As Clark Roberts captivates the room at an Issaquah hotel ballroom, next to his wife Karrie, its hard to imagine how far he has come since his life was rocked as a college freshman.
“50 years ago I sat in a doctor’s office and listened to a doctor tell me as an 18-year-old freshman that I was losing my eyesight. He turned my world upside down,” Roberts said. “As I sat on my dormitory floor that night, I had thoughts of throwing it all away. But you see I am so grateful I did not accept the big fat lie and throw my life away.”
On Oct. 16, Robert’s nonprofit, Ultimate Vision, held the Seeing and Sharing the Heart of Kindness at the Hilton Garden Inn in Issaquah. It was the nonprofit’s first ever gala.
Roberts, a Valley resident, runs the nonprofit alongside his wife Karrie, who together speak at schools and team building events, telling Clark’s story and work to foster a kinder community.
Since 2019, the nonprofit has met with over 5,000 students across three school districts, including in the Snoqualmie Valley. With the end of the pandemic, the duo have recently returned to in-person speaking events.
They are currently expanding into four neighboring school districts — Burlington, Everett, Mt. Vernon and Mercer Island. They are also planning to move across state borders into Colorado, Idaho and Montana.
“What I tell kids when I speak is I am a person first, with hopes, dreams, desires, ambitions and a love of life, that’s come from me accepting my god given gift of sight lost,” Roberts said. “And I want to do more.”
Clark Roberts explains how to eat without sight, as guests participate in “Dining in the Dark.” Photo by Conor Wilson/Valley Record
Clark Roberts and Larry Snyder auction items off to benefit Ultimate Vision. Photo by Conor Wilson/Valley Record.
Former North Bend Elementary School Teacher, Jenny Ketner speaks about the impact Ultimate Vision has had on her confidence. Photo by Conor Wilson/Valley Record
Larry Snyder, left, looks at Clark Robert’s new guide dog-in-training. Photo by Conor Wilson/Valley Record
