[blindkid] Question about Student Loan Forgiveness for Parent

Thu Dec 6 00:48:50 UTC 2012

Hi there,
I'm sure that doing a little more research in the state you live in can
point you in the right direction. Ive heard of lower interest for mortgages
for parents of a "disabled child" occur. I don't see why this would be much
different. Talk to on campus advisors. Even call the financial advisor to
whom you pay the debt back to. You would be surprised how helpful they can
be to get the debt paid back.
On Dec 5, 2012 4:23 PM, "Carrie Gilmer" <carrie.gilmer at gmail.com> wrote:

> Dear Natae,
> It also occurred to me that my response might be "taken" as hurtful but
> unfortunately there is no other short answer to the question Carlton put
> forth. i am experienced enough to know that (and esp with email and persons
> unknown) ANY thing is likely as not to be "taken" not as you intend. i am
> not sure how you think I took it. i meant that there is most probably no
> loan forgiveness for being a parent of a blind child, because there is no
> need for that as a rule. And i put it that way to hopefully bring about
> some thought on what even asking the question means. What do you mean
> "taken this way"? you probably never heard of me, but I have a bit of
> experience with thousands of experiences and I had run through all the
> possible reasons to homeschool a blind child beyond simply you believe in
> home schooling or for religious based reasons. it has been done not
> uncommonly for a blind child when a parent is able in both time and skill
> to take on the task with a good case to be made that there is a need...not
> merely choice...and lack of meeting the educational needs of a blind child
> is a causal factor.
>
> Families all over have made many hard choices, including financial
> ones...moving, staying home, fighting legal battles, taking out loans and
> becoming a Teacher of blind students...in order for their child to have a
> proper normal expectation education. Families also make these kinds of
> choices over many other disabilities, or even bullying issues or health or
> religious belief.....or even just taking a financial hit to have one parent
> home and available...but again those are choices. The only forgiveness on
> loans that I am aware of are more of a trade...you give something like
> military service or teaching in a poor underprivileged area for a number of
> years. No one knows what is in their future when they take out the loans.
> Some people get cancer, some have a spouse or child die, they become
> disabled themselves....loans are not forgiven...or they might all have to
> be.
>
> You seem to understand that blindness is not a greater hardship, and
> indeed many here, myself included would rise and heartily debate whether it
> was a hardship at all....or being a parent of a blind child either....now
> getting a free and appropriate education for a blind child does indeed
> present many hardships...but people are able to do it and meet their
> financial obligations. maybe they have to give up something else, like a
> nicer car...but they do it.
>
> I did not call you any names, or accuse you of a thing...so I am unsure
> why you feel this list is not now a "safe" place.
>
>  i think it not an unfair question to ask why you think it would or should
> be a basis for loan forgiveness.  Also think it helpful for you in the long
> run to realize that many, many, are or would be offended at the question.
> Offended? Why? This might make a fine, albiet possibly controversial,
> article....when is "using blindness" to get something free appropriate and
> even justified and when is it not? in fact i believe Dr. tenBroek and
> likely Jernigan and Mr. maurer have spoken in speeches on it already...and
> perhaps someone knows of a link...
>
> Meanwhile, you are just a very loving and good Mom wanting to do the very
> best for your blind child and have some deep possibly desperate feelings of
> financial hardship...and were hoping for just a simple yes there are or no
> there are not answer....without what you possibly feel is judgement or a
> lecture. I am saying this is a teaching moment for you. This topic will
> come up in your lives, over and over....will you raise a child who looks
> for special (UN-NEEDED) treatment just because of blindness or one who only
> accepts help (due to blindness) that makes access and equal opportunity or
> is in the normal course of being human. your child will follow your lead.
> How would you explain the rationale for loan forgiveness for you, for
> choices made long before because now your child is blind...to your grown
> child? I am telling you sometimes that line or free or not....the cost of a
> gift...can get tricky. i am sorry you felt put off or hurt or judged or
> something like that by my response. i speak all this in love Natae, I
> really do. ask anyone who knows me :)
> carrie
> Sent from my iPad
>
> On Dec 5, 2012, at 4:47 PM, Natae Jones-Beasley <nataejones at hotmail.com>
> wrote:
>
> >
> > Carrie,      I was hoping my question wouldn't get taken this way.
> Yes, you are right.  I did make those decisions to educate myself in that
> matter.  However, at the time, I envisioned a full-time, working career
> (which I did have) until... retirement?  I thought this list-serve was a
> safe place to ask anything.  I know there are loan forgiveness programs for
> various things/experiences, so I thought it wouldn't hurt to ask other
> parents (I more specially thought, "It would be more appropriate to ask
> about loan forgiveness for something to do with "special needs"', but I
> felt safe to simply say blindness, because I was asking in a community of
> blindness.  I do not consider my child's blindness, or other health issues,
> a setback or a "special need", he's our regular little awesome guy!)  My
> child was the deciding factor for me to resign from my job and stay-at-home
> (not due to his blindness, but health-related issues and what goes with
> that).  As many of you know, staying home is the biggest blessing and I
> wouldn't have it any other way, but the unfortunate truth is that
> financially, it can be a struggle.  (I know we are so blessed to even make
> that option work- to even have a "struggle"- so I can't complain!)  When it
> comes to homeschooling, I live in a very rural area, and I have heard
> nothing great about our local school systems and their education of the
> visually impaired.  So, I do not feel like work is anywhere in my near
> future.  I know my staying home is what this family needs.          I was
> just seeking information, for any input that might possibly benefit my
> little family, that is all.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >> From: carrie.gilmer at gmail.com
> >> Date: Wed, 5 Dec 2012 13:54:30 -0600
> >> To: blindkid at nfbnet.org
> >> Subject: Re: [blindkid] Question about Student Loan Forgiveness for
> Parent
> >>
> >> I would respectfully inquire....what does choosing to take loans to
> acquire several chosen degrees and then choosing not to use them because
> you choose to stay home and homeschool your child have to do with blindness
> or being the parent of having a blind child ...all in order to receive
> massive funds to ease or erase a debt by choice from school by choice? I
> myself really cannot imagine. All these things are choices of a personal
> nature not caused or necessarily burdened by being a parent of a blind
> child.
> >> Carrie
> >>
> >> Sent from my iPad
> >>
> >> On Dec 4, 2012, at 9:39 PM, Carlton Anne Cook Walker <
> nopbcpres at gmail.com> wrote:
> >>
> >>> Hello all:
> >>>
> >>> I received the following email, and I couldn't answer the question
> posed.
> >>> I offered to share the query with the list.  Please send answers to the
> >>> list as well as to Natae.
> >>>
> >>> Thank you,
> >>>
> >>> Carlton
> >>>
> >>> From: nataejones at hotmail.com
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>   Is there any type of student loan forgiveness program for parents of
> >>> blind children?  I have 3 degrees that I am repaying and do not intend
> to
> >>> use for a long time- now that I am staying home with (and plan to
> >>> homeschool) my son.
> >>>    Any info is appreciated!  I have searched myself, but haven't found
> >>> anything.
> >>>
> >>>   Thanks!
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> Carlton Anne Cook Walker
> >>> President, National Organization of Parents of Blind Children
> >>> 105 Creamery Road
> >>> Boiling Springs, PA   17007
> >>> Voice: 717-658-9894
> >>> Twitter: braillemom
> >>> _______________________________________________
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> >>
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> >
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