Officers
President: Melissa Riccobono mdpobc@nfbmd.org
My name is Melissa Riccobono, and I am honored to serve as president of the Maryland Parents of Blind Children. I have been blind since birth. I attended public schools growing up, participated in many extra curricular activities, including track and cross country, and earned a BA and MS from the University of Wisconsin Madison. My husband, Mark, and I have 3
children. Our two daughters are blind. I thought I knew a lot about the issues faced by parents of blind children. I did understand some things, but I understand in a much different way now that I am a parent of 2 blind children myself. I am so happy to be a part of the Maryland Parents of Blind
Children because my daughters can make friends with and learn from peers who are also blind. I am also able to connect with other parents of blind children. We are a family who supports one another, gives advice during
tough times, and cheers for successes. We all know our children can live the lives they want now and in the future
children. Our two daughters are blind. I thought I knew a lot about the issues faced by parents of blind children. I did understand some things, but I understand in a much different way now that I am a parent of 2 blind children myself. I am so happy to be a part of the Maryland Parents of Blind
Children because my daughters can make friends with and learn from peers who are also blind. I am also able to connect with other parents of blind children. We are a family who supports one another, gives advice during
tough times, and cheers for successes. We all know our children can live the lives they want now and in the future
1st Vice President-Teresa Graham teresagraham3@gmail.com
Teresa is a paralegal born and raised in California. She is an American of Hispanic decent(Mexican) and is fluent Spanish & English. She has three children, the youngest of whom is blind. Teresa states, "The NFB has taught me she's just another child that does things differently and independently, very capable when taught appropriately. I am proud to be apart of such a awesome organization." Each one of her children is very involved in their community either fundraising for a cause, helping feed the homeless, or making meals. Teresa has been assistant Coach JPYO Girls Softball, a Girl Scout Troop Leader, a Board Member of Tabitha's Compassion Missions Group, and active Church member(food Drives, shoe drives) and a Member of Casa De Maryland, which is a Latino and immigration advocacy-and-assistance organization. She also is a board Member of the National Organization of Parents.
Teresa Graham es una paralegal nacida y criada en California. Ella es americanae de ascendencia hispana ( México ) y habla español y ingles. ElIa tiene tres hijos, el menor de los cuales es ciega. Teresa dice: " La Federación me ha enseñado que ella es sólamente otra niña que hace las cosas de manera diferente y de forma independiente , muy capaz cuando se les enseña adecuadamente. Me siento orgulloso de ser parte de una organización tan impresionante." Cada uno de sus hijos es muy involucrado en su comunidad , ya sea para recaudar fondos para una causa , ayudando a alimentar a las personas sin hogar , o hacer comida. Teresa ha sido entrenador asistente JPYO Softball de las muchachas jovenes, una Girl Scout Troop Leader, un miembro de la Junta de Misiones Compasión Grupo de Tabitha, Tambien toma aciento de VP de Maryland Padres de Niños Ciegos , es activa en la iglesia ( alimentos , zapatos ) y tambien es miembra de la Casa de Maryland, que es una organización de defensa y asistencia - Latino y immigración.
Teresa Graham es una paralegal nacida y criada en California. Ella es americanae de ascendencia hispana ( México ) y habla español y ingles. ElIa tiene tres hijos, el menor de los cuales es ciega. Teresa dice: " La Federación me ha enseñado que ella es sólamente otra niña que hace las cosas de manera diferente y de forma independiente , muy capaz cuando se les enseña adecuadamente. Me siento orgulloso de ser parte de una organización tan impresionante." Cada uno de sus hijos es muy involucrado en su comunidad , ya sea para recaudar fondos para una causa , ayudando a alimentar a las personas sin hogar , o hacer comida. Teresa ha sido entrenador asistente JPYO Softball de las muchachas jovenes, una Girl Scout Troop Leader, un miembro de la Junta de Misiones Compasión Grupo de Tabitha, Tambien toma aciento de VP de Maryland Padres de Niños Ciegos , es activa en la iglesia ( alimentos , zapatos ) y tambien es miembra de la Casa de Maryland, que es una organización de defensa y asistencia - Latino y immigración.
Secretary- Chris Day- cmdayrdh@aol.com
My name is Christine Day. My husband of 23 years is Doug. We have two wonderful children, both are blind and have been since birth. They have LCA, a hereditary blindness. I work full time as a dental hygienist. I also volunteer at school and am a member of a philanthropic service sorority. We live in Carroll County. Both children attend a main stream Carroll County public school. As a family, we enjoy camping and many outdoor activities and the arts. I love being creative in adaptation and advocacy for our children. I found the MDPOBC when searching for how to help my children with school and all it's 'mystical ways'. The parent workshops, put on by the MDPOBC, were very helpful in understanding the IEP process and how to educate a child who learns differently. My children, Derrick and Meredith, greatly look forward to spending time with their visually impaired peers and being normal with them! I value the comradeship between the parents and sharing experiences so we can all learn from each other!
Chrissie Day-cmdayrdh@aol.com
Chrissie Day-cmdayrdh@aol.com
Sandy Bishop- Sandra.bishop@gmail.com
My husband Steve and I have 6 children - 3 adult children out on their own and 3 teen daughters from China. Our youngest has been blind since birth and with us just 3 years. We have learned a great deal from NFB and MDPOBC during this time that has helped improve the quality of life for our daughter. We have had IEP help, family life support and found wonderful adult mentors for our daughter. MDPOBC is a tremendous resource and I have encouraged many other families adopting blind children from China to contact their local POBC chapter. I wish every family had access to such an active and supportive chapter as I've found here in Maryland.
Treasurer: Bill Jacobs Williamnfb98@gmail.com
Bill and Bernie his wife are the parents of 2 beautiful Adopted Blind Children, They live in Baltimore County.
My name is William Jacobs and I am Treasurer of the Maryland Parents of Blind Children. I have been a parent of a blind child for 11 years now and been planning on that nature for 17 years now. My wife, Bernadette and I decided to adopt a child and when we shifted to International looks we decided at Atlanta at the National Convention to pursue David Jacobs II in China. After adopting a second blind child out of Thailand following the China adoption, I soon became treasurer. I joined this group because my wife and I needed resources and support in raising these two children and because we wanted to hand back to others in their needs.
I enjoy volunteering at events, helping raise funds for the organization and helping out many other parents as best as I can because it means very much to change what it means to be blind. We adopted our children because we felt as though we would be the best parents to them and because of the National Federation of the Blind and its many members. We enjoy learning at each and every National Convention something new and all of the activities that many children participate in for independence.
My name is William Jacobs and I am Treasurer of the Maryland Parents of Blind Children. I have been a parent of a blind child for 11 years now and been planning on that nature for 17 years now. My wife, Bernadette and I decided to adopt a child and when we shifted to International looks we decided at Atlanta at the National Convention to pursue David Jacobs II in China. After adopting a second blind child out of Thailand following the China adoption, I soon became treasurer. I joined this group because my wife and I needed resources and support in raising these two children and because we wanted to hand back to others in their needs.
I enjoy volunteering at events, helping raise funds for the organization and helping out many other parents as best as I can because it means very much to change what it means to be blind. We adopted our children because we felt as though we would be the best parents to them and because of the National Federation of the Blind and its many members. We enjoy learning at each and every National Convention something new and all of the activities that many children participate in for independence.
Board Members
Trudy Pickrel tlpickrel@hotmail.com
Trudy is the parent of 9 children 30 to 2yrs of age. 3 adopted Blind Children that were born with ROP (Retinophathy of prematurity) Brandon, 13 and in mainstreamed 8th Grade in Northern Middle School, Miracle 10 and in 4th grade in Accident Elementary school, Miracle has additional disabilities also, and Maria 10 at Home with Multiple Disabilities. Bill and Trudy and Family live in Garrett Co., MD. Trudy is a former President of MDPOBC and board member of National Parents of Blind Children.
"We enjoy biking, swimming, walks, hiking water and snow skiing, and family. We can not say enough about what the NFB has done for us in teaching us Advocacy for your children. And the Blind mentors that have come along side of us to help in raising our children to be the independent adults they can be." The parents organization have continued to educate us on IEP's and hands on independent living skills, and training opportunities for our Son."
"We enjoy biking, swimming, walks, hiking water and snow skiing, and family. We can not say enough about what the NFB has done for us in teaching us Advocacy for your children. And the Blind mentors that have come along side of us to help in raising our children to be the independent adults they can be." The parents organization have continued to educate us on IEP's and hands on independent living skills, and training opportunities for our Son."
Meggan Tucker -giffordtucker@gmail.com
Meggan is a new member to us in 2015.
My husband Matt and I have two boys who continue to show us that blindness doesn't prevent them from living the lives they want. We joined the MDPOBC to meet other blind families, learn more about creative approaches to blind education, and to meet other parents with whom we can share the joys and challenges of parenthood
My husband Matt and I have two boys who continue to show us that blindness doesn't prevent them from living the lives they want. We joined the MDPOBC to meet other blind families, learn more about creative approaches to blind education, and to meet other parents with whom we can share the joys and challenges of parenthood
Sabrina Richardson- Srichardson@bism.org
Sabrina is a new member to us in 2015 .
I am originally from the Bahamas but now reside in Baltimore MD.I am
the founder and pass president of the Grand Bahama Association of the Blind and visually impaired. I am the mother of two children, one being visually impaired. I serve as a board member for my chapter and now I am excited to help parents and their Children by serving on the MDPOBC. I am proud to be apart of this board. MDPOBC and the NFB helps me to learn for me, my child and teach other parents like myself.
I am originally from the Bahamas but now reside in Baltimore MD.I am
the founder and pass president of the Grand Bahama Association of the Blind and visually impaired. I am the mother of two children, one being visually impaired. I serve as a board member for my chapter and now I am excited to help parents and their Children by serving on the MDPOBC. I am proud to be apart of this board. MDPOBC and the NFB helps me to learn for me, my child and teach other parents like myself.
Melissa Sheeder