x
Breaking News
More () »

Blind woman battles USPS for safe mail delivery in Monroe

The 78-year-old says crossing a busy street to get her mail is too dangerous.

MONROE, Wash. — Kathy Pearson takes nothing for granted these days. 

She was diagnosed as legally blind last year and even doing dishes is difficult. She has tabs on the dishwasher telling her what button to push to start it.

But that's nothing compared to going to the mailbox.

"I mean, just getting the mail, how hard is that?" She asks.

For her, it's nearly impossible.

Pearson's mailbox and the five others in her cul-de-sac stand along a busy two-lane road where cars, and even logging trucks, rumble by.

While most people have 20/20 vision, Pearson's is 20/400.

That means she can't see anything in bright sunlight.

"So, if someone was coming along that highway, I could most likely walk right out in front of a car and not know it," Pearson says. "There's no way I can get my mail."

In December Pearson sent a letter from her doctor to the U.S. Postal Service requesting her mail be delivered to her front door.

It's been three months and she hasn't heard back.

That's despite the postal service's own directive instructing customers to send a letter from a doctor asking for door delivery to their local post office.

"Absolutely no response," she said. "They keep saying the postmaster is in a meeting. I couldn't believe the postmaster was in a meeting for three months," she chuckled. "It's pretty frustrating. All of my medication comes through the mail."

With Pearson getting nowhere with the Postal Service, KING 5 reached out.

In just one day, we got a response.

In an email to KING 5, a USPS representative wrote, "We respect our customers’ needs and make accommodations as necessary for mail delivery to those who may require alternate options. Beginning Thursday, March 27, Ms. Pearson’s mail will be delivered directly to her house."

"I feel very good about that," smiles Pearson, as she was read the news. "We should have called you first!"

With that problem solved, there's still the issue of the mailboxes themselves. 

With absolutely no shoulder on the road, people have to stand in a lane of traffic to get the mail. 

Pearson's five neighbors want the boxes moved across the street, or better yet, for the mail to be delivered to their doors, as well.

"If it can be delivered to me, it can be delivered to everybody in the court, I would think," she says.

KING 5 reached out to the USPS about moving those mailboxes. 

A representative told us since they're owned by an HOA it's the neighborhood's responsibility.

Before You Leave, Check This Out