We were lucky to catch up with Mary Kathryn LeMaster recently and have shared our conversation below.
Mary Kathryn , so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?
Sugar, my white mobility cane lights up a room for me to step in. The vibration of her tip runs up to my hand o let me know if there is a step coming up or small child or a curb. Taking that first step reminds me I can do anything. I love breaking the stereotype of blindness and the power of disability and I’ve never had such confidence as I do know being a blind woman walking into new experiences. I have fought to find my way back after losing over 75% of my vision and I wouldn’t change any of it.
I know the power I have when I am in a room with my cane. Some days it is incredibly hard and others I am excited to educate people about blindness being a spectrum and that life is far from over after a diagnosis. It’s because I love my independence so much that I keep going no matter what shows up. I realized years ago that my freedom is on the other side of my fear and I have to open the door knowing it’s better on the other side.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
My brand is myself, I pressed against using my name for a long time and this year decided to go for it. My business is all that I do and I lead from who I am, my trainings and my experience.
I lead mindfulness and accessibility workshops to teach forward thinking businesses and organizations how to make their spaces and places inclusive for the visually impaired and blind community. The blend of mindfulness and accessibility goes hand in hand in this learning environment. Our world can’t be inclusive if we are overworked, too busy, or in a constant state of stress. The slower we move, breathe and think the easier it is for us to create a mindful and heartful world where every community has a seat at the table. I am helping build a future world I want to live in.
I’ve spent the last twenty five years exploring and teaching technique’s from ancient elders to modern neural science on how to move through stressful times. Being blind I have had to find ways of softening when my body was struggling. Sound Healing, Breathwork, Restorative Yoga, and Intuitive Energy Meditations have guided my path forward and I lead from these teachings and my life experience. We as individuals need to find peace in our lives and it can be as simple as tuning into your own breath and slowing down to find solid ground. Offering Sound Baths with my crystal bowls has been a new piece of the healing journey and it’s moving mountains for students and people all around me. Sound has been used since the beginning of time for therapeutic purposes helping people move through stress and health conditions. The frequency of the bowls helps people move into a relaxed theta brain wave during each sound experience.
Creating Custom Meditations for clients is joy for me! Meditation apps are great, but not personal to what you are going through in life at that exact moment. These are a wonderful entry point for anyone curious about meditation or are looking for a new way to relax. Much like blindness, meditation is a spectrum. Not all blind people can see nothing, 90% of us still can see shapes, colors, half of the room and not all meditation means you have to sit still in a quiet room. These virtual meditations meet you where you are and encompass all of you.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
My resilience, massive desire for independence, and knowing I want to leave it better for the next generation of blind folks. We have such an opportunity this life to learn how to care for ourselves with a full heart and then share it.
There are so many people cheering you on and want the absolute best for you. Invite them in and surround yourself with them and then become one of them for someone else.
Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?
The visually impaired and blind community!!! After diagnosis, I asked my doctor for a support group resource, I knew I needed to meet other people who were on the other side of my journey. I knew I needed to know I was not alone. She didn’t have any resources and didn’t have any desire to help so I started my own. I host a Name Your Cane Happy Hour once a month for white cane users from all of the world and it has changed my whole life. We all need a place to be seen, heard, and felt by others who are on the same journey. Our group is incredible! We learn from one another, cry over hard experiences, and celebrate our wins. I’m so glad my doctor didn’t have a group which spurred me into action and my friend’s have been a huge gift.
When it comes to business, especially being an entrepreneur, always bet on yourself and believe in what you want. It can be a hard road, but oh it’s worth your time and effort. Besides, what’s the best that can happen?
Contact Info:
- Website: www.themarykathryn.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themarykathryn_
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-kathryn-lemaster-a1931034/?trk=public_profile-settings_edit-profile-content
Image Credits
Bethany Brewster Haley Webster
