[blparent] introduction, expecting

Sun Aug 12 16:16:24 UTC 2012

As you would say, was that blindness related? Smile! You should and could
ask her that privately, not here.

-----Original Message-----
From: blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Gabe Vega Via Iphone4S
Sent: Saturday, August 11, 2012 8:13 PM
To: Blind Parents Mailing List
Cc: Blind Parents Mailing List
Subject: Re: [blparent] introduction, expecting

Okay, fine. I just don't like when people deny facts. But will Move on. .
Smiley face

Gabe Vega
Sent from my iPhone
(623) 565-9357

On Aug 11, 2012, at 6:54 PM, Marsha Drenth <marsha.drenth at gmail.com> wrote:

> This is nor the time or place. Lets stay on topic. 
> 
> thank you,
> 
> Marsha drenthSent from my iPhone
> 
> On Aug 11, 2012, at 9:39 PM, Gabe Vega Via Iphone4S
<theblindtech at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
>> Interesting, a simple no would have surfised. But if you are who I think
you are you do have three kids they live in Dallas. You used to be from
Dallas and then after that Baltimore. That is why you know so much about
Baltimore, interesting Marsha. Nice to see you on list, glad to know you're
doing well. I'm sure you remember me Gabe Vega from Phoenix Arizona. Also
known as the blind tech.
>> 
>> Gabe Vega
>> Sent from my iPhone
>> (623) 565-9357
>> 
>> On Aug 11, 2012, at 6:12 PM, Marsha Drenth <marsha.drenth at gmail.com>
wrote:
>> 
>>> Uh, not sure what the purpose of this post was. i'm Marsha Drenth,
atleast that is what my ID says. 
>>> 
>>> Marsha drenthSent from my iPhone
>>> 
>>> On Aug 11, 2012, at 7:47 PM, Gabe Vega Via Iphone4S
<theblindtech at gmail.com> wrote:
>>> 
>>>> I'm just curious, but didn't you used to being Marsha Lindsay? 
>>>> Thank you
>>>> 
>>>> Gabe Vega
>>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>> (623) 565-9357
>>>> 
>>>> On Aug 11, 2012, at 4:22 PM, Marsha Drenth <marsha.drenth at gmail.com>
wrote:
>>>> 
>>>>> Bernadetta, As a soon to be social worker, that frustrates me to 
>>>>> no end, of how rude she or he was. I wish I could say that they 
>>>>> were all nicer, and educated about blndness, but as we all know 
>>>>> all too well, they are not. If I have any thing to say about it, 
>>>>> at some point social workers wil be educated on blindness and 
>>>>> parenting. Yes i know I am aiming high, but its gotta stop some 
>>>>> where. Ok, I won't get on to my soap box now. LOL
>>>>> 
>>>>> Marsha drenthSent from my iPhone
>>>>> 
>>>>> On Aug 11, 2012, at 5:07 PM, Bernadetta Pracon
<bernadetta_pracon at samobile.net> wrote:
>>>>> 
>>>>>> Tatyana,
>>>>>> First of all, Congratulations on your new little one. Do you know
what you're having?
>>>>>> I am a relatively new mommy too. My baby boy was born almost six
months ago, so I thought I'd share my experiences with you. Prior to having
a baby, I didn't really have much experience with caring for small children.
I became terribly nervous when I was expecting, because it was drummed into
my mind that taking care of an infant is hard work, and on top of that I'm
blind, so it must be twice as hard. I thought I'd be scared to bring my
little one up and down the stairs at my home for example, thought I would
never learn how to change him properly, or feed him for that matter. I
thought I'd be carrying him around in a front pack forever because I'd be
afraid to accidentally bump him into a wall while walking or something.
Fast-forward six months, and guess what, I haven't even used my front pack.
Not once. And I've become a pro with my little one, as has my
boyfriend/partner. So far, my baby has not incurred any injuries, not even
minor ones.
>>>>>> I wanted to take  all of the classes offered by the hospital that Jo
Elizabeth mentioned, but the hospital I chose to give birth at was not easy
to get to on my own and I didnt' have the best transportation system in
place at the time. So I didn't end up taking advantage of them. However,
when I got there, I was confident and willing to learn everything I needed
to in order to safely care for my son. My partner who is also blind was
equally prepared to learn how to be responsible for our child. When we were
asked by nurses and doctors about how we would provide for our child, we
told them, patiently and confidently that we, like any other couple with a
small baby, would probably require some help and that we had my family
nearby if we needed them.
>>>>>> The only person at the hospital who got under my skin was the social
worker assigned to us: She was like a cross examiner, and for a social
worker, quite ignorant. She insisted on asking idiotic questions like, how
would we know if the baby had a poopy diaper, and she made it obvious that
in her mind, two blind people shouldn't live alone with a baby. We assured
her that we were going to be fine, and because we made a solid case for
ourselves, she had no loophole in which to slip in and cause trouble. It may
have also been helpful that my mom, who was in the hospital with us for the
birth (per my request) and then to visit the baby, assured the staff of the
hospital that if we needed her, she'd help us. That's not overstepping the
lines, in my oppinion; Every new grandma is eager to help with her child's
new baby,. Many new parents, whether blind or sighted seek their own parents
assistance with the baby for a time.
>>>>>> I ended up having a CSection which granted me a few more days at the
hospital. I took advantage of that; I asked the nurses to teach me about
diapering, swaddling, breastfeeding, and bathing my boy. Don't be nervous
about asking them for help, but be sure that at the end of your hospital
stay, you're able to show them that you've retained at least the basics of
baby care. If some nurse is being snooty with you and seems more willing to
berate you for being a blind mom than she is eager to teach you how to be
one, you should feel free to request assistance from someone else. It's your
hospital stay; The hospital should benefit you in whatever way they can, so
don't be  too shy to ask for help. I was fortunate to have had a great
hospital staff aiding my new family. The nurses and  PCA's, even the doctors
were supportive and seemed eager to give us a chance. But I'll tell you that
they did feel apprehensive, and had I not displayed my compitance and my
willingness to learn, they would have hesitated to allow the child to come
home with me. You need to be confident. You need to be sharp-minded and work
with the hospital staff. In most cases, they are just working in your baby's
best interest.
>>>>>> Well, that's that. I'm sorry for the long-winded message. i'm 
>>>>>> rambling. lol. Anyway, good luck, and if you need anything else, feel
free to ask the list, and since  I've been through all this recently, feel
free to email me off list if you need to talk and get advice, new mom to a
slightly  more seasoned new mom. lol Good  Luck!!
>>>>>> Bernadetta
>>>>>> 
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>>>>> 
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