[blparent] Anxious

[Cervenka, Stacy (Brownback)]

Hi, everyone,
	I'm fairly new to this listserv. I'm not currently a blind parent, but my boyfriend and I are both blind and we're beginning to move toward marriage and a family, so I've been lurking on this list, hoping to learn a little about what Greg and I will be in for in the future as blind parents.
	Anyway, I've been reading the posts the last few days about all the issues blind couples run into when giving birth, especially when both parents are blind, and honestly, it's got me really discouraged and anxious. Does every blind couple run into these sorts of problems at the hospital? Is there anything we can do to be proactive and prevent this sort of thing from happening to us? Is it better to give birth at home with a midwife or in a birthing center, where you can get to know the staff beforehand? I know that having kids is a few years away for me, but this has me worried sick. My number one goal in life has always been to be a mom and I can't imagine having the state stand in my way.
	FYI, I've emailed info about this couple's case to Gary Wunder and a few others, so hopefully somebody will be in contact with the couple soon, if they haven't been already.

Stacy Leigh Cervenka
Legislative Assistant
Office of Senator Sam Brownback (KS)
303 Hart Senate Office Building
Phone: (202) 224-6521
Email: stacy_cervenka at brownback.senate.gov