After the Minneapolis Catholic school shooting, some politicians and pundits tried to scapegoat the entire trans community. But one tragedy doesn’t define a whole group. The facts show most mass shooters are white cisgender men—not transgender people. Blame the shooter, not the community.
Author: Vicki Andrada
A Little About Me I was born on February 25, 1972, in Flint, Michigan, at McLaren Hospital. I lived in Michigan until I was almost 40, then moved to Tampa, Florida, where I stayed for seven years. After that, I relocated to Arizona, living with friends in Glendale and then in Phoenix for about eight months. I spent two years total in Arizona before returning to Florida for a little over a year. Eventually, I moved back to Michigan and stayed with my parents for six months.
In May of 2022, I moved to Traverse City, Michigan, where I’ve been ever since—and I absolutely love it. I never expected to return to Michigan, but I’m so glad I did.
I was born blind and see only light and shadows. My fiancé, Josh, is also blind. We both use guide dogs to navigate independently and safely. My current Leader Dog is Vicki Jo , a four-year-old Golden Retriever/Black Lab mix. She’s my fourth guide dog—my first two were Yellow Labs, and my last two have been Golden/Lab crosses. Josh’s guide dog, Lou, came from the same organization where I got my previous dog—now known as Guide Dogs Inc., formerly Southeastern Guide Dogs.
Josh and I live together here in Traverse City, and we both sing in the choir at Mission Hill Church , which was previously known as First Congregational Church. A lot of people still know it by that name. We both really enjoy being part of the choir—it’s something that brings us a lot of joy.
I also love to read, write, and listen to music—especially 60s, 70s, and 80s music. Josh and I enjoy listening to music together and watching movies, especially when descriptive video is available. We also like working out at the YMCA a couple of times a week, which has been great for both our physical and mental health.
I’m a big fan of Major League Baseball. My favorite team is the Detroit Tigers, followed by the Tampa Bay Rays and the Colorado Rockies. In the NFL, I cheer for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Indianapolis Colts, and San Francisco 49ers—and I still have a soft spot for the Detroit Lions, especially now that they’ve started turning things around.
I’m passionate about politics and history. I consider myself a progressive thinker, though I also try to take a balanced, middle-of-the-road approach. I’m a follower of Jesus Christ and a strong believer in respecting people of all faiths. I love learning about different religions, cultures, and belief systems.
Writing is one of my biggest passions. I haven’t published anything yet, but I’ve written several books that are still in progress. Writing helps me express myself, explore new ideas, and connect with others through storytelling.
Thanks for stopping by and getting to know a little about me.
It Hit Me Today: It Can Happen Here
I used to think it was dramatic to worry about dictatorship. But today it hit me: our safeguards are cracking, and the warning signs are here. Once fascism takes root, history shows it’s almost never stopped early. We need to start paying attention before it’s too late.
The Everglades Isn’t Just Swamp — It’s Florida’s Lifeline
Florida’s leaders often treat the Everglades as expendable, but it’s anything but. Nearly nine million people depend on it for drinking water, it shields cities from hurricanes, sustains rare wildlife, and anchors the state’s economy. If the Everglades collapses, Florida collapses with it.
Erasing ‘Woke’ Isn’t Leadership — It’s Authoritarianism
Trump’s push to “get rid of woke” isn’t about a buzzword—it’s about controlling which histories and which people count. From pressuring museums to sanitize slavery to treating dissent as pathology, that’s authority talking, not democracy. We need the full, uncomfortable truth—and space to disagree—because erasing it endangers disabled people, Black Americans, LGBTQ+ folks, immigrants, women, and ultimately all of us.
Why Trump’s Push to Eliminate Mail-In Voting Threatens Democracy
Trump is floating an executive order to eliminate mail-in voting and voting machines ahead of the 2026 midterms. It’s unconstitutional, dangerous, and a direct attack on democracy. Here’s why this plan matters—and why it threatens not just elections, but the rights of disabled voters like me.
Why Trump’s Cozying Up to Putin Should Concern All of Us
Trump just walked out of a summit with Putin calling it a “10 out of 10 success.” But when the U.S. gains nothing and Russia gets a PR win, can we really call that strength? This post is my take on why Trump’s cozying up to Putin should concern every American—especially those who once feared Russia the most.
Responsible AI in Everyday Life: My Hands-On Review of ChatGPT, Grok, Gemini & More
As a blind writer and daily AI user, I’ve explored nearly every major chat platform—from ChatGPT to Grok, Gemini, Claude, and more. In this post, I share my personal experiences with these tools, how they impact accessibility, privacy, and writing, and what responsible AI really looks like from the perspective of someone who relies on it every day.
Trying something new, our Fourth of July adventure!
As a visually impaired couple, my fiancé Josh and I decided to step outside our comfort zone and experience the Traverse City fireworks together for the first time. Thanks to accessible transit, kind strangers, and a little courage, we discovered how much confidence and fun comes from trying something new.
The Truth Behind the “Big Beautiful Bill”: What You Need to Know
Curious what’s actually inside Trump’s so-called “Big Beautiful Bill”? In this post, I break down what the American Prosperity and Security Reconciliation Act would really do—covering tax cuts, Medicaid changes, environmental rollbacks, hidden provisions, and more. I share personal experiences and plain-English explanations so you can understand how this 900-page bill could impact everyday people. Whether you support or oppose it, here’s what you need to know.
Why Do So Many Still Believe Trump? A Personal Look at Facts vs. Feelings
Why do so many people still believe Donald Trump, even when his claims don’t match the facts? In this personal and fact-based post, I explore the gap between truth and rhetoric—covering everything from elections and the economy to COVID, climate change, and the rise in division and hate. Drawing on research, real-life examples, and my own experience, I invite readers to think critically about the cost of misinformation, and why the truth matters now more than ever.