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closeName: Joanie Kraft.
Age: Kraft describes herself as "an older lady."
Residence: Moved to Bellingham eight months ago, but lived in Whatcom County for 21 years.
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FOR FURTHER HELP
The Volunteer Chore Program is part of the Whatcom Volunteer Center. It helps low-income seniors and adults with disabilities to live independently.
Anyone over 60 who would like to receive chore assistance can call Senior Information and Assistance at the Northwest Regional Council, 738-2500.
Those with disabilities should contact the Whatcom Volunteer Center at 734-3055 or www.whatcomvolunteer.org.
Career: A variety of jobs, including working as a reservationist for Trans World Airlines and a desk receptionist.
Challenges: Kraft is legally blind, born without peripheral vision and has been losing her full vision over the past five years.
Hobbies: Kraft used to ski, swim, hike, ride horses, boat and photograph still objects. Now, she loves "training and spoiling dogs, especially the big ones. I also love cats."
Inspiration: "My favorite things in life are "believing in Jesus, children, animals and people."
Maintaining mobility around the home: "I have a good memory," Kraft says, which helps her navigate through her apartment.
Handling stairs: "I don't handle them very well. Because of my bad neck, I walk like a troll and if I tripped on the stairs, I would really hurt myself. I won't live on the second floor again."
Kraft says she is grateful that the staircase at her apartment building has a good strong handrail and a landing where she can take a break.
Most difficult part of home to navigate: "Nothing," she says. "I'm very independent."
Transportation around town: A volunteer from the organization Volunteer Chore Program helps Kraft run errands around town.
Companion: Her 3-year-old large, black-and-brown dog named Babycakes goes with her, too. While she is not a seeing-eye dog, Kraft says she is her helper dog.
Relying on friends: Kraft says her friends have always been helpful. When she was first going fully blind while living in Blaine, she had several police officers who watched out for her, as well as one peace officer on the border whom she referred to as her "cowboy grandson."
What helped the most: The Volunteer Chore Program was set up to help seniors remain independent in their homes. Program Director Josie Presley says the volunteers assist with daily chores and sometimes become close friends with the seniors they assist.
Kraft says she has enjoyed each volunteer she has worked with from the Chore Program. "Any older person, it is in their best interest and behalf to contact Josie and the Chore Program, and Josie will get you the very best volunteer."
Most helpful device: Kraft says she enjoys having a cell phone, since she can take it outside with her when she walks her dog. She also loves her talking clock and a strong walking cane that also functions as a blind stick.
Home modifications: When she moved into her new apartment, she arranged her furniture herself so she knows where everything is.
Coping with travel: Kraft also relies on cabs for transportation. She enjoys flying and regularly uses the cab company to get to the Bellingham International Airport.
Independent spirit: Once at the airport, she receives assistance from the moment she walks in the door. "The only reason I request a wheelchair is because some people don't know how to walk successfully with a blind person," Kraft says.
For fun: Kraft plays with her dog and tends to the plants in her apartment.
Is it hard to ask for help? "No, I am not shy," Kraft says.
Advice: "Try your best and if you don't succeed at first, try, try again."
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