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<p>For those not on the NFBP-Talk List Serve, a message from our affiliate President:</p>
<p class="v1MsoNormal" 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 class="v1MsoNormal" 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 class="v1MsoNormal" style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="v1MsoNormal" 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 class="v1MsoNormal" 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 class="v1MsoNormal" style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="v1MsoNormal" 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 class="v1MsoNormal" style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="v1MsoNormal" 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 class="v1MsoNormal" 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 class="v1MsoNormal" 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 class="v1MsoNormal" 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 class="v1MsoNormal" 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’:</span></p>
<p class="v1MsoNormal" 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 class="v1MsoNormal" 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">rhhawnjr38457@gmail.com</a>></span></p>
<p class="v1MsoNormal" 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">hitch67@proton.me</a>></span></p>
<p class="v1MsoNormal" 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 class="v1MsoNormal" 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" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">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 class="v1MsoNormal" style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="v1MsoNormal" 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 class="v1MsoNormal" 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 class="v1MsoNormal" 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 class="v1MsoNormal" 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 class="v1MsoNormal" style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; background-color: #ffffff;"> </p>
<p class="v1MsoNormal" 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 president@nfbofpa.org.</span></p>
<p class="v1MsoNormal" style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Sincerely,</span></p>
<p class="v1MsoNormal" style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Lynn Heitz</span></p>
<p class="v1MsoNormal" style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">President</span></p>
<p class="v1MsoNormal" style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">NFB of PA</span></p>
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