Glider Spotlight: Meet James Boehm, Mental Health Counselor & Co-Founder of The You Cane Give Initiative.

In this monthly series, we're putting the spotlight on our Gliders community to celebrate individuals who inspire us. This month, we're highlighting James Alan Boehm, CEO & Co-Founder of The You Cane Give Initiative (YCG), a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization that has provided canes, mobility training, and assistance to individuals in nearly 40 countries.

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Thanks for joining us, James! Let's start with an easy one: Where do you live?

I live in Nashville Tennessee. I was an army brat and was born in Germany. When my father retired from the military, we moved to Jackson Tennessee, and have been in Tennessee ever since. I went blind in 2010 at the age of 29 suddenly, and after navigating that dark period of my life, I eventually received the training needed to go from having an automotive styling business for many years to going to college for the first time. I first went to Middle Tennessee and acquired a bachelors in psychology, mental health services and social work. It was around this time where I married my wife, Wendy, and then graduated from Peabody College of Vanderbilt University with a masters in clinical mental health counseling.

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Tell us a bit about what do you do for work, or what a big passion / hobby of yours is!

I have a private practice for a mental health counseling, and work at a nonprofit counseling center, The Refuge Center, as a therapist, supervisor, and Accessibility coordinator. I also have the business Kustom Cane, and the non-profit You Cane Give. I enjoy advocacy and giving people the tools and resources so that they can live their best life. I enjoy the exciting special moment when someone experiences their first taste of freedom, independence, autonomy, and hope, whether it be in my counseling office or in a school in Africa.
I love sports, spending time with my family and nephews and nieces, and quality time with my wife and guide dog Dennis.

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What's a typical day like for you?‍

Wow! Every day is different because of my busy schedule, but typically it consists of me waking up around six to take Dennis out and feed him. Dennis and I usually spend some quiet time together to meditate and reflect as I drink my coffee and prepare for the day. Then, depending on the day, I'm usually at one of my offices between 730 and 8 and may be there until 3 to 6 PM. To and from work consists of phone calls with partners and trip planning for a nonprofit. I try to balance this also with family time and self-care. My wife Wendy and I try to incorporate family walks in the evening as a way to process the day and decompress. Sunday is a day dedicated to spiritual health, family time, and catching a game.

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If you could have any superpower, what would it be?

With great power comes great responsibility. I have always found the biggest impact I can make is when I can meet people where they're at. If they feel understood and feel that connection, amazing things happen. I could see how a superpower could possibly inhibit that connection. Perhaps, I am overthinking it and that would be a superpower! LOL

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What is your favorite podcast/book?‍

Crime Junky and Killer Psyche. I especially like Killer Psyche because there is a dive into the psychology and understanding of people and why they do the things that they do, which is something I love.

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What's one accomplishment or thing in life that you are most proud of?‍

The impact our You Cane Give has made worldwide. By year's end, we will hit if not surpass 40 countries. My wife, board, and I have worked hard over the past nine years and so we're extremely excited about what we've accomplished in such a short time.

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What are a few lessons you've learned in life that you'd like to share?‍

1. You cannot make anyone do anything they do not want to.
2. Every day… Every morning… When I wake up is already a win.

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What's one big question in life, work, or society that's been occupying your mind lately?‍

How we can get the tools and training into the hands of people that need it most while overcoming barriers, such as politics, costs, negative stigma, and helping to educate people why accessibility is so important.

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What's got you most interested in Glide?‍

Independence. Freedom. Another tool for the tool belt! The more tools and options we have the better and opportunity there will be to define what works for us in our situation in life to be the most successful and make a difference in this world.

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Anything else you'd like to share with the Gliders community?

This is a very exciting time in which technology is taking another step towards equipping individuals with disabilities! Technology can open up huge and life-changing possibilities, but it can also create even more of a barrier when Accessibility is an afterthought. I am thankful for Glidance integrating technology with independence, accessibility, and freedom for the blind. As technology progresses, I look forward to seeing how these initiatives will continue to develop. I am thankful for Glidance for being part of fostering that initiative.

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You can lear more about James and The You Cane Give Foundation at the following links:
Facebook pageWebsiteYoutube