Episodes Archive - Page 15 of 16 - Water Prairie

Friday, March 13, 2026

Episode #8: Wake Up and Play Ball!

Show Notes:

Can a teenager with narcolepsy play NCAA sports?

In this episode, Tonya finishes her interview with Christopher as he talks about how he manages his study and training schedule at college. He also shares how he overcame a major setback during high school before joining a Division II NCAA baseball team and what role narcolepsy plays in his daily schedule.

Be sure to listen to more of Christopher’s story in episodes 4 & 5:

Episode #4: Special Needs Siblings
Episode #5: Misunderstood Invisible Disabilities

Connect with Us: https://linktr.ee/waterprairie
Support this channel: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/waterprairie

Music Used: “LazyDay” by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Artist: http://audionautix.com/

Episode #7: Sensory Friendly Play at Marbles Kids Museum Raleigh, NC

Do you have a sensory sensitive child and feel like visiting a kids’ museum is too much stimulus for them? Join us on a visit to Marbles Kids Museum in Raleigh, NC to see what they’re offering to families who want a sensory friendly play option. Tonya discusses the museum’s accessible features for children with different types of disabilities and the special offerings offered to families who desire a quieter play time for their children with special needs.

In today’s episode, Hardin Engelhardt, the Vice President of Engagement at Marbles Kids’ Museum, talks with Tonya during a special Sensory Friendly Play event held at the museum.

Connect with Marbles Kids Museum:

Marbles Kids Museum websiteMarbles Kids Museum on YouTubeMarbles Instagram: @marblesraleigh

Connect with Us: https://linktr.ee/waterprairie

Support this channel: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/waterprairie

Music Used: “LazyDay” by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Artist: http://audionautix.com/

Episode #6: The Creator of the Dancing Eyes Podcast

Show Notes:

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to have your eyes dancing all the time?

In this episode of the Water Prairie Chronicles podcast, Tonya talks with Frankie Caputo, the creator of the Dancing Eyes Podcast, about growing up with congenital nystagmus. Frankie helps answer the question, what is nystagmus by sharing what his childhood was like, how he was treated by other students, and if he has needed to make modifications in how he does everyday activities. He also shares how he created his podcast and is meeting people all around the world who live with nystagmus.

Be sure to check out his podcast at https://www.youtube.com/dancingeyespodcast!

Connect with Us: https://linktr.ee/waterprairie

Support this channel: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/waterprairie

Music Used:

“LazyDay” by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Artist: http://audionautix.com/

Episode #5: Misunderstood Invisible Disabilities

In this episode, Tonya continues her conversation from Episode #4 with our son, Christopher. He tells about being misunderstood by teachers and others because of the invisible disabilities he lives with.

If you have a child who is misunderstood, you’ll enjoy hearing Christopher speak about his experiences and how he was eventually diagnosed with dysgraphia, ADHD, and narcolepsy. He shares tips for parents and kids and the accommodations he’s used to help him succeed in school.

Christopher’s story isn’t over yet. In Episode #8, we’ll post the rest of his story about playing baseball in college and how he went through a difficult injury that almost put an end to his dreams of playing baseball. Make sure you subscribe to the channel so you don’t miss it!

Episode #4: Special Needs Siblings

In this episode, Tonya talks with our son, Christopher, about growing up with a sibling who has special needs. Christopher shares how his understanding of his sister’s disability has changed since he was young, and he talks about their relationship today as young adults. Next week, Christopher will continue his conversation with Tonya and share some of the challenges he has had personally and how they have impacted his desire to play baseball in college.

Next week, in Episode #5, Christopher will continue his conversation with Tonya and share some of the challenges he has had personally and how they have impacted his desire to play baseball in college.

Connect with Us: https://linktr.ee/waterprairie

Support this channel: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/waterprairie

Music Used:

“Your Intro” by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Artist: http://audionautix.com/

Episode #3 – Part 2: Space Camp, Surfing, and Zip Lining!

In this video podcast, Tonya talks with Olivia Wilkerson about what it was like to grow up having a visual impairment caused by Leber Congenital Amaurosis, a rare genetic cause of childhood blindness.

During this part of Episode #3, Olivia speaks to teachers who work with visually impaired students about how they can help their students in the classroom and help them become advocates for their own needs. She also describes her adventures at Space Camp, outdoor adventure camps, her other activities, and what she plans to do in the future.

In Part 1 of this episode, Olivia shared her memories of her younger years in school and gave tips for parents of what they might consider asking to include in their visually impaired child’s IEP at school and what they can do to help prepare their child for success in middle school and beyond.

Watch Part 1 of Episode #3: https://waterprairie.com/2022/02/11/leber-congenital-amaurosis/

Olivia’s Instagram: @O_Wilkerson04

Some of the topics covered during Olivia’s interview can be explored more below:

Braille Challenge: https://brailleinstitute.org/braille-challenge/about

SCIVIS Space Camp: http://www.scivis.org/index.htm

Connect with Us: https://linktr.ee/waterprairie

Support this channel: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/waterprairie
Music Used:

1) “Your Intro” by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Artist: http://audionautix.com/

Episode #3 – Part 1: Growing Up With a Visual Impairment

In this video podcast, Tonya talks with Olivia Wilkerson about what it was like to grow up having a visual impairment caused by Leber Congenital Amaurosis, a rare genetic cause of childhood blindness. Olivia shares her memories of her younger years in school and gives tips for parents of what they might consider asking to include in their visually impaired child’s IEP at school and what they can do to help prepare their child for success in middle school and beyond.

During Part 2 of this episode, Olivia speaks to teachers who work with visually impaired students about how they can help their students in the classroom and help them become advocates for their own needs. Be sure to listen to Part 2 to hear about how Olivia’s been involved with Space Camp, outdoor adventure camps, her other activities, and what she plans to do in the future.

Watch Part 2 of Episode #3: https://waterprairie.com/2022/02/11/leber-congenital-amaurosis-and-space-camp/

Olivia’s Instagram: @O_Wilkerson04

Some of the topics covered during Olivia’s interview can be explored more below:
Braille Challenge: https://brailleinstitute.org/braille-challenge/about

Connect with Us:
https://linktr.ee/waterprairie

Support this channel:
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/waterprairie

Music Used:
1) “Your Intro” by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Artist: http://audionautix.com/

Episode #2 – Part 2: Accommodations for Low Vision Students & Goalball for All

Show Notes:

This episode of the Water Prairie Chronicles is being posted in 2 parts so be sure to listen to both sections. Emily speaks with Tonya about what it was like growing up with albinism, high myopia and nystagmus. She gives some great advice to parents who have children with low vision and includes the accommodations she has found to be the most helpful to her in school and in college.

Emily played goalball, a Paralympic sport, as part of a local recreational group when she was younger, and she speaks about getting a program started at her college. Listen to her description of this fun way to help connect the low vision and blind community with the sighted community in a sport that everyone can be a part of.

Emily’s Instagram: @oemilygrace

Emily’s website: emilysoriginals.com

Goalball Information: waterprairie.com/shopping

Music Used: “Your Intro” by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Artist: http://audionautix.com/

Connect with us: https://linktr.ee/waterprairie

Episode #2 – Part 1: Growing Up With Albinism, Nystagmus and Low Vision

This episode of the Water Prairie Chronicles is being posted in 2 parts so be sure to listen to both sections. Emily speaks with Tonya about what it was like growing up with albinism, high myopia and nystagmus. She gives some great advice to parents who have children with low vision and includes the accommodations she has found to be the most helpful to her in school and in college.

Emily played goalball, a Paralympic sport, as part of a local recreational group when she was younger, and she speaks about getting a program started at her college. Listen to her description of this fun way to help connect the low vision and blind community with the sighted community in a sport that everyone can be a part of.

Emily’s Instagram: @oemilygrace

Emily’s website: emilysoriginals.com

Goalball information and supplies: https://waterprairie.com/shopping/

Music Used: “Your Intro” by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Artist: http://audionautix.com/

Connect with us: https://linktr.ee/waterprairie

Episode #1: What’s It All About?

Your hosts, Steve and Tonya Wollum, talk about what Water Prairie is all about, how they came up with the idea, and who they want to serve through the information they will feature on the podcast and website. Find out where the name came from and hear some of the topics coming up soon.

Music Used: “Your Intro” by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Artist: http://audionautix.com/

Connect with us: https://linktr.ee/waterprairie