We invite you into a new way of listening to podcasts. “unseen: Life as a Blind Immigrant” is a new immersive show about Pedro. But instead of telling you why Pedro is so interesting, we’ll put you inside the story of his life instead. Tune in every Tuesday of October 2024 for new episodes, wherever you listen.

On a hot, summer day, Pedro takes the bus to his university. When a passenger notices the dog next to him, Pedro explains that he gets assistance from his guide dog because he is blind. As he arrives on campus, Pedro heads to the registrar. He pays for tuition out of pocket as an undocumented student. Pedro has faced numerous challenges, being both undocumented and blind, but his mentors have given him resources to follow his dreams. This inspires Pedro to pursue a career in social work, like his mentors, to help others just like himself. While Pedro is in school, Donald Trump gets elected president in 2016, further jeopardizing Pedro’s already precarious status in the U.S.

In 2017, the deadliest mass shooting in the U.S. occurs in Las Vegas. As a social work student, Pedro becomes a frontline responder, specializing in Spanish-language mental health services for immigrant survivors. At home, Pedro discusses the barriers he faces in the U.S. as an undocumented immigrant, preventing him from receiving support to go to school even though he is putting his training into important use. Unexpectedly, Pedro’s mentor informs him about a scholarship from the Mexican consulate, which gives Pedro $5,000 to finally graduate after 7 years. Unlike his classmates however, Pedro has no real prospects after graduation due to his immigration status.