Blind Pilots: Journey through Volcanos with Scott Garrison

In this episode of The Blind Chick, hosts Penn and Moses welcome Scott Garrison, a world traveler and founder of Blind Pilots, who joined Aftersight’s Audio Trekkers Hike all the way from Guatemala. Scott shares his journey from being diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa at 19 to becoming an adventurer who refuses to let blindness limit his independence.
Scott recalls early hints of vision loss, his time as a 15-year-old exchange student in Australia, and his years of living abroad in Prague. He describes the challenges of returning years later with less vision, including resisting the white cane until a friend’s tough love changed his perspective.
The conversation turns to the creation of Blind Pilots—a program designed to make international travel accessible and empowering for blind and low-vision individuals. Scott explains how the program blends cultural immersion, local history, tactile activities, and well-trained sighted guides, all to ensure efficiency, independence, and memorable experiences. From luxury picnics on lava fields to adaptive skiing in Colorado, Blind Pilots aims to transform the way blind travelers explore the world.
This episode is equal parts adventurous, raw, and practical, showing how resilience, creativity, and community can turn vision loss into a gateway for new horizons.

Contact Info
Guest: Scott Garrison — Blind Pilots
Website: blindpilots.org
Aftersight: [e-mail]
| [phone] | aftersight.org
Producer: Jonathan Price, Aftersight

Show Credits
Hosts: Penn Street & Moses Street
Guest: Scott Garrison
Produced by Jonathan Price for Aftersight

Chapter Markers
00:00 — Intro and welcome back
00:27 — Audio Trekkers Hike recap
02:43 — Scott’s diagnosis with RP
05:05 — Early signs and struggles in sports
06:24 — Travel bug ignited in Australia
08:47 — Life and independence in Prague
11:00 — Camino de Santiago and challenges with independence
13:19 — The cane debate and acceptance
17:21 — Adventures, mishaps, and humor
19:51 — The birth of Blind Pilots
22:08 — Designing accessible cultural adventures
24:31 — Integrating history, food, and tactile experiences
26:47 — Training guides and preparing safe trips
29:11 — Looking ahead with Blind Pilots