Submitted by Cindy Van Winkle
Kelsey Wedemeyer is a 25-year-old woman who works as a Production Worker in Seattle and credits The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. for helping her to live a fuller life.
Born with an eye condition that left her legally blind, Kelsey was placed in public school through sixth grade and learned to read braille. From seventh grade on she attended the Washington State School for the Blind, where she graduated in 2012. At WSSB, they encouraged her to use whatever worked best for her, and she thrived with large print and magnification software.
After graduation, Kelsey moved back home, but her parents’ divorce, brought her world down around her. She’d spend the next few years living with different relatives, and eventually in a homeless shelter through an organization called Friends of Youth. Lost and battling mental health challenges, her human spirit was broken.
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Lighthouse employee Kelsey Wedemeyer
Growing up Kelsey wanted to be a country music singer; she loves to write music and saw herself one day moving to Nashville to pursue her dream. However, an illness damaged her vocal chords and along with it that dream. So Kelsey began dreaming of a new career. Since much of her family works in some form of the transportation industry, it was natural for Kelsey to gravitate toward that profession, but this wasn’t so easy for a young adult who is legally blind with no experience.
A friend who worked at the Lighthouse in Seattle encouraged her to apply for a job. She hadn’t had any luck with other job applications, so she decided to apply.
When Kelsey started working at the Lighthouse, it was the last place she wanted to be. She came here with years of accumulated baggage: hurt, confusion, uncertainty, and a lot of built up hate and anger. She wasn’t kind to others, complained constantly and loudly, and shared her misery with those around her.
It was a very understanding supervisor, Carla, who recognized Kelsey’s struggle and believed in her, even when Kelsey didn’t believe in herself. Carla would invite her into her office and give her a pep talk, helping her recognize her feelings and redirect her actions.
Medical challenges, both physical and mental, accompanied Kelsey through 2016 and January, 2017.
In the Spring of 2017, Kelsey was pleased to have been nominated for an MVP Award (recognizing employees who exemplify the Lighthouse missions and values), and although she did not win, she was invited to take part in an outing to a Mariners game with Lighthouse employees. She almost didn’t go because a public outing such as this was very much out of her comfort zone, but a coworker encouraged her and so she did. At the game, he connected Kelsey with his wife and according to her it was the beginning of a greater healing — the healing of her spirit.
The Lighthouse has been a lifeline for Kelsey. It is where she’s found support, encouragement, and acceptance. Here is where she feels loved. Now, she can’t imagine working anywhere else. In fact, on her recent 25th birthday, she decided to activate the donate button offered to her on Facebook and ask friends and family to give to the Lighthouse in lieu of gifts for her. Kelsey raised over $200 for the Lighthouse that day and is planning another such fundraiser during the month of December.
“I just want to give back to this place that has given me so much!” exclaims Kelsey.
“Love is all around me.
Look at the ones around me…..
It’s time for change. I’m on my way.
I change a little every day.”— Excerpt of lyrics to a song written by Kelsey Wedemeyer
