Mariko Katayama-Lee,
Volunteer Reader on AIS Radio
I have been a volunteer at the LightHouse since 2002. Prior to my time here, I had been volunteering for several other organizations, however no other place can compare to the experience I've had at the LightHouse. This has truly been my most rewarding experience as a volunteer.
I began as an administrative volunteer, then a broadcaster in AIS reading Sports Illustrated and most recently from home as a reader for the weekly TV Guide listings.
One unexpected surprise I found during my time as a broadcaster was the amount of confidence it gave me in my own personal life. At the time, I was a college student and extremely nervous and shy about reading aloud in front of an audience. Being a reader helped tremendously with my own reading and speaking skills, so much so that my family, friends and teachers at school even noticed a change. Talking on the radio also helped me learn to use different tones of emotion and helped me in expressing my thoughts more clearly.
Here I was thinking that my goal was to try to help give back to the blind and visually impaired community, yet in return I received (and continue to receive) more from the experience than I could have ever imagined. This experience has given me the wonderful gift of confidence and insight that I hope to carry with me for the rest of my life.
The LightHouse not only provides solutions for people living with vision loss, but it gives those of us who are volunteers the opportunity to learn more about ourselves and others.
--Mariko Katayama-Lee
