33 Learning Japanese While Legally Blind (Tony Vega)

On this special solo episode of the Japan Station podcast, I discuss being visually impaired and how my decision to study abroad in Japan helped me realize that I wasn't limited by the loss of my eyesight.

About Tony Vega

Tony Vega is a writer, editor, and podcaster. He has lived in Japan as both a student and participant of the JET Programme. He possesses an M.A. in Japanese language and linguistics from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Tony is the creator of Japankyo.com and he produces both the Japan Station Ichimon Japan podcasts. Tony enjoys pizza, sushi, burritos, puns, and overanalyzing absurd things.

Topics Discussed

• The process of becoming legally blind due to Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON)
• Deciding to study Japanese in college
• The first time Tony went to Japan
• Difficulties adjusting to life with low vision
• Deciding to study abroad at Kansai Gaidai University in Hirakata City, Osaka
• Tony's decision to study Japanese every single day before leaving to study abroad
• How studying abroad in Japan made Tony realize that he was capable of much more than he thought he was
• And much more!

Special Thanks

Opening/Closing song: Oedo Controller (大江戸コントローラー) by Yunomi featuring Toriena (Used with permission from Yunomi) To listen to more of Yunomi's music, check out his Soundcloud page or YouTube channel.

Japan Station cover art: Provided by Erik R.

Images: Courtesy of Susan Spann

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