or without reliable transportation.

Over the past five years, I’ve learned to navigate my life with blindness. Through support from my blind community, I’ve gained valuable skills and knowledge. I’ve also discovered a passion for product reviews. I believe my unique perspective as a blind individual offers a valuable advantage. I can focus on a product’s true functionality, free from the distractions of packaging and aesthetics.

Today, I’m a widow, a mother of two, and a grandmother of five. I’m grateful for their love and support. My journey began as a personal challenge to prove to myself that I could overcome this adversity. Now, my focus has shifted to helping others. I want to raise awareness about the resources available to people with vision loss and empower them to live fulfilling lives.

I believe that by sharing my experiences and knowledge, I can make a positive impact on the lives of others who are facing similar challenges. I’m passionate about using my voice to advocate for accessibility and to help others navigate the complexities of living with vision loss.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

“My journey began with a spark of inspiration from Molly Burke, a blind YouTuber. Watching her navigate the world with such grace and determination ignited a fire within me. I realized that just because I am blind doesn’t mean I can’t achieve my goals.

Technology has been an invaluable ally. From mastering basic phone functions to exploring advanced features like AI-powered image recognition, technology has empowered me in ways I never imagined. It’s incredible how far we’ve come!

The human connection has been equally significant. The supportive community I’ve encountered on social media has been a constant source of inspiration and encouragement. I’ve learned invaluable skills, discovered new resources, and found a deep sense of belonging within this incredible network.

My advice to others is to find your inspiration, set your sights on your goals, and push yourself with determination and confidence. Don’t let any limitations, perceived or real, hold you back. Remember, it’s a journey, not a race. Embrace the process, learn from every step, and celebrate your progress along the way.”

We’ve all got limited resources, time, energy, focus etc – so if you had to choose between going all in on your strengths or working on areas where you aren’t as strong, what would you choose?

Being well-rounded isn’t a choice for me; it’s a necessity. It’s how I maintain balance in my life. I’ve overcome and improved many things, but I know there’s always more to learn and adapt to. I move at my own pace, ready for whatever comes next.

After going blind, I had to relearn many daily tasks. Things I once took for granted, like cooking, laundry, and general housework, became challenges. Even learning how to post on social media, take pictures, and make videos as a blind person required a complete shift in my approach. Moving at my own pace allows me to make mistakes, learn from them, and grow.

Cooking was one of the biggest initial hurdles. No longer could I simply look at something and know when it was done. Now, timers are my best friend for everything in the kitchen! One challenge I was especially excited to overcome was making soap again. I used to make various types of soap before I lost my sight. Afterward, I didn’t attempt it for a long time. This year, I finally did, and I was thrilled to be successful! I even made soap for all my family’s Christmas gifts. Figuring out how to do it without sight was a huge accomplishment.

However, the area where I’ve put the most effort is improving my mobility with my cane. When I first went blind, I had no skills whatsoever. I’d never even held a cane. Living in a rural area, I had no access to mobility instructors. So, I turned to YouTube videos and connected with people in blind support groups on Facebook. By listening to their experiences and techniques, I learned a great deal. I’ve gotten quite good with my cane. Sometimes, I can even walk across the street to check my own mail – a huge feat! I did get lost a couple of times at first, but only once did I need my daughter to come get me. I was literally right across the street from my driveway! It took some time, but I learned to pay attention to my surroundings and orient myself by the sun (when it’s out). By using all my other senses, I can now navigate confidently.
My future efforts and improvements will focus on gaining collaborations with companies that have or are testing devices or apps for the visually impaired and blind. My main goal is to help improve these devices, which will, in turn, improve daily life for visually impaired and blind people.ed to find meaning and purpose for other’s,and for myself.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/
• Facebook: profile.php?id=
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@ itiswhatitisblog?si= 2MPEPvDHQ1snphvO

Image Credits

Ashly cox