[blindkid] alternative parenting guide

[Deborah Kent Stein]

Dear Sherry,

You can get the publication for free from the Independence Market at the 
National Center for the Blind: (410) 659-9314.  Ask for the Independence 
Market or for Ellen Ringlein.  You can reach me at the contact information 
below.

Debbie

dkent5817 at att.net
773-631-1093

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Sherry DeFrancesco" <sdefrancesco at optonline.net>
To: <dhammelia at aol.com>; <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, July 21, 2010 2:38 PM
Subject: Re: [blindkid] alternative parenting guide


> 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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