[blindkid] alternative parenting guide

Wed Jul 21 21:41:39 UTC 2010

Carol,

Laurie and I were just about to recommend this book. I haven't read the 
entire thing, but what I did read was excellent. Not just another boring 
"textbook", it is full of actual typs from real blind parents.
I know it is available via Bookshare as well.

Steve

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Carol Castellano" <blindchildren at verizon.net>
To: "Sherry DeFrancesco" <sdefrancesco at optonline.net>; "NFBnet Blind Kid 
Mailing List,(for parents of blind children)" <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, July 21, 2010 2:53 PM
Subject: Re: [blindkid] alternative parenting guide

> Sherry,
>
> I just came across this resource on the web--it may be just what you
> are looking for to satisfy the powers that be.  If you get it and
> read it, let us know what you think.  Here is the
> link:  http://www.accessible-devices.com/parentingGuide.html
>
> Here is a bit from the site:
>
> Resource Guide For Parents Who Are Blind or visually Impaired
>
> New Resource Guide for Parents who are Blind or Partially Sighted
> Berkeley, California. September 7, 2006
> Through the Looking Glass and its National Resource Center for
> Parents with Disabilities are proud to announce the release of the
> first comprehensive resource guide for parents who are blind or
> partially sighted. The new 212 page "Hands-On Parenting: A Resource
> Guide for Parents who are Blind or Partially Sighted" provides a wide
> range of practical information, adaptations and resources for parents
> who are blind or partially sighted.
>
> Carol
> At 02:28 PM 7/21/2010, you wrote:
>>Hi Holly,
>>
>>Thank you for all of your suggestions, they are in fact good ones.
>>We are way past the homestudy stage and in fact have received U.S.
>>immigration approval. It is the country adoption officials asking
>>for more info. We have provided pages and pages of resources and
>>information about everything imaginable about blindness. They are
>>requesting  are specific step by step parenting  skills that we 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 successfully. My hubby and I are totally blind and
>>the country restrictions include 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 children)
>>   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 hear about more kids finding families!
>>   While no blind parent should have to jump through hoops to be
>> allowed to parent, potential adoptive parents have a lot of hoop
>> jumping to do, just the nature of the beast.  Even if you know what
>> to do on your own, showing that you have taken the time to seek out
>> resources, that you have a plan and have sources of 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 social workers and the paperwork pushers like to have
>> reassurances.  We had to provide specific examples of how we would
>> handle Hank being blind and what resources we had available, both
>> medical and educational.  This is something they ask of all
>> prospective parents (rightly so!)
>>
>>
>>   In my opinion, things a social worker will like to hear is that
>> you are a NFB and/or POBC member and you have befriended other
>> blind parents.  If you don't typically go to chapter meetings, try
>> to get to some in the near future so you can say you attend.  If
>> you are on close terms with another blind parent, use them as one
>> of your references (assuming you know each other well enough for
>> that)   Or perhaps see if another blind parent is willing to write
>> a letter stating you are welcome to call on them for mentoring and
>> advice.  Belonging to online groups like this can be phrased as
>> being a member of a blind-parent and parent of blind children
>> support groups.  If there aren't books out there specifically
>> targeting blind parents, be able to reference the books on
>> educating 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 want 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> wrote:
>>
>>     Hi Steve and Laurie,
>>
>>     Thank you. We too feel confident in our ability to parent. I
>> enjoyed hearing about your family. Best to the both of you with
>> your upcoming bundle of joy!
>>
>>     Thanks for your good wishes.
>>     Sherry
>>
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>
> Carol Castellano
> National Organization of Parents of Blind Children
> 973-377-0976
> carol_castellano at verizon.net
> www.nopbc.org
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