<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40">
<head>
<META HTTP-EQUIV="Content-Type" CONTENT="text/html; charset=us-ascii">
<meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 12 (filtered medium)">
<!--[if !mso]>
<style>
v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
.shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:Tahoma;
panose-1:2 11 6 4 3 5 4 4 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:Verdana;
panose-1:2 11 6 4 3 5 4 4 2 4;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:blue;
text-decoration:underline;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:purple;
text-decoration:underline;}
p
{mso-style-priority:99;
mso-margin-top-alt:auto;
margin-right:0in;
mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
margin-left:0in;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";}
p.MsoAcetate, li.MsoAcetate, div.MsoAcetate
{mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-link:"Balloon Text Char";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
font-size:8.0pt;
font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";}
span.EmailStyle17
{mso-style-type:personal-compose;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:windowtext;}
span.BalloonTextChar
{mso-style-name:"Balloon Text Char";
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-link:"Balloon Text";
font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
-->
</style>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="2050" />
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapelayout v:ext="edit">
<o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1" />
</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]-->
</head>
<body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple>
<div class=WordSection1>
<p class=MsoNormal>Here is the story from the Kansas City Star.--Susan<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><br>
block quote<br>
<br>
Infant is returned to blind couple after state places her in protective <br>
custody<br>
By LEE HILL KAVANAUGH<br>
The Kansas City Star<br>
<br>
Fifty-seven days after she was born, Mikaela Sinnett was home for the first <br>
time Tuesday with her parents, Erika Johnson and Blake Sinnett of <br>
Independence. State officials had worried they were unable to care for her.<br>
<br>
DAVID EULITT | The Kansas City Sta<br>
<br>
Fifty-seven days after she was born, Mikaela Sinnett was home for the first <br>
time<br>
Tuesday with her parents, Erika Johnson and Blake Sinnett of Independence. <br>
State<br>
officials had worried they were unable to care for her.<br>
<br>
A folding cane used by Blake Sinnett rested in the baby carrier used to <br>
carry home his daughter. On Tuesday, Blake Sinnett, guided by his mother, <br>
Jenne Sinnett, carried his 2-month-old daughter, Mikaela Sinnett. Behind <br>
them was Mikaela's mother, Erika Johnson.<br>
<br>
Erika Johnson will never be able to see her baby, Mikaela. But for 57 days <br>
she couldn't keep her newborn close, smell her baby's breath, feel her downy <br>
hair. The state took away her 2-day-old infant into protective custody - <br>
because Johnson<br>
and Mikaela's father are both blind.<br>
<br>
No allegations of abuse, just a fear that the new parents would be unable to <br>
care<br>
for the child. On Tuesday, Johnson still couldn't stop crying, although <br>
Mikaela was back in her<br>
arms.<br>
<br>
"We never got the chance to be parents," she said. "We had to
prove that we <br>
could."<br>
Tuesday, she and Blake Sinnett knew their baby was finally coming home to <br>
their Independence apartment, but an adjudication hearing was scheduled for <br>
the afternoon on whether the state would stay involved in the rearing of the <br>
baby. Then from a morning phone call to their attorney, they learned that <br>
the state was dismissing their case. "Every minute that has passed that
this <br>
family wasn't together is a tragedy. A legal tragedy and a moral one,
too," <br>
said Amy Coopman, their attorney. "How do you get 57 days back?"<br>
<br>
Arleasha Mays, a spokeswoman for the Missouri Department of Social Services, <br>
said privacy laws prohibited her from speaking about specific cases. But she <br>
added, "The only time we recommend a child be removed is if it's in imminent
<br>
danger."<br>
<br>
Johnson said she knew the system eventually would realize its horrible <br>
mistake, but<br>
she often was consumed with sadness. Sinnett tried his best to keep Johnson <br>
hopeful. For almost two months she and Sinnett could visit their baby only <br>
two or three times a week, for just an hour at a time, with a foster parent <br>
monitoring.<br>
"I'm a forgiving person," Johnson said, but she's resentful that
people <br>
assumed she was incapable.<br>
"Disability does not equal inability," she said.<br>
<br>
Representatives of the sightless community agreed that people were <br>
well-meaning but<br>
blinded by ignorance. Mikaela was born May 21 at Centerpoint Medical Center <br>
of Independence. The doctors<br>
let Sinnett "see" her birth by feeling the crowning of her head.<br>
<br>
For Johnson, hearing Mikaela's whimpers was a thrill. The little human <br>
inside her<br>
all these months, the one who hiccupped and burped, who kicked and moved, <br>
especially at night, was now a real person whom she loved more than anything <br>
else she'd ever imagined.<br>
<br>
In her overnight bag was Mikaela's special homecoming outfit, a green romper <br>
from<br>
Johnson's mother, with matching bottoms and a baby bow. Questions arose <br>
within hours of Mikaela's birth, after Johnson's clumsy first attempts at <br>
breast-feeding - something many new mothers experience.<br>
A lactation nurse noticed that Mikaela's nostrils were covered by Johnson's <br>
breast.<br>
<br>
Johnson felt that something was wrong and switched her baby to her other <br>
side, but<br>
not before Mikaela turned blue. That's when the concerned nurse wrote on a <br>
chart: "The child is without proper custody,<br>
support or care due to both of parents being blind and they do not have <br>
specialized training to assist them."<br>
Her words set into motion the state mechanisms intended to protect children <br>
from physical or sexual abuse, unsanitary conditions, neglect or absence of <br>
basic needs being met.<br>
<br>
Centerpoint said it could not comment because of patient privacy laws, but <br>
spokeswoman<br>
Gene Hallinan said, "We put the welfare of our patients as our top <br>
priority."<br>
<br>
A social worker from the state came by Johnson's hospital room and asked her <br>
questions:<br>
How could she take her baby's temperature? Johnson answered: with our <br>
talking thermometer. How will you take her to a doctor if she gets sick? <br>
Johnson's reply: If it were an emergency, they'd call an ambulance. For a <br>
regular doctor's appointment, they'd call a cab or ride a bus. But it wasn't <br>
enough for the social worker, who told Johnson she would need 24-hour care <br>
by a sighted person at their apartment. Johnson said they couldn't afford <br>
it, didn't need it.<br>
"I needed help as a new parent, but not as a blind parent," Johnson
said.<br>
<br>
She recalled the social worker saying: " 'Look, because you guys are
blind, <br>
I don't feel like you can adequately take care of her.' And she left."<br>
<br>
The day of Johnson's discharge, another social worker delivered the news to <br>
the couple that Mikaela was not going home with them. The parents returned <br>
the next day to visit Mikaela before she left the hospital, but they were <br>
barred from holding her. "All we could do was touch her arm or leg,"
Johnson <br>
said.<br>
<br>
The couple began making calls. Gary Wunder, president of the National <br>
Federation of the Blind of Missouri, had trouble believing it at first. "I
<br>
needed to verify their whole story," he recalled. "We had to do due <br>
diligence. . I found the couple to be intelligent and responsible. "We
knew <br>
this was an outrage that had taken place."<br>
He notified Kansas City chapter president Shelia Wright, who visited the <br>
24-year-olds. Hearing about the empty crib, the baby clothes, Wright <br>
recalled, "I felt as helpless as I've ever felt in my life. "I hurt
so bad <br>
for them. This is unforgivable."<br>
<br>
They rallied other associations for the blind nationwide. More than 100 <br>
people at a national convention in Dallas volunteered to travel to Kansas <br>
City to protest and testify, both as blind parents and as the sighted <br>
children of blind parents. (Mikaela has normal sight.) They also hired <br>
Coopman, who watched the young couple with their baby girl on Tuesday.
"I'm <br>
sorry," she said, wiping tears. "But this should not have
happened."<br>
<br>
Johnson kept a journal that Coopman is keeping closed for now. She indicates <br>
that legal action will be taken. "Whether a couple is visually impaired or
<br>
deaf or in a wheelchair, the state should not keep them from their <br>
children," she said. Now breast-feeding is a lost option. And the
beautiful <br>
newborn clothes hanging in the closet went unworn, because their baby was <br>
growing bigger in the arms of someone else.<br>
<br>
The couple said they had tried to prove themselves to the sighted community <br>
since their early years. Sinnett rode his bicycle on the street with the <br>
help of a safety gadget. Johnson graduated from high school with honors. But <br>
all the challenges they've endured over the years shrink compared to the <br>
responsibility of caring for 10 pounds of squirming baby girl.<br>
<br>
Johnson cuddled Mikaela. Gave her a bottle. Patted her back until she <br>
burped. Mikaela gave a tiny smile.<br>
In their 24 years, the couple said, they've both endured prejudice from <br>
others. They don't want any other blind parent to suffer the same obstacle <br>
they did. Fifty-seven days are too precious to lose.<br>
<br>
The Star's Laura Bauer contributed to this report. To reach Lee Hill <br>
Kavanaugh, call<br>
816-234-4420 or send e-mail to<br>
<a href="mailto:lkavanaugh%40kcstar.com">lkavanaugh@kcstar.com</a><br>
<br>
block quote end<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:white'>__._,_.___<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#666666'><a
href="mailto:lynnskyi@bis.midco.net?subject=Child%20returned%20to%20parents%20after%20fifty-seven%20days.">Reply
to <b>sender</b></a> | <a
href="mailto:Blind_Democrats@yahoogroups.com?subject=Child%20returned%20to%20parents%20after%20fifty-seven%20days.">Reply
to <b>group</b></a> | <a
href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Blind_Democrats/post;_ylc=X3oDMTJxYTQ5cTRkBF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzI1MjI1NTA5BGdycHNwSWQDMTcwNTA2MDEzNgRtc2dJZAMxODkxBHNlYwNmdHIEc2xrA3JwbHkEc3RpbWUDMTI3OTczMjc1Mw--?act=reply&messageNum=1891">Reply
<b>via web post</b></a> | <a
href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Blind_Democrats/post;_ylc=X3oDMTJmcThmZ2tiBF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzI1MjI1NTA5BGdycHNwSWQDMTcwNTA2MDEzNgRzZWMDZnRyBHNsawNudHBjBHN0aW1lAzEyNzk3MzI3NTM-"><b>Start
a New Topic</b></a> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#666666'><a
href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Blind_Democrats/message/1891;_ylc=X3oDMTM1ZXMzdjQyBF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzI1MjI1NTA5BGdycHNwSWQDMTcwNTA2MDEzNgRtc2dJZAMxODkxBHNlYwNmdHIEc2xrA3Z0cGMEc3RpbWUDMTI3OTczMjc1MwR0cGNJZAMxODkx">Messages
in this topic</a> (<b>1</b>) <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='background:#E0ECEE'><b><span style='font-size:7.5pt;
font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#333333;text-transform:uppercase'>Recent
Activity:</span></b><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='background:#E0ECEE'><span style='font-size:7.5pt;
font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#1E66AE'><a
href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Blind_Democrats;_ylc=X3oDMTJmdTZiZWd2BF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzI1MjI1NTA5BGdycHNwSWQDMTcwNTA2MDEzNgRzZWMDdnRsBHNsawN2Z2hwBHN0aW1lAzEyNzk3MzI3NTI-"><span
style='text-decoration:none'>Visit Your Group</span></a> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:120%'><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
line-height:120%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#628C2A'>MARKETPLACE<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p><b><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#628C2A'><a
href="http://us.ard.yahoo.com/SIG=15ot13s0o/M=493064.13983314.14041046.13298430/D=groups/S=1705060136:MKP1/Y=YAHOO/EXP=1279739953/L=1514b4b0-94ec-11df-b0ce-cbd5ab598979/B=LV2HEGKImno-/J=1279732753136634/K=WOhH6_T0OjCmua8kQkVlQQ/A=6060255/R=0/SIG=1194m4keh/*http:/us.toolbar.yahoo.com/?.cpdl=grpj">Stay
on top of your group activity without leaving the page you're on - Get the
Yahoo! Toolbar now.</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#628C2A'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span
style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#628C2A'>
<hr size=2 width="100%" align=center>
</span></b></div>
<p><b><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#628C2A'><a
href="http://us.ard.yahoo.com/SIG=15o8dloas/M=493064.13814537.14041040.10835568/D=groups/S=1705060136:MKP1/Y=YAHOO/EXP=1279739953/L=1514b4b0-94ec-11df-b0ce-cbd5ab598979/B=Ll2HEGKImno-/J=1279732753136634/K=WOhH6_T0OjCmua8kQkVlQQ/A=6078812/R=0/SIG=114ae4ln1/*http:/dogandcatanswers.yahoo.com/">Get
great advice about dogs and cats. Visit the Dog & Cat Answers Center.</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#628C2A'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span
style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#628C2A'>
<hr size=2 width="100%" align=center>
</span></b></div>
<p><b><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#628C2A'><a
href="http://us.ard.yahoo.com/SIG=15oobsul8/M=493064.14012770.13963757.13298430/D=groups/S=1705060136:MKP1/Y=YAHOO/EXP=1279739953/L=1514b4b0-94ec-11df-b0ce-cbd5ab598979/B=L12HEGKImno-/J=1279732753136634/K=WOhH6_T0OjCmua8kQkVlQQ/A=6015306/R=0/SIG=11vlkvigg/*http:/advision.webevents.yahoo.com/hobbiesandactivitieszone/">Hobbies
& Activities Zone: Find others who share your passions! Explore new
interests.</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#628C2A'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><a
href="http://groups.yahoo.com/;_ylc=X3oDMTJla3BzanNvBF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzI1MjI1NTA5BGdycHNwSWQDMTcwNTA2MDEzNgRzZWMDZnRyBHNsawNnZnAEc3RpbWUDMTI3OTczMjc1Mw--"><span
style='font-size:8.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:blue;text-decoration:
none'><img border=0 width=137 height=15 id="Picture_x0020_3"
src="cid:image001.gif@01CB291A.7C4A8C60" alt="Yahoo! Groups"></span></a><span
style='font-size:8.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:8.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";
color:#747575'>Switch to: <a
href="mailto:Blind_Democrats-traditional@yahoogroups.com?subject=Change%20Delivery%20Format:%20Traditional"><span
style='text-decoration:none'>Text-Only</span></a>, <a
href="mailto:Blind_Democrats-digest@yahoogroups.com?subject=Email%20Delivery:%20Digest"><span
style='text-decoration:none'>Daily Digest</span></a> • <a
href="mailto:Blind_Democrats-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com?subject=Unsubscribe"><span
style='text-decoration:none'>Unsubscribe</span></a> • <a
href="http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/"><span style='text-decoration:none'>Terms
of Use</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:1.0pt;color:white'>.</span><span
style='font-size:1.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:white'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><img border=0 width=1 height=1 id="Picture_x0020_4"
src="cid:image002.gif@01CB291A.7C4A8C60"
alt="http://geo.yahoo.com/serv?s=97359714/grpId=25225509/grpspId=1705060136/msgId=1891/stime=1279732753/nc1=6083913/nc2=3848621/nc3=3848643"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:white'>__,_._,___<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
</body>
</html>