WINTER2017
2015
february
You Have my
To Stand
Up For Yourself
Finding
Independence
What does it mean to be a
therapist suggested she contact
“Myperson
first connection
with e
young
with Stargardt
e Carroll Center.
Carroll Center for the Blind was so
disease? Just ask Elana R.,
successful because I was really
currently
an
eighth
grader
in a
She is like many other Carroll
ready
for it,
” said
Maura
Mazzocca.
local
middle
will
tell I Center clients who have lost their
“I
went
into itschool.
with anShe
open
mind.
vision later in life due to macular
you like
thataher
vision is “blurry
in
was
sponge—ready
to absorb
degeneration, glaucoma, or other
the center,”they
which
everything
sentimpacts
my way.her
”
ability to read, recognize people at conditions. “Losing your sight isn’t
easy. You have to learn new ways to
Maura knows
first-hand
what
a distance,
and watch
TV. But
for
do things you’ve previously taken
it’s
like
to
adjust
to
a
loss
of
sight.
Elana, it’s more about what she
for granted,” she said. “But fighting
She lost hers when she was 28 due
can do, than worrying about what
change makes it all the harder—on
to diabetic retinopathy. She was
she can’t. to adjust, when her
attendedelse.
the” Carroll
youElana
and everyone
struggling
Stargardt is inherited, and it
Teens summer camp for the last
causes progressive damage to the two years, and currently
macula, a small area in the center participates in the Center’s
of the retina. Elana was diagnosed Technology for Life program on
with Stargardt disease when she
Saturdays, where she learns more
was in the 6th grade. Since then
about using assistive technologies.
Elana has been learning braille,
She has made good friends in
learning to use a long white cane, both programs, all of whom have
and learning other specialized
vision problems. With her friends
skills so that she can do the same
she has gone kayaking, sailing,
things her sighted friends can.
hiking, and explored careers at
She is invested in maintaining her the zoo and in small businesses,
independence, and works with a
among other activities. “I love the
Certified Orientation and Mobility Carroll Center. I’ve met lots of kids
Specialist to learn travel skills like
with eye problems and now we
taking the train into Boston, or the are good friends. It’s nice to be
bus into Worcester. She doesn’t
with kids who understand.”
know
how
quickly
her
vision
will
Elana isand
onegoofafter
three
students
“The Carroll Center taught me that if I stay focused
what
I want,
but it,”Maura
she is preparing
fora Nursing
it in her
middle
school
(her younger
Ichange,
can achieve
said, now
Home
Transition
Advocate
for
now.
the Boston Center for Independent Living.
brother also has Stardardt’s) who
are legally blind. She is a straight-A
She credits
e Carroll
Center’s
student,
takes honors
classes,
and
expert staff for showing her the
loves history and science. She is
way—people like Workforce
also
very involved
in drama
and
Development
Specialist,
Marianne
acting,
andwho
runswas
alongside
Gilmore,
recentlyher
friends
in gym
class,
and
honored
for her
work
byschool
the
events.
She
acknowledges
some
University of Massachusetts
things
sheSchool.
doesn’t do well, like play
Medical
video games, but she focuses on
“e
taught
and is
veryCarroll
proud Center
of those
thingsme
that if I stay focused and go aer
she does particularly well, like
what I want, I can achieve it,”
excel
at school
and
being
theabest
Maura
said. She
was
offered
job
she
can
be.
She
advises
anyone
as the center’s receptionist, which
who
challenges
“You
was isa facing
stepping-stone
to that,
additional
have
to stand up
and
employment.
“Itfor
wasyourself,
a great boost
push
beyond
your ”comfort
to my
confidence,
she said.zone.”
Elana has developed a set of
years
and several
jobsand
rulesMany
that are
important
to her,
later, Maura credits e Carroll
help her manage her life. “First,
Center for changing her life. She’s
be
respectful
of everyone;
second,
been
a successful
professional,
pick
your
stuff; and
third,
do a
wife,upand
mother,
and has
lived
what
you
gotta
do.”
full and independent life. Now
Hercontinuing
mother Sara
says,it“Elana’s
she’s
to “pay
forward”
my
hero.
I
see
her
determination
by helping others in her new job as
every
day. She
doesn’t
look to
a Nursing
Home
Transition
Advocate
for the
Centerlet
for
make
excuses,
andBoston
she doesn’t
Independent
Living.
anything
stop her
forward
motion. I have no doubts at all
“I know from my own
for
her future.”
experience
at e Carroll Center,
Elana
echoes
sentiment
that a kind word,that
a little
laughter,
and says quite firmly, “I’ll never
give up.”
(continued on page 3)
770 Centre Street • Newton, MA 02458-2597 • 800-852-3131 or 617-969-6200 (P) • www.carroll.org
UPCOMING
EVENTS
MESSAGE FROM
THE PRESIDENT
As I look
back
on the
year,
Please accept
my best
wishes
forpast
a happy
I am grateful
for the
thousands
of
and healthy
New Year.
In 2016,
over 5000
friends
whoservices
have supported
us,
people
received
from the Carroll
Center
for the it
Blind.
Seniors and
whether
was sending
in achildren,
teenagers
and adults,
were all on
provided
donation,
volunteering
a
with committee,
the skills necessary
for
them
to
providing an internship
attaintoand
maintain
independence,
and
a client, or helping to make
the
self-sufficiency.
I
sincerely
thank
you
for
world more accessible to people.
your We
support,
generosity,
especially
couldn’t
do ourand
important
firstwhich
connection
ework
your “My
kindness
enables with
the Carroll
without
yourfor
help!
Carroll
the
Blind was so
Center
to Center
provide these
services.
INFORMATION DAY
APPLE MONDAY
Today, more than 70% of
working age blind or visually
andimpaired
old alike. Members
of the
adults across
thestaff
U.S.and
are
clients contributed their artistic talents and
unemployed. Fortunately, advances
created a wonderful float that was at the
in adaptive technology are opening
front of the parade.
new doors for blind and visually
Oneimpaired
of the participants
was Otoniel O. who
individuals.
Finding my Independence
is profiled in this issue of Focus. He walked
you struggling
with vision
9:00 Are
– 12:00
p.m.
problems?
Are
you
wondering
what
Learning how to use the IPAD (NEW!!)
kind
of
services
we
offer?
1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Joinhow
us attoInformation
Day to
Learning
use the IPHONE
takefora tour
and
findsessions
out more.
$20 fee
one or
both
Friends
and
family
are
welcome.
Please bring your personal devices
with
Information
Days
will
be
held on
you. Devices will not be provided.
WINTER
2015
ToMarch
register1st
forand
a workshop
April 5thplease
(10-2pm).
contact Maureen Foley at 617-969-6200
x225 or [email protected]
FREE LOW VISION SEMINARS
15th ANNUAL NEW
Do you ever wonder
how you could
Ashley
are just
with hisTim,
entireMaura
family and
and he
remarked
that ENGLAND
BRAILLE
Shemore
credits
e
Carroll
Center’s
therapist
suggested
shehundreds
contact
get
out
of
your
iPhone
or
it was
a humbling
and
experience
three
examples
ofpositive
the
of
CHALLENGE
expert
e
Carroll
Center.
staff
for
showing
her
the
computer,
or
how
proper
lighting
listening
towho
cheers
from
the many in
clients
have
participated
Saturday, March 7, 2015
successful
because
I was
really
way—people
can improvelike
yourWorkforce
daily living and
thousands
of
strangers
who
lined
the
st
At
e
Carroll
Center
for
the
one
of
our
job-training
programs.
– 3:00 p.m.
9:00
We are now in our 81 year as one of the
She
is
like
many
other
Carroll
reading tasks? Sign
up todayMarianne
for FREE
ready
forour
it,” said
Maura
Mazzocca.
Development
Specialist,
route.
Blind
goal
is to help
our clients parade
At e
Carroll
Center,
The New England Regional Braille UPCO
premiere
national
providers
of services
Center
clients
who
have we
lostpractice
their
seminars
on
low
vision
devices,
“I
went
into
it
with
an
open
mind.
I
Gilmore,
who
was
recently
Challenge, a national program of the
regainwho
theirareindependence
–
what
we
preach—more
than
22%
to persons
blind and visually
This
issuelater
of Focus
profiles
Elana
R.
vision
in lifealso
due
to macular
techniques,
best
practices
with EV
was
like
a
sponge—ready
to
absorb
honored
forand
her
work
by
Institute
of America,
is athe
braille
reading
ofEdaisha
our employees
blind
or who Braille
morning
newspaper;
impaired.
Onethe
of our
key initiatives
is to
and
L. Elana
is are
an 8th
grader
degeneration,
glaucoma,
or
other
Bob McGillivray,
Certified
Lowblind
Vision
reading
and writing
contest for
and MO
everything
they
sent
way.
” using
University
of Massachusetts
APPLE
help
people between
themy
ages
of 18
and a receives
visually
impaired,
including
40%
traveling
to school
or
work;
services
from The
Carroll
conditions.
“Losing
your
sightCenter
isn’t of visually
Therapist.
Dates
impaired
students
inare:
grades 19:00 – 12:00 p
Medical School.
26 learn
the necessary
skills to become
has management
participated inteam.
the Carroll
Teens
Learning how t
our
I ways
computer
to dofirst-hand
homework
or pay and
through 12. It is hosted annually in early
easy.
You
have
to
learn
new
to
Maura
knows
what
1:00 – 4:00 p.m
March
3:
The
Apple
of
Your
Eyes
–
activebills
members
of
the
workforce
and
be
program
for
the
last
two
years.
We
can
Today,
more
than
70%
of
As
I
look
back
on
the
past
year,
will say that
these
or adjust
keep intotouch
with
friends; dowholeheartedly
Learning how t
spring by the Carroll Center, and is open
things
you’ve
previously
taken
it’s
like
to
a
loss
of
sight.
“e
Carroll
Center
taught
me
working
age
blind
or
visually
I
am
grateful
for
the
thousands
of
Learn
about
low
vision
techniques
competitive
for
available
positions.
$20 fee for one
her positive,
“takewho
charge”
to
all braille
students
in the
six
New
staff from
members
are among
the
best
and cooking dinner for their family all learn
impaired
adults
across
the
U.S.
are
friends
have
supported
us,
Please
bring yo
for granted,
” she said.
“But
fighting
Shegoal
lostishers
when she
was 28
that if of
Iunemployed.
stay
focused
and
go aer
getting
most
from
states
andthe
New
York.
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toareduce
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blind
Her motto
is “I’llI’ve
never
up.” in a England
Fortunately,
advances
whether
itgive
was sending
you. Devices w
performing
people
ever
are just
few ofthe
thenumber
daily tasks
that attitude.
change makes
all thedonation,
harder—on
to diabetic
retinopathy.
She
was
what I inwant,
Itechnology
can and
achieve
it,” To register for a
adaptive
areiPad;
opening
volunteering
your
people
whoself-confidence
are
unemployed.and
Right
now
motto
is,itand
“There’s
always
a all
light on a Participation
isiPhone
limited
contact Mauree
worked
with,
I encourage
build
lead
to Edaisha’s
new doors
for blindso
andplease
visually
committee, providing
an internship
x225 or Maure
youaand
everyone
else.to” a client, or helping to makeapply
struggling
to adjust,
when her
Maura
said. She
was offered a job
that
figure stands
at a whopping
70%,
after
dark
tunnel.”
early!
impaired
individuals.
the
employers to consider
hiring
independence.
April 7: The Importance of 15th ANNU
world
more
accessible
to
people.
which is totally unacceptable. We can
as register
the center’s
receptionist,
which
please
contact
SueareMalone
To
Tim,
Maura
and Ashley
just
and
How
to Use
It – ENGLAND
a visual
impairment
We someone
will never with
give up
andWe
will
do all
couldn’t
dothat
our important work Lighting
at
617-969-9200
x204
or
three
examples
of
the
hundreds
of
and will do
with
help. is
was
a
stepping-stone
to
additional
CHALLENG
emore
goal—for
ouryour
children
without your help!
Learn
how
lighting
we in
canthe
with
our program
and
coming
year. outreach
clients
whoproper
have participated
in can Saturday,
[email protected]
The Carroll
Center
is
committed
to
this
“It was
aprograms.
great
success in school, while the goal for outstanding services for all consumers.
At e Carroll Center foremployment.
the
one of ouryour
job-training
9:00 – 3:00
improve
use of
vision.boost
mission.
We
are
proud
to
have
a
diverse
Blind
our
goal
is
to
help
our
clients
At
e
Carroll
Center,
we
practice
The New Engla
TRAINING
FOR
LEADERS
senior citizens is to be safe and
ankisyou
forand
your
help
and
to
my
confidence,
”
she
said.
Your support
critical
greatly
Challenge, a na
regain their independence – Seminars
whatbegin
we preach—more
than
22%
staff,happy
20% ofin
which
are
persons
with
at
10:30
am
and
are
Braille Institute
OF LOW
their home and the
commitment, and warm
fornewspaper;
readingwishes
of ourVISION
employees areSUPPORT
blind or
the morning
appreciated.
and wr
vision impairments.
followed
by
Q&A.
Visit
the
Carroll
years
and
several
jobs
visually
impaired,
including
40%
of reading
traveling to school or work; using
aMany
GROUPS
visually impaire
community. For our adults, the
a happy 2015.
our
management
team.
I out some
computer to do homework or pay
through 12. It is
Store
afterward
and
try
later, Maura
credits
e
Carroll
Friday,
March
27,
2015
This past
moretothan
staff,world.
wholeheartedly
will
say
that
these
bills or keep in touch with friends;
goalOctober,
is returning
the50
work
spring by the C
adaptive
devices.
to all braille stu
staff
members
are
among
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best
and cooking dinner for their9:30
family
Sincerely,
Center
for
changing
her
life.
She’s
–
2:30
p.m.
with
optional
sightedclients,
service
dogs,
members
of
the
Sincerely,
Not only does employment provide
England states
performing people I’ve ever
are just a few of the daily tasks that
guide
training
at 9:00
or 2:00
been
a worked
successful
Boardfinancial
and Trustees
walked twobut
miles
Participation is
with,
andprofessional,
Ia.m.
encourage
all p.m.
build self-confidence and lead
to
independence,
also a
To make
your
reservation
for
apply early!
Low
vision
specialists
will
explain
what
employers
to consider
hiring
independence.
through
the
Town
of
Woburn,
wife,
and
mother,
and
has
lived
Toa
register plea
sense of self-worth and self-respect.
someone
with
a
visual
impairment
Information
Day orexam,
Low Vision
in a low vision
both at 617-969-920
e goal for our childrenhappens
is
participating in the Woburn Host Lions
the coming year.
fullSeminars
andin independent
life. Now
clinical
There willFoley
be sue.malone@ca
success in school, while the goal
for and functional.
contact Maureen
Joe
Abely,
President
Club Halloween Parade. We were greeted Greg
she’s
continuing
to
“pay
it
forward”
senior
citizens
is
to
be
safe
and
ank
you
for
your
help
and
Donnelly
information
some of the
atabout
617-969-6200
or new TRAINING
happy in their home and the
commitment, and warm wishes for OF LOW VI
with enthusiastic shouts of support,
about
treatments
available,
discussion
in her new
job
as
President and CEO
GROUPS
[email protected]
community. For our adults, by
the helping
a happyothers
2015.
heartfelt clapping, and smiles from young
ank you for supporting
living aids,
and time
to share ideas
Friday, Ma
goal is returning to the workdaily
aworld.
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Home
Transition
Sincerely,
9:30 – 2:30 p.m
Not only does employment provide
about coordinating
support groups. A
e Carroll Center.
guide
training a
Advocate
for thePlease
Boston
Center
for
financial independence, but full
also aday is planned.
bring
lunch.
vision spec
For for
more
about
our and self-respect. Thank you for supporting Low
The 5th Annual Carroll Center
theinformation
Blind
senseall
of self-worth
happens
in a lo
Independent
Living.
Beverages
will be
provided.
clinical and func
programs for the visually impaired or to
Walk for INDEPENDENCE
The Carroll
Joe Abely,Center
President for the Blind.information abo
donate
treatments avai
~ featuring the popular 1-mile
dogvisit
walkus~at www.carroll.org.
To register
please
contact
Debby King
know
from
myabout
own
ank
you for supporting
For“Imore
information
all our
daily living aids
at
617-972-7376
or
about coordina
e at
Carroll
Center.
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event. of
experience
e
Carroll
Center,
publication
programs
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the
visually
impaired
orday is plann
full
For more information about all our
[email protected]
Beverages will b
that
a kind
word,
littleorlaughter,
at www.carroll.org
latestCenter
details.
Thethe
Carroll
for the
Blind
“TheCheck
Carrollback
Center
taught me that if I for
stay
focused
and
go after
what
I want,
to programs
donate
visit
us at aimpaired
www.carroll.org.
for
the
visually
to
donate visit us at www.carroll.org.
To register plea
I can achieve Walk
it,”Maura
a Nursing
Transition Advocate for
withsaid,
yournow
dogs,
friends,Home
family
at 617-972-737
publication
AApublication
of of
Debby.King@P
the Boston
for
Independent
Living.
770Center
Centre
Street
• CCB
Newton,
MAand
02458-2597
• 800-852-3131 or 617-969-6200
(P) (continued
• www.carroll.org
on page
3)
and walk
with
clients
staff!
The Carroll Center
for the Blind
The Carroll Center for the Blind
770 Centre Street • Newton, MA 02458-2597 • 800-852-3131 or 617-969-6200 (P)
770 Centre Street • Newton, MA 02458-2597 • 800-852-3131 or 617-969-6200 (P) • www.carroll.org
Edaisha L. wrote this essay in 2016 when she was a senior at Common Ground High School in
Connecticut. She is currently a client at The Carroll Center (CCB), learning independent living skills,
taking computer training classes, and living with other blind and visually impaired clients.
“I am less alone at The Carroll Center and I’ve learned to open up more.
Since being at CCB, I am less worried about what other people say.”
This essay was part of Edaisha’s senior leadership portfolio. It is reprinted with her permission.
At the age of 12, I was
diagnosed with Keratoconus.
Keratoconus is a condition in
which the clear tissue on the
front of the eye (cornea) bulges
outward. This condition causes
you to rapidly lose your vision.
It“My
wasn’t
I wrotewith
my first
first until
connection
e
senior
writing
essay
when
I so
Carroll Center for the Blind was
successful
because
accepted
that itI iswas
notreally
a disease,
ready
it,” said Maura
Mazzocca.
it’s for
a condition.
I started
to gain
“I went
into
it
with
an
open
mind.
ownership of my condition. I I
wasstarted
like a sponge—ready
to absorb
to gain ownership
of my
everything
they
sent
my
way.
”
disability. My whole freshman
year
andknows
part of
my sophomore
Maura
first-hand
what
my to
condition
it’s year,
like toI hid
adjust
a loss offrom
sight.
family
because
Sheeveryone
lost hers besides
when she
was 28
due
to diabetic
retinopathy.
She wasat
I was terrified
to be looked
struggling
to adjust,
when
her
differently.
It didn’t
take
a
genius to notice that my vision
was bad. I just didn’t want
people to know how severe it
was. What I’ve learned from this
is that I never gave myself the
credit that I deserved. I kept my
struggles with my poor vision to
myself instead of seeking help.
But now I believe in myself. I
constantly remind myself that
there is asuggested
light at the
of my
therapist
sheend
contact
darkCarroll
tunnel.
e
Center.
Although my eye condition
She is like many other Carroll
was hard to write about and
Center clients who have lost their
embrace, I did it. I demonstrated
vision later in life due to macular
commitmentglaucoma,
and responsibility
degeneration,
or other
by
taking
action
in
my
life
and
conditions. “Losing your sight
isn’t
realizing
that
if
I
kept
hiding
myto
easy. You have to learn new ways
condition,
I wouldn’t
get taken
do
things you’ve
previously
anywhere.
for
granted,” she said. “But fighting
change
it all thehow
harder—on
I’mmakes
still learning
to avoid
you
and everyone
else.”when it
shutting
people out
comes to my condition since
I’m just now accepting and
acknowledging that I have one.
WINTER 2015
Finding my Independence
“The Carroll Center taught me that if I stay focused and go after what I want,
I can achieve it,”Maura said, now a Nursing Home Transition Advocate for
the Boston Center for Independent Living.
She credits e Carroll Center’s
expert staff for showing her the
way—people like Workforce
Development Specialist, Marianne
Gilmore, who was recently
honored for her work by the
University of Massachusetts
Medical School.
“e Carroll Center taught me
that ifI learned
I stay focused
go aer
What
aboutand
myself
is
what
I
want,
I
can
achieve
it,
”
that I was just afraid. I was afraid
Maura said. She was offered a job
that I would be judged the way
as the center’s receptionist, which
I judged myself about my
was a stepping-stone to additional
condition.
Now
am starting
to
employment.
“ItI was
a great boost
tell
people
about my
condition.
to my
confidence,
” she
said.
They support me, not out of pity
Many
but out
of years
love. and several jobs
later,
credits to
ethe
Carroll
MyMaura
contribution
Center for changing
life. She’s
community
was givingher
others
with
been
a
successful
professional,
disabilities a voice. Some people
wife, and mother, and has lived a
embrace their disabilities, some
full and independent life. Now
deny
sometoare
comfortable
she’s them,
continuing
“pay
it forward”
talking
about
it
and
some
arejob as
by helping others in her new
embarrassed
by
it.
Being
a Nursing Home Transition
someone
wasBoston
embarrassed
Advocatewho
for the
Center for
by
their
condition,
overcoming
Independent Living.
that embarrassment and speaking
“I itknow
frompeople
my own
about
can give
experience at e Carroll Center,
motivation, strength and courage.
that a kind word, a little laughter,
(continued on page 3)
770 Centre Street • Newton, MA 02458-2597 • 800-852-3131 or 617-969-6200 (P) • www.carroll.org
I Really Enjoy Helping My Community
Anyone who calls the
Metrowest Transit Authority in
Framingham to schedule a ride
will likely be greeted by Otoniel
O. (OT). With his deep voice and
professional manner, OT makes
sure that the caller is picked up
and taken to their destination
in the safest, most efficient way
possible.
“I want to provide the best
customer service I can to those
“My
first
connection
with e
who
call
and
rely on Metrowest
Carroll
thewhere
Blind was
TransitCenter
to get for
them
theyso
successful
because
I
was
really
need to go. I might take a call
ready
it,” saidwho
Maura
Mazzocca.
fromfor
a person
requires
“Idialysis
went into
it
with
an
open
or from someone mind.
who I
was like a sponge—ready to absorb
must see a loved one in the
everything they sent my way.”
hospital. My work is important to
what
meMaura
and I knows
want tofirst-hand
do the best
job
it’s like to adjust to a loss of sight.
She lost hers when she was 28 due
to diabetic retinopathy. She was
struggling to adjust, when her
I can each and every day. I really
enjoy helping my community.”
Whatever the need, OT is
ready, willing and able to help
people get to where they need
to go.
Both OT and his older sister
suffer from a form of blindness
called Albinism. His other two
sisters are not affected by the
disease. OT’s mother first noticed
his eye problem when he began
therapistOTsuggested
shehis
contact
school.
recalls that
Dad
e Carroll
Center. and left it to OT
gave
him a bicycle,
to figure
ride.Carroll
After a
She isout
like how
manytoother
few
surprise
a tree
Center
clientsmeetings
who havewith
lost their
and
bumpy
the
bicycle
vision
later insidewalk,
life due to
macular
was
mastered.glaucoma,
“Neither or
of other
my
degeneration,
parents
put“Losing
any limits
onsight
me.isn’t
conditions.
your
easy. You
have
to learnme
newfrom
ways to
They
didn’t
dissuade
do things
you’ve
previously
taken
trying anything.”
for granted,OT
” she
said. his
“Butsister
fighting
credits
for
changeencouraging
makes it all the
harder—on
him to go to
you and everyone else.”
college. He attended Salter
College in West Boylston
and received a Certificate in
Culinary Arts. He still cooks
as a hobby, but feels his real
calling is to help others.
“I just wanted to be like
everyone else. It is a
process. It took seven years
for me to come to terms
with my disability.
WINTER 2015
Finding my Independence
She credits e Carroll Center’s
expert staff for showing her the
way—people like Workforce
Development Specialist, Marianne
Gilmore, who was recently
Ithonored
is a fightfor
within.
Attending
her work
by the The
Carroll
Center
for the Blind was
University
of Massachusetts
aMedical
necessity
for me to help me
School.
break out of my preconceived
“eofCarroll
taught me
notions
what ICenter
could and
that ifnot
I stay
and gothe
aer
could
do.focused
I just needed
what I want, I can achieve it,”
opportunity.”
Maura said. She was offered a job
“The
Carrollreceptionist,
Center helped
as the
center’s
which
me
myself fortothe
wasprepare
a stepping-stone
additional
business
world,
employment.
“It“he
wassaid.
a great boost
“Itolearned
how
to
network,
my confidence,” she said.
interview, meet with employers,
years
and several
and Many
perfect
my skill
set. Youjobs
later, the
Maura
credits
eneed
Carroll
need
tools
and you
to
Center for changing her life. She’s
master technology. The Carroll
been a successful professional,
Center
helped
me and
withhas
all lived
of a
wife, and
mother,
this.”
full and independent life. Now
she’s continuing to “pay it forward”
by helping others in her new job as
a Nursing Home Transition
• Help a blind personAdvocate
become
active
for more
the Boston
Center for
Independent Living.
• Receive a tax-deduction
DONATE
• We do all the
work
“I know
from my own
YOUR
experience
at
e Carroll Center,
• Simple that
anda kind
Easyword,
a little laughter,
“The Carroll Center taught me that if I stay focused and go after what I want,
VEHICLE
! Home Transition Advocate
I can achieve
it,”Maura said, now a Nursing
for
Call 617-969-6200 today
the Boston Center for Independent Living.
(continued on page 3)
770 Centre Street • Newton, MA 02458-2597 • 800-852-3131 or 617-969-6200 (P) • www.carroll.org