[blparent] Child Protective Services

[Bridgit Pollpeter]

Jo Elizabeth,

Very good advice. I have a funny story on this topic though, kind of.

After our first ultrasound back in early January, one of our doctors,
who is truly supportive, asked if we would have support once the baby
arrives. We of course said yes, and like you, left it at that. She then,
however, went on to ask a very specific question: Do you have someone
who can check the baby's fingers to make sure a string isn't tied around
it? I wasn't angry, but I had to check myself from laughing. It was such
a specific concern, and not one likely to be overly concerned about just
yet with a newborn infant, grin. I'm not even entirely sure how such a
young infant could manage to wrap string around their finger, though
certainly things can happen, but I would be more concerned about such an
issue when the baby was older and more mobile. Penny didn't start
getting into such scrapes until she was beginning to role over and was
reaching for stuff. Plus, especially as a blind parent, I will be
touching every inch of my child's body quite frequently, so the chances
of a string being caught around their finger is not that great of a
concern. Of all the questions to ask, this one? Ha-ha!

Sincerely,
Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter
Read my blog at:
http://blogs.livewellnebraska.com/author/bpollpeter/
 
"History is not what happened; history is what was written down."
The Expected One- Kathleen McGowan

Message: 11
Date: Tue, 21 Feb 2012 20:26:40 -0700
From: "Jo Elizabeth Pinto" <jopinto at msn.com>
To: "NFBnet Blind Parents Mailing List" <blparent at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [blparent] Child Protective Services
Message-ID: <SNT116-DS3691D05FAA0DE30AB7C89AC640 at phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
	reply-type=original

Wow, isn't it something when people can't mind their own business?
Social 
Services came out once when Sarah was about nine months old because
someone 
reported that I was living alone with no support and I had a vicious
dog. 
Sarah's dad happened to answer the door because he was in fact living
with 
me, and my guide dog tried to lick the social worker to death.  She
wrote a 
report saying the concerns were unfounded, and she hasn't been back.

I was asked in the hospital if I would have help at home, and I said
yes, 
without defining what that help would be.  I was alone all day with
Sarah 
starting from when she was a week old, but her dad would be home at
night, 
and I still have a circle of friends, any of whom would be here in no
time 
if I asked.  I think all new moms need help and support, so if your
doctor 
questions you, I wouldn't recommend saying you'll be doing everything on

your own.  But you don't have to go into more detail than is asked for, 
either.

Jo Elizabeth