00:00
Starting on the path to what's next. The following video features individuals seated in an office conference room speaking to the camera about their experiences with the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind or MCB. They're each talking about the subject of “Starting On The Path To What's Next” and beginning a relationship with MCB as an MCB Vocational Rehabilitation or VR client. Speakers include, in order:
Kara Sittig (MCB VR Counselor)
George Kamara (MCB Client)
Brittany Taylor (MCB VR Counselor)
Brandon Rollins (MCB Client)
Desiree Eusebio (MCB Client)
Mayanne MacDonald-Briggs (MCB VR Counselor)
00:50
Kara Sittig: Anyone over the age of 14, and up to around 65 or 70, if they are determined legally blind, their doctor is mandated to declare them legally blind and register them with the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind. So all that really means is that I receive an eye report that has a name and address, a phone number, and a diagnosis.
01:10
George Kamara: So one day I was at home and got a call. And the counselor introduced herself to me, Ashley Belito. She said, “Oh, I'm coming to your house. They have referred you to us. I'm your counselor.”
01:25
Brittany Taylor: Usually, in my first encounter I try to get to know them as a person first. And then I go over our services, what can we offer to them? How can I be supportive?
01:33
Kara Sittig: We find a lot of people in a spot where it's not looking too great, and then you give them hope.
01:39
Brandon Rollins: I was first involved with MCB when I was 14, I think. We kind of went over very super-…superficial things, some basic mobility, which I was refusing to do with a cane. But it wasn't until I was maybe 18 that I first met with Brittany, who was my VR counselor for most of my time with MCB. And it was just very much a ‘it's time to take this into my own hands and kind of find out what the resources are’ and go from there. Clearly what…my approach before just wasn't working.
02:09
Brittany Taylor: When we come in the door with all the resources, sometimes I think it's a little overwhelming at first, especially because they're dealing with this loss initially, right? And we're coming in and everything is so new to them. But at the end of the day after our conversation, they're surprised and they're excited to begin services.
02:27
George Kamara: Once one thing, I said, “I want to go to school.” So she asked me if I brought in any documents. I said, “No, I was looking for a new way to save my life.” So they recommended me to the Carroll Center for the Blind.
02:40
Desiree Eusebio: MCB definitely helped me with getting all the, like, tools I needed to start and be in the classroom, whether it was a talking calculator, or a tactile map. So it made me feel more comfortable that I could be in the classroom and be right on time with everyone else, getting everything done.
03:01
Brittany Taylor: You know, I want them to accept services. So my job is mainly to…to educate them. I'm just going to just give them the education and the tools to make those decisions themselves.
03:12
Mayanne MacDonald-Briggs: Typically, after my first meeting with parents, I will send an email connecting them to the different local programs to start. And then beyond that, there are tons of opportunities for students with disabilities. And not all of those programs ever thought they could work with students who happened to be blind or visually impaired, and I've pushed through those programs as well. Like, “Well, why can't we try it? Let's see if it works.”
03:40
Desiree Eusebio: They helped me get connected to the Adult Learning Center in Lawrence, and learn how to be independent, learn the skills I needed to cook, to clean, to do whatever I needed to be independent.
03:54
To learn more about and contact the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind, find them online at mass.gov. Or call 800-392-6450.