[blparent] Collecting info on foster-adoptions as blind couples

[Peggy]

So you want to start out with foster care then adoption?  I was a foster 
parent for a while and I was given a chance because my first girl's 
caseworker had a blind grandma.  Had that not happened, I'm not sure I would 
have ever gotten into foster care.  I had my first girl, then four more 
girls after that, two sets of sisters.  I am totally blind and was a single 
parent.  However, the state will no longer place children in my home anymore 
and I can't get a straight answer as to why.  I have gotten married and will 
talk to one person and they'll say it's something in my husband's 
background.  I will talk to someone else and they will say it's because a 
couple of my girls ran away *and continued to runaway even after being 
placed in a sighted parent home*.  Then someone else will tell me it's 
something I've done ... but no one will ever say what.  In the meantime, my 
foster care liscense has expired and I'm getting no placements.  Don't want 
to discourage you but it's going to be tough!!  I guess take the classes, 
get the certification completed and see how it goes.  Be as honest and open 
with caseworkers and others involved and try to stay calm.  You will have to 
prove yourself time and time again to folks who really don't believe that 
blind people can be parents.  I'm always on this list if you need anything 
or you can e-mail me off list if you'd like.  Good luck, stay calm, and 
remember if you get foster children or get to adopt that wonderful baby ... 
it will all have been worth it.  Educating the public isn't always a fun nor 
easy thing to do!!  Good luck!!


-----Original Message----- 
From: Bridgit Pollpeter
Sent: Wednesday, March 23, 2011 4:18 PM
To: blparent at nfbnet.org
Subject: [blparent] Collecting info on foster-adoptions as blind couples

Hello,

It has been a long while since posting.  I belong to so many email list,
and I can not devote equal amounts of time to each one.

I have brought this question up before, but I would like to receive some
concrete info on the experiences of blind couples adopting through a
foster-adopt program.

My husband and I are both blind, we plan to pursue a foster-adopt route.
I would like, specifically, for those who are part of a blind couple to
share their experiences with, specifically, foster-adoption.

So far, all the case workers we have met with about different types of
adoption have been open-minded and did not view our blindness as a
concern.  Still, it makes me a little nervous when meeting with new case
workers.  I have only spoke on the phone with a case worker for the
program we are applying with, and I do not feel it necessary to declose
our blindness, but obviously it will come up once we meet with them.

I ask specifically about blind couples because I have met couples where
one was blind and the other sighted, and this fact, even if the main
care giver was the blind one, set the case workers mind at ease.  Two
blind people can often be viewed differently.

I am aware that blindness is no reason to not allow an adoption, and it
is not a hindrance for raising children, but, as many of us know, the
rest of the world does not always agree.

Our 15-month-old niece is, for all intensive purposes, our surrogate
daughter.  My sister had her in high school, and we have taken on a hugh
chunk of responsibility with raising her.  We feel like parents, and we
have gone through the trials and errors parents make.  We have learned
what works, and what doesn't, and we have figured out how to deal with a
lot of situations, and of course, we are still learning as we go.  So,
we are confident in our parenting abilities.

I just want to be fully prepared.  I know we have support in the
Federation, but it is nice to be aware of experiences of others.

I would appreciate any advice, suggestions and comments from those who
have gone through a foster-adopt program.  I would be nervous regardless
of being blind or sighted.

Sincerely,
Bridgit


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