The Story Of Yours Truly Hosts, Saylor Cooper and Tyler Evans

Hello, everybody, and welcome to another episode of hope without sight with your host Saylor Cooper.

This is Tyler Evans

Wow, we're on episode. Hope you've enjoyed other episodes we released recently. And guess what episode eight is gonna be about? Why don't you tell everybody?

It's gonna be about me. And Saylor.

That's why we're gonna talk about ourselves, share our stories on how we've ever come challenges in life, share just all unique life stories.

So let's get started. Tyler, since you're technically a guest of mine, I want to go ahead and start with you first. at do you want to talk about in this episode?

Well, basically, you know, I was, as I say, a preemie a premature baby. I was born three months premature. And my brother was also born three months premature. We're both twins, actually. And we weren't supposed to make it. As babies, we were supposed to not survive, basically. But we did. Because it was a miracle that we did. And we were both born blind. He and I, but is eyes reversed to where he went from Blind decided, and so he's not blind anymore. Whereas mine did not. I actually had surgery. And five, I basically had five surgeries in each eye. So I had a total of 10 surgeries. And basically gave me the ability to see light and dark. And

and why coincidences that actually, you and I, we saw same doctor, same surgeon, Dr. Tracy, how about that? You see what I mean? We our stories are very similar. And you're gonna see that as we share stories. SoI'll let you continue and and we'll get to mine. So yeah, just wanted to bring that fog up real quick.

Okay. So basically, I had a normal childhood growing up. I had a wonderful mom, she fought for me, so that I could be in regular classes rather than resource ones. It was amazing. Because before all this, they didn't know how to teach me. So they assumed I needed resource classes. And my mom was like, No, we're not going to do that. To where he only has to be in resource classes, he needs to be in regular classes like everyone else. And so we've went to Austin, actually twice, to rally legislatures so that I could be in the same classes like everyone else instead of resource ones. And we actually traveled to Austin on a charter bus twice. And it was a lot of fun. , of course, my mom, she cleaned houses for me and well, not for me, but she cleaned houses for a living to provide for us basically. And for a while, you know, she enjoyed it to a point. But after a while it was stressful physically on her. And so she decided later in life to pursue education. And for a time she enjoyed it, but after a while she felt like that went for her.

Yeah, I hear ya. As you know, it wasn't for me, which I'll get into that later south. So when you say did both your travel on a charter bus or just your mom, me and my mom did? Oh, wow.

My mom and I rather my mom and I did. And we actually when we were traveling on the charter bus someone had the movie Forrest Gump, which is really good, which I really like and And we were able to watch it. And we watched it for the first time. It kind of reminded me of mom a little bit because his mom basically tried to tell him, Hey, you can make it in life too, despite what you went through, like your awkwardness, that you had people making fun of you things like that. And it's crazy, like, in that movie, he was in the Vietnam War, you know, which is really cool. And, yeah, he basically just lived a normal life like me. He just had a different disability.

What characters in the movie Forrest Gump Exactly? Who is in?

You mean the actor? Yes. Tom Hanks.

And what long does he play? Like, what disability does he have?

I believe it is dyslexia. Oh, wow. And I think it might be autism, too.

Yeah, we're perfect linear walking away to a, you know, legislative session to advocate and, and your word, right.

Yes, we did. Texas passed that line. People with disabilities of all disabilities can be in regular classes if they wanted me.

Yeah. Cuz I'll get a course on that gets my stories. Well, I mean, I'll say this. Now, I believe the school systems, they can do estimate a whole lot. When they really shouldn't, you know?

Oh, yeah. Yeah. And then of course, later on in life. I graduated high school. Before all that I did attend Special Olympics, which was a lot of fun. And I did a 50 meter dash.

What Special Olympics Special Olympics was basically like, what what what program now I know what what Special Olympics is, but what program did you attend?

I was in the 50 meter dash

But what was it sports extravaganza? Like what, who hosted it? Who hosted it? The Special Olympics? Where was it to?

Special Olympics was at the high school.

Yeah, cuz. I attended a Special Olympics hosted in Dallas, that a lot of high schools go to MCU. It's called sports extravaganza. And I really enjoyed I did 50 meter dash. It was great. It was wonderful.

Yeah, I'm pretty sure that was what it was with RS two sports extravaganza yet.

Was it in Dallas?

No. It was in my hometown.

Oh, so it was probably provide different program.

Yeah.

yeah So you would you say you attended that during the high school? No, you told me you you attended a lot of summer camps growing up to and you enjoyed those as well.

Right One In high school that I attended Special Olympics. I was younger.

Oh, you were younger? Okay.

I attended a lot of camps. Yeah. One in particular was Lance camp. There's a lot of fun. I don't know if you've ever attended it. But

no

it was in Kerviel, Texas. And it was for a week.

Yeah, it was for a week.

Yeah.

Oh, great.

And yeah, we had to go camping on Wednesday night. Which was cool. But after a while, I didn't want to go anymore, because I felt kind of paranoid of scorpions and stuff. Because I think some stung me at the cabin,

Oh Oh

I don't know. That was like 10.

oh oh

But, and then, of course, I attended the Texas School for the Blind. In Austin, during the summer months,

during the summer. Yeah, you love that. I attended one several program there too. And it was awesome.

You only went one. One summer. Yeah. See, I went every year for the most part. Because I went to TSBVI during my high school years, which I'll get to later. And because they save, if you go during the school year, you can attend the summer. And that's why I did that. But of course I'll get to in my story. So yeah, you you you've used with gray, your high school years were good. And oh, yeah.

And so you graduated high school and

Yup, I was held back in kindergarten. My sister was too. But yeah, it's pretty

because they didn't know how to teach you like

Yeah. Yeah, yeah, that's all right. All right. Well,

what else do you have to share, like, share after high school post high school, your college years and let's go into that

basically attended junior college, I went to Kilgore College. It's little College, where I live. And it was fun. I did pretty well. afterwards, I went to a program called Chris Cole Rehab Center for the Blind. And it's for blind adults. And it teaches them how to be a little more independent. And I went there for six months after Kilgore when I graduated high school in 2010. And then I went from, I went to Kilgore College from 2010 to 2013. I graduated in May of that year. And then I went to Chris Cole in June to December of 2013. And then I went to SFA, starting in January 2014.

And then Kilgore College, you advocating for a lot of stuff there. In fact, you you mentioned on the website online, that you would commend them for graduating, you advocated for put on signage and all that on the buildings.

Yeah, basically brought up that one of the buildings couldn't have rail on it. And I was a little concerned about it. And so they, they fixed it. By the time I graduated, so, yep.

And we went to Chris Cole, because I now hope you mind if I put now I mean, you had a vdu.

Yeah. Okay.

So vocational diagnostic unit, if you want, you can explain what that is and the results that and what led you go Chris Cole, go ahead.

Okay. Basically, that's just an evaluation to determine your employability. And they did one on me. And they felt that I needed some improvement on communication, things like that.

And what terms of communication skills? Because it's pretty broad, huh?

Well, they did notice that I was a little talkative,

which you are?

I am, I admit. Sometimes, I would ask certain questions that were not exactly the best. Like, whenever the phone rain, the I asked who was that? For instance, things like that. Ah, You know, just some small little things that I needed to improve on.

Yeah, I kind of found myself doing that to make and they gave recommendations, right?

Yes, they did.

And if you don't mind go into detail what was basically

One of the recommendations was to see a speech language pathologist. Now there was to go to Chris Cole.

And you follow that one yesterday, Chris Cole, he worked on your communication skill isn't all that

independent living things like that?

And of course, he was afraid of cooking. You still feel afraid of cooking today, but it is what it is.

warming. I do use the microwave, which is nice. And if I knew if the oven was actually labeled at my apartment, I'd probably use it to perhaps

yeah. But as far as like cooking on the stove. I don't really do that.

Oh, yeah,

You know? And besides, you know, you don't actually have to cook to survive.

No, you don't know.

The microwave, technically is a form of cooking.

Yes, it is.

You can actually steam vegetables cooking,

right,

which is pretty cool. And, of course I definitely don't want to leave here, without mentioning my mom. She went through a lot in her life. um, of course as I mentioned earlier, she cleaned houses for living. And she just wanted us to have a good life. And she made sure that because whenever she was growing up, she always had to move from Houston to a town called Marshall in certain Texas, back to Houston, and Marshall again. And she said whenever she had kids, she didn't want them to have to move at all. Instead, they would be growing up in the same school district. And her reality came true.

Wow,

we didn't have to move. And later in life, mom was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2016. And at first I was kind of shocked. But then I was like, you know, she's gonna beat it. And she did beat it the first time. But then it came back again as metastatic.

Yeah.

Meaning it spread to other parts of the body. And she beat it again. And then of course, it came back again, in her brain, and then she beat it again. It's crazy. It is over a four year period. And then of course, she had a long battle with pneumonia and ended up passing away in November of 2020

2020. Your favorite year, right? Now, now, well, 2020 was horrible. Yeah, but

yeah, it was

Your mom fought till the very end.

Yes, she did.

And every year we do a special radio show about her, right?

Yes, we do.

And she fought. She fought for you. She did so much for you. She was a great mom.

Yes, she was. And she fought not only for me, but all of us.

Exactly.

My brother and sister.

And so fast forward after Chris College went to SFA elaberate on that I mean he patch was kind of laugh in the beginning, right?

Oh, yeah. My first semester was not easy. In fact, I didn't do well. at all, except in one class. I made a C in one class. A D in one class. And two F's in another. Yeah.

In Why do you think that is that you did not do very well.

It was an adjustment period for me.

I hear you.

But my, after my first semester, after the spring of 2014. I had the summer just relax. And I did. And I went back. And I started just doing well.

Oh, yes, indeed.

I was back to my old self again. Just doing well make.

woow

And I met you that cycle.

That's why you met me.

Yeah.

And you know why? We're not just best buds. We are brothers. From other mothers.

Yes, indeed.

And we are on this journey together.

Yes, in deed?

Yes, indeed. Yes, indeed. Exactly.

And so yes. Do you have any questions for me? Or anything?

Um,

what I've said so far.

So far? No. Just you don't have any regrets on living your life? I mean, is there anything you would change?

Um,

I don't know. I mean, I think I could always improve on just communication in general on more independence more, you know, whatever.

Yeah,

things like that.

Every I know I say we do. I travel cooking love the best, right? A little bit. Yeah. All right, my turn. Wow. I am Sailor Cooper. I'm the main host of a podcast. Let's share my story. Well, I have a very similar story as this gentleman to the left of me. Same year I was born three months premature on June 3 1993 and Conroe, Texas just 10 minutes away from where we are which is awesome. My hometown boy which is great. Same here by wetness. Same here my retinas detach. I was diagnosed with retinopathy of prematurity. And check this out. You're saying this too, the only difference. I had a sister who was a twin, she was initially blind to but her retinas detach. She also has mild case of cerebral palsy where she can walk but she just gets too tired too quickly and her muscles tighten up too quick. And as I mentioned, we saw the same the same eye doctor, Dr. Tracy, in Detroit. He fixed my eyes. I believe I have seven. I had seven eye surgeries. And because of that I have a vision that I have today. I can see good. Out of my right eye, my rightt eyes my best eye my left eye just see light because no time are you only see light dark light.

Yeah

Exactly, so I had seven surgeries and I was able to because of that I'm able was T day and my story is different in the way I know you had loving, caring parents in my family was too, the only difference to that was my father. He was anything but that, then he still is to this day, he was a huge narcissist. He actually wasn't happy. Of my mom getting pregnant with us and to begin with, flipped him out. And when we were born, he wasn't happy, he didn't think that we would survive. And all this not that so he left to do his own thing and watch. That's fine. You know, he, it's a life that he chose, and it's fine. And Tyler, I don't know, if you knew a lot of therapy growing up. And when we were really little approval chose to.

I think I had some physical therapy.

You did? A little bit. What was that?

Take? I was like, I don't know. One, two. Maybe three?

Yes, me and me and my sister did two digital Brother have it?

I don't think so. I think it was just me.

Wow, we should have because, you know, he was born so early to I thought that's that standard. You know, for babies who are born you know so early. But yeah, we My sister has a lot of that. And of course as my father was out of the picture my mom can really like it was in addition to the standard therapy we haven't we my my father actually found another program that had like additional physical therapy. It was basically a privately done it was that DIY do it yourself in your own home. And so like my mom had to learn like how to do it with us. Of course since my father was to have a picture she couldn't afford to do it here right. It was costing too much so she thought you know what she lives somewhere other country where the labor was cheaper to do it and so she opted to move to Mexico so she did that. We did that program now then, man, I don't remember a lot of it but I did watch videos. My grandmother did save a lot of videos that she was able to have converted over from VHS to digital and I stopped videos and your program was pretty intense. And so we did that and my mom just didn't like want to leave Mexico really because the place where we went was so beautiful and the beach was so beautiful. The climate you name it Oh yeah. And so we just stay there she's she she decided to start a business there which was renting houses and so she did that. And me and my sister we went school down there private school of course we both became bilingual both fluent English and Spanish which was great. And we just drive down there it was great in here my mom also very similar story she advocated for me as well make sure I had everything I needed. But when I was 14 I I wanted to of course come back here you know to you know go through high school here because I want to get the experience and whatnot. So I did I came back I went to a magnolia ISD for a little bit and that was great. And then ultimately I wanted to go to to TSB, like for the school year which before I went through the school year I went through one several program just like you did i i was in the radio broadcasting program which I got a kick out of it. I really really enjoyed it. I and I learned so much about radio was great and you like Southern spare? Will just so awesome. And great and, you know, no more people just like us there. You know? And so when she said when you say that?

Absolutely. And to elaborate the TSP is Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired?

Oh, thank you. Yes. So when I went after I went through seven, I was like, okay, yeah, I definitely still wanted to go during the fall. And, you know, just to backtrack, even before I went in the seven, I had a mindset that wanted to go to a Musqueam. And that my TVI back goalie ISD did warn me that she felt that the school year would not be the appropriate time. Because the squares is more geared for students who cannot apps can can absolutely not be mainstreamed in a public school system, you know, due to additional like, disabilities and whatnot. And bipod. Like, let's just try and fool you. And so after, after the summer, I went to med school, you know, my first shoot going, I don't, I don't regret it at all, because I did learn a lot of valuable skills that I didn't have before. Like, now I can use a computer more efficiently. Because before, I was using Zim tax, and then they switched me over to jaws. And that helped me so much more because I can, you know, browse the internet do so much more. As compared to before when I couldn't sell. My first show was great. Just to sum up, I take a guy concerned I same here with you. I didn't feel like I was challenged enough. You know, I felt like they will, you know, underestimate him more than you know, they've been they really should have a shirt challenge remover, which I did because I advocated for it. No, that's for advocacy. No comes in like so. But overall, like my high school years look like I mean, the only thing that honestly that I would change I you know, I don't have you know, I don't have any really regrets the only thing that maybe I would know we do again is maybe dog have been there during my Alma high school years, maybe I should just start doing my, you know, first you and and finish shopping at my regular high school. But, I mean, overall, it was great. No, I did participate in a lot of sporting events such as track. It was a lot of fun too. And, of course, I graduated from my high school and tsp in 2012. I got my certificate of completion for school for blind and my diploma from my high school was great. Then I went to Chris Cole, just like you. Yep. And completed that in seven months. And then I went to junior college and I follow a very similar path where Belfer, you get the memo credits, needed to transfer to university and I went to SSA and we're staying here. It was a step up. I didn't do so on my first semester. My second semester, I do a little bit better, but not quite. And I was telling you post some really awful podcasts, I would have stuck out college a little a little while longer. But I was going through some, you know, personal family stuff that I was doing with my immediate family. It was just really bad and I just didn't feel like I wanted to continue, you know, and that's okay. So I just went and got a job started working. I had several I've had several jobs and customer service, even translation interpretation. Recruiting for staffing was great. And of course, I'm I completed a broadcast to put ship at Houston's new country 100 Point believable Nick Russo. And a shout out to Nick Lu Silva mentor. Thank you. Yes. So and now I'm the owner of real radio, and live a host of the hook without sight pod CASS Yeah. So yeah, that's, that's my story I've ever come. I've overcome a lot of challenges you and I both have. So now it's time to share. Now that we've come about stories, you and I, what are our goals?

We just want to inspire other people who have stories. Adversity, basically stories of challenges, whether good or bad. I mean, they don't have to be bad. They can be good, too. Like, they're just challenging, you know?

Exactly. Yes, exactly.

You know, I forgot to mention, when I was in, when I was growing up, I was in sixth grade, through twelfths. And I was in band and then seventh through 12th grade. I was in both band and choir and get this. They hired a blind lady to teach me Braille music.

Wow.

Yeah. And then years later, I met her. Sorry, Chris Cole again.

And what was she doing it because call,

just learning some independent skills and stuff. That's great. Yeah, she's really nice. She's a good person. And it's pretty cool. Like, I even came home and told my mom about it. Hey, they hired a blonde lady to teach me brown music. And mom was like, Oh, yeah. And I was like, Yep.

Wow.

And I was in sixth grade. And she even helped me inquire to not just band. So

Well, yeah. Awesome. Well, thank you for backtracking sharing about your extracurricular activities and all that. Now. I know. Like I mentioned with my biological dad, you have some similar stories later in life, if you want to share it, you can. Okay.

So basically, my mom and dad divorced and 07. Because my mom, she struggled with alcohol, alcoholism. And, you know, for time, we wanted to live with my dad, instead of my mom. But then, years later, a couple of years later, she gave up alcohol completely. And we didn't want to stop being around her. So I wanted to keep live. You know, I would always go over there on the weekends. Like even beyond my teenagers, I would still want to go over there on the weekend, right? And spend the weekend with them. And sometimes I would spend as much as a week there.

That's great.

It was amazing,

man. If your mom was still here today, I will want her to be on this podcast. Oh, yeah. Yeah.

Yeah. She was just an inspiration.

Yeah, she was. Yeah. Yeah, of course. My mom's inspiration too. But yeah. So if you don't have any more to give any more backtrack on or should we keep going?

I wanted to ask you. You mentioned to me that when you were around eight you had epilepsy. Is that correct?

Yes. Oh, thank you. Yes, that's a great story this show on this podcast yet? Yes. I did have epilepsy Of course. Because of the I was born premature. One side of my brain was a little larger than the other. And yeah, when I was eight years old, I've one you're growing up I will listen to live music controversies and of course because the clapping I will get a kick out of that. So I've been dying to go to my first concert. So at my grandmother and everybody started up my first concert they took me into was for band in sync. Yeah. The Astrodome Yeah, they took me in sync. And of course that was all so excited my first console to attend and laugh Oh Scott down because of the loud music. The lights it was just over stimulating my brain. I was just just fidgety and just overwhelmed. And I was chewing on my shirt because that back I believe there was that belief in relation. And as if that was all I was able to calm down. I was fine. And you know, I, I you know, the rest is history. I just Enjoy the night. It was a great night, Jordan my first concert. And the next day, we were all hanging out at my grandmother's pool. And I was just, you're doing my thing, just just swimming the water and my Well, my cousin's Jessica who you met. Of course, I don't remember it. She tried to offer me a lollipop. And I wasn't responding. And she, she found out was just, you know, being bashful and ignoring her. And a few seconds later, I slid back. I went in the pool. And then she saw that I wasn't moving. So she immediately jumped in, probably out started screaming, you know, for my mom and everybody, because they were looking at my grandmother's flowers. And they came rushing. And they tried to do CPR, and had a bit my mom's finger. I mean, in a sense, that was a huge relief, because she she thought I stopped bleeding, which I was I was struggling with on one leg of me. And now they can't not want an ambulance. And I went to the hospital. So I didn't have a TAS, then I started ologists. And they said, due to the other stimulation, that's what caused that seizure. Of course, I have a standard test to EGS and all that. And what you know, 12 years of age, I out grew them, please. Alright, well.

I live with my sister in law, and she has epilepsy, as well. But I think it's mainly triggered by stress.

Yeah, absolutely stress anxiety begun, because that's that was my case, right? A time I'll be anxious, anxious or if even skilled that triggers it. Now, if I had not outgrown my seizures, if I was still having them today, because today's world can be stressful times your own then I will have anxiety. But if I had not, I will my seizures. Yes. I will probably still haven't day but thankfully I don't.

Well, there's also seizures that are non epileptic.

Yeah.

Some of them are triggered by higher low blood sugar infection. Things of that sort. Yeah. And once they resolve you don't have them anymore. You know, I mean,

like, Yeah, but yeah, that's basically our story.

No you even had seizures as well. Mild ones.

Yeah. I don't think it was epilepsy. though.

Oh, I see.

I think it was just non epileptic. I think I might have had to some kind of infection. And because I'm not having them anymore. Like I'm not I've noticed I'm not really having them anymore.

That's good. And so if you don't have anything else to share, I mean, our goals for the future to monetize this podcast let's see and and 35 minutes we have Python I'm so pumped. Amazing, enthusiastic, energetic. Kimberly. Khloe? Yeah. And Michelle Abraham all of them. It will be podcast which we do have one interview confirmed with a lady who is who was blind shortly after both and in a nutshell with for bloke to have a $1 million. And we may not be rich right now, but I know I teach you would never going to make money with our podcast. What do you think, Yeah.

Oh, I believe we will. It just takes time. Yeah, and that's all right.

And we will we're gonna sell it we're gonna change the world and supply spread a message that you can proceed anything hugely above. That's right. And closing so I guess it's time to go closing remarks. Yeah. So the question I asked everybody what message what advice would you give for anybody who's struggling right now, in stuck in You can't see a way out.

Well, I would say, perseverance, endurance, that you're gonna have failure sometimes as part of success, because that's part of it. We aren't perfect. And that's okay. But you get back up and you keep trying. And that's how you succeed. You don't saidgive up.

Well, said. Just me, just remind yourself who you are that you, you will put on this show for a reason. And just keep going. And if you stuck, just reach out to others, they may can help you and you can, you can definitely achieve your goals that you're meant to achieve. That's right. That's right. And, you know, let's be light hearted here. You and I almost say the same stuff. Yeah, let's display of our like, close. Buddy relationship. We have you like Blio is right.

Oh, yeah. I like that. I like pizza. I like sports.

And by the way, this is not on Zoom. We're here together in person in my apartment. And Tyler. It's been an honor having you here.

Yes, it has.

It's been great. Yes. It's been an honor having you hanging out with you this week. We've had a great time we went to white cane day. So much fun. We've also got the church we've gone to the mall. Oh yeah, it was fun. I've it's been my honor to fix you. You meals. Yeah. You love us to lots of sauce.

Yes, I do. It's pretty good stuff. Yeah.

And of course, are you here tomorrow and to not Today's the big day pop palooza?

Yes. And I will definitely be back to see Saylor again.

They all go a long view as well. Yeah. Well, if nothing else, anything else?

No, I think that'll do it.

I will help everybody enjoy episode eight of help without site with yours truly. Saylor Cooper,

and Tyler Evans.