Deafblind Services Society
of British Columbia

Lives of Meaning

Karen

Born deaf, Karen started to lose her night vision and to trip over things in her teenage years, but didn’t realize it was because she was starting to lose her eyesight as well. In her 20’s she learned she had Usher Syndrome. While a shock, at least she understood what was happening to her. She is now legally blind, with tunnel vision in both eyes and able only to see a very small circle clearly.

Karen met her husband Danny while they were both students at the Jericho School for the Deaf. They have been married for 34 years and have two children, now both young adults.

Karen volunteers as a fundraising coordinator for the Deafblind Club and is an active part of the social activities that go on throughout the year. Karen enjoys knitting, sewing, crafts, the beach and parties with loud music (where the music’s vibrations can be felt).

When asked about the importance of skilled intervenors who sign and know how to guide in her life, Karen said: “It is tough being Deafblind, and sometimes I feel so alone. My husband is great and I am lucky to have him, but he works all day and I hate to be so dependent on him for everything in my life. Many other Deafblind people have no family at all. Without help from intervenors, life for a Deafblind person can go down a dark silent hole to depression. Intervenors are our life raft! Even a few hours a week can be a lifesaver to someone who is Deafblind.