Shifting Perspectives—One Video at a Time

For Natasha Caudill, embracing life in black and white has opened a world of opportunity, not only for herself but for millions watching her story unfold.

At 27 years old, Natasha is a content creator with more than 1.3 million followers on TikTok alone, known for her candid, creative, and often humorous videos about living with achromatopsia, a rare inherited retinal condition that causes complete colorblindness, light sensitivity, and low visual acuity. From black-and-white makeup tutorials to fashion hauls filmed through her unique lens, Natasha uses her platform to educate, advocate, and entertain, all while shining a light on what it means to live with a visual impairment.

“I’ve never seen color before,” says Natasha. “So that’s why I post my videos in black and white, so people can feel like they’re seeing the world through my eyes.”

Born in Ukraine and adopted by an American family at two and a half years old, Natasha grew up in Alabama and Tennessee. Her parents noticed something different about her vision early on, but it wasn’t until middle school, after moving to Tennessee, that a retina specialist confirmed her diagnosis of achromatopsia through genetic testing. That diagnosis allowed her to receive the educational support she needed, including an Individualized Education Program (IEP). But more than that, it marked the beginning of a lifelong journey toward self-acceptance and advocacy.

“When I was a kid, I wouldn’t have called myself blind or disabled,” recalls Natasha. “I knew I was different, but I just wanted to fit in.”

That desire to blend in eventually gave way to a bold confidence, especially in high school, when she was voted “Best Eyes” in the senior yearbook while wearing her sunglasses in the photo. That iconic moment helped Natasha begin embracing her uniqueness.

In college, she began learning how to advocate for herself and others, eventually earning a degree in history and education. Though she never imagined herself as a content creator, a spontaneous decision to post a video during the summer before her senior year of college changed everything.

“I was bored at home and decided to start making videos,” says Natasha. “I honestly never set out to be a creator, I just wanted to share about my blindness.”

Her first video about her achromatopsia featured a color-identifying app, quickly followed by a makeup tutorial that showed how she applies products without seeing color. That authentic video struck a chord and went viral. By 2022, Natasha had left her day job, signed with a talent agency, and begun creating full-time.

Today, Natasha’s social media is not just a creative outlet—it’s a platform for change. She’s collaborated with many brands like Crayola, Urban Decay, and NASA, always with accessibility at the forefront. But it’s her videos about disability advocacy and education that mean the most to her.

“I want to infiltrate these industries and make the world more accessible with my content,” says Natasha. “In everything I create and all the brands I work with, I always have accessibility in mind.”

Natasha is also an active member of the achromatopsia Facebook group, where people around the world connect to share experiences, resources, and encouragement. For those newly diagnosed, she emphasizes the importance of finding community, whether through support groups or following disabled creators online, and encourages people to reach out, ask questions, and remember they’re not alone.

Like anyone putting themselves out there, Natasha has faced her share of challenges online. But through it all, she’s discovered that authenticity is her greatest strength, and the key to building a community that not only follows her, but stands with her.

“I’m glad I was confident when I started posting,” says Natasha. “The internet can be harsh, but by being myself, I’ve built a loyal community that supports me.”

Natasha wants others to know that living with blindness or low vision doesn’t mean living without joy.

“People assume not seeing color is depressing,” says Natasha. “But I love the way I see the world. I enjoy colorful things differently, and that doesn’t diminish the experience.”

Her message is grounded in the social model of disability: the idea that barriers are created by society, not individuals.

“You are not the problem—society is,” says Natasha. “And that reframing can be really powerful. It feels good to know I’ve been able to channel my content into something so positive and helpful.”

As Natasha continues to create, educate, and connect, her message is clear: disability is not a limitation—it’s a different perspective. And there’s so much strength in sharing it.

 

 

This Beacon Story is sponsored by Johnson & Johnson.