STAFF
Staff Members
at 2024 COVE Vision Resource Fair
(Top row L-R: Brenda, Earl, Eric - Bottom row L-R: Cynthia,
Dana and Ares, Osvaldo, Xiomara, Margaret, Liliana, Allen)
Margaret
- Executive Director
A native
Californian, Margaret was born and raised in the San Francisco
Bay Area. She graduated with a Bachelor’s of Arts Degree
from the University of California, Riverside. Margaret attained
her Teaching credential at San José State University. She
attained her Master’s Degree in Teacher Education as a Fellow
at Sacramento State University. She later attained her Administrative
Credential at Fresno-Pacific University.
In 1999,
an unknown disease caused Margaret to loose most of her eyesight.
She then became involved with the local blindness community. In
2007, Margaret was a founding Member of Center of Vision Enhancement
(COVE) and later became the Executive Director. Prior to becoming
involved with COVE, Margaret was and educator, teacher trainer,
and administrator in Merced County Schools. Her prior experience
as a Project Director has served her well in her current position
at COVE where those with vision loss can learn to maintain a fulfilling
and independent lifestyle.
Dana
– Assistive Technology Trainer
Growing up in the Bay
Area, Dana was exposed to cutting edge technology from an early
age. With the aid of high-tech computer software and magnification
and talking devices, she had little trouble keeping up with academics,
hobbies, and work.
Dana became a client
of COVE when she moved to the central valley and discovered that
the economics were rather different from the Bay Area. She had
a difficult time finding work in her field of expertise, but with
the assistance of COVE and DOR, she was able to attend college
and discover another career path. Dana began working at COVE in
2018. She enjoys teaching clients to use assistive technology
to improve and enrich their lives.
Allen
– Assistive Technology Trainer
I am an assistive technology
specialist amongst other things with in COVE. I was introduced
to COVE in 2009 by a strong supporter of COVE and their beliefs.
One of my favourite things to experience is a happy client who
returns with a smile on their face because my classes made a positive
impact in that person’s life.
Some
of the technology that I train includes, Jaws For Windows, Microsoft
office products, typing, iPhone training with Voice Over, orientation
of the Victor Reader, along with other useful devices, programs,
and apps that help the visually impaired to accomplish daily tasks
independently.
I am
originally from South Carolina. One of the reasons I moved to
this community was due to the more abundant opportunities for
a fuller independent life. My wife and I enjoy the accessibility
to transportation so we can take our three children to family
gatherings, as well as community events. Some of my hobbies include,
being a ham radio operator, listening to music, and learning and
testing new technology, also Reading books. My eye condition is
unknown. I have ben blind sense birth.
Seema
– Orientation and Mobility Trainer
I have
credential for visually Impaired and also Orientation and Mobility
Specialist. I have completed my Masters in visual Impairment from
San Francisco State University, I have 14 years’ experience
in special Education field. I have done my student teaching in
Orientation Center for the Blind and this has really helped me
to work with blind and visually impaired adults.
Liliana
– Independent Living Skills Trainer
I was
born In Portugal, Azores on the island of Terceira. I came to
America when I was 3 years old with my parents. I was wearing
glasses by the age of 6 months and my parents came to America
to see what can be done for my eyesight. I have struggled through
school knowing my eyesight was bad enough that I would never be
able to drive. Despite this I learned to adapt with what vision
I did have and reached out for resources. The Department of Rehabilitation
connected me to C.O.V.E. in which I was a client and took classes
as well as continuing my education at Merced college where I obtained
my Associates degree in Psychology and Behavioral Science. Throughout
the training I received I was diagnosed with Ocular Albinism.
The retina in the back of my eye lacks pigmentation which makes
my eyes sensitive to sunlight. I also have Nystagmus and Astigmatism
meaning it takes my eyes a while to adjust to things and I am
not able to see fine detail due to my extreme nearsightedness.
I see 20/80 as of now with the best corrected vision. I am now
pursuing my Bachelors in Psychology at Stanislaus State University.
Despite my visual challenges I do not let that get me down. I
use public transportation and love to travel when I get the chance.
I am now an employee at C.O.V.E. and look forward to helping individuals
gain independent living skills so they can feel more confident
and know that they are not alone as well as have the skills necessary
to live a more independent life despite their vision loss.
Cynthia
– Office Assistant
In 2019,
I moved to Merced with my retired husband Bill, and our younger
son Gavin. Our older son Lucas lives in NYC. We have a Russian
land tortoise named Gilbert. She loves to roam the yard in the
hot weather.
A retired
RN, I worked in Oncology, Hospice, Labor & Delivery, NICU,
PAR and Outpatient Surgery for over twenty years.
We were
foster parents for nine medically fragile infants, and ended up
adopting one of them, Gavin!
Twice
I’ve survived breast cancer, in 2005 & 2017. I crochet
two hours a day to keep the lymphedema in my right arm under control.
(Think of me for all your crochet needs)!
In 2020,
I had three corneal transplants done at UCSF, for Fuchs’
Dystrophy. I was losing sight rapidly, and was about to lose my
driver’s license. I am profoundly grateful that both eyes
are now doing well.
Brenda
- Independent Living Skills Trainer
Brenda
is a Merced native. She lost the majority of her eye sight in
2008. C.O.V.E. was a big support for her during this transitional
time in her life.
After
some time working with DOR and attending college, Brenda had the
opportunity to join the C.O.V.E. team of trainers in December
of 2022.
She now
enjoys assisting others in their journey to gain independence
with daily living skills in areas such as household management,
cooking, money management, and basic travel techniques.
Sonja
- PVSA Trainer COVE
Sonja
helps guide clients to see their own potential by teaching them
how to help themselves. She holds an Associate of Science in Computers
and Networking from Merced Community College, a Bachelor of Science
in Management from Grand Canyon University, and she is working
on her Master's Degree in Education.
Sonja
teaches at both Merced College in the Business division in the
administrative office management and virtual office courses, and
she also teaches at MCOE as a special education teacher. She is
contracted through UC Merced’s Small Business Development
Centers (SBDC) as a social media marketing consultant for local
small businesses. Finally, Sonja is the Personal, Vocational,
and Social Adjustment (PVSA) trainer here at COVE!
Osvaldo
– Assistive Technology
Osvaldo
Martinez was born on April 26th 2000. His eye condition is unknown.
Osvaldo was brought to the United States when he was one year
old. He grew up in Merced California. For most of his childhood
Osvaldo went to public schools. It was not until the first grade
that he started to learn Braille. Braille began to become a big
part of Osvaldo’s life. With it he could read and write,
and complete tasks just like the normal sighted students could.
It did take him a bit longer, However.
Osvaldo
developed a passion for reading and writing, and won many reading
awards in his elementary school days. When he attended middle
school, he was introduced to Jaws. A computer screen reader. With
this new skill he was able to start using the computer. Jaws also
became a big part of Osvaldo’s life. Allowing him to complete
online tasks, such as research papers.
In high
school he continued to hone his skills in Jaws. Osvaldo graduated
high school in 2019. By that time, he had lost the rest of his
vision. Determined, Osvaldo continued his education in Merced
college. He was then offered a Job at the Center of Vision Enhancement.
There he began to teach clients his skills in Braille and Jaws.
He also did a little bit of office assistance to his coworkers.
Osvaldo currently still works there, and he enjoys it very much.
Helping people is what he love to do most. |
