May Employee Spotlight – Sigrid Laegreid
Sigrid’s first contact with Bridge was as a participant in our annual auction back in 2013. Sigrid loves a good shopping opportunity! That eventually led to her appointment on the Bridge Board where she served until 2019. In fact, Sigrid served first as a volunteer for Bridge both on the Board as well as in our Meyer Medical Equipment Center. Which brings us to present day, where Sigrid has been employed with Bridge as both the Front Desk Receptionist as well as our Development Specialist.
If you recently called the Bridge main number, then you have most likely talked to Sigrid, or she returned your message and that is where she truly shines. No one handles a call like Sigrid, and we are indeed grateful that callers have been helped quite effectively once Sigrid gets involved.
But, it is also important to know that anyone can experience life-changing disability quite unexpectedly as happened to Sigrid. It is because of her disability that she has shown such compassion and understanding to those who call or drop into the office inquiring about medical equipment or other disability needs. No one truly understands like those who have journeyed down the same path. We asked Sigrid to share a little of her story:
“Dec 26, 1991 was the end of one chapter and the beginning of a completely new chapter in a completely different book for me.
On this day I was run over by a 66 Impala and its drunk driver. The driver mistook the sidewalk where I was walking for the actual road. I flew across 4 lanes of traffic and landed on the curb. My neck was broken. In a second, I became a C5/6 quadriplegic. I was just 27 years old.
After the accident, I was angry. All my dreams and ambitions were no longer an option. The next year was difficult at best. I went from 10 days at Harborview to 5 months at the UW Medical Center and then 6 months at a nursing center before I was released to my new reality. The predictions were bleak even after a year of rehab, but I was not going to give up. They said I would never be independent, would not be able to feed myself, brush my teeth, write, etc. Driving a car or maintaining a job was not even an option in their opinion. I was determined to prove the nurses and doctors wrong.
After working for 30 years at Nordstrom, I retired and now enjoy working at Bridge and contributing to the mission and vision of this organization. The last 31 years have been challenging but also rewarding.
If you are disabled, I encourage you to find a job or volunteer because it can be life changing. If you know a disabled person, find a way to include them in a task, project, or opportunity to participate in their community whether as an usher at church, answering the phones, or much more.”
And so, we applaud Sigrid and are honored to put the spotlight on her for everyone to see the special person that we at Bridge already know she is.
O Lord, you know all about this. Do not stay silent. Do not abandon me now, O Lord. Wake up! Rise to my defense! Take up my case, my God and my Lord. Psalm 35:22-23
Sigrid’s customer and donor service is outstanding. She is an excellent face for Bridge – she easily draws people with her smile, her wit, and her empathy. Her can-do attitude is infectious. She is optimistic and her glass if always half-full. She is an inspiration! Brenne Schario, Executive Director
The front desk and telephone reception is the best opportunity to create a good first impression for clients and visitors. Sigrid is a wonderful welcoming presence for Bridge Ministries. Ron Howard, Administration and Operations Director
Categorised in: Bridge Story