A Conversation with Rachel Watkins, Longtime SEE Supporter
Some people will support a nonprofit because they believe in its mission. Others will support one because they have a personal connection to the issues it works to address.
For longtime SEE International supporter Rachel Watkins, it’s both.
At 84 years old, Rachel’s remarkable life has taken her from England to Santa Barbara, from working as an apprentice tailor to becoming an engineer specializing in infrared and ultraviolet detectors for space technology. Along the way, she earned her pilot license, built a home where she and her late husband Bob welcomed friends for years, and filled her life with creativity through sewing, knitting, painting, ballroom dancing and folk dancing.
But one of the experiences that shaped her most happened long before any of these accomplishments.
Rachel’s Early Struggles with Sight
As a child in England, Rachel struggled to see the blackboard in school. She quietly copied the notes of the student beside her, hoping no one would notice she couldn’t see.
One day, after misunderstanding an assignment, a teacher pulled her aside and asked if she could see the Blackboard.
Rachel admitted she couldn’t.
Soon after, Rachel received her first pair of prescription glasses, bright pink frames that she remembers being teased for wearing. But she didn’t care, because once she could finally see, everything changed. She went from struggling in class to becoming one of its top students.
With clearer vision, Rachel discovered a love for geography and spent her free time exploring the English countryside with maps from World War II, borrowing her grandmother’s bicycle and navigating roads on her own.
That newfound independence stayed with her throughout the rest of her life.
Sight Issues Later in Life
Today, Rachel is once again navigating challenges with her vision.
After experiencing ongoing pain and discomfort in her eyes, she recently found a new eye doctor who discovered she was likely allergic to her glaucoma eye drops. She noticed an immediate difference once her treatment was changed. For the first time in weeks, she went without pain and her sight began improving once again.
She is hopeful that continued improvement will allow her to return to her hobby of arts and crafts.
Rachel’s experiences with vision issues are one reason she has supported SEE International for so many years:
“If you cannot see you cannot do anything, I could not imagine not being able to see,” she said. “I can’t even imagine not being able to move around, not being able to see, it can create hopelessness,” she added.
Discovering SEE International
More than 30 years ago, Rachel and her late husband Bob were introduced to SEE International through their eye doctor, who happened to be SEE’s very own founder, Dr. Harry Brown!
Rachel and Bob were invited to a SEE event and quickly became part of the organization’s community.
Learning about the work SEE was doing around the world left a lasting impression on them both. Having experienced her own vision challenges, Rachel was amazed by the organization’s mission and knew she wanted to be part of it. What began as a donation grew into a decades-long commitment of support.
Rachel has attended nearly every local SEE event over the years and especially enjoys seeing patient stories and presentations that demonstrate the life-changing impact of restored sight.
Giving Back in More Ways Than One
Rachel’s generosity extends far beyond SEE. She often volunteers with Food From The Heart as a fruit harvester. Food From The Heart helps with preparing fresh, delicious, healthy meals for individuals who cannot cook or easily access food.
Whether helping neighbors close to home or supporting patients across the globe, Rachel believes every act of kindness matters. Giving back has simply become a way of life for her.
Her Hope for the Future
When asked what she hopes her ongoing support of SEE accomplishes, Rachel’s answer highlighted our mission in its simplest form:
“I hope you guys can help eliminate [preventable] blindness.”
Rachel knows firsthand that something as simple as a pair of glasses or the right treatment can change a person’s life. It changed hers as a child, and today she hopes that same opportunity reaches underserved communities who are waiting to see clearly again.
Rachel’s Message for Future Donors
For anyone considering making their first gift to SEE, Rachel offers heartfelt encouragement.
She commented that SEE International is “the best place to donate, and it warms your heart knowing you are helping people. . . . And helping people be able to see is amazing.”
For more than three decades, Rachel’s generosity has helped fuel the important work we do here at SEE. We are deeply grateful for her ongoing support, which has brought sight-restoring care and created lasting change for communities all over the world.
