[blparent] Child Protective Services & blind parenting

[Kate McEachern]

Um, first I don't think parenting classes should mandatory because I hate 
the idea of people being forsed in to one way of doing things.  I think its 
fine for parenting classes to be offered for those who want them but for 
myself I never took one.  And I have two kids that are doing fine.  And in 
my situation my being Blind wasn't the main ishue of the clame made against 
my family.

But, even though I don't like it there are still people who think Blind 
people shouldn't parent.  Not saying its right but its just something to be 
ready to deel with.

Kate
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bridgit Pollpeter" <bpollpeter at hotmail.com>
To: <blparent at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, February 22, 2012 4:13 PM
Subject: [blparent] Child Protective Services & blind parenting


>I think parenting classes for any new parent should be provided and
> mandatory whether disabled or not, adopting or biological pregnancy, but
> no laws currently enforce such classes except for adopting parents. No
> parent should require a certification just because they are blind. I'm
> not admonishing Hadley for offering this, but making a comment on
> society because we have to consider doing such a thing. New parents, and
> even people with children already, can benefit from learning parenting
> skills, and though much of it is common sense, parents who are blind
> feel more comfortable learning certain alternative techniques and
> methods for parenting, but classes like what Hadley offers should not be
> taken simply because blind parents may require "proof" of their ability
> to parent. It's abhorrent that anyone in 2012 still fear this issue.
>
> I didn't plan on announcing this until next week, and I request anyone
> who is Facebook friends with me not post anything just yet, or post
> anywhere outside this list serve,  as we will tell my in-laws this
> weekend, but my husband and I are expecting our first biological child.
> We are eleven weeks along, and so far, none of our doctors have given us
> a reason to suspect they doubt our ability to parent as a blind couple.
> They have been supportive, encouraging and just pleased as punch about
> our pregnancy. I know the med team working with us when I go into labor
> may have some concerns outside the team we currently work with, but
> nothing so far has given us a reason to be overly concerned with this
> issue. That being said, we are aware, informed and armed should, God
> forbid, something come up once the baby is here. It's sad to me,
> especially since I wasn't always blind, that any parent with a visual
> impairment need be concerned on any level about this. And trust me, when
> mama bear's claws come out, well, it doesn't bode well for those
> provoking me. That bear poking stick will quickly turn into kindling.
>
> I will need to stop soon because this topic makes my blood pressure rise
> through the roof, grin, though I have low BP so I guess it's not to bad,
> LOL! It's just ridiculous and egregious that we need potentially "prove"
> anything to anyone based solely on the purpose that we are blind. The
> rant is done for now, smirky grin.
>
> 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: 5
> Date: Tue, 21 Feb 2012 19:40:54 -0600
> From: "sharon howerton" <shrnhow at att.net>
> To: "NFBnet Blind Parents Mailing List" <blparent at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: Re: [blparent] Child Protective Services
> Message-ID: <AD4C487FB83F4BB78F9BE5F2CBE5CA1D at sharonlaptop>
> Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
> reply-type=original
>
> Heather, congratulations on your upcoming birth. I hope things are going
>
> well. Many of us on this list are blind parents and have never had a
> problem
> with child protective service. Many years ago when I was a rehab
> counselor,
> I found that the only time I got calls about expectant moms was when the
>
> medical people felt that the baby did not have adequate care or
> inadequate
> support for the parent(s), thus not enough care for the baby. . Also, I
> am
> an instructor with the Hadley School and teach a three course parenting
> series, the first course of which is Preparation. It is a lengthy course
>
> with assignments and all but is at least affiliated with us, provides a
> certificate upon completion and is just one more resource available to
> you.
> My own sons are 28 and almost 26 years, I am totally blind and their dad
> who
> is my ex has some vision. If you have any questions about Hadley or
> would
> want to contact me directly, you are welcome to do so at my home email
> shrnhow at att.net or Hadley sharon at hadley.edu The other two courses in our
> series, for those who are new here, are Infancy
> which covers the first year and Early Years which covers ages 1 to 5. We
>
> don't pretend to be the be all and end all, but at least these courses
> can
> get you started. As many of you know, there is no charge for our
> courses. Sharon Howerton
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> blparent mailing list
> blparent at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blparent_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
> blparent:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blparent_nfbnet.org/kflsouth%40gmail.com
>