When Kari Sellars was born in 1968, Kathy and Bill Sellars were told that their beautiful, new-born daughter might face a very limited and uncertain future because she was born with Down Syndrome. It was not unusual at that time for people born with disabilities to spend their lives in institutions, rather than living at home, attending school, or participating in sports. Thus began a life-long quest to create “a good life” for their daughter, a life of opportunity, growth, friends, sports, learning, and contribution – far different from the kind of life that most people with disabilities were experiencing at the time.
Kathy and Bill learned from the early pioneers in the field of disabilities and became leaders in their own right. Bill served on the Board of Arc of Washington for countless years, while making weekly treks to the Legislature to ensure that the voices of citizens like Kari and her family were heard. Kathy volunteered with the schools and became president of Nathan Hale High School’s PTSA because being president of the PTSA for all children and families was the best way to truly create an inclusive environment for Kari and the other children in Special Education.
As Kathy realized that one day her precious daughter would grow up and need a place to live, she helped found Housing Unlimited as a non-profit to purchase homes that could be rented at a reasonable price to people with disabilities. About that time, Kathy and Bill purchased Karistad, which has been Kari’s home since 1989 and is a unique model for individuals with disabilities sharing their home and their lives. (Kathy and Bill donated Karistad to Parkview Services a few years ago.)
From the time Kari graduated from high school, Bill and Kathy made finding a good workplace for her a priority. Fortunately, after several not quite satisfactory jobs, Kari found her dream job at PCC Natural Markets in their corporate offices. She’s been there 19 years now! Realizing that an education, home, and job were not enough, Kathy and Bill have continued to support Kari throughout her adult years as Special Olympics athlete who competes in swimming, skiing, bowling, and most recently golf!
Perhaps the most important lesson for Bill and Kathy was that putting their energy into making the world a better place for all people with disabilities was the best way to ensure that the world would be a good place for their own daughter. In 2000, Kathy became a founding board member of LifeSPAN, Lifetime Secure Personal Assistance Network. LifeSPAN in many ways pulls all the pieces together because “a good life” is the best description of the life that Bill and Kathy have created for their daughter Kari.
Kari carries on their work of advocacy herself, having spoken many times over the years at Legislative Forums, Down Syndrome Conferences, and with Senator Patty Murray in Washington, DC. She talks about the importance of having a good job, a comfortable, safe place to live, a chance to sing in the church choir and participate in athletics. What a life!
Kari, Kathy, and Bill Sellars, and Michele Anciaux Aoki at LifeSPAN Picnic July 2010
