First Steps to Recovery, Inc.

2990 Brighton 12th Street Brooklyn, NY 11235, Tel. 718-743-5159

Community Board No. 15 Kingsborough Community College 2001 Oriental Blvd., Room C124 Brooklyn, NY 11235

July 30, 2013

Dear Chairwoman Scavo and Members of Community Board # 15,

I am writing to set the record straight regarding Chairwoman Scavos comments in the Sheepshead Bites newspaper, where she was quoted as saying about me, You saw his attitude here, with the dark sunglasses, thats how he came to a meeting trying to ask us to support, sitting there with those dark sunglasses and he wouldnt even take them off during the meeting.

At my very first meeting with the Assemblyman Cymbrowitz and Chairperson Scavo, I explained briefly that I suffer from a medical condition which renders me extremely light sensitive and requires me to wear sunglasses, even indoors. I am quite embarrassed by my impairment, and try to bring as little attention to it as possible. Unfortunately, Chairwoman Scavos forgetfulness and vocal insensitivity forces me to discuss my private health information in a very public forum.

First Steps to Recovery, Inc.

2990 Brighton 12th Street Brooklyn, NY 11235, Tel. 718-743-5159
During my former military service, I sustained permanent eye trauma when a flash grenade detonated in close proximity to me during a military operation. As a result, I have increased sensitivity to light (photophobia) and dry eye syndrome with blepharitis.

Friends, family and patients who are aware of my condition, are extremely angered by Chairwoman Scavos apparent misrepresentation of my need to wear sunglasses indoors, and are threatening to report this behavior to the Human Rights Commission as a disability hate crime. While I have asked them to refrain from escalating what is already an embarrassing situation for me, I did feel that I could not let this behavior hopefully based on forgetfulness and not malice, continue unchecked. I am requesting that Chairwoman Scavo immediately cease and desist her misleading characterizations of my disability.

Sincerely,

Igor Beregnoi, Ph.D., CASAC Brooklyn Program Director

CC:

Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz Commissioner Arlene Gonzalez-Sanchez Ned Berke, Sheepshead Bites Colin Mixson, Sheepshead Bites