[blindkid] When your child realizes she's different....

[Carrie Gilmer]

Dear Janice,

My oldest child is 26, my youngest 11, with two in between. Once one of the
sibs commented on how different a parent I was in some ways with the
youngest (calmer for one thing-smile). I pointed out I have been through
elementary school five times now, including my own personal time. I asked
them what kind of a parent would I be if I had learned something was a
mistake and just kept on doing it to be "fair" and the same--what if I never
became a better parent? A better person? They were responded with ...oh,
yeah...smile.

When I first found out my son was blind I cried for exactly 21 days
straight. I have learned a lot since then. Many of the people I learned from
are on this list, pretty much all of them are in the NFB or NOPBC somewhere.

The ability to learn and correct is the biggest indicator of a wise and
graceful person--I am glad that you were able to see something new and have
the inner strength and wisdom to act accordingly. Ari is fortunate to have
such a mother. Very fortunate indeed.

 
 
Carrie Gilmer, President
National Organization of Parents of Blind Children
A Division of the National Federation of the Blind
NFB National Center: 410-659-9314
Home Phone: 763-784-8590
carrie.gilmer at gmail.com
www.nfb.org/nopbc
-----Original Message-----
From: blindkid-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindkid-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of jjordan_pa at yahoo.com
Sent: Wednesday, November 19, 2008 7:33 PM
To: NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List,(for parents of blind children)
Subject: Re: [blindkid] When your child realizes she's different....

This has been an eye-opener for me and I always learn so much from this
group. It never occurred to me that I was erring in making Ari feel unique
and special "because" of her blindness. I have always praised and encouraged
traits aside from her sight but can tell that I was emphasizing her
blindness. Your insights and the changes that it has brought about in my
thinking and my future interactions with my daughter are invaluable to me.
Thank you all.  Janice
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

-----Original Message-----
From: "Carrie Gilmer" <carrie.gilmer at gmail.com>

Date: Wed, 19 Nov 2008 17:05:05 
To: 'NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List,\(for parents of blind
children\)'<blindkid at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [blindkid] When your child realizes she's different....


What a precious. Thanks for sharing Bonnie. The innocent and wide minded
exploration of childhood is a beautiful thing. I think it is pertinent.

I am sure she is growing up to be comfortable with her self since you so
obviously are, and if any doubts come you will meet them as matter of factly
as you have met the curiousity. 

We had a lot of great posts on it yesterday... BTW thanks to all for
sharing.
 
Carrie Gilmer, President
National Organization of Parents of Blind Children
A Division of the National Federation of the Blind
NFB National Center: 410-659-9314
Home Phone: 763-784-8590
carrie.gilmer at gmail.com
www.nfb.org/nopbc

-----Original Message-----
From: blindkid-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindkid-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of bjhgac at charter.net
Sent: Wednesday, November 19, 2008 3:39 PM
To: blindkid at nfbnet.org
Cc: blindkid-request at nfbnet.org
Subject: Re: [blindkid] When your child realizes she's different....


I remember when Iris was about four years old, she asked to get her ears
pierced.  When I questioned her further, she said that she wanted to do it
"because then I could see myself in the mirror like Heather (her sighted
cousin)."  We talked more about being blind and also that having pierced
ears had nothing to do with being able to see.  To this day, she's no longer
interested in getting her ears pierced <g>!

Not really pertinent to the conversation, just that it was the only time she
spoke about being different (so far).

Bonnie

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