Eva Potts, the founder of Mary Carmel’s Light, has an impressive background in human services, especially advocating for people with a dual diagnosis of developmental disabilities and mental health conditions. Her career includes roles such as Director of Operations for a private provider agency, where she focused on connecting individuals with appropriate healthcare, educational services, and vocational rehabilitation. She also served as Director of a 5-Star preschool for Easter Seals/United Cerebral Palsy, helping both typical and atypical children prepare for the transition into the public school system.

Eva also has extensive experience in property management and holds a NC Broker’s License. In addition to her professional accomplishments, Eva took on the responsibility of caring for her parents as they faced health challenges. Working alongside her brother, Kevin Potts, she served as a caregiver for their mother, Mary Carmel, who battled Charles Bonnet Syndrome until her passing in 2020.

Motivated by the strength and resilience their mother showed during her fight with CBS, Eva and Kevin decided to honor her memory by founding Mary Carmel’s Light. The organization aims to raise awareness and educate the public and the medical community about Charles Bonnet Syndrome. Despite Eva’s struggle with breast cancer, she and Kevin continued their nonprofit work, hosting support groups, advocating for those with CBS, and managing a CBS helpline.

Eva is married to Dr. Jimmy Watkins of Wingate University (retired). She has three wonderful bonus children and four lovely grandchildren. Her personal and professional experiences have undoubtedly shaped her dedication to making a positive difference in the lives of people facing health challenges, especially those affected by Charles Bonnet Syndrome.

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 did his medical/surgical internship in Tulsa, OK, and his ophthalmology residency at Michigan State University/Metropolitan Hospital. He did a neuro-ophthalmology fellowship at the University of Illinois Eye & Ear Infirmary.

Dr. Skorin is a Past-President of the Minnesota Osteopathic Medical Society. He is a Costin Institute Scholar in osteopathic medical education and received the Presidential Achievement Certificate for his medical and surgical mission work in Ukraine from the American Osteopathic College of Ophthalmology. He has presented over 700 invited and named lectures throughout the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Spain, England, Germany, and Ukraine. He has several hundred scientific publications, including various textbook chapters, and is the Co-Editor and Co-Author of six ophthalmic textbooks. In 2006, he was awarded the Distinguished Clinician of the Year Award from the Mayo Clinic Health System – Albert Lea. In 2017, the American Osteopathic College of Ophthalmology awarded him the Governor’s Achievement Certificate.

Dr. Skorin completed the Mayo Clinic/University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management Leadership Development Program in 2010 and a Master of Science in Medical Education Leadership through the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2011. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and 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 and worked 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 offers encouragement and reliable information through CBS Facebook groups and continues to join the Saturday CBS support Zoom with Dr. Gary Cusick and Eva Potts. 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 Quick is an outstanding professional deeply immersed in the realms of real estate, zoning, construction, and development. Sharelle’s journey has woven a tapestry of expertise, capturing the intricate details of county and municipality standards and procedures. But what truly sets Sharelle apart is her unwavering commitment to helping others. She goes beyond the call of duty for her clients and colleagues, establishing not just professional connections but genuine friendships.

Beyond her wealth of professional knowledge, Sharelle’s proactive nature shines brightly. Faced with a question or challenge, she doesn’t settle for what she already knows. Instead, Sharelle takes the reins, diving into thorough research and analysis to provide comprehensive assistance. Her dedication to continuous learning and creative problem-solving makes her an invaluable asset to everyone fortunate enough to know her.

Her profound understanding of real estate, zoning, and development is not just a skill—it’s a quality that positions Sharelle for trust and respect within the industry. She is a true ally dedicated to the success and well-being of those around her.

Kenneth M. Ellis: Educator, Scenographer, Art Director

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

His interest in and engagement with Charles Bonnet Syndrome and Mary Carmel’s Light comes from a very personal place. Ken is a caregiver and the life partner of one who suffers from Charles Bonnet Syndrome (CBS), having firsthand experience with the struggles and torments that having this condition imposes on its sufferers.

Witnessing one so close to him experiencing these often frightening hallucinations ignited a desire to get involved with any effort to advocate for greater public awareness and for the ultimate discovery of medical treatments that will one day alleviate the immense suffering caused by CBS.

Antoinette McDonald-Ellis, A.B.D. is a performance artist, writer, teacher, public speaker and an advocate for both glaucoma and CBS. Antoinette is legally blind and has been living with Charles Bonnet Syndrome for several years. Antoinette worked as a college teacher for nearly 25 years, where she had the privilege to instruct and mentor many young minds. She has also been a performance artist since 1990.

Antoinette has been living and dealing with the off-putting effects of CBS and understands the alienating nature of living with hallucinations that are often confusing and horrifying. Her mission is to bring awareness to issues related to blindness with a particular focus on the debilitating effects of glaucoma and the chilling impact of living with CBS.

Antoinette is pleased to be working with this illustrious group of individuals to bring CBS into the zeitgeist of common discourse and work to advocate and develop effective treatments for individuals living with CBS.

Dr. Gary Cusick (a.k.a. The Head Cheese) earned his doctorate in Rehabilitation Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He worked 18 years with the Kentucky Department of Vocational Rehabilitation’s McDowell Center. He has taught live or online at five universities. His focus has been on the unique needs of persons with disabilities. He retired in 2021 from a residential rehabilitation center that provided blindness skills for those with visual impairments.

Since retirement, Dr. Cusick has tirelessly dedicated his time and energy to gathering as much research information as possible about CBS and sharing it with the medical community, the CBS community, and their families and caregivers.

Dr. Cusick hosts a weekly support group that provides a safe space for people with CBS to share their experiences, challenges, and triumphs. He also offers a supportive environment for the families and caregivers of those living with the syndrome. Additionally, he provides advice through the MCL Helpline for individuals experiencing a crisis related to CBS.

Dr. Cusick is a fundamental part of the foundation on which MCL was built and remains a vital contributor to the growth and success MCL continues to experience under his leadership and loyalty to the CBS community.

Siobhan Midgley 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.

Siobhan’s work in the field has led her to many clients with Charles Bonnet Syndrome (CBS) where she provides support and education. She has presented on CBS for the IAER, OIB-TAC, and Second Sense. Her next CBS talk will be as a guest on Hadley’s podcast Series “Hadley Presents: A Conversation with the Experts”.

Siobhan received her bachelor’s degree in neuroscience from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 2018 and her master’s degree and certifications in Vision Rehabilitation Therapy, Orientation & Mobility, and Teaching of the Visually Impaired at Northern Illinois University in 2020.

Rosemary, aka Ro, is a retired civilian federal employee with 28 years beginning in Germany and ending in Virginia, working with the Department of Defense. It was a juggling act all those years with an Active Duty Spouse, three children, and a big German Shepherd, but the family persevered through the good as well as the difficult times. Her children grew to be kind, loving, and wonderful adults… which now includes her beautiful grandchildren. That is her legacy!

Her strong and emotional connection with Charles Bonnet Syndrome (CBS) and Mary Carmel’s Light began when her dear sister Mary was grossly misdiagnosed with Dementia. While Eva and Kevin were busy taking care of Mary, Ro did some digging on the internet and found CBS symptoms for visually impaired people. She sent the article to Eva and Kevin, and the rest is history.

Ro is very excited and 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 their vision impairment. May the light shine on all!