[blindkid] alternative parenting guide

[Sherry DeFrancesco]

Hi, 
No I do not have a copy of this publication, nor did I know it existed. This sounds like what I am seeking. 

Do you know where I can purchase this publication and/or how I can reach Debra Kent Stein? 

Thanks much. 

Sherry

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: dhammelia at aol.com 
  To: sdefrancesco at optonline.net ; blindkid at nfbnet.org 
  Sent: Wednesday, July 21, 2010 3:17 PM
  Subject: Re: [blindkid] alternative parenting guide


  Sherry,
               Do you have a copy of the book about what social workers and other professionals should know about blind parents?

  It is a good publication on sucessful blind parents.

  I got my copy from Deborah Kent Stein.

  We adopted our blind twins from China.  My wife is blind but I am sighted.





  -----Original Message-----
  From: Sherry DeFrancesco <sdefrancesco at optonline.net>
  To: holly miller <hollym12 at gmail.com>; NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List, (for parents of blind children) <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
  Sent: Wed, Jul 21, 2010 1:28 pm
  Subject: Re: [blindkid] alternative parenting guide


Hi Holly, 

Thank you for all of your suggestions, they are in fact good ones. We are way 
past the homestudy stage and in fact have received U.S. immigration approval. It 
is the country adoption officials asking for more info. We have provided pages 
and pages of resources and information about everything imaginable about 
blindness. They are requesting  are specific step by step parenting  skills that 
we need to provide. I was seeking something published to back up our letters. 

Again, thank you. It's so nice to hear that you got through the adoption process 
successfully. My hubby and I are totally blind and the country restrictions 
include blindness as a "NO," so we are requesting a waiver. 

Thanks again, Sherry 
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: holly miller 
  To: Sherry DeFrancesco ; NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List, (for parents of blind 
children) 
  Sent: Wednesday, July 21, 2010 12:48 AM
  Subject: Re: [blindkid] alternative parenting guide


  Hi Sherry!
  Our younger son is adopted from China & has Albinism.  I'm always thrilled to 
hear about more kids finding families!
  While no blind parent should have to jump through hoops to be allowed to 
parent, potential adoptive parents have a lot of hoop jumping to do, just the 
nature of the beast.  Even if you know what to do on your own, showing that you 
have taken the time to seek out resources, that you have a plan and have sources 
of support and advice to turn to will make for a good home study :smile


  You will do fine with some old fashioned common sense but you are right, the 
social workers and the paperwork pushers like to have reassurances.  We had to 
provide specific examples of how we would handle Hank being blind and what 
resources we had available, both medical and educational.  This is something 
they ask of all prospective parents (rightly so!)  


  In my opinion, things a social worker will like to hear is that you are a NFB 
and/or POBC member and you have befriended other blind parents.  If you don't 
typically go to chapter meetings, try to get to some in the near future so you 
can say you attend.  If you are on close terms with another blind parent, use 
them as one of your references (assuming you know each other well enough for 
that)   Or perhaps see if another blind parent is willing to write a letter 
stating you are welcome to call on them for mentoring and advice.  Belonging to 
online groups like this can be phrased as being a member of a blind-parent and 
parent of blind children support groups.  If there aren't books out there 
specifically targeting blind parents, be able to reference the books on 
educating blind children like Carol's "Making it Work" & Joe Cutter's O&M book.  



  Think about it like writing a resume.  You never want to lie but you certainly 
want to project the best image of yourself as possible. 


  Best of luck!
  Holly
  aka Hank's mom





  On Wed, Jul 21, 2010 at 12:07 AM, Sherry DeFrancesco <sdefrancesco at optonline.net> 
wrote:

    Hi Steve and Laurie,

    Thank you. We too feel confident in our ability to parent. I enjoyed hearing 
about your family. Best to the both of you with your upcoming bundle of joy!

    Thanks for your good wishes.
    Sherry

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