[Nfbv-announce] Introducing our 2016 Class of Leadership Fellows

[Michael Kasey]

We wish to share just a little about each Leader of our new class.

 

2016 Leadership Fellows biographies:

 

Alexander A. Castillo

Ask who I am and the reply will be that I am the son of Dominican
immigrants--someone who has struggled in finding their identity as blind, as
Dominican, and who has worked to understand how this has made for a unique
perspective and life.

 

In The Dominican Republic, where I lived until third grade, rarely did I
recall blindness as an issue. If there was anything atypical about me, it
was that I was a very social, mischievous child, and this meant that my
claim to independence came at quite an early age. We moved to the states
because my parents had found it increasingly costly to travel back and forth
from The Island to see my corneal specialist in New York. I went from having
everyone know me in my community, to only spending time with family in a
Northern Manhattan Neighborhood. New York City had not yet become Disney and
M&M stores. You stayed away from street corners, and did not set foot in
Brooklyn.

 

In school, Initially, I was not permitted to participate in gym and other
classes because of my vision. This created a strong aversion to identifying
as blind, as I didn't want to appear as a victim, or weak, and worst of all,
instilled a tremendous fear of using a cane: a fear which stayed with me
until my mid 20's. However blindness did afford me some opportunities which
I would not have otherwise had.

 

As a student who needed low vision services, the schools I attended, for
example, were very diverse, the teachers had good relationships with the
students, and I got an opportunity to experience the "big Apple" as I would
ride the yellow bus downtown.

 

My parents also made sure that my brother and I had an eclectic cultural
education. There were music lessons, martial arts, and hikes and my father
would sit us down and have us listen to Broadway Musicals. My brother and I,
thought the marionette scene from the "sound OF Music" was amazing, and
didn't quite get why the neighborhood kids didn't feel the same. We were
Dominican, but the other Dominicans saw us as different. Much of the other
people in our community had only come to the States out of financial need.
My parents had come for my health.

 

Like many, I was the only blind child in our family, and it felt like I was
the only blind person in Manhattan. There was no connection to blindness,
until I took a martial arts class in my mid 20's during which  A classmate
told me: If you ever attend an NFB convention, you're going to hear so many
canes, that the sound will be like heavy rain."  This martial arts class was
about the only thing I had ever done that was blindness related and
voluntary. He was right. It was a great sound and blindness, for the first
time was not a barrier, but a way to connect with others.

 

The first NFB convention I attended was in Detroit. I met so many students
which had the same struggles that I faced, even those feelings of
inadequacy, but more importantly, they had so many ways to adapt,
self-accommodate, and build and be part of communities in and out of
blindness. This really hit home. Along with others, I rebuilt the New York
student division and had the privilege of serving as president for two
years.

I also received another opportunity. The National Science Foundation was
concerned that minority students with disabilities had very little
representation in the STEM fields and centralized a program at Hunter
College where I attended. I was approached by the program director at a
psychology convention and asked to join the program. what caught the program
coordinator's attention besides good academic standing, was my long white
cane, which after many years of neglect, I was finally able to confidently
hold, and my ability to reach out to Spanish speakers, the ladder, being
something which until I began to volunteer as a tech instructor and work
with this population, I had not been comfortable doing.

 

These connections led to more volunteering, close friends, employment
opportunities and professional contacts.

 

Throughout the past 6 years, I have focused on developing a strong
background in direct services to individuals with disabilities of
marginalized communities. This is in large due to after many years, finally
having a strong identification as being Dominican, a New Yorker, and a
person who is blind.

 

Earl Everet:

I was born in Washington D.C. in the mid 50's, and it was discovered pretty
early on that I had congenital glaucoma. My family decided it was best for
me to stay with relatives in Franklin VA so I could attend the VA School at
Hampton for the Deaf and Blind where I learned Braille, Orientation and
Mobility and other life skills in addition to an academic curriculum. Upon
graduation I briefly attended Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond
VA as a music education major. Accessibility Services being what they were
in the mid 70's I was unable to obtain my degree and soon left the
University. I moved to Norfolk, VA and through VDBI I was able to obtain a
job at Old Dominion University in their Housekeeping Department where I
stayed for close to 10 years until I developed cataracts which hindered me
from successfully fulfilling my duties. I returned to Franklin for the next
few years until I was able to enroll in the Customer Service Program at the
VA Rehabilitation Center for the Blind and Vision Impaired. Upon completion
of the program I interned at the Lillian Vernon Corporation in VA. Beach, VA
where I was offered a position. After the company decided to close up
operations in VA Beach I developed an interest in the law and the legal
process. I enrolled in J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College and received
my Associates Degree in Paralegal Studies. I then went back to VA
Commonwealth University where I finally was able to obtain my Bachelor's
Degree in Political Science and Pre-Law. I am currently seeking employment
hopefully in the legal field and am even giving thought to taking the LSAT's
(Law School Admittance Test)) to obtain my Law Degree. I joined the National
Federation of the Blind of Virginia, Richmond Chapter in 2008. I was elected
Secretary of the Chapter in 2014, and in 2015 I was appointed as Chairman of
the newly formed Legislative Committee. I was able to attend my 1st National
Convention this past summer as a McDonald Scholarship winner and it was
truly an inspiring and enlightening experience. I look forward to this next
chapter of my life as a Leadership Fellow and am ready to embrace all the
promise and opportunities the future may hold.

 

Michael Kitchens:

My name is Michael David Kitchens, II, and I was born in Portsmouth, VA on
September 19, 1976.  I have a form of condition known as albinism, which
affects pigment in the skin and in the eyes.  I have myopia
(nearsightedness), light sensitivity and I sunburn very easily.

 

I graduated from Western Branch High School in Chesapeake, VA in 1994 as an
honor graduate.  I was included in the 1994 edition of Who's Who among
American High School Students.  I then went to college at Tidewater
Community College and then ITT Technical Institute to study Computer-Aided
Drafting and Design (CADD).  I have two Associate degrees in that field.  I
also graduated from ITT as the class valedictorian.  I studied CADD because
I first realized I could draw in that manner when I was 9 or 10 years old.


 

I currently work at the City of Chesapeake, VA Department of Public Works as
an Engineering CAD Technician II.  I have been there since May 2015.  

 

I am considered low-vision, to the point where I am currently unable to
drive.   I first joined the Federation in 2009, because I was inspired by a
former (now deceased) member of the NFB, Mr. Nelson Malbon.  When I was a
little boy, he helped my mom in getting access to assistance and services
that I needed.   Being part of the NFB is my way of giving back and paying
his help forward.  And now that I am a Leadership Fellow for 2016, I hope
that I can really make a difference.

 

Domonique Lawless 

I moved to Richmond in July, when I started working as an Orientation and
Mobility Instructor at the Virginia Rehabilitation Center for the Blind and
Vision Impaired. I grew up mostly in upstate New York and Nashville
Tennessee with a few places in between. I am a graduate of the Louisiana
Center for the Blind, and after my blindness skills training I obtained my
Master's Degree in teaching blind students and orientation and mobility. I
find that living in many places helps me appreciate people from all walks of
life and the stories they have to share. It also means that I am slightly
culturally confused. I miss corner bakeries where you can get good cannoli,
do not like southern sweet tea, and can almost eat my weight in crawfish at
a crawfish boil. 

 

In 2000, I was invited to a student seminar at the Louisiana Center for the
Blind. That moment forever changed my life. I was connected with other blind
students and adults who didn't let their blindness limit them, and those
people became my mentors and friends. I have been a member of the National
Federation of the Blind for sixteen years. During this time, I have served
on chapter, state, and national boards. I have also worked as an instructor
and mentor for many of our youth programs.

 

When I'm not working at the center, I spend my time creating new recipes in
the kitchen, reading, and crafting. I am excited to be a part of the
Virginia affiliate and can't wait to get to know my new NFBV family.

 

Sean McMahon:

Sean McMahon serves as the  treasurer for the Potomac chapter. He has been a
member of the Potomac chapter since moving to the D.C area 6 years ago to
take a job as a software quality control specialist at the Internal Revenue
Service.  As a Virginia Fellow, he hopes to help our membership meet their
individual accessibility challenges, learn legislative advocacy and spread
our great can-do spirit.  He enjoys live jazz and has an obsession for
watching sports.  He lives in Vienna with his Cantankerous cat Magic and
girlfriend Sarah who is also an active board member of their chapter.

 

Christopher O'Meally:

My Name is Christopher O'Meally, and I have lived in the Richmond Virginia
area all my life, besides my 9 month stay at the Louisiana center for the
blind.  I am currently pursuing my second degree in business information
systems management with a concentration in contract administration, and
currently work for the defense contract management agency. In my spare time,
I enjoy a bit of computer troubleshooting and repair, running my small data
recovery service, trying to convince people not to pay me to build custom
gaming computers because it would be entirely easier and cheaper to go to
best buy, and long walks on the beach.

 

                In my 10 years in involvement with the National Federation
of the Blind, my main focus has been with the students.  I have served in
every position on the board at least once, and now that I am back in school
again, will most likely be running this year.  Advocacy is very important to
me, and so when people come to ask me questions, I always mention my
federation family, as they have shown me much of what I know about my
blindness, the rights that our community is entitled to, and even who to
contact if I am not sure of what I am being asked.

Onto of that, I am a graduate of guiding eyes, and am currently in the
matching process for my second dog, so the equal treatment of handlers and
dogs is very near and dear to my heart.  People know me as the resident tech
guy around the state of Virginia.  I enjoy presenting at seminars at various
events in and outside of the federation, and even teaching a bit on the side
when I have time.

 

                I applied to be a leadership fellow so that our more
experienced members and leadership can mold me into the leader that many of
my friends and family members always say I am, and so that I can give back
to the federation in return.  I am not quite sure where my place is, but my
goal is simple, and to me, less means more in most situations.  I want to
make a difference somewhere.

 

Joe Orozco is an intelligence analyst with the Federal Bureau of
Investigation. On his spare time he runs a small freelance writing business
catering to small nonprofits and tech startups. He enjoys reading and
writing horror and young adult fiction, hiking, all genre of music, and
eclectic foods. Joe was introduced to the Federation in the Texas affiliate
and looks forward to making worthwhile contributions to his new home in
Virginia.

 

Robert Parsons:

My name is Robert Parsons and I am 27-years old. Originally from Brooklyn,
NY, I moved to Richmond, VA in 2012 in hopes of finding work and going back
to college. It was in Richmond that I went blind in 2013 by means of a
gunshot to the head during a robbery of my house. The attack left me with no
vision or light perception and I was left to pick up the pieces of my life
and decide what to do with myself. In 2014, I began my time as a student at
the Virginia Rehabilitation Center for the Blind and Vision Impaired, where
I learned, honed, and practiced my skills of blindness in preparation to
return to college. It was at the Virginia Rehab Center that I was introduced
to the Richmond chapter of the NFBV and became a member. I graduated from
the center 5 months later and began attending Reynolds Community College,
where I will be graduating from in December with an Associate's Degree in
Social Science to begin attending Randolph Macon College in Ashland,
Virginia In pursuit of a dual Bachelor's degree in Sociology and French

. I am extremely active in the Richmond chapter and Virginia affiliate,
serving as the first Vice President of the chapter, coordinator of the car
donation program, coordinator of the exhibit hall at state convention, and
Virginia table at national convention.

 

 

Evelyn Valdez:

I'd like to introduce myself as a transplant hailing from the Garden State
of New Jersey also known as Joe Ruffalo country. I am ecstatic to have been
chosen as the distinguished member of such an illustrious class of Virginia
Fellows for the 2016-2017 class.

Born in New York and raised in New Jersey, there was never a dull moment in
the Valdez household, from my brother playing baseball to me competing in
JROTC drill team competitions. It was not a farfetched idea that I would be
joining the Marine Corps and of course I knew what I was going to do. My MOS
(major/area of study) would be Communications in the Marine Corps and I
would have Uncle Sam pay for my higher education. Well, it's all good when
one is taken on an alternate route, but the big question was if I was ready
for the ride? I went blind at 17 and my military career took a permanent
backseat. I decided to become a teacher and so I did, not knowing too much
about blindness and all the resources that were available to me at first. I
began meeting go-getters like Ms. Ever-lee Hairston and slowly this "ride"
didn't seem too difficult. What turned it more exciting was when I attended
my first national convention as a national scholarship winner in Texas. That
was the seal of approval for me, it cemented everything into perspective.
After teaching inclusion in the Hillside school district in NJ for six and a
half years, I wanted more.so I went to polish my blindness skills at the
Louisiana Center for the Blind (LCB) in Ruston, Louisiana. A change in my
career path had been in the works for some time until it was finalized just
two months before I graduated from my blindness training at LCB, I was given
an employment opportunity at the Department of Veterans Affairs in
Washington DC. 

I have been an active member of the NFB for ten years now, serving as
co-founder of the NJ Association of Blind Students, affiliate board member,
second vice president of the Greater DC Chapter, and in my present role as
recording secretary for the Potomac chapter. I have recently embarked on a
cycling phase. I had been on a running phase not too long ago doing the
Marine Corps 10-K with an awesome marathon runner as my sighted guide! I am
working on becoming a stronger cyclist and feeling good that I have been
coached by a famous road racer, Jim Alvord from Pennsylvania. 

This ride has Never Felt Better!

 

 

We hope you now know a little  more about the new class.

Sincerely,

Michael

 

 

 

 

 

The National Federation of the Blind knows 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. You can live the life you want;
blindness is not what holds you back.