[GreaterPhilly] Fwd: [NFBP-BlindParents] A Call to Action

Mon Feb 2 01:29:57 UTC 2026

Hello Blind Parents and Supporters:

One of our blind parents in Pennsylvania had their kids removed from their
care. The NFB of PA is doing a letter writing campaign for those who cannot
attend in person to their hearing. A representative from the national
center will also be on the call. Please see below for the Zoom details and
information if you can attend. Blind parents are very capable of raising,
nurturing, and loving our children and this is uncalled for.

Please feel free to contact me with more information or details.

Thanks,

Stacie

Stacie Leap
President, Greater Philadelphia Chapter &
President, Pennsylvania Organization of Blind Parents (POBP),
National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania

 stacie.leap at gmail.com | 215-776-6741
LinkedIn <http://www.linkedin.com/in/stacieleap>

The National Federation of the Blind advances the lives of its members and
all blind people in the United States. We know that blindness is not the
characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the
expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles
between blind people and our dreams. Our collective power, determination,
and diversity achieve the aspirations of all blind people.

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: David B. Goldstein via NFBP-BlindParents <nfbp-blindparents at nfbnet.org
>
Date: Fri, Jan 30, 2026 at 12:34 PM
Subject: [NFBP-BlindParents] A Call to Action
To:
Cc: David B. Goldstein <david at icantcu.com>

For those not on the NFBP-Talk List Serve, a message from our affiliate
President:

Good Evening All,

I am writing to share a very distressing incident that occurred to Tim and
Rebecca McCarthy, parents of four children who are members of the NFB of PA.

In September 2025, Children and Youth Services (CYS)  came to their home
with an Officer and removed their four children from their care.  These
children are all under the age of six and they have been split up into
different foster homes.

Although nothing has been provided in writing, it appears as though this
was done because of Blindness.  And, of course, we in the NFB know that
Blind people can be caring and loving parents.  And that we can raise
sighted children with no problems except those that sighted parents deal
with on a regular basis.

After several months of working with CYS, Tim and Rebecca were scheduled to
attend a hearing in January 2026 that would begin the reunification process
with their children.  Unfortunately, this hearing did not go well, and
there is no indication when the reunification process will occur.

What is the PLAN?

On Monday, February 2, 2026, there will be a Zoom call with Sanho
Steele-Louchart, Esq.

We want to begin a letter writing campaign to support the fact that Blind
people can be parents.

 If you are a Blind parent or the child or grandchild of a Blind parent or
grandparent, we ask you attend.  Sanho will be sharing thoughts on how our
letters can be most effective.

 Tim and Rebecca have provided the e-mail addresses for their attorneys’:

Attorney contact information:

Robert Hawn <rhhawnjr38457 at gmail.com>

 Joseph  Hitchens <hitch67 at proton.me>

 Here is the Zoom information to join the call on Monday, Feb. 2 at 5:00 PM:

Join Zoom Meeting
https://nfb-org.zoom.us/j/96234199448?pwd=cEtjbmRoV1hteVhVSXdwV2FDVGJUdz09

Meeting ID: 962 3419 9448
Passcode: 1977
One tap mobile
+16468769923,,96234199448#

Here is my second ask.  On Monday, February 9, 2026 there is another
hearing scheduled.  It is imperative that we get as many Blind Parents to
attend this hearing as possible.  Below is the information for the hearing:

Feb. 9 at 2:15P.M.

Cumberland County Children and Youth building

16 West High Street 2nd Floor, Conference Room A

Carlisle PA 17013

If you plan to attend, please let me know as soon as possible via e-mail to
president at nfbofpa.org.

Sincerely,

Lynn Heitz

President

NFB of PA
-- 

David B. Goldstein
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_______________________________________________
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