Maria T. Garcia, President
Maria Garcia is a life time resident of Harlem in NYC. Raised
in a progressive family, the child of career trade unionists, Maria
learned early the value of volunteerism and giving back to the community.
With the birth of her daughter Elora in 1996, she became the parent
of a blind child with multiple disabilities. Through her experiences
advocating for Elora she learned to advocate for other parents facing
similar challenges. In 2003, because of her advocacy work she was elected
President of the Parents of Blind Children of NYS, a division of the
National Federation of the Blind. Through the POBC NY she has worked
hard to assist other parents in advocating for their children. Under
her leadership the POBC NY has grown and prospered. They now conduct
regular meetings, workshops, and educational conferences throughout
NY as well as parent seminars at national and state conventions. In
November of 2004 Maria was honored with a community service award by
the Cosmopolitan Lions club in NYC. Later that year she was elected
to the board of the National Organization of Parents of Blind Children.
In December of 2004 she was asked to join the advisory board of Blind
Line a telephone and internet service that provides information regarding
resources for the blind in NYS. In 2005 she was appointed by Public
Advocate Betsy Gotbaum to the Citywide Council on Special Education.
Maria continues to strive to ensure a productive future for her daughter
and children who face similar challenges throughout New York State.
 Dalila
Oquendo, 1st. Vice President
Dalila Oquendo works in midtown as a Graphic Designer in the
fashion district, at home she is a devoted mom to two beautiful children,
13 yr old Christina who has CP and is legally blind, but that doesn't
stop Chrissy from sharing a smile and working her charm on anyone she
meets, and 18 yr old Steven who provides Dalila with all the teenage
drama she can handle. Dalila has championed many a fight for Chrissy's
rights for medical assistance and benefits that can improve her way
of life, this has been an ongoing challenge since Chrissy's birth due
to her multiple birth defects that had to be addressed and tackled at
a very early age. She has also championed Steven's cause since he was
a toddler especially when it comes to Steven's schooling since he needs
modified classes in order to stay up to par with the mainstream students,
IEP meetings and parent/teacher conferences are regulars on her plate.
Still Dalila finds time to attend meetings,seminars, workshops or conferences
that will give her the knowledge she needs in order to provide a better
quality of life for her children as well as other children or family's
that are in need of assistance. As 1st. V.P. of POBCNY, Dalila is able
to flex her advocate muscles and work along with others in order to
make the voice of the "challenged" heard in N.Y.
 Victoria
Murganti, 2nd.Vice President
Victoria is the parent of three beautiful children ages seven, four
and two. Marielle is her oldest child and her only daughter. Marielle
has cerebral palsy and is legally blind. Over the course of seven years
dealing with her daughter’s disabilities, Victoria has embraced all
the hardships and has made the choice to become an advocate helping
to improve her daughters' quality of life. In this journey she became
a part of an organization called Project DOCC (Delivery of Chronic Care)
in Maimonides Medical Center. This program is to help create a bridge
between first year pediatric residents and the life style of a chronically
ill child. Victoria is also a parent member in the Board of Education.
IEP meetings can be overwhelming so she sits in on the meetings to provide
support to the parents and help advocate for services the child may
be entitled to. Victoria also attends many workshops for parents and
has made many contacts to help obtain services. In this process Victoria
attended workshops hosted by the POBC NY. The passion to help parents
with information and to have our voices heard elected her to serve as
2nd.Vice President of the POBC NY. Victoria is currently attending college,
although not giving up her passion to help our children to be recognized
and their parents informed on services available.
 Annmarie
Lawson,, Secretary
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