About me

About Me Hi, I’m Victoria—but most people just call me Vicki.
I was born blind in Flint, Michigan, on February 25, 1972, and I’ve lived with a disability my entire life. I still have light and shadow vision, and as little as that may sound, it’s something I deeply value. I’ve never been what most would call sighted, and navigating the world with blindness has shaped not only how I live, but also how I think and what I advocate for.

Advocacy has always found a way into my life. My journey really took off in 1997 when my grandma bought me my first computer. That changed everything. I started diving into research, connecting with others online, and joining email lists focused on global issues—especially the situation in Iraq. My interest in the Middle East has been with me since I was young, and that passion continues to this day.

Though I was raised in a conservative Republican household, I found my own path in early adulthood. Around age 24, I began to explore different viewpoints and gradually became more progressive in my politics. My values shifted not out of rebellion, but out of experience and empathy.

For seven years, from 2001 to 2008, I was Muslim. Today I consider myself Christian, but I carry deep respect for my Muslim friends and the faith I once practiced. That chapter of my life opened my heart even more to global perspectives and deepened my understanding of people across cultures. It also drew me closer to advocacy for marginalized communities, including the Kurdish people—whose struggle continues to matter deeply to me.

I’ve lived in several places: Kalamazoo, Florida, Arizona, and now Traverse City, Michigan, where I live with my fiancé, Josh. We enjoy movies, working out at the YMCA, and participating in our church, Mission Hill Church (formerly First Congregational Church), where we are both active in the choir. Music and community are a big part of our lives, and we love being able to share them together.

I’m also a huge baseball fan—especially the Detroit Tigers, Tampa Bay Rays, and Colorado Rockies. Even though I don’t often write about sports, cheering on our favorite teams is one of the little joys in our home. We also love NFL football, especially the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Pittsburgh Steelers, San Francisco 49ers, and Indianapolis Colts.

I’ve had four guide dogs in my life—three from Leader Dogs for the Blind and one from Guide Dogs, Inc. My current guide, Vicki Jo, is from Leader Dog and walks with me through every chapter.

In addition to advocacy and accessibility, I’m a passionate writer. I’ve completed three science fiction novels about life on other planets—an interesting genre for someone who doesn’t read much sci-fi, but the idea sparked something in me, and I ran with it. Writing gives me a voice, especially when I feel like the world isn’t listening. It also gives me joy, which matters just as much.

I started this blog because I care deeply about the systems that affect people’s lives—especially people with disabilities, marginalized identities, and those who often go unheard. Whether I’m writing about education, policy, healthcare, or human rights, I do it from the perspective of someone who’s lived at the edges of the system and knows how powerful one voice can be.

Thank you for being here. I hope you’ll stay, read, reflect, and maybe even join the conversation.