Sixteen-year-old Carmynn Blakeley, who is visually impaired, beamed Friday as she and her family received the keys to their new Habitat for Humanity home. The house was built with accessibility in mind and was sponsored by the Owensboro Lions Club in her honor.
The Daviess County High School student has spent years defying limitations through her achievements in Braille reading competitions and her determination to live independently. Now, she’ll do so in a home designed to meet her needs, complete with step-free entry, safety fencing, and accessible features throughout.
“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone who helped make this house a reality,” Carmynn said during the dedication ceremony. “Thank you to the Owensboro Lions Club, not just for donating $25,000 to sponsor this house, but for the things you’ve done for me before as well, like helping me get to the National Braille Challenge and helping me get my BrailleNote Touch repaired. I appreciate your mission to help visually impaired people in our community.”
The home marks Habitat for Humanity of Owensboro-Daviess County’s second completed house in the new Carter Community Court neighborhood. The dedication was especially meaningful, as The Gideons presented the family with a Braille-printed Bible, their first-ever presentation of its kind.
“We’re thrilled to dedicate another home in our Carter Community Court development and to celebrate two powerful examples of service and community,” said Amanda Green, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Owensboro-Daviess County.
Carmynn’s mother, Rebecca, said the milestone represents the end of a three-year journey and more than 620 hours of “sweat equity” through Habitat’s homeowner program.
“It’s been a long process, but definitely fulfilling and definitely worth it,” she said. “It means the world to us. We’re really excited to move in, and it means a lot that there are people like the Habitat crew and the Lions Club who help others.”
The family previously lived in a mobile home. Their new house not only provides more space but also greater safety and comfort for Carmynn, who was diagnosed with septo-optic dysplasia at 6 months old and has been blind her entire life.
“Do you notice how this driveway doesn’t have any steps? That was built for me,” Carmynn said, smiling as she described the custom design. “They’re also installing a grab bar in the bathroom to help me get in and out of the shower, and the oven was picked with me in mind.”
Carmynn began learning Braille at age 4 and started competing in Braille reading challenges in first grade. She has since advanced to national competitions in California, representing Kentucky among the top 50 students in the U.S. and Canada.
“She’s worked hard for everything she’s accomplished,” Rebecca said proudly.
Green said the Blakely family represents everything Habitat stands for: perseverance, partnership, and pride.
“Rebecca is a mom of three who takes care of her children while also putting in her hours helping build her own home and others here,” Green said. “After almost two years in the program, now they finally have their keys and can actually be home.”
Habitat’s Carter Community Court development will eventually include 10 homes. Two are now complete, with three more scheduled for dedication by early next year. Foundations for the final five are already underway, and Green said the organization hopes to finish the neighborhood by the end of next summer.
Former Habitat Executive Director Jeremy Stephens, who helped launch the Carter Community Court project, said seeing the progress firsthand nearly brought him to tears.
“I pulled up and started seeing houses done and footers being poured, and it just hit me,” Stephens said. “It was a three-year process purchasing the land, getting the funding in place, and identifying families. It was well worth the work. It’s so fulfilling to see what’s happening here and to know it’s still a priority.”
As the ceremony concluded, Carmynn stood beside her family holding their new house keys.
“It means the world to me and my family,” she said. “We’re just very excited to move in.”
