Lighthouse of the Big Bend - Board Members

Meet the LBB Board Members:

Doug Ingram, President

Jackie Eichhoefer, Vice President

Nick Swaine, Treasurer

JoAnna Neely, Secretary

Jada Christie

Yolanda Gillette-Carlson

Mike McCans

Owen McCaul

Barby Moro

Kelly Tison

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LBB is grateful to Capital Medical Society Foundation, Tom Block, Executive Director, and Board of Governors for their generous grant to purchase vision aids specific to our clients with vision loss to help them lead a healthy, active, fulfilling, and independent lifestyle. Image description: Capital Medical Society's Executive Director Tom Block and LBB's CEO Tina Torrance (Kristina Wilfong Torrance) holding a large check. #guidingpeoplethroughvisionloss #seeingindependence #capitalmedicalsociety #capitalmedicalsocietyfoundation #visionaids

As we celebrate Disability Pride Month during the month of July, did you know that individuals with disabilities make up 15% of the world's population? Here are a couple of tips when interacting with individuals who are blind or have low vision: Identify yourself: When you are entering and leaving a conversation with an individual who is blind or has low vision, identify yourself. Offering help: Remember individuals who are blind or have low vision may be assessing a situation and/or surroundings and not need assistance. However, please always ask if they need help before reaching out to them. For more information on etiquette when interacting with individuals who are blind or visually impaired, click here: https://www.seeingindependence.org/images/Etiquette_for_interaction_July_2025.pdf #guidingpeoplethroughvisionloss #seeingindependenceseeingindependence #disabilitypridemonth

We wish you and your family a safe and happy holiday weekend!

Thank you Kelly Troop Otte for highlighting LBB's CEO, Tina Torrance in your article, The Pillars Among Us in the April May 2025 issue of Tallahassee Woman magazine! You captured her character perfectly! And, interestingly, her mantra,

LBB's annual Fireworks Safety Tips will you and your family be safe over the holiday weekend! Image description: Fireworks Safety Tips Wear protective eyewear when using fireworks Light fireworks one at a time then move away quickly Never allow children to play with or ignite fireworks or sparklers Do not use fireworks while impaired by alcohol or drugs Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose nearby Do not re-light or pick up fireworks that have not ignited Keep a safe distance from fireworks Always supervise children #guidingpeoplethroughvisionloss #seeingindependence #fireworkssafetytips #fireworks #4thofJuly #IndependenceDay

LBB's office will be closed on Thursday and Friday July 3rd and 4th. We wish you and your family a safe and happy holiday weekend!

LBB's first Youth Summer Camp started today! We love having all of these kids in the building especially since we've had the privilege of watching most of them grow from young kindergarteners to high school and beyond and now, some of them are camp counselors. It was a fun fist day! We love having Florida State University students in the Visual Disabilities Education program join us for camp! Image descriptions: Photo 1: Photo of the door sign welcoming campers to LBB's Youth Summer Camp Photo 2: LBB clients are talking with students from FSU's Visual Disabilities Education program at Florida State University. Photo 3: LBB clients are talking with students in the Florida State University Visual Disabilities Education program. Photo 4: LBB clients are talking with a student in the Florida State University Visual Disabilities program. Photo 5: LBB clients are working on a project while LBB's Terrance Snider and Sharon Scherbarth Simmons assist. Photo 6: LBB students are working on a project while a student in the Florida State University Visual Disabilities Program assists, and volunteer Cam looks on. Photo 7: LBB's Sharon Scherbarth Simmons is passing out items for the project students will be working on. Photo 8: LBB clients along with Florida State University Visual Disabilities Education Program students and faculty meeting prior to starting their project. #guidingpeoplethroughvisionloss #seeingindependence #summercamp2025☀️ #floridastateuniveristy #visualdisabilitieseducation

Helen Keller was a deaf-blind advocate, political activist, lecturer, and author. She lost her sight and hearing after an illness before she was 2 years old. She was the first deafblind person in the United States to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree. She attended Radcliffe College of Harvard University. In honor of Deaf/Blind Awareness Week and her birthday on June 27th, we are sharing a favorite quote of Helen Keller, “Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.” Image description: Photo of Helen Keller smiling and wearing a black dress. #guidingpeoplethroughvisionloss #seeingindependence #helenkeller #deafblindawarenessweek

LBB's office will be closed Thursday, June 19th in observance of Juneteenth. Image Description: Juneteenth Freedom Day LBB's office will be closed Thursday, June 19th in observance of Juneteenth.

LBB's popular Techno Demo Day is scheduled for Friday, September 19th at Tallahassee State College! We will be announcing vendors over the next several weeks on social media. Image description: Techno Demo Day 9.19.2025 Tallahassee State College Student Union Ballroom LBB Lighthouse of the Big Bend TSC Tallahassee State College #guidingpeoplethroughvisionloss #seeingindependence #technodemoday #assistivetechnology

Orientation is an individual's ability to know where you are in a given space and mobility is navigating between two places safely, efficiently, and as independently as possible. During this ongoing group class Jennifer Stephens, TVI COMS will cover several skills including white cane techniques, human guide instructions, and utilization of public transportation. Image description: Beginning Orientation & Mobility Wednesday, June 11th and 25th | 10:30 am to 12:30 pm at LBB Monthly on 2nd & 4th Wednesday Group Leader: Jennifer Stephens, TVI COMS RSVP Savannah at 850-942-3658 #206 or sstephens@seeingindependence.org