[blparent] Long overdue update and request for assistance

[Bridgit Pollpeter]

Pipi,

First, kudos on taking steps to get training. It's worth it to spend six
to nine months doing it but to have a lifetime of independence.  If I
lived nearby, I'd totally watch your little one, sorry. That has to be
rough, but again, you need to look at long-term here, and I think it
will add to your quality of life despite your difficulties you currently
face.

Since you won't be working, can you qualify for disability and other
assistance programs like Title 9 and others? This may help while you
takes steps to better your life. I know it's not a great solution, but
it would be temporary while you take these steps towards more
independence with learning nonvisual methods and ingratiating yourself
in them. 

I really hope the Federation and your NFB affiliate in particular can
help in some capacity whether it be individuals offering help, providing
you with info and resources and anything else they may be able to do. If
not an NFB member, perhaps you can see what perks being a member may
bring. I'm not suggesting the Federation can fix the situation or
provide the most important essentials you need, but they can help point
you in the right direction. AT the very least, know you have virtual
friends supporting you in any way we can. 

It will be tough and a lot of work, but worth it in the end. I always
attest to the benefits training brought me. It opened a lot of doors.
Good luck.

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: 1
Date: Tue, 18 Sep 2012 13:13:42 -0500
From: Pipi <blahblahblah0822 at gmail.com>
To: NFB <blparent at nfbnet.org>
Subject: [blparent] Long overdue update and request for help?
Message-ID: <5058B9D6.8050804 at gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

Hey y'all,
I am finally settled back down after a fun and full summer and am able 
to check my email and get caught up again.
I've switched from a desktop to a laptop and from win xp to win 7 so 
i've not been able to read my emails and such for the past 2 months. I 
was stressed enough transitioning that I just did a mass delete here. I 
hope that I haven['t missed too much.
Savannah and I had a wonderful summer. We spent a week in San Diego 
which is an absolutely beautiful place. I'd love to live there. Savannah

started swim lessons this summer and passed level 1. We also took our 
first train ride to visit friends in Illinois. We had such a great time 
that we ended up extending our trip and stayed just shy of 3 weeks. We 
will also be going back for Halloween. It was a much needed trip and 
break from reality.
Savannah has started preschool. She loves it. It is great to see her 
thriving and getting the social interaction that she has needed. I am
working on attending the Colorado Center for the Blind. I have a 
tentative start date of January. I'm currently struggling to find 
affordable preschool or daycare with a preschool curriculum for 
Savannah. I will be leaving my job behind for the 6 to 9 months that I 
will be at the center so I am unable to afford the going rates. Does
anyone know of any scholarships, financial aid, or resources for 
paying for a safe and healthy place for Savannah to be while I get the 
training that I need?
I've considered trying to start fund raising myself by selling bottled 
water or such outside of Walmart and the likes. The average cost of 
preschool or daycare in Littleton is $900 a month.
Any help y'all could give me would be so greatly appreciated.
I hope all are well and I can't wait to catch up with people again. Oh
also, if I had your contact information before, can you please send 
it to me off list at blahblahblah at iampipi.com I've lost everything in my

computer transition.
Thanks again,
Pipi