[blparent] Anxious

[Nikki Fugett-Dobens]

Stacey,
Hi.  My husband and I are both completely blind, and we have a 22 month old 
daughter.  We didn't run in to problems like these at the hospital, or 
throughout my prenatal care appointments.  One time, a nurse asked me if I 
would have help when I first got home right before I had Mackenzie, and I 
told her that I would have someone who was visually impaired to kind of show 
me the ropes.  I hadn't had much experience with babies, so I was nervous. 
I explained that the reason someone who was blind was helping me was because 
I wouldn't do everything like someone who was sited would.  They seemed to 
understand this, and every nurse seemed to think we were somehow amazing, 
and we felt very comfortable during our stay.
I have to admit, people sometimes seemed surprised, when I tell them we 
raise our daughter and we're without vision, but she's always been helpful 
and always a little advanced for her age.
I was anxious about this as well, but I had faith that people would be fair, 
and not jump to conclusions.  When I'm out with my daughter, people might 
ask annoying questions, or want to help, but I try to just remain calm and 
polite, which is somewhat hard.
I understand why this situation would make you nervous, but not everywhere 
is like that.
Hope this helps!
Nikki
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Cervenka, Stacy (Brownback)" <Stacy_Cervenka at brownback.senate.gov>
To: <blparent at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Friday, May 28, 2010 12:12 PM
Subject: [blparent] Anxious


> 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
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