Hadley Presents: A Conversation with the Experts Episode Summary: Vision Loss and Navigating the Aftermath of Natural Disasters Release Date: March 13, 2025

Introduction

In the episode titled "Vision Loss and Navigating the Aftermath of Natural Disasters," host Ricky Yenger engages in a profound conversation with Judy Davis, a visually impaired individual who experienced Hurricane Helene firsthand. Judy shares her personal journey of preparedness, the immediate impacts of the hurricane, the challenges faced due to her vision loss, and the invaluable lessons learned from the experience. This summary encapsulates the key discussions, insights, and conclusions drawn from their dialogue.

Personal Background and Preparedness

Judy Davis's Story

Judy Davis begins by providing listeners with an understanding of her daily life and the challenges she faces due to retinitis pigmentosa, a condition that has led to significant vision loss. She states:

"I have retinitis pigmentosa. I lost vision fairly quickly, so no useful vision. And I live alone, so that can be more challenging at times." [00:50]

Despite these challenges, Judy maintains a supportive network of friends and neighbors who assist her, alongside her two guide dogs—one retired and eleven years old, and an active one, five years old.

Preparedness for Hurricane Helene

Before Hurricane Helene made landfall, Judy felt reasonably prepared. She had stockpiled essential supplies, including:

• Water and Food: Judy had 2 gallons of water and a flat of bottled water, alongside low-maintenance foods like nuts, dried fruits, cereal, and apples.

• Power Bank: A friend had gifted her a power bank a couple of years prior, ensuring she could charge essential devices.

Judy reflects on her preparedness:

"I felt like I had a lot of food and water supplies... But you never know what you're getting into until the disaster actually arrives." [02:43]

She emphasizes that while Asheville, her hometown in western North Carolina, is not typically a high-risk area for hurricanes, the unexpected severity of Helene tested her readiness.

Impact of Hurricane Helene

Unexpected Severity

Despite Asheville being 400 miles inland from the ocean and not a regular evacuation zone, Hurricane Helene brought unforeseen challenges. Judy shares:

"We were told, you know, prepare for three days of chaos, but it was going to be minimal." [04:40]

The hurricane's unexpected intensity led to extended power outages and more severe disruptions than anticipated.

Immediate Aftermath and Power Outage

On September 27th, around 3:45 AM, Judy’s power went out. By 7 AM, heavy rain persisted, complicating her efforts to assess the situation. She attempted to FaceTime her daughter for a clearer picture but was met with limited assistance.

"So we went out in the pouring rain... I stayed close to my front door because I had no idea what was happening further out the parking lot." [06:21]

Judy ventured outside with her guide dogs, taking precautions to remain safe amid the heavy rainfall and debris.

Navigating the Aftermath

Communication Challenges

With cell towers down, Judy faced significant communication barriers:

"I think with my text I had like a 95% failure rate... but luckily the neighbors were really communicative about what they saw." [09:21]

To overcome this, Judy utilized an emergency radio, a previously unused tool that became crucial:

"One of the times I crossed paths with a neighbor, I said, look, I have this emergency radio, if you all can figure out how to work it... we listened to that for the first couple days as people found out how they could connect on their own." [09:21]

Community Response and Support

Neighborly Assistance

The strength of the community became evident as neighbors collaborated to ensure safety and communication:

"I asked him, 'Can we walk up to the street to see what happened?'... everybody was checking in with each other, which was just a beautiful thing." [07:50]

Innovative Solutions for Safety

Understanding the increased traffic on their quiet street, Judy and her neighbors implemented safety measures:

"I gave them one of my big, thick markers... can you please create signs that say, blind pedestrian. Drive slowly?" [15:03]

These visual aids—enhanced with tape reading "Attention, please"—significantly improved safety for Judy while navigating the neighborhood.

Reciprocal Support

Judy not only received support but also actively contributed to her community's well-being:

"I had some old, large print calendars... I gave them that... I let one of the neighbors try to use my phone to try to call some of her family." [15:02]

Additionally, her daughter facilitated the distribution of specific supplies based on the community's needs, ensuring that aid was both targeted and effective.

Lessons Learned and Recommendations

Adaptation and Resourcefulness

Judy highlights the importance of having non-digital tools and being adaptable:

"Braille and my talking clock really got me through this." [12:24]

She also underscores the value of physical items like paper products for daily tasks when digital solutions fail.

Emotional and Mental Health

The disruption of routine took a toll on Judy's mental health:

"When I lose my comfort places... it's just a hard hit on your mental health... and the disruption of scheduling." [21:34]

She advocates for planning alternative activities and coping mechanisms to maintain mental well-being during disasters.

Advocacy and Communication

Judy stresses the necessity of effective communication and advocacy, especially for individuals with disabilities:

"They are assuming that it's a cookie cutter situation where everyone needs the same thing, but you have to figure out how to ask for what you need." [24:29]

She advises maintaining updated contact information and ensuring that emergency services are aware of individual needs.

Preparedness Enhancements

Reflecting on her experience, Judy offers several recommendations:

1. Pre-Connect with Emergency Services: Engage with emergency management personnel beforehand to establish clear communication channels.

2. Stay Shelf: In addition to a go bag, maintain a stay shelf stocked with essential items like paper products and batteries.

3. Emergency Radio: Invest in a blind-friendly emergency radio to receive updates reliably.

4. Keep It Charged: Prioritize keeping essential devices like the talking clock and Braille materials charged and accessible.

5. Update Contact Lists: Ensure that family and support networks have current cell phone numbers and other crucial contact information.

"Making sure that people have your cell phone number is key if you're like me and still have both." [30:53]

Conclusion

Judy Davis's account of navigating Hurricane Helene's aftermath offers invaluable insights into disaster preparedness, especially for individuals with vision loss. Her emphasis on community support, adaptability, and proactive communication underscores the multifaceted approach required to effectively manage emergencies. Judy’s experiences not only highlight the challenges faced but also the resilience and solidarity that can emerge in the face of adversity.

As Ricky Yenger aptly summarizes:

"Being ahead of the game before the storm hits is a good thing." [32:14]

This episode serves as a crucial guide for listeners, emphasizing that preparedness extends beyond stockpiling supplies—it involves building strong community ties, maintaining versatile communication methods, and prioritizing mental well-being.

Notable Quotes:

• "I have retinitis pigmentosa. I lost vision fairly quickly, so no useful vision." — Judy Davis [00:50]

• "But you never know what you're getting into until the disaster actually arrives." — Judy Davis [02:43]

• "I still had a talking clock that I keep on my bed with me. And then braille was just a lifesaver for me." — Judy Davis [11:22]

• "They are assuming that it's a cookie cutter situation where everyone needs the same thing, but you have to figure out how to ask for what you need." — Judy Davis [24:29]

• "Making sure that people have your cell phone number is key if you're like me and still have both." — Judy Davis [30:53]

• "Being ahead of the game before the storm hits is a good thing." — Judy Davis [32:14]

This episode of Hadley Presents stands as a testament to the importance of comprehensive disaster preparedness and the profound impact of community support. Judy Davis's experiences provide a roadmap for individuals with vision loss and their communities to navigate and overcome the challenges posed by natural disasters.