Thriving Blind Academy is a 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to ending the literacy, employment and financial crisis in the blind community.
If you or your child are blind or visually impaired, you don’t need pity. You need a proven path, lived experience, and a community that believes in what’s possible. Welcome to Thriving Blind Academy — where we don’t just overcome blindness…we THRIVE through it.
Founded by bestselling author Kristin Smedley (and Mom of 2 blind sons that are thriving) and success coach Charlie Collins (legally blind and thriving), Thriving Blind Academy is the only membership community built on the proven THRIVER Formula for Success.
Whether you’re blind, visually impaired, or raising/teaching someone who is—this is the place where potential becomes progress.
Here, you don’t just survive vision loss. You THRIVE.
You have a proven roadmap to success.
You’re building independence, confidence, and purpose.
You’re surrounded by a thriving community of mentors, families, and professionals.
And you know exactly what to do next — because you’re living the THRIVER Formula.
At the core of our academy is the THRIVER Formula™, a step-by-step framework that has helped hundreds of blind individuals and families unlock confidence, build independence, and step fully into their potential.
This formula isn’t theory — it’s been tested, lived, and proven by members of our community.
Clarke Reynolds always knew he was meant to be an artist.
But as his vision declined, the world told him otherwise.
He was rejected from art programs.
Dismissed by teachers.
Ignored by galleries.
But Clarke didn’t give up.
He discovered Thriving Blind Academy during a pandemic-era online summit — and everything changed.
He met blind mentors who had already achieved the kind of success he dreamed of.
He learned the THRIVER Formula before it even had a name.
And step-by-step, he applied each principle.
Now?
Clarke has had international exhibits
He’s been honored by the Queen of England
He’s authored books and taught thousands of children to love braille
He’s become a mentor at Thriving Blind Academy and an icon in the blind artist community
Clarke didn’t just find success.
He became a leader.
And it all started with one decision: to believe it was possible and take action.
Access to our exclusive member portal with trainings & resources
Weekly live community calls with blind mentors
Step-by-step roadmaps to thrive at school, at work, and in life
Personalized support from a community that gets it
A direct connection to real role models like Clarke Reynolds
"I personally have Usher syndrome 2a and am a wife and mom. I am grateful for how far I have come and so happy to be able to experience things like this and be a part of a community of others like me."
One Community, Three Powerful Journeys.
You’re not just raising a blind/visually impaired child — you’re raising a future leader.
You want more than services and sympathy — you want answers, mentors, and a path forward that builds your child’s independence and confidence now.
Your child’s potential is unlimited. We’ll help you unlock it.
You’re done being underestimated. You’re ready to lead your life.
You’re figuring out who you are, what you want, and how to get there — but the world isn’t exactly handing you a map.
You already have what it takes — we’ll show you how to use it.
You’ve survived long enough. Now it’s time to thrive.
Maybe you’ve been navigating blindness on your own for years. You’ve made it this far — but you know there’s more. More purpose. More confidence. More community.
It’s never too late to build a life you love. We are here to guide you.
You don’t have to wait for the system to catch up. And you definitely don’t have to settle for low expectations.
Whether you’re raising a blind child, navigating young adulthood, or ready for a fresh start — everything changes when you have the right tools, mentors, and community.
The THRIVER Formula™ has helped hundreds of people just like you build lives filled with purpose, confidence, and possibility.
The next success story could be yours. But only if you take the first step.
