Spring 2006

Deng Kong, Photo by Alan Berner, courtesy of the Seattle Times

When she was twelve, Deng Kong and her family fled Laos for the United States. They spent eight months in a refugee camp before immigrating to the United States By this time, Deng was totally blind due to untreated glaucoma.

She remembers this as being a very lonely time in her young life with no friends and only her family members to talk to. “People avoided me as if I was a plague. People with disabilities are viewed as being stupid, useless, possessed by demons and, more often than not, are being locked away in institutions,” Deng says.

Upon arriving in Seattle in 1978, Deng felt overwhelmed by Western culture. She recalls, “I was in for one heck of a culture shock. First, women in bikinis in public? Back at home, women did not show more than their faces, arms, and what was below their knees. Then there was how a child addressed older people, by first names! That was considered to be an ill brought up child in many Asian countries. We used the term ‘uncle’ or ‘aunt’ to address older folks. Although they were not family related, it was a polite and respectful way to address them. Then there was the showing affection in public. Hugging, kissing, and holding hands – wow!”

Deng set to work attaining English fluency as well as learning independent living skills for people who are blind. She gained proficiency in Braille, independent white cane travel, and assistive technology. She went on to earn her Bachelor of Arts degree in Chinese Studies from the University of Washington in Seattle. She is fluent in Laotian, Mandarin Chinese, and English.

Deng started working at the Seattle Lighthouse in 2001 as an intern after completing the Service and Office Systems (SOS) training program that was jointly sponsored by The Seattle Lighthouse and Washington State Department of Services for the Blind. After completing her internship Deng accepted a position as a customer service representative in the Lighthouse customer service department.

In addition to her duties in the Lighthouse call center, Deng has expanded her role to include acting as the backup receptionist for our front office. She is also a regular participant in the Lighthouse school tours program, which educates local school children about the capabilities of people with visual disabilities.

Deng is positive, spirited, reliable, and loves to be busy. She is well liked by everyone who knows her and is always willing and able to lend a hand when asked even if the request falls outside her regular job duties. “I can always rely on Deng to follow through with tasks to completion. If she says she will call a customer back after researching a problem I can always expect it to be done. Deng is resourceful and has good problem solving skills,” says Sharon Carmody, sales and services manager.

Away from work Deng leads a very active life. In addition to being featured in Lighthouse publications, she has also been recognized in the Seattle Times for her experience as a cross-country skier and her experience judging a tactile art exhibit.

As an art devotee, Deng especially enjoyed serving on a panel of judges for the Touching Art exhibit hosted by the University of Washington School of Art. The Lighthouse hosted a special reception for this exhibit of art pieces made expressly for the enjoyment of blind people. A photograph of Deng examining one of the art pieces won a special prize in Parade magazine’s photos of the year.

An avid reader, Deng loves to curl up with romances, mysteries, and science fiction. Other activities she enjoys include cross country skiing, walking, crocheting, and organizing a large summer picnic each year for Lighthouse employees. She loves to listen to music and also to sing karaoke with family and friends. “Chinese oldies only please,” she smiles.

As The Seattle Lighthouse’s Employee of the Year, she is also our nominee for the National Industries for the Blind (NIB) Peter J. Salmon Career Achievement Award. This honor is given for leadership in the blindness field to a visually impaired employee working in a direct labor position for a NIB associated agency. As our nominee for this prestigious award, Deng will represent the Seattle Lighthouse at the NIB National Convention.

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