In order to make our content more accessible, we’re including a transcript for videos from our YouTube page. Find the full transcript below for this spotlight on Samantha Porter, Production Lead Aerospace at The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc.

Audio Description:

Text and logo, The Lighthouse for the Blind, Incorporated. White text on a blue background that turns black. A woman sits on a couch and laughs. Samantha Porter, Production Lead Aerospace. She signs.

Samantha Porter:

For me as a DeafBlind person, independence is so important. I like to be able to do things myself. I want to be able to go out myself, instead of having to rely on another person. Some people don’t mind relying on other people, but I hate it. I’ve learned how to use a support service provider in a way that works for me. Independence doesn’t have to mean just getting through. It means you can do it yourself.

I was born deaf, and that was how I identified myself until I was a teenager. When I was around fourteen, my grandparents noticed that I was becoming more clumsy. I would trip and fall. I would hit my head on things. I would spill drinks. So, they took me to the doctor and I had a lot of tests done and I came away with a diagnosis of Usher syndrome. I was fourteen so I was thinking about driving and becoming more independent. And that diagnosis meant that there were new barriers to those things.

Audio Description:

She straightened a stack of papers and walks through a work area. She sits on a couch.

Samantha Porter:

What I enjoy most about working at the Lighthouse is working with people. Whether it be my supervisors, or my team in my department, that’s a really important part of my work. I think teamwork is so important and I enjoy getting to know the people in my department. I’m always fascinated by their stories and where they come from.

Audio Description:

She scans part numbers.

Samantha Porter:

The aerospace joint apprenticeship committee provides training for people who work in manufacturing. Taking advantage of this training means that I have an opportunity to become a certified machinist. So, I’m learning about different types of machines, policies for manufacturing, how to interact with people. Participating in this training and becoming certified means that I will be able to train other employees. A lot of DeafBlind people face barriers because English is not their first language and so I’m looking forward to giving them more opportunities to learn in their native language through direct communication.

When I first started working at the Lighthouse, I thought I would work there for a couple of years and then go back to school. And time has flown! It’s hard to believe it’s been six years already. A lot of things have changed in my life during that time. I’ve met a lot of new people. The Lighthouse has grown. My work has really changed. A lot of the changes are positive, but of course there are always challenges, as well. I think overall it’s been a really good six years. I’ve learned a lot.

Audio Description:

She walks down a path and through a gate.

Samantha Porter:

I’ve been able to work with a huge variety of people. People I never would have met otherwise.

Audio Description:

She walks down a path with a white cane.

Samantha Porter:

My future goals include going back to school and finishing my bachelors degree in social work. I would also like to continue on and get my master’s degree in social work. That’s a box that I have not yet checked that I would really like to. I think that’s going to be an important step in my life.

Some people really want to work at the Lighthouse forever. I’m not sure if that’s me or not. It’s possible, it depends on where my passions take me.