[blparent] "General public" and their impressions

[trishs]

Unfortunately, we'll always be questioned.  We educate the public 
just by being confident in our own abilities.

> ----- Original Message -----
>From: "Karla Hudson" <HudsonKC at msu.edu
>To: <blparent at nfbnet.org
>Date sent: Fri, 5 Jun 2009 18:17:13 -0400
>Subject: [blparent] "General public" and their impressions

>Hi group,

>I have been a silent observer watching the discussion about the 
"blind
>parent meeting" and topics to be covered.

>The discussion that Tammy had with her mail man hit a note with 
me.  I
>sometimes get from people responses like "I bet your daughter is 
a great
>help to you."  My husband and I have a solid answer "where it is 
age
>appropriate."  If you allow people to go there with the twisted 
way the
>"general public" thinks they will have the impression that your 
children are
>doing the laundry, cooking the meals and reading your mail.  I 
really think
>that many sighted people are that clueless.  I do not want to 
discount the
>stuff my children do accomplish but care giving of their parents 
is just
>absurd by sighted adults.  I mean really haven't these people had 
children
>and learned the capacity of a four year-old! Okay, so that is my 
"soap box"
>about that one.

>As far as stats and real numbers.  The organizations of the blind 
should
>probably give some real substantiated data.  However, there is no 
substitute
>for real life stories.

>We did have an interesting situation with a hospital Social 
worker and nurse
>who had 27 years experience with the hospital, when we gave birth 
to our
>first child.  Even though my doctor had done some prep work with 
writing a
>letter in our file indicating our independent abilities.  I later 
found out
>that the hospital Social worker had not even taken the time to 
read our file
>before meeting with us.  She was later reprimanded by the CEO of 
the
>hospital.  We were also offered WIC.  I have no problem with WIC 
but she
>failed to again read that both my husband and I were employed and 
made too
>much to qualify.  I am sure the Social Worker was made even more 
embarrassed
>to find out that her husband and mine were both working together 
on a major
>project at their employer.  What a small world for this lady who 
made so
>many mistakes.

>I think by sharing our stories we let other couples no what they 
are up
>against and help them hope for the best but prepare for the worst 
when it
>comes to the "general public" and hospital experiences when 
having their
>children.  I would be interested to know if more blind 
individuals are
>bothered by CPS when they are blind couples or single blind 
parents.  I
>would bet these couples and single parents are targeted more 
often.  The
>hospital seemed pretty insistent that I have sighted help when I 
came home.
>I lied and told them we did but in fact one of their hospital 
employees, a
>good friend of mine, who happened to be blind as well was coming 
to help.
>Joke was on them!

>So that is my story in a nut shell.  There are more details about 
the first
>go around with the birth in the hospital.  I won't drag on with 
all the
>details.  The second time around things went much better with our 
son.

>Our daughter is now seven and just finished first grade.  Who 
says to blind
>people can't raise a kid!  By the way I have two friends both in 
their late
>80's who raised ten kids.  Back in the day nobody question their 
abilities
>or sent CPS.  I guess everyone new just to stay out of others 
business that
>families took care of their own.

>Karla Hudson


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