Melissa Blubaugh has been appointed to the Maryland Statewide Independent Living Council.  Maryland Statewide Independent Living Council plays an integral part in the independent living arena.

A few services and/or duties which the Council members provide are as follows: monitor, review, and evaluate the implementation of the State Plan for Independent Living; coordinate activities with the State Rehabilitation Council and other councils that address the needs of specific disability populations and issues; hold hearings and forums as needed to carry out the duties of the Council; and other activities the Council may determine appropriate which are consistent with state or federal law and regulation.

Melissa chose to advocate for people with disabilities in 1993, when she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. She is happy to represent Western Maryland because they have had a lack of representation in the past, so she is ready to bring great ideas back to the area.

Melissa has also been a board member for Resources for Independence since 2011. Resources for Independence provides services that promote independence, accessibility, self-advocacy, productivity, and quality of life for all individuals with disabilities.

Since the pandemic started and being immunocompromised, she spends her free time at home reading and hanging out with her dog, a shih-tzu mix named Cooper. Her daughter is a junior Political Science and Legal Studies double major at Frostburg State University and she really enjoys discussing current events and issues with her.

She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Language and Literature from the University of Maryland, College Park. Before returning to the area in 2010, she spent several years volunteering at a Jefferson County, WV elementary school where she coordinated and managed a mentoring program for students needing academic and social skill reinforcement.

Melissa is surprised, honored, and thankful to be nominated for Maryland Statewide Independent Living Council.

You can find more information about MSILC here http://www.msilc.org/.