[blindkid] alternative parenting guide

[dhammelia at aol.com]

Sherry,
             Do you have a copy of the book about what social workers and other professionals should know about blind parents?

It is a good publication on sucessful blind parents.

I got my copy from Deborah Kent Stein.

We adopted our blind twins from China.  My wife is blind but I am sighted.






-----Original Message-----
From: Sherry DeFrancesco <sdefrancesco at optonline.net>
To: holly miller <hollym12 at gmail.com>; NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List, (for parents of blind children) <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wed, Jul 21, 2010 1:28 pm
Subject: Re: [blindkid] alternative parenting guide


Hi Holly, 
Thank you for all of your suggestions, they are in fact good ones. We are way 
ast the homestudy stage and in fact have received U.S. immigration approval. It 
s the country adoption officials asking for more info. We have provided pages 
nd pages of resources and information about everything imaginable about 
lindness. They are requesting  are specific step by step parenting  skills that 
e need to provide. I was seeking something published to back up our letters. 
Again, thank you. It's so nice to hear that you got through the adoption process 
uccessfully. My hubby and I are totally blind and the country restrictions 
nclude blindness as a "NO," so we are requesting a waiver. 
Thanks again, Sherry 
 ----- Original Message ----- 
 From: holly miller 
 To: Sherry DeFrancesco ; NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List, (for parents of blind 
hildren) 
 Sent: Wednesday, July 21, 2010 12:48 AM
 Subject: Re: [blindkid] alternative parenting guide

 Hi Sherry!
 Our younger son is adopted from China & has Albinism.  I'm always thrilled to 
ear about more kids finding families!
 While no blind parent should have to jump through hoops to be allowed to 
arent, potential adoptive parents have a lot of hoop jumping to do, just the 
ature of the beast.  Even if you know what to do on your own, showing that you 
ave taken the time to seek out resources, that you have a plan and have sources 
f support and advice to turn to will make for a good home study :smile

 You will do fine with some old fashioned common sense but you are right, the 
ocial workers and the paperwork pushers like to have reassurances.  We had to 
rovide specific examples of how we would handle Hank being blind and what 
esources we had available, both medical and educational.  This is something 
hey ask of all prospective parents (rightly so!)  

 In my opinion, things a social worker will like to hear is that you are a NFB 
nd/or POBC member and you have befriended other blind parents.  If you don't 
ypically go to chapter meetings, try to get to some in the near future so you 
an say you attend.  If you are on close terms with another blind parent, use 
hem as one of your references (assuming you know each other well enough for 
hat)   Or perhaps see if another blind parent is willing to write a letter 
tating you are welcome to call on them for mentoring and advice.  Belonging to 
nline groups like this can be phrased as being a member of a blind-parent and 
arent of blind children support groups.  If there aren't books out there 
pecifically targeting blind parents, be able to reference the books on 
ducating blind children like Carol's "Making it Work" & Joe Cutter's O&M book.  

  Think about it like writing a resume.  You never want to lie but you certainly 
ant to project the best image of yourself as possible. 

 Best of luck!
 Holly
 aka Hank's mom


  On Wed, Jul 21, 2010 at 12:07 AM, Sherry DeFrancesco <sdefrancesco at optonline.net> 
rote:
    Hi Steve and Laurie,
    Thank you. We too feel confident in our ability to parent. I enjoyed hearing 
bout your family. Best to the both of you with your upcoming bundle of joy!
    Thanks for your good wishes.
   Sherry
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