As the Guiding Force Behind Creating SPACE, Lindsey Blankenship Cultivates Inspiration and Community Impact
Q: What inspired you to Start Creating S.P.A.C.E. ?
LB: Living with a disability isn’t as difficult as people often imagine — but talking about it can be one of the hardest things. So many of us grow up surrounded by unspoken stigma, by assumptions about what we can or can’t do, and by the awkward silence that follows when people simply don’t know how to ask or connect.
For much of my life, I carried the quiet weight of that discomfort — the guilt, embarrassment, and shame that can come from feeling “different.” But through my own journey, I realized that real healing and understanding begin with conversation.
I have a rare eye disease, called Retinitis Pigmentosa. Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a group of inherited eye diseases that cause progressive vision loss. It affects the retina, the light-sensitive layer of tissue at the back of the eye. This loss affects night vision, peripheral vision and can also affect central vision. At this point in my life, I am legally blind and sometimes use a white cane.
That’s why I co-founded Creating SPACE with Kati Cahill — to invite people into those conversations, to spark curiosity rather than judgment, and to help shift our culture toward empathy and inclusion. My dream is for every person, disabled or not, to feel seen, heard, and understood — because that’s how true change begins.
Q: Can you explain more about the programs that you offer for
schools, businesses and the community?
LB: At Creating SPACE, everything we do centers around our name — because real change begins when we make space for it.
In schools, we offer engaging lesson plans for grades K–12 that embrace the letters in our name: Storytelling, Permission, Acceptance, Curiosity, and Education. Each lesson encourages students to explore empathy and inclusion through social-emotional learning (SEL), helping them understand themselves and others in meaningful ways. These lessons — soon available for educators to purchase and use in their classrooms — spark curiosity, awareness, conversation, and critical thinking from an early age.
Starting January 2026, educators across the country will be able to access Creating SPACE lessons online! We’re so excited to make our classroom resources available to all teachers who want to help students embrace differences, build empathy, and create inclusive learning environments.
For businesses and community organizations, we provide interactive workshops and discussions that focus on storytelling, awareness, language, and the power of giving ourselves and others permission to show up authentically. These sessions invite teams and communities to grow together — to challenge assumptions, deepen understanding, and create environments where everyone belongs.
Whether in a classroom, workplace, or neighborhood, our programs are designed to nurture empathy and inspire cultural change — one conversation at a time.
Q: What gratifies you most about this work?
LB: No matter the audience — whether it’s a classroom full of students, a company team, or a local community group — there’s nothing more rewarding than watching people begin to think and feel differently about disability. You can actually see it happen that quiet moment when understanding replaces discomfort, and a “lightbulb” goes on.
Those moments remind me why this work matters. I often hear from people afterward who tell me that the conversation didn’t just change how they think at work or in school — it changed how they connect in their everyday lives. That kind of transformation, even in small ways, is everything.
Knowing that Creating SPACE has helped open a door to empathy, inclusion, and real human connection — that’s what fills me up. It’s not just about awareness; it’s about creating lasting change.
Q: Can you tell me more about Together in Stories: A Call to the Disability Community?
LB: One of the most special parts of our school programming is the storytelling element — and Together in Stories is the heart of that mission. It’s our invitation to the disability community to share their lived experiences, in their own words, so that their voices can reach classrooms across the country.
Every story shared becomes a bridge — helping students see the world through someone else’s eyes and understand that disability is not something to fear or pity, but a natural and meaningful part of the human experience. These stories spark empathy, challenge assumptions, and encourage open, compassionate conversations at every age.
We are currently looking for more people within the disability community to share their stories with us. These stories will be shared with students across the country. The more stories that are shared, the more perspective and understanding we create together. If you know of anyone who wants to share their story with us, please have them do so by November 15.
We’re also working on a special book project that will feature some of these stories — a beautiful collection of voices that remind us all that strength, resilience, and belonging come in many forms. Together in Stories isn’t just a campaign; it’s a movement to connect hearts, change perspectives, and celebrate what it truly means to be human.
Q: What do you hope Together in Stories achieves?
LB: My hope is that Together in Stories helps people see disability through a new lens — one shaped by understanding rather than assumption. When we share real stories from real people, something powerful happens, walls come down, curiosity opens up, and empathy takes root.
I want this project to show students, teachers, families, and communities that disability is not a limitation — it’s simply one of the many ways to experience the world. Every story has the power to change a heart, to spark a conversation, or to shift a mindset.
Ultimately, my dream is that Together in Stories becomes more than a collection of voices — that it becomes a catalyst for connection and change. If even one person walks away seeing themselves or someone else with more compassion and confidence, then we’ve done something truly meaningful.
Q: Can you tell our audience one of your most memorable moments of your career?
LB: One moment that will stay with me forever happened during a school presentation. After one of our speakers shared their story, a young student came up to them with tears of excitement in his eyes. He had the same disability and told us how incredible it felt to finally meet someone — even an adult — who was like him. He said he felt “seen.”
That single word still gives me chills. It was such a powerful reminder of why we do this work. Representation matters. Connection matters. That student and our speaker have stayed in touch — they’ve become pen pals and continue to encourage each other to this day.
It’s moments like that — when you can feel the impact and see how one story can change a life — that fuel my passion to keep going. Every time we witness a spark of belonging or a moment of recognition, it reaffirms that we’re exactly where we need to be.
Q: Which woman inspires you and why?
LB: There are so many women who inspire me, but one who stands out in a truly special way is my friend Madison Maidenberg. Madison and I share the same rare retinal eye disease, Retinitis Pigmentosa. She’s twenty years younger than I am, yet she carries herself with such confidence, grace, and strength — it’s remarkable to witness.
What inspires me most about Madison is her courage. She chose to share her story and represent the disability community on the show Love Is Blind, opening up about her condition in such a vulnerable, honest way. That kind of bravery — to be seen, to be open, and to use your platform to educate and empower others — takes extraordinary heart.
Seeing her step into the spotlight with authenticity and pride reminded me why visibility matters. Madison is not only beautiful and strong; she’s helping reshape the way the world sees disability — and that is truly inspiring.
Q: What advice would you give to young women who want to pursue their dream and start a business?
LB: No matter the doubts, obstacles, or fears — do it anyway. If something is on your heart, it’s there for a reason. Don’t wait for the perfect moment or for everything to make sense. Start where you are, with what you have, and trust that the path will unfold as you go.
Surround yourself with people who lift you up — your community, your cheerleaders, your truth-tellers. Build your support system intentionally, with people who believe in your mission even when you question it yourself. That kind of support will help carry you through the challenging days and celebrate with you on the bright ones.
Most of all, believe that your voice and your vision matter. Every great idea, every movement, every change began with one person brave enough to begin. So, take that leap — you might just change your world, and maybe even the world around you.
Q: Can you tell us how you manage your work life balance?
LB: I feel incredibly lucky because 99% of what I do is fueled by passion. When your work comes from the heart, it doesn’t always feel like “work” — it feels like purpose.
That said, my family always comes first. They are my grounding force and my greatest joy. From there, I try to approach each day with intention — asking myself which passion needs the most attention in that moment. Some days, it’s Creating SPACE. Other days, it’s being fully present for my loved ones or taking time for myself to recharge.
Q: What's your advice for women in male-dominated fields?
LB: Know your worth and own your voice. You don’t have to be the loudest in the room to be heard — just confident in what you bring to the table. Remember, you belong there. Your perspective and presence matter.
Surround yourself with people who see your strengths and support your growth and always lift as you climb. Every time you use your voice, you make it easier for the next woman to use hers.
Five Things About Lindsey Blankenship
1. What celebrity would you like to meet at Starbucks for a cup of coffee?
Steve Martin
2. Who is the most fascinating person you’ve ever met?
My Grandparents
3. What was the last book you really got into?
Migration by Charlotte McConaghy
4. Among your friends, what are you best known for?
Showing up in all of the ways
5. What’s your signature drink?
Extra dirty Martini