Four Generations of MSB

For Melissa and her children, Ren and Ein, The Maryland School for the Blind (MSB) is more than a school—it’s a family tradition. Their story is part of a remarkable, multi-generational legacy that reaches back to Melissa’s grandfather, continued through her mother, Dorothy, and now shapes the experiences of her own two children. 

Dorothy, Melissa’s mother, has vivid memories of her time at MSB, which she attended from the age of four until her graduation in 1973. “When I first came here, we had dorms for the boys and girls, and study halls every night,” she recalls. The structured environment and close-knit community left a lasting impression on Dorothy. She remembers fun moments, like the candy store in Morrison Hall’s basement, where students would gather after study hall to socialize. She also fondly recalls the apple orchard on campus, where each dorm would get a bushel of apples. Although once, sneaking an apple out of turn taught her an unforgettable lesson in honesty. 

Life on campus in her day was filled with practical skills classes like sewing and cooking that would equip her for independence. Dorothy also learned Braille at MSB, a skill she later used to teach herself how to work a switch operator with. This became a life-long career for Dorothy, where she ultimately worked her way into office management. Today, she still uses Braille to navigate her daily life, and she marvels at the evolution of the school’s programs and technology that are now helping her grandchildren. 

Melissa was a student at MSB for a brief time in her high school years, arriving shortly after eye surgery complications claimed the remaining vision she had. Melissa recalled a significant moment of growth during her time at MSB came from a milestone lesson in Orientation & Mobility: crossing the busy intersection at Harford Rd and Taylor Ave. Ultimately, this experience led to Melissa embracing her eye condition and accepting the freedom that came with white cane travel. She recalls, “In high school, no one really knew what to do with me. I would have never graduated in public school alone. Coming here and being encouraged, sometimes forced, to do the things I didn’t want to do gave me the skills for the rest of my life.” Melissa now works as a Substitute Paraeducator at MSB, and volunteers her extra time as Secretary for Maryland Parents of Blind Children.

Melissa’s children continue the family tradition at MSB, but their experiences are unique to a new era. Ren, now eight, began at MSB as a very quiet and reserved child. “Ren came in here not talking… Five years ago, she wouldn’t say a word,” Melissa shares. But over time, Ren blossomed. The tailored environment of MSB gives students like Ren the tools they need to access their education—not just essential items like brailed materials, but tools that engage the senses, therapies that address personal challenges, and accessible buildings to navigate through. Ren now reads Braille, participates in class discussions, and even performs in school concerts—sometimes with a solo. Watching her gain confidence has been a beautiful journey for the whole family.

“MSB has supported her with all she’s been through. They’ve given her coping skills that developed her confidence,” Melissa says with gratitude. She continues, “When it was almost time for the last school concert, Ren said to me, ‘I’m so excited, but I’m so scared’, but she got up on the stage and sang her heart out anyway. That’s never something that she would have done before. I was in tears the whole time!”

For Ein, Ren’s younger brother, MSB has opened new ways to explore the world through touch and connection. In MSB’s Early Learning Center, he engages with tools like braille Legos and sensory exploration, which make learning fun and hands-on. Ein’s experience differs from many in his family in that he has more functional vision. Melissa explains that their eye condition is degenerative, so this may not always be the case for him. “I want Ein to have the skills he needs, so we’re trying to navigate ways to get him to feel, listen, and look, but not over-look.” Melissa continues, “they should be using their functional vision for fun, not to exhaust their eyes for schoolwork when they have other means of interacting with it.”

For Melissa, the school that first helped her as a teenager is now shaping the lives of her children, providing them with skills and confidence for a bright future. “When I was here, it was more about the basics,” Melissa says. “Now, seeing how Ren and Ein are growing with the support they get at MSB—it’s incredible.” 

Through each generation, MSB has adapted to meet its students’ needs in new and meaningful ways. The legacy of William, Dorothy, Melissa, and now Ren and Ein, is a testament to MSB’s lasting impact on families and its dedication to building a world where each child, regardless of their challenges, can reach their full potential.