Summer 2004

Jenné Arnold signs her thanks as she accepts the Milton J. Samuleson Career Achievement Award.

“I was so blown away, it was an unbelievable experience,” Jenné Arnold says of receiving the National Industries for the Blind (NIB) Milton J. Samuelson Career Achievement Award. Jenné was presented with the award, honoring her leadership in the blindness field, at NIB’s National Convention in Fort Worth, Texas last fall. “After I got over the shock, my goal at the NIB conference was to show them that Deaf-Blind people are just like anyone else and encourage them to give Deaf-Blind people opportunities.”

Jenné is Deaf-Blind due to Usher’s syndrome type one. In Usher’s type one, hearing loss is severe and vision degenerates faster than in Usher’s types two and three. Jenné was born profoundly deaf then later began losing her peripheral vision due to the retinitis pigmentosa that is a part of Usher’s. During our interview, Jenné described her experiences in her first language, American Sign Language (ASL), while an interpreter translated ASL into English and English into ASL.

Jenné was born the eldest of four children in San Diego. “I have the beach in my blood,” she declares. Growing up, Jenné spent time exploring the outdoors by traveling with her family on camping trips and accompanying her sister and brother to the beach on surfing expeditions.

Her primary education took place in public schools. “There were separate classes for Deaf people,” Jenné remembers. “My core education was taught by a teacher who knew ASL. Looking back, that’s really valuable.”

As Jenné grew older, her parents encouraged her to attend a residential high school for Deaf students. She attended the California School for the Deaf in Riverside, where she participated in an abundance of activities, including track, cheerleading, volleyball, and drama. In her senior year, Jenné was president of the Associated Student Body and homecoming princess.

She went on to attend Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C., the sole four-year liberal arts college for Deaf and hard of hearing students. “It was a great experience,” she says. One of her favorite classes was art history. “I loved learning about architecture and paintings.”

It was at Gallaudet that she met fellow student Mark Landreneau. “Mark was a really good influence on me - a mentor,” Jenné recalls. At the time, Jenné was in a period of denial about her vision loss. “Mark helped me with my denial process. He was a great role model for me.”

After attending Gallaudet, Jenné moved to the small town of Schweinfurt, Germany just two hours journey from Frankfurt. She worked for four years at the Department of Army, Civilian Personnel Office in Schweinfurt where she created job announcements and descriptions, and coordinated personnel.  She found time to travel throughout Europe, visiting eight countries including France, Italy, and England. “And of course Spain with its beautiful beaches,” she adds.

Moving back to the United States and devoting herself to the role of full-time mom, she became re-acquainted with Mark, who had since moved to Seattle. He paid a visit to Jenné’s home in Riverside, California. During the visit, he encouraged her to attend the Seattle Lighthouse’s annual Deaf-Blind retreat in Seabeck, Washington on Hood Canal. The Seattle Lighthouse, with the help of community support, has provided this completely accessible experience to Deaf-Blind people since 1978.

Jenné headed to Seabeck the summer after Mark’s visit. At the retreat, she says “I saw the dream of my next life.” She had no trouble making up her mind that Seattle was where she wanted to be. “I decided to move right then and there.” Jenné contacted the Seattle Lighthouse for the Blind and was offered a job right away.

Six years later, she continues her outstanding work supporting the Deaf-Blind program at the Lighthouse. As administrative assistant to the Deaf-Blind program and rehabilitation department, Jenné plays a key role in organizing the retreat that first brought her to Seattle. “Right now I’m really busy getting packets out and getting names [of people attending the retreat] into the roster,” she explains. “I also served as co-director of the retreat for two years. I loved doing that.”

For Jenné, the retreat holds the key to opening up possibilities for people. “Really, the highlight is being able to talk with other Deaf-Blind people and reaffirm that Deaf-Blind people can live their dreams.” She continues, “there’s an opportunity for people to break through that isolation and meet other Deaf-Blind people who live exciting lives. It really helps with self-esteem.”

Jenné’s devotion to advocating for the Deaf-Blind community shines through in everything she does. In addition to helping organize the retreat, she plays an active role in Deaf-Blind community classes and activities, including teaching juicing and yoga classes. She has also been a regular part of organizing leadership trainings for Deaf-Blind individuals. This leadership training is provided by the Seattle Lighthouse to Deaf-Blind leaders from throughout the country, who come to learn from our model programs.

Jenné is especially excited about new opportunities opening up for Deaf-Blind people today. “There’s a Deaf-Blind service center in Texas now as a result of the leadership training,” she smiles. She is also happy about increased access to technology through the Lighthouse Deaf-Blind Technology Training Center program. “Deaf-Blind people have been able to put more computer equipment in their homes. It really is breaking down the barriers of isolation. People are able to communicate with friends and family they have not been able to communicate with for a very long time.”

Jenné’s exceptional commitment and leadership at the Lighthouse and in the Deaf-Blind community led to her recognition as the recipient of the Samuelson Award. In her acceptance speech, her dedication to promoting opportunities for Deaf-Blind people came through with strength and clarity. “I really wanted to touch their hearts, then I went for their minds and made my points.”

Today, Jenné continues her work at the Lighthouse and in the community helping others achieve their dreams. She says receiving the award has motivated her to challenge herself further and continue aspiring to greater goals. “After that experience, I have set my life up so I can reach even higher.”

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