On Netflix’s Love Is Blind, contestants search for love and form emotional connections before meeting face to face. But for one participant in the show’s ninth season, the concept of dating “blind” is more than a social experiment. Madison Maidenberg, a 28-year-old UI/UX designer from Colorado, lives with retinitis pigmentosa (RP), a rare degenerative eye disease that could one day take her sight entirely.
Maidenberg joined the series, which premiered Oct. 1, partially because the show’s format mirrors what her life could eventually become if her vision continues to deteriorate. “Love Is Blind represents an opportunity for me to see if there is a partner for me that can really light me up without me being able to see them and simulate what that would be like if I were to lose my vision.”
The diagnosis first showed signs when Maidenberg was 14. She noticed she couldn’t see clearly in dim lighting, such as movie theaters, and later realized she could no longer see stars at night. RP causes the rods and cones in the retina to break down over time, leading to reduced peripheral and night vision. Maidenberg also experiences constant visual “static,” similar to the fuzz on an old television screen.
For years, routine eye exams revealed nothing abnormal until, at 21, a new doctor spotted bone spicules on her retina, a hallmark of RP. The diagnosis brought both relief and confusion. Because she has the recessive form of the disease, it only manifests when both parents carry the gene, even if no one else in the family shows symptoms.
After her diagnosis, Maidenberg connected with the Foundation Fighting Blindness, which provides genetic counseling and community support. She now serves as president of the organization’s Colorado chapter, helping others navigate similar challenges. Volunteering and advocating for people with visual impairments has given her purpose and a sense of belonging after what she described as years of loneliness and frustration.
Although her vision has remained relatively stable for the past two years, Maidenberg acknowledges that RP is a progressive condition and has shown the most noticeable acceleration between the ages of 12 to 24. She still drives during daylight hours but avoids night driving, and she takes precautions in unfamiliar or dimly lit environments. Maidenberg’s experience has also shaped how she approaches relationships. She is open about her condition early when dating, knowing that lighting and spatial awareness can pose challenges.
While most people she has dated have been understanding, living with an invisible disability has occasionally tested her confidence and sense of self-worth. Participating in Love Is Blind allowed her to confront those feelings in new ways. The show’s format, which removes initial physical attraction from the dating process, pushed her to open up emotionally and embrace her identity fully.
Throughout the experience, Maidenberg has been finding connection, self-acceptance, and deeper meaning in life. She described learning to appreciate her condition as part of who she is and that focusing on emotional rather than visual connection helped her see herself—and others—more clearly.
Sources: Yahoo! Life, Cosmopolitan
