<div dir="ltr"><div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:small">Hello Blind Parents and Supporters: </div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:small"><br></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:small">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. </div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:small"><br></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:small">Please feel free to contact me with more information or details. </div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:small"><br></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:small">Thanks, </div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:small"></div><br clear="all"></div><div><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div style="color:initial">Stacie </div><div style="color:initial"><br style="color:initial"></div><div style="color:initial">Stacie Leap </div><div style="color:initial"><span style="color:initial">President, Greater Philadelphia Chapter &</span></div><div style="color:initial"><span style="color:initial">President, Pennsylvania Organization of Blind Parents (POBP), </span></div><div style="color:initial"><span style="color:initial">National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania </span></div><div style="color:initial"><span style="color:initial"><br style="color:initial"></span></div><div style="color:initial"><span style="color:initial"> </span><a href="mailto:stacie.leap@gmail.com" target="_blank">stacie.leap@gmail.com</a><span style="color:initial"> | 215-776-6741</span></div><div style="color:initial"><span style="color:initial"><a href="http://www.linkedin.com/in/stacieleap" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a></span></div><div style="color:initial"><br style="color:initial"></div><div style="color:initial"><span style="font-family:Calibri,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:18px;text-align:justify;color:initial">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.</span></div></div></div></div><br><br><div class="gmail_quote gmail_quote_container"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">---------- Forwarded message ---------<br>From: <strong class="gmail_sendername" dir="auto">David B. Goldstein via NFBP-BlindParents</strong> <span dir="auto"><<a href="mailto:nfbp-blindparents@nfbnet.org">nfbp-blindparents@nfbnet.org</a>></span><br>Date: Fri, Jan 30, 2026 at 12:34\u202fPM<br>Subject: [NFBP-BlindParents] A Call to Action<br>To: <br>Cc: David B. Goldstein <<a href="mailto:david@icantcu.com">david@icantcu.com</a>><br></div><br><br><div style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif">
<p>For those not on the NFBP-Talk List Serve, a message from our affiliate President:</p>
<p style="color:#333333;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;background-color:#ffffff"><span style="font-size:11pt">Good Evening All,</span></p>
<p style="color:#333333;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;background-color:#ffffff"><span style="font-size:11pt">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.</span></p>
<p style="color:#333333;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;background-color:#ffffff"><span style="font-size:11pt"> </span></p>
<p style="color:#333333;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;background-color:#ffffff"><span style="font-size:11pt">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.</span></p>
<p style="color:#333333;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;background-color:#ffffff"><span style="font-size:11pt">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.</span></p>
<p style="color:#333333;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;background-color:#ffffff"><span style="font-size:11pt"> </span></p>
<p style="color:#333333;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;background-color:#ffffff"><span style="font-size:11pt">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.</span></p>
<p style="color:#333333;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;background-color:#ffffff"><span style="font-size:11pt"> </span></p>
<p style="color:#333333;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;background-color:#ffffff"><span style="font-size:11pt">What is the PLAN?</span></p>
<p style="color:#333333;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;background-color:#ffffff"><span style="font-size:11pt">On Monday, February 2, 2026, there will be a Zoom call with Sanho Steele-Louchart, Esq.</span></p>
<p style="color:#333333;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;background-color:#ffffff"><span style="font-size:11pt">We want to begin a letter writing campaign to support the fact that Blind people can be parents.</span></p>
<p style="color:#333333;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;background-color:#ffffff"><span style="font-size:11pt"> </span><span style="font-size:11pt">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.</span></p>
<p style="color:#333333;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;background-color:#ffffff"><span style="font-size:11pt"> </span><span style="font-size:11pt">Tim and Rebecca have provided the e-mail addresses for their attorneys\u2019:</span></p>
<p style="color:#333333;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;background-color:#ffffff"><span style="font-size:11pt">Attorney contact information:</span></p>
<p style="color:#333333;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;background-color:#ffffff"><span style="font-size:11pt">Robert Hawn <<a style="color:#467886" href="mailto:rhhawnjr38457@gmail.com" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">rhhawnjr38457@gmail.com</a>></span></p>
<p style="color:#333333;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;background-color:#ffffff"><span style="font-size:11pt"> </span><span style="font-size:11pt">Joseph Hitchens <<a style="color:#467886" href="mailto:hitch67@proton.me" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">hitch67@proton.me</a>></span></p>
<p style="color:#333333;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;background-color:#ffffff"><span style="font-size:11pt"> </span><span style="font-size:11pt">Here is the Zoom information to join the call on Monday, Feb. 2 at 5:00 PM:</span></p>
<p style="color:#333333;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;background-color:#ffffff"><span style="font-size:11pt">Join Zoom Meeting<br><a style="color:#467886" href="https://nfb-org.zoom.us/j/96234199448?pwd=cEtjbmRoV1hteVhVSXdwV2FDVGJUdz09" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://nfb-org.zoom.us/j/96234199448?pwd=cEtjbmRoV1hteVhVSXdwV2FDVGJUdz09</a><br><br>Meeting ID: 962 3419 9448<br>Passcode: 1977<br>One tap mobile<br>+16468769923,,96234199448# <br><br></span><span style="font-size:11pt">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:</span></p>
<p style="color:#333333;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;background-color:#ffffff"><span style="font-size:11pt"> </span></p>
<p style="color:#333333;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;background-color:#ffffff"><span style="font-size:11pt">Feb. 9 at 2:15P.M.</span></p>
<p style="color:#333333;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;background-color:#ffffff"><span style="font-size:11pt">Cumberland County Children and Youth building</span></p>
<p style="color:#333333;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;background-color:#ffffff"><span style="font-size:11pt">16 West High Street 2nd Floor, Conference Room A</span></p>
<p style="color:#333333;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;background-color:#ffffff"><span style="font-size:11pt">Carlisle PA 17013</span></p>
<p style="color:#333333;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;background-color:#ffffff"> </p>
<p style="color:#333333;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;background-color:#ffffff"><span style="font-size:11pt">If you plan to attend, please let me know as soon as possible via e-mail to <a href="mailto:president@nfbofpa.org" target="_blank">president@nfbofpa.org</a>.</span></p>
<p style="color:#333333;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;background-color:#ffffff"><span style="font-size:11pt">Sincerely,</span></p>
<p style="color:#333333;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;background-color:#ffffff"><span style="font-size:11pt">Lynn Heitz</span></p>
<p style="color:#333333;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;background-color:#ffffff"><span style="font-size:11pt">President</span></p>
<p style="color:#333333;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;background-color:#ffffff"><span style="font-size:11pt">NFB of PA</span></p>
<div id="m_-5591195252053800554signature">-- <br>
<p>David B. Goldstein<br><a href="mailto:david@iCantCU.com" target="_blank"><span>david@iCantCU.com</span></a><span><br><a href="mailto:iCantCUPodcast@gmail.com" target="_blank"><span> </span></a></span>(610) 715-5020 mobile<br><a href="http://www.iCantCU.com" target="_blank"><span>www.iCantCU.com</span></a><span><br></span>iCantCU Podcast<br><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/icantcu-podcast/id1445801370" target="_blank"><span>Apple Podcasts</span></a> | <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/3nck2D5HgD9ckSaUQaWwW2" target="_blank"><span>Spotify</span></a> | <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@icantcu/" target="_blank"><span>Watch on YouTube</span></a><span><br></span>Support The Podcast When You Shop<br><a href="https://www.icantcu.com/amazon" target="_blank"><span>Amazon</span></a><span><br></span>Connect with me:<br><a href="https://twitter.com/davidbenj" target="_blank"><span>Twitter</span></a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/davidbenj/" target="_blank"><span>Instagram</span></a> | <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidbenj" target="_blank"><span>LinkedIn</span></a> | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/davidbenj" target="_blank"><span>Facebook</span></a> <br>My Other Show: White Canes Connect<br><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/white-canes-connect/id1592248709" target="_blank"><span>Apple Podcasts</span></a> | <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/1YDQSJqpoteGb1UMPwRSuI" target="_blank"><span>Spotify</span></a> | <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@pablindpodcast" target="_blank"><span>YouTube</span></a></p>
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