Almost Live | Flying in the Dark

Flying in the Dark a series of hilarious and poignant autobiographical memoirs, stories about what it is like to live and thrive as a blind person in a sighted world, written and performed by Ottawa storyteller, Kim Kilpatrick. If you attended Raising Stanley/Life with Tulia Almost Live earlier this year, you’ll know that Kim’s a wonderful storyteller and a delightful guest. So much so that host Amy Amantea requested Kim’s return as a special treat for her birthday.

This is a story about a child, blind since birth, figuring out that she isn’t like everyone else. And that she is. The tale is filled with colourful characters: parents, siblings, friends, teasing kids; filled with senses: hearing, touch, smell and texture; and filled most of all with humour and insight. How does Kim learn to read? Walk to the store? Ride a bike? Meet Kim, hear her Paralympic stories and you’ll realize that Kim is, in most respects, just like everyone else.

With humour, wit, a deeply felt sense of the ridiculous and considerable courage, Kim guides her listeners through the particular experiences of a fiercely independent blind child regarding the triumph and tribulations that are, in fact, a part of everyone’s growing up. She shares her boundless enthusiasm for acquiring the skills she needs to be self-sufficient, chronicling the process of becoming an adult with new potentials opening and new complexities revealed. There are so many things she has done: earned a degree, won medals at the Paralympics, been a music therapist, a disability advocate, and a storyteller.

So, is there darkness? Yes, but it comes mainly from others: those who patronize her, who will not accept her competence. In response, Kim has created Flying in the Dark as a deep, funny, but gentle adventure. Through her show, she brings her audiences an evening of insight and entertainment, imparting listeners with memories that she hopes will stay with them as they go forward in their own life. We hope you can join us!

The VocalEye virtual lobby opens at 6:30 pm Pacific Time for some socializing and community updates with host Amy Amantea. The pre-show introduction will begin at 6:45 pm with Amy and Kim. The storytelling begins at 7 pm with a running time of approximately 60 minutes, followed by conversation, Q and A and a prize draw.