A talented young lady, Marissa Leitzke is working with as a Youth Intern this summer. We met Marissa through her Orientation and Mobility Coach from Saint Paul. She has participated in the UWCA program, ventured to the Boundary Waters, and has volunteered with WI over the years. In an interview, Marissa expressed that her favorite thing about working at WI is contributing to an organization that brings happiness and excitement to her and others of all abilities. As an individual who is Deaf-Blind, Marissa inspires others to overcome challenges.
The biggest challenge she has encountered while working in the WI kitchen, Marissa says, has been communicating with people who do not know about Deaf and Deaf-Blind culture. She states, “this is an amazing experience and positive challenge.” When she does not have a sign language interpreter at work, Marissa uses facial expressions and writing on a notepad to communicate tasks and get to know her coworkers. Marissa wrote, “The most valuable thing I have learned is to be part of the team and to help the people and organization, to make other people feel good about themselves and myself too.”
Marissa has been a big help and we at Wilderness Inquiry are glad and thankful to have her working with us this summer.
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