Spring 2007

Di Black and Jackie Dore discuss the Deaf-Blind Program’s photo display

On January 30 over 225 people, including Deaf-Blind community members, interpreters, supporters, and friends, gathered to celebrate the Seattle Lighthouse Deaf-Blind Program’s 30^th anniversary. Guests enjoyed catching up with long-time friends in the community, recording memories on video, writing dreams for the future, and viewing the timeline of the past 30 years of the Deaf-Blind Program’s existence.

Presenters included Government Affairs Specialist Mark Landreneau, President George Jacobson interpreted by Terry Dockter, Interpreters and Community Advocates Ellie Savidge and Marthalee Galeota, retired Lighthouse Machinist Ken Sting, past Lighthouse Employee Margarita Eng, and President-elect Kirk Adams. Each presenter shared their personal memories of the Deaf-Blind Program through the years.

“The Golden Thread” presentation provided a tactile illustration of the bonds linking the community together.

Many people shared their thoughts on the event and on the Deaf-Blind program through the years. Here are some of the comments we have received:

 January 30 was great because there was such a huge group of people who came to the Seattle Center. It was a highly enjoyable evening. There was a host of interpreters there so everyone had a team.  I want to thank everyone involved for such a successful evening. After a good three-hour party I went home feeling incredibly satisfied --– it was wonderful.

- Annie Sting, Lighthouse Machine Shop Production Worker

I was so incredibly impressed with that Tuesday evening. I enjoyed learning more about the history, not only of the Deaf-Blind community but of the Lighthouse too. I enjoyed meeting so many people then seeing their faces in the pictures and putting those pieces of the puzzle together. People were great to me. They would explain who all the people were and connect the timeline. I thought it was a fascinating experience.

- Mae Lynn Mullen, Lighthouse Machine Shop Employee. Mae Lynn moved to Seattle six months ago for a job at the Lighthouse.

I felt honored to be a part of the wonderful celebration of the Lighthouse Deaf-Blind 30 year anniversary. It was great to see so many people and friends. I particularly enjoyed the memories I had while listening to the stories of the other speakers.

The Lighthouse has provided the technology that will allow us to keep in touch with each other. This is a great help to us. Through the years, the Lighthouse classes have been a great help too, because they provide information on many topics that in some instances may be hard for us to obtain. Also, it gives us a secure place to socialize and, of course, the summer camp is a very popular week of enjoyment and fun.

Through the years the Deaf-Blind program has gone through tremendous change that has benefited all of us. I am looking forward to many more years of learning and friendship.

- Margarita Eng, Presenter and Past Lighthouse Employee

The Oregon School for the Blind brought its small group of Deaf-Blind students to the Seattle Lighthouse for the Blind's weekend camp at Red Barn Ranch near Auburn, Washington.  When we arrived, I was flabbergasted.  To see all the Deaf-Blind people running around with their volunteers, meeting old friends, making new ones, and laughing all the while, was amazing to me.  That first weekend was a terrible struggle for me. It was not only such a new experience, but I knew very little sign language yet.  However, all the people were friendly, kind, and helpful.  I began to see a glimmer of hope.

It's hard to believe that three decades have passed.  Today, at the age of 65, I look back; think of how terrifyingly bleak my world seemed in 1978, and marvel at how rich my life is today. Over the years, the Seattle Lighthouse has provided not only camps, but training, equipment, and support to the Deaf-Blind people.  Today, as a result of all this, I live in my own home independently.  Though I am totally blind and very hard of hearing and depend on tactile sign language and braille for communication and information gathering, I cook, clean, take care of my yard and vegetable garden, and work in my woodshop. 

- Don Meyer, Community Member and Long-Time Retreat Participant

Event Presenters Ken Sting and Marl Landreneau take a moment to greet one another

We are the premier organization in the United States in terms of recruiting, employing, training, and supporting people who are Deaf-Blind. At the same time, the Deaf-Blind program goes far beyond exceptional service provision. The Lighthouse is an integral part of the vibrant Deaf-Blind community that has developed in the Seattle area. I am very proud of what the Deaf-Blind program has accomplished, and am excited about how the program is evolving to meet the changing needs of our Deaf-Blind employees and other community members.    

- Kirk Adams, President-elect

*Interpretation note: The comments made by Annie Sting and Mae Lynn Mullen were interpreted from American Sign Language to English by Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID)-certified interpreters. 

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