The fuller story
I'm also a husband, a foster dad, and someone who's still figuring most of this out one day at a time. As a deafblind motivational speaker, I get one question before almost any other: how does someone who can't fully see or hear run a pottery wheel in front of a room? This page is the fuller version of my story, not the highlight reel.
Origin
I was born hard of hearing. My parents made the choice to raise me as a hearing child: hearing aids, speech therapy, years of appointments before I understood what they were preparing me for. At 13, I was told I'd eventually lose my sight. I was legally blind by 19, and lost the rest of my vision by 32. I didn't choose any of that. I only got to choose what I did with it, and some of those years included addiction and thoughts of ending my life. I'm not going to pretend they didn't.
My vision now is like looking through wax paper: soft shapes, soft color, no fine detail. I navigate most of the world by feel: a white cane, and a lot of trust. Pottery found me during one of the hardest seasons of my life. Clay responds to pressure, time, and attention, the same things that were shaping me. I never planned to make a career out of a wheel. It just happened to be the thing steady enough to hold onto.
My wife has stood with me through more than most people see. We're foster parents too, which has taught me more about showing up, loving without guarantees, and staying present than any stage ever has.
The bridge
This page is who I am. If you want the fuller story, the moment everything changed, and the faith that's carried me through all of it, that's DeafBlind Potter, the ministry I lead.
Visit DeafBlind Potter“The faith that's carried me through all of it.”
If you want me to walk it with your team or your stage, let's talk.
Invite Kelvin to Speak
