Juicebox Podcast: Type 1 Diabetes
Episode #1685: Blind Electrician
Host: Scott Benner
Guest: John Wellslager
Published: Nov 19, 2025
Overview
In this powerful episode, Scott Benner speaks with John Wellslager, a resilient electrician and business owner from Clewiston, Florida, who shares his journey living with diabetes since the late 1980s. Not only has John navigated the misdiagnosis and management pitfalls of diabetes that ultimately resulted in the loss of his vision, but he has also survived kidney failure and received a life-changing transplant from a close friend. Through humor, humility, and an unwavering faith, John discusses the realities of his blindness, his approach to diabetes management, and the importance of perseverance, gratitude, and community.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Diagnosis History & Medical Journey
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Initial diagnosis (02:35 – 04:00):
- Diagnosed with diabetes at age 24 or 25 (1988/89) as Type 2, despite later events suggesting Type 1.5 (LADA).
- Spent nearly 15 years on oral medications (metformin) with little education on carbs or self-management.
John: "Here, take these pills and stay away from sugar kind of thing." (05:12)
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Living through the '80s and '90s with Diabetes:
- Minimal guidance from medical professionals and lack of follow-up care.
- Relocation to Florida, seeing “old country doctor” who managed his diabetes conservatively (aiming for A1C ~7).
John: "Back then… carb awareness was not even in the picture for me." (05:37)
John: "If you keep your sugars 150 or under, you'll never have a problem." (09:33)
2. Turning Point: Loss of Vision
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Sudden onset of blindness (11:24 – 15:33):
- In 2003, while overseeing a job, John noticed a large dark spot in his left eye. This led to a retinal emergency.
- Underwent a series of unsuccessful eye surgeries, culminating in total blindness by late 2004 due to diabetic retinopathy and complications (repeated retinal detachments).
John: "After that surgery to my right eye in October of ‘04, I was pretty much blind." (15:08)
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Adaptation and Attitude (17:45 – 24:57):
- John maintains humor about living in the dark and jokes about never needing lights.
- Adapted to blindness with technology (JAWS, iPhone accessibility) and strict organizational systems.
John: "I learned how to use a computer blind." (20:16)
John: "My iPhone and my computer...everything can talk to you at this point, right?" (20:32)
John (on making coffee): "You have to use four senses instead of one...that’s four senses to do what one used to do." (24:57)
3. Evolving Diabetes Management
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Post-blindness management:
- Switched from oral medication to insulin after vision loss.
- Transitioned from pens to an insulin pump, leveraging auditory feedback and accessibility features.
- Discovered Scott’s podcast, which transformed his approach, especially the importance of pre-bolusing and managing lows.
John: "Your podcast...just some of the tools that you have introduced…changed the way I manage completely." (30:46)
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Struggles & Realities:
- Managed significant lows (notably a dangerous “pizza low”), leading to initial fear and conservatism in insulin dosing before discovering more effective strategies.
John: “I was scared to death to bolus right...then I started listening to your podcast.” (33:44)
4. Professional Life as a Blind Electrician
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Career Adaptation (18:42 – 36:55):
- Remained an electrical contractor, shifting to supervisory, mentoring, and eventually ownership roles in his company.
- Passed the Florida Certified Electrical Exam blind, then bought the company he worked for.
John: "I sat a state certified electrical exam blind...and I was blessed and able to pass that exam." (35:28)
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Community & Teamwork:
- Stresses the importance of community, both at work and in daily life—relying on colleagues, staff, and friends for tasks requiring sight.
- Credit given to a supportive boss, staff, wife, and town.
John: "I could call literally dozens of people right now if I needed a ride to go somewhere." (37:06)
5. Kidney Disease and Transplant
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Progression to Kidney Failure (39:19 – 45:12):
- Managed chronic kidney disease for 20 years, with function declining steadily.
- Decision to seek a transplant and the emotional burden of asking for a living donor.
John: "It was the hardest email I pushed send on in my life. Really hard." (43:22)
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Transplant Experience:
- Overwhelmed by offers from friends and family; eventually received a kidney from a close friend who was also his doctor and church member.
- Celebrates three birthdays: his, his kidney transplant date, and his donor’s.
John: "It’s a rebirth. I celebrate three birthdays now." (45:26)
John: "That is a such a selfless act...there’s no way that I could ever repay that gift. It’s impossible." (46:47)
6. Perspective on Complications, Faith, and Resilience
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Optimism and Acceptance (26:55 – 53:41):
- Rejects anger at medical missteps or fate, attributing his peace to faith and acceptance.
- Discusses the misconception of blindness as tragic; reframes the experience as a source of perspective.
John: "I’ve never been angry because of God. I think our God has a plan, and this was all planned." (26:57)
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On Not Letting Limitations Define You:
- Strong message to listeners: complications from diabetes do not define your life or limit potential.
- Uses humor and systems to manage daily challenges.
John: "Heaven forbid anybody have to go through complications from diabetes, but all complications don’t... don’t let it limit you." (48:30)
7. Life in the Details
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Living in Clewiston, ‘America’s Sweetest Town’ (Lake Okeechobee):
- Works and lives in a sugarcane farming town.
- Stays physically active and engaged in community life.
John: "If you come into Clueston from pretty much any direction... all you will see is sugarcane fields." (65:22)
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Adaptation in Daily Life:
- Relies on technology to read menus, scan products, and manage diabetes independently.
- No children with his wife, but active in the lives of nephews and extended family.
- Finds humor in everyday “blind jokes” and mishaps.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
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On being blind:
John: "If God gave me back my sight right now... the first thing I’d do, Scott, I’d close my eyes." (52:10)
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On faith and meaning:
John: "I know the heart of the person that shared this experience with me... it’s such a selfless act, sacrificing a part of yourself to save somebody else." (46:11)
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On medical missteps:
Scott: "The oops doesn’t usually end with not being able to see." (26:34)
John: "I don’t think it’s anybody’s fault." (27:07)
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On adaptation:
John: "You have to use four senses instead of one to make a cup of coffee... That’s four senses to do what one used to do." (24:57)
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On perseverance:
John: "All complications don’t... don’t let it limit you... it doesn’t make you who you are." (48:53)
Timestamps for Important Segments
- Diagnosis and Early Management: 02:35–09:32
- Vision Loss Story: 11:24–15:33
- Living and Working Blind: 17:45–23:34, 35:28–36:55
- Technology & Daily Systems: 20:16–24:57
- Discovery of Podcast & Improved Diabetes Management: 30:46–34:05
- Blood Sugar Lows & Pizza Story: 31:58–33:44
- Kidney Failure & Transplant: 39:19–45:12
- Faith, Attitude, and Resilience: 26:55–29:53, 46:05–54:11
- Living in Clueston & Community: 63:08–66:11
- Humor & ‘Blind Jokes’: 56:58–57:28
Takeaways & Closing Thoughts
John’s journey is a testament to resilience, adaptability, and the power of community. His perspective reminds listeners:
- Medical missteps and complications do not have to define your life.
- Faith, self-acceptance, and humor are powerful tools for navigating adversity.
- Asking for help can reveal unexpected love and strength in our communities.
- Technology and routines can preserve autonomy and dignity, even after substantial loss.
- Living boldly and openly can inspire others facing their own fears and complications.
Message to Diabetics:
John: "If you get any complications from this disease, it is not the end of the world. Just trust things will go your way and keep pushing on... keep that sugar under control. It’s really important." (66:51)
Note: For any technical diabetes terms or management tips mentioned today, review the Defining Diabetes series at juiceboxpodcast.com.