Elio Riggillo
OUSA President

Elio has Usher syndrome type 1 and is married with 3 young children. He works at George Brown College, teaching ASL in the Intervenor Program. He also works for a local supermarket. Elio enjoys sports like hockey and also loves socializing and meeting new people. Elio is involved with a group that is working hard to get increased intervenor services for people
who have acquired deaf-blindness.

Merico Tesolin
OUSA Vice President

Merico has Usher syndrome type 1. He was born in Calgary, Alberta and moved to Ontario when he was 3 months old. He first went to Robarts School for the Deaf in London and later graduated in 2003 from Ernest C. Drury School for the Deaf in Milton. Merico works part time as a literacy instructor in the CNIB DeafBlind program. He also works part time, providing support and teaching independent life skills to a deaf person with Down's syndrome. As OUSA's Vice President, Merico enjoys being a leader and role model for people with Usher syndrome and really enjoys meeting new people.

Karen Murphy
OUSA Secretary

Karen has Usher syndrome type 2. She is married and has a black lab guide dog named Yorkie plus four pet cats. She works for the Pet Sitting Company, looking after the animals. Karen also enjoys going to the gym in her spare time.

Marissa Lauffman
OUSA Treasurer

Marissa has Usher syndrome type 1. She lives in Stratford, Ontario and is mother to two young boys. She attended Gallaudet University in Washington, DC for a few years. Marissa used to work as a clerk and accounting officer at a bank. She likes being active, enjoying walking, running and crafting, plus meeting new people and participating in many activities. She once participated in a 3.5 km run to support a hospital fundraiser. As Treasurer for OUSA, Marissa enjoys looking after the books and helping raise funds for the club.

Megan McHugh
OUSA Webmaster

Megan has Usher syndrome type 2. She teaches computer skills to people who are blind or deaf-blind. She loves sports and is one of only two women on a blind mens' ice hockey team. Megan also plays softball for a womens' competitive fastpitch team. She is currently involved with a group that is trying to get increased funding to provide more intervenor services for people who have acquired deaf-blindness. In addition, Megan loves spending time working and playing with her wonderful Leader Dog, Billy.