VIP Online Toastmasters Blog

"My name is Laridda Williams-Murphy and my story begins when I was born in Topeka, Kansas. My parents noticed I wasn't doing things that most babies were, and they took me to get many tests and procedures. It was determined that my retinas didn't develop all the way and I would be blind the rest of my life. I did a lot of things that most children did from running, playing, attending school and playing the violin, while having a good time with my family and friends. As time went on people started to change and so did I. I attended the Kansas State School for the Blind in Kansas City, where I learned to play the piano, ran track and field, and was a cheerleader. While there I gained a great education and valuable tools to be successful to live and work on my own. Over the years I grew a passion for working with children and it all started when my nephew was born when I was 11 years old. I am now an Early Childhood Educator at the Cathy G. Hudson Envision Child Development Center in the Transition One classroom.

"You never know who your positivity will influence and affect. Don’t let anyone or anything stop you or tell you that you can’t do what you put your mind to.”

Larrida is also an artist and has exhibited her work at the Mid-American All-Indian Center and the Wichita State University ShiftSpace Gallery at Groover Labs.