[blparent] Dealing with admiration from the public

[Jo Elizabeth Pinto]

Michelle had good advice as far as finding common ground in talking about 
other people's children.  Also use humor when you can.  Tell something funny 
that your child has done--that will get easier as your baby gets older and 
begins walking and talking.  Or say something like, "Oh, I had a Wonder 
Woman cape around somewhere.  I think I lost it in the chaos between 
Halloween and Christmas."  But some of the admiration is just an 
occupational hazard.  It ain't easy being amazing.  People put themselves in 
your place and can't imagine how they could possibly parent without sight. 
Most of them could do it if they had to, but they don't know it, and there's 
no use trying to convince them.  Changing the subject is a better idea, as 
it letting their admiration roll off your back.  It's easier said than done, 
believe me.  Some days it still gets to me.  But hey, all parents are 
amazing when you really think about it.  Don't forget that.

Jo Elizabeth

Truth is tough. It will not break, like a bubble, at a touch; nay, you may 
kick it about all day like a football, and it will be round and full at 
evening.--Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.
-----Original Message----- 
From: Tara Briggs via blparent
Sent: Monday, January 05, 2015 2:55 PM
To: blparent at nfbnet.org
Subject: [blparent] Dealing with admiration from the public

Dear collective wisdom:
Since I started bringing my little girl to church, I have had lots of 
comments on what an amazing person iamb for being her blind parent. I get a 
little bit frustrated by these comments, because I wish I could just be seen 
as a mom who happens to be blind rather than a blind mom. My responses have 
been: to give people the parenting without site manual, to talk about my 
blind friends who are parents and their experiences, and to say thank you as 
graciously as I can. However, when a stranger who doesn't know me at all 
says that I am in credible I feel a little bit hurt. I have tried to think 
of why. I think this is because she is not getting to know me as a person. 
She just sees that I'm a blind one. I'm not the one who's incredible, it's 
the fact that a blind person is apparent that she finds incredible. Any 
thoughts or advice?
Tara   briggs

Sent from my iPhone
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