Eva has an impressive background in human services, specifically advocating for individuals with a dual diagnosis of developmental disabilities and mental health illnesses. Her career includes roles such as Director of Operations for a private provider agency and Director of a 5-Star preschool for Easter Seals/United Cerebral Palsy, where she focused on aligning individuals with proper healthcare, educational services, and vocational rehabilitation.

Eva also has extensive experience in property management and holds a NC Broker’s License. Partnering with her brother Kevin Potts, she served as a primary caregiver for their mother, Mary Carmel, who battled Charles Bonnet Syndrome until her passing in 2020. Motivated by the strength and resilience their mother demonstrated, Eva and Kevin founded Mary Carmel’s Light to raise awareness and provide education about CBS to both the medical community and the general public.

Kevin has spent a career in the music and entertainment business, eventually leading to work in artist management and various entertainment media endeavors. A pause in that career to give care to his blind mother—with the help of his sister Eva—is what led to the discovery of the urgent need for Charles Bonnet Syndrome awareness.

The difficulty the family experienced discovering, understanding, and treating CBS for their mother is why Eva and Kevin founded Mary Carmel’s Light. Now their mother’s spirit helps others understand and cope with CBS, making it easier for them than it was for her.

Dr. Skorin completed his OD at the Illinois College of Optometry and his DO at the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed an ophthalmology residency at Michigan State University and a neuro-ophthalmology fellowship at the University of Illinois Eye & Ear Infirmary.

A Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and the American Osteopathic College of Ophthalmology, Dr. Skorin has delivered over 700 invited lectures across the US, Canada, Australia, Europe, and Ukraine. He is Co-Editor and Co-Author of six ophthalmic textbooks and has several hundred scientific publications, including textbook chapters. He received the Presidential Achievement Certificate for medical and surgical mission work in Ukraine from the American Osteopathic College of Ophthalmology.

Bettie Black is a retired professional with more than 38 years of experience working in medical offices — supporting doctors, nurses, and patients with compassion and care. She held key administrative management roles, guiding and encouraging teams of up to 30 people. She kept all medical licenses, insurance contracts, and practice agreements up to date for multiple physicians and physician assistants. She also earned her CPC (Certified Professional Coder) credential, working in medical coding. For four years, Bettie was the devoted caregiver for her mother, who had begun losing her sight years earlier due to age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and later struggled with complex Charles Bonnet Syndrome (CBS). That journey deepened Bettie’s empathy and understanding of the challenges faced by those living with complex medical and emotional conditions. Bettie is deeply supportive of Mary Carmel’s Light and the dedication behind it. She offers encouragement and reliable information through CBS Facebook groups, often referring people to Dr. Gary Cusick, Eva Potts, and Mary Carmel’s Light for trustworthy resources and a sense of community. She continues to join the Saturday CBS support Zoom with Dr. Gary Cusick and Eva Potts, where she stays informed, supported, and connected with a caring “family.” She brings with her the insight and compassion gained from her own caregiving experience and offers encouragement to others navigating similar challenges. Bettie finds joy in caring for others — especially infants and young children. She cherishes time with her family, enjoys the beauty of Idaho’s mountains and rivers, and loves being in the company of her two dogs.

Sharelle is an outstanding professional deeply immersed in real estate, zoning, construction, and development. Her journey has built deep expertise in county and municipality standards and procedures, and she is known for going above and beyond for clients and colleagues — establishing not just professional connections but genuine friendships.

Faced with a question or challenge, Sharelle dives into thorough research and analysis to provide comprehensive assistance. Her dedication to continuous learning and creative problem-solving make her an invaluable asset, and her profound understanding of real estate and development places her in a position of trust and respect within the industry.

Ken is an artist and educator who for the past twenty years taught at the collegiate level at Louisiana State University, University of Texas Arlington, and Western Michigan University. In the decades prior, he was a professional designer, art director, and props artisan working in Hollywood.

His engagement with CBS and Mary Carmel’s Light comes from a deeply personal place — Ken is a caregiver for his life partner, who lives with Charles Bonnet Syndrome. Witnessing the often frightening hallucinations that CBS imposes ignited a desire to advocate for greater public awareness and the discovery of medical treatments that will one day alleviate this suffering.

Duchess Antoinette McDonald-Ellis is a performance artist, writer, teacher, and an advocate for both glaucoma and CBS. Antoinette is legally blind and has been living with Charles Bonnet Syndrome for several years. She has worked and taught at the collegiate level for nearly 25 years and has been a performance artist since 1990.

Antoinette understands firsthand the alienating nature of living with hallucinations that are often confusing and frightening. Her mission is to bring awareness to issues related to blindness — particularly the debilitating effects of glaucoma and CBS — and to develop effective treatments and support systems for those living with the condition and the caregivers in their lives.

Dr. Cusick earned his doctorate in Rehabilitation Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He taught live and online for five universities, focusing on the unique needs of persons with disabilities, and retired in 2021 from a residential rehabilitation center that provided blindness skills for persons with visual impairments.

Since retirement, Dr. Cusick has maintained his clinical psychologist license and devoted his energy to increasing understanding and awareness of Charles Bonnet Syndrome. He launched the first US CBS Support Group and tirelessly works to bring education and awareness about CBS to the US medical community and the general public.

Siobhan is the founder and CEO of Focus Forward Vision Services, an educational consulting company providing habilitation, rehabilitation, and consulting services for blind and visually impaired children and adults. Her work in the field has led her to many clients with Charles Bonnet Syndrome, where she provides support and education.

She has presented on CBS for organizations including the Illinois American Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (IAER) and the Older Individuals who are Blind Technical Assistance Center. Siobhan received her bachelor’s degree in neuroscience from the University of Illinois at Chicago and her master’s degree and certifications in Vision Rehabilitation Therapy, Orientation & Mobility, and Teaching of the Visually Impaired at Northern Illinois University.

Rosemary is a retired civilian federal employee with 28 years of service beginning in Germany and ending in Virginia, working with the Department of Defense. Throughout her career she balanced the demands of an Active Duty spouse and raising three children — who have grown into kind, loving, wonderful adults.

Her connection with CBS and Mary Carmel’s Light began when her sister Mary was misdiagnosed with dementia. Rosemary researched the symptoms and found CBS — and the rest became history. She is honored to be a part of Mary Carmel’s Light, with the hope that this nonprofit will improve the lives of those affected by this residual effect of vision impairment.