[blParent] pregnant with my first baby and wondering about helpful resources?

Mon Nov 14 20:07:17 UTC 2022

Hi, Michael,

I remember the defining moment when our eldest daughter realized that her blind parents operated somewhat differently than other sighted adults.

One evening when she was about the same age as your daughter, which reminded me of the story, we had a sighted couple over to dinner, people our family knew well.

When I was clearing dishes, our daughter followed me into the kitchen and asked, where the couple's canes were.  I explained that they didn't need to use the white cane.  Then where are their guide dogs, she asked.  I explained that they didn't need to use guide dogs either.  Then she very seriously asked, Then how do they get around?

In her mind, they couldn't function fully, like mom and dad, unless they had those tools.

Judy

“Embrace each day with His mercies and blessings.”

-----Original Message-----
From: BlParent <blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Michael Bullis via BlParent
Sent: Monday, November 14, 2022 11:56 AM
To: 'Blind Parents Mailing List' <blparent at nfbnet.org>
Cc: bullis.michael at gmail.com
Subject: Re: [blParent] pregnant with my first baby and wondering about helpful resources?

Hello Stephanie:
I took of the first year of my daughter's life in order to do everything I could with her.
What I found was that if I asked questions on lists, talked to other blind parents, and, used my own creative ingenuity, I could do whatever was needed.  The people around me were more of a hindrance than anything the baby presented.  It was a wonderful experience.  My daughter is now 20 and attending university.
One day when she was about three, she was trying to understand what being blind meant.  I told her my eyes didn't work.  She replied, "That can't be true because you do everything for me that mama does."
Yes, sort of a backhanded compliment, but I'll take it.
It was one of the most wonderful experiences of my life.
Good luck and be tough!!

-----Original Message-----
From: BlParent <blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Christina Rebilas-Kruzik via BlParent
Sent: Monday, November 14, 2022 2:34 PM
To: Blind Parents Mailing List <blparent at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Christina Rebilas-Kruzik <ckruzik22 at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [blParent] pregnant with my first baby and wondering about helpful resources?

One great piece of equipment I use and am partially sighted/legally blind later in life but after my first child is the Jeep Wagon Stroller. I still use it today as he’s 6 years old! It works with baby seats up to 100lbs and can both be pulled and pushed, folded and is able to go with you! I highly recommend it with or without the stroller piece because the baby is right with you and you have some storage as well when at stores or walking the community! Wishing you all the best with your new little one. May is a wonderful time of year for a little one.
Blessings,
Christina

On Mon, Nov 14, 2022 at 2:21 PM Judy Jones via BlParent <blparent at nfbnet.org>
wrote:

> Hi, Debbie and Stephanie,
>
> An alternative to dimo tape I used was clear laminate sheets you can 
> buy on Amazon for much cheaper than from the specialized blindness 
> companies.  You want to make sure you buy a heavy mill
>
> Judy
>
> "Embrace each day with His mercies and blessings."
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: BlParent <blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Deborah Kent 
> Stein via BlParent
> Sent: Monday, November 14, 2022 10:59 AM
> To: 'Blind Parents Mailing List' <blparent at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Deborah Kent Stein <dkent5817 at att.net>
> Subject: Re: [blParent] pregnant with my first baby and wondering 
> about helpful resources?
>
>
>
> Dear Stephanie,
>
> Congratulations on launching your journey into parenthood! My daughter 
> and I very much enjoyed reading together, and here are a few resources 
> I found helpful.
>
> The National Library Service (NLS) has a large collection of 
> print/Braille children's books that you can borrow. National Braille 
> Press has board books as well as books for older kids that you can get 
> through their print/Braille Book-of-the-Month Club. I think that 
> program is now free.
>
> When my daughter was a toddler and preschooler I Brailled a lot of 
> books myself. Books for small kids don't have many words per page, so 
> it was quite easy to use clear Dymo tape or simply to Braille on the 
> pages with a slate and stylus. My husband or one of my sisters-in-law 
> would read the print to me and I'd create the Braille. I could even 
> get them to give me picture descriptions. I could mark important 
> features of a picture with clear Scotch tape.
>
> Books with tactile features were a lot of fun. You can get all kinds 
> of pop-up books commercially, and they have moving parts that are 
> quite intriguing. There are also books that add texture to some of the pictures.
>
> Have fun!
>
> Debbie
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: BlParent [mailto:blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of 
> Stephanie Campbell via BlParent
> Sent: Monday, November 14, 2022 12:22 PM
> To: blparent at nfbnet.org
> Cc: Stephanie Campbell <stephanie.m.zundel at gmail.com>
> Subject: [blParent] pregnant with my first baby and wondering about 
> helpful resources?
>
> Hi,
>
> I am new to this mailing list. I am pregnant with my first baby and 
> due in early May. I am fully blind (only see light and dark). My 
> blindness is not genetic so my baby will be sighted. I am making my 
> baby registry and was wondering if anyone has items that are must 
> haves for blind parents? Does anyone know if the evenflo stroller 
> works to be both pulled and pushed? Any tips that I should know to be 
> a successful blind parent? Any programs where I can get free books 
> that are print braille, and picture books? I know seedlings has a good 
> selection and national braille press has some too, but I was wondering 
> if there is a program to get some for free since the cost adds up very 
> quickly. I am very excited to be a parent, but would love any advice or guidance.
>
> Thank you,
>
> --
> Stephanie Campbell, M.Ed.
> School Counselor
> Soaring Hawk Elementary
>
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