Our residents all come from different backgrounds and each has a unique story to share. Enjoy getting to know them through these resident profiles, and learn more about life at Selis manor.
Sharon D. Joyner
Sharon Joyner is a resilient and inspiring individual originally from Manhattan, New York. She is passionate about listening to gospel music and sharing this inspirational genre with her friends. Sharon is a proud mother to her 31-year-old son, James A. Joyner, and enjoys cheering on her favorite sports teams, the New York Mets in baseball and the New York Knicks in basketball.
Having lost her vision at the age of five due to an accident, Sharon has become a fervent advocate for disability issues. She has found great satisfaction in serving on committees that address these matters. Despite her personal challenges, Sharon has thrived professionally, working for the New York State Division of Parole for 25 years, and even earning a supervisory position during her tenure.
Sharon’s personal experiences have led her to develop a strong sense of empathy and perseverance. Her proudest achievement is her successful career in civil service, but she also dreams of publishing a book she has been working on, which tells the story of a girl in a blind school and her dreams of heaven.
Sharon is passionate about making a difference in the lives of others, particularly in the area of disability support. She envisions a foundation that provides essential services to enhance the quality of life for individuals with disabilities, including basic housekeeping, organizational assistance, and help with neighborhood shopping.
Joyce Carrico
Joyce Carico is a compassionate and driven individual from Michigan. She has a passion for reading, with a particular interest in both fiction and non-fiction novels. Joyce is a proud mother to her 46-year-old son and 48-year-old daughter, whom she lovingly adopted.
Committed to making a difference in her community, Joyce is an advocate for equal access to life for blind individuals and supports cancer research for both adults and children. Known for her positive attitude, she always strives to find the bright side in every situation.
The best thing that has ever happened to Joyce is the adoption of her children, and she takes great pride in having made a difference in their lives and her small corner of the world. Through her advocacy work, she has inspired those around her to be more aware and supportive of people with disabilities.
Joyce envisions a foundation that could further enhance her quality of life by providing assistance with housekeeping tasks. By doing so, it would empower her to focus on her passions and continue making a difference in her community.
Through her unwavering dedication to her family and her tireless efforts in advocating for a more inclusive world, Joyce Carico has left an indelible mark on the lives of those around her.
Alexandra Hobbs
Alexandra Hobbs is a determined and resourceful individual hailing from Brooklyn, New York. She is passionate about trading, watching the financial market, and immersing herself in the world of literature by writing and reading good books. Alexandra is the proud mother of two amazing daughters, Faith and Destiny.
A strong advocate for accessibility and justice for people who are less able, Alexandra has dedicated her time and efforts to fighting for a more inclusive world. An interesting quirk about her is her preference for all her food to be served at room temperature.
Alexandra has learned to adapt and flourish in a world not necessarily designed for people like her. This experience has only strengthened her resolve to improve accessibility for others, leading her to establish a company called Maximal Capabilities Inc. Her vision for the company is to provide digital accessibility solutions for small and medium-sized businesses, ensuring a more inclusive experience for all. In the future, Alexandra dreams of traveling the world and mastering at least six languages, further expanding her horizons, and enriching her life and sharing her experiences with her children.
Her greatest source of pride comes from her two daughters, who she has been blessed to raise and guide through life. Alexandra envisions a foundation that can further enhance the quality of life for blind individuals by ensuring that technology is accessible and inclusive, allowing them to live fruitfully and productively as parents and professionals.
Through her commitment to advocacy and her unwavering spirit, Alexandra Hobbs has become a powerful force for change, inspiring others to work towards a more accessible and inclusive world.
Myrna Driffin
Myrna Driffin was born in Newark, New Jersey, to John and Barbara Driffin. She lived in New Jersey until she was 8 years old when her family moved to Jamaica, Queens. In Jamaica, she was introduced to Braille at the Salvation Army School for the Blind and went on to attend Elmira College, where she graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in psychology.
Myrna’s passion for helping others has been a constant throughout her life. She has worked as a peer counselor and has been able to use her education and training to make a positive impact on the lives of others, especially young adults and those with disabilities. In her free time, she enjoys listening to music, watching game shows, reading, traveling, and exercising.
One of the most significant challenges in Myrna’s life was losing her sight during her first year of college. Despite this setback, she persevered and went on to graduate, becoming the first of her parents’ children to do so. She is proud of her achievements, especially considering the lack of technology and resources available to visually impaired students during her time in college.
Myrna is a proud mother of four and a proud grandmother of 25 with one great grandson named Jaxon. She has a few things on her bucket list, including traveling to Aruba and Hawaii and writing her life story, which she believes has been filled with numerous memorable experiences and events.
In conclusion, Myrna Driffin is a woman of remarkable strength and resilience. Despite facing challenges, she has remained focused on her goals and has made a positive impact on the lives of others. Her passion for helping others and her love for her family are just a few of the many reasons why she is so highly regarded by those who know her. She would like the Associated Blind Fund to provide rehabilitation services and adaptive equipment for visually impaired individuals to further enhance their quality of life.
Lee Benton
Lee Benton Jr. is a proud native of Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, New York. He has a passion for helping others and spreading joy wherever he goes. His favorite hobby is bowling, but in his free time, he enjoys playing dominoes. Lee is a sports fan, and his favorite baseball team is the New York Mets, and his favorite basketball team is the New York Knicks.
Lee has faced challenges in his life, including a fire that broke out in his family home and left him hospitalized in 1967. However, he has also experienced great moments, such as securing a federal job as a phone operator for the United States Navy and becoming a father for the first time. Lee is proud of his job and the stability it provided for him and his family.
One of Lee’s life goals is to have the freedom to travel and not rely on anyone. He is also passionate about making tenants more comfortable and providing better accessibility in common areas.
In conclusion, Lee Benton Jr. is a proud and resilient individual who has faced challenges and overcome them. He is passionate about helping others and always has a smile on his face.