Episode 11 - When Life Changes Without Your Permission | A Psychologist on Mental Health & Control

“I feel like my life is hopeless and I need someone to help me not feel hopeless anymore.”

What happens when the future you imagined starts slipping away?

How do you accept changes you never asked for, especially when there's nothing you can do to stop them?

And what happens when the person helping others through those struggles is still navigating them himself?

In this episode of Central Vision Podcast, Austin and Charity welcome Chris Keemer, a psychologist living with retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and nystagmus, for an honest conversation about mental health, vision loss, independence, and the complicated relationship we have with control.

Chris began experiencing vision problems as a child, and by his teenage years, the emotional weight of his diagnosis had led him to seek therapy. That experience would eventually influence his decision to pursue psychology and dedicate his career to helping others.

But having the professional tools to navigate life's challenges doesn't mean you're immune to experiencing them.

Together, Austin, Charity, and Chris explore the emotional side of disability, the misconceptions surrounding mental health, and what it really means to support someone who's struggling.

They also tackle a question that extends far beyond vision loss:

How do you build a meaningful life when you can't control what happens next?

You'll hear about:

• The connection between vision loss, independence, and mental health
• Chris's personal journey from seeking therapy to becoming a psychologist
• Why even mental health professionals experience difficult days
• Imposter syndrome, self-doubt, and the pressure to have everything figured out
• The difference between genuinely supporting someone and trying to fix them
• Unwanted advice, emotional boundaries, and compassion fatigue
• Practical approaches to managing uncertainty, anxiety, and change

And in true Central Vision Podcast fashion, there's plenty of humor, candid storytelling, and unexpected turns along the way.

But at its heart, this conversation is about something nearly everyone encounters: learning to live with circumstances we didn't choose.

Whether you're navigating vision loss, supporting someone through a difficult time, or facing an uncertain chapter of your own life, this episode offers professional insight, personal perspective, and plenty to think about.

Because you can't always choose what happens to you. But you can learn to navigate what happens next.

More From Our Guest: Chris Keemer:

🎙️ A Couple of Keemers
Check out Chris and his wife's podcast, where they share conversations and perspectives of their own.

https://youtube.com/@acoupleofkeemers2808

🏆 Chris's Oakland University Recognition
In 2014, Chris received Oakland University's Human Relations Award in recognition of his contributions to mental health awareness and the university community.

https://ucmapps.oakland.edu/NewsArchive/Data/20140509-3-students-receive-OUs-most-prestigious-honors.html

🎙️ CENTRAL VISION PODCAST

Website:
https://centralvisionpodcast.com

YouTube:
https://youtube.com/@centralvisionpodcast

Instagram:
https://instagram.com/centralvisionpodcast

Facebook:
https://facebook.com/centralvisionpodcast

TikTok:
https://tiktok.com/@centralvisionpodcast

Learn more and listen at www.centralvisionpodcast.com

Music licensed through Soundstripe.

Code: OLC6M9RDMQABNHKX