When the Personal Becomes Political: Why DEI Matters More Than Ever I woke up this morning intending to write something lighthearted. After two days of deep dives into immigration and housing, I was ready for a change of pace. But as often happens, the world had other plans. This is precisely why I avoid announcing… Continue reading The Cost of Losing DEI: A Personal Perspective
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.
Living on the Edge: What Happens If Affordable Housing Disappears?
Why I’m Writing This This is an issue very near and dear to my heart. My fiancé and I are both directly affected by the challenges of finding and maintaining affordable housing, and we have close friends—many of them seniors or people with disabilities—who are also deeply impacted by it. For a long time, I… Continue reading Living on the Edge: What Happens If Affordable Housing Disappears?
From the Ground Up: Navigating Blindness, Injury, and Healing
I’m going to talk about something that’s not really political—it’s more personal. But I’m posting it here because I think it’s important for people who aren’t visually impaired to understand where I’m coming from on this. Last summer, just six days after Josh moved here, we went to my sister Debbie’s wedding. Technically, she’s my… Continue reading From the Ground Up: Navigating Blindness, Injury, and Healing
Disability Rights Are Under Attack—Here’s What You Should Know
Hello everyone, I haven’t posted here in a while, but I thought it was time to share a few thoughts. Here’s the deal: a lot of things are happening in our country right now that just aren’t okay. Some of what I’ve been seeing is deeply concerning. Back in 2016, Donald Trump was running against… Continue reading Disability Rights Are Under Attack—Here’s What You Should Know