Meet Paulette Monthei, the executive director of Outlook Enrichment.
Tell us a little about your business. – Outlook Enrichment’s (www.outlooken.org) mission is to create opportunities for people living with vision loss to achieve personal and professional growth in an inclusive community. We help people living with vision loss and blindness live life independently, confidently engage in their communities, and continue to do the things they love through our programs. These programs include Youth and Adult Rehabilitation Services, Transitions Planning, Independent Living, Adaptive Technology Training, and Support Services.
How did you get started in the business? – My father is a retired occupational therapist and my mother worked for the Iowa Department for the Blind. My parents, my sister, and I are legally blind. This fueled our passion to work directly with people with disabilities to impact their lives. I grew up immersed in activities and events for people with disabilities, so a career dedicated to helping others has been the perfect fit for me. The entire Outlook Enrichment team – all legally blind – shares my passion to serve others. I am so glad my career path brought me here.
Tell us a little about your family. – My spouse is retired from the military but continues to serve our country working as a civilian at Stratcom. We have five children. Four are now grown and have their own families. I have also been blessed with three wonderful grandchildren.
What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? – At home, you will often find me caring for one of my many indoor plants or working in my 1,500 square feet of outdoor garden space. I love to see things grow and flourish.
Who inspires you? – I am inspired every day by the people we serve. They bring me innovative ideas for our services as well as challenges that require me to think outside of the box and to become a better provider of services. I love being a part of their “Ah-ha!” moments when they realize they can do a task and seeing that spark of independence foster within them.
What is your favorite quote or the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? – “Disability culture is about visibility and self value. As with many groups in society, recognition by others only comes with self awareness within the group of the groups’ differences and strengths. Disability culture offers ways for people with different disabilities to pursue their own, as well as shared goals.” (Disability Studies Quarterly, Spring 2002, Volume 22, No. 2, pages 34-50.)
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? – When I first moved to the Omaha area, I struggled finding employment. I previously worked at the executive level in Milwaukee and had 25+ years of experience working in nonprofits for the disabled. I had a master’s degree in public administration, management, and budgeting experience, along with a wealth of other skills…and yet could not find work. When walking into a job interview as a visually impaired individual with a white cane, many employers immediately jump to what kinds of accommodations will have to be made and at what cost instead of seeing all the potential. I encourage you to keep an open mind the next time someone with a disability comes through that door.
If you could have a super power, what would it be? – There are times I wish I was the Flash with super speed because there never seems to be enough time in the day to get everything I want to get accomplished completed.
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – (531) 365-5320; pmonthei@outlooken.org; www.outlooken.org.