[blindkid] feelings of blind children

[Sally Thomas]

Alison,

Like you said, the complexity of the question will dictate how you answer.
 I'm the parent of a blind 16 year old.  He has never been particularly
curious about why he is different than other kids.  We have tried to treat
him like an individual and encourage his strengths and help him in areas
where he needs help.  He knows that we work hard to get him what he needs
to deal with his blindness.  In my opinion, the best thing we have done for
him with regard to his blindness is expose him to other blind kids and
adults.  We started attending NFB conventions when he was 5.  He has also
attended several camps for blind kids and has great friends who are blind.
 Helping our son know he's not the only blind person out there and that
blindness is not the end of the world has been good for him and for us.

Sally Thomas


On Tue, Mar 5, 2013 at 2:35 AM, Alison Stephens <amspencer at yahoo.com> wrote:

> I wanted to say, Arielle, I appreciate your comments about how you felt as
> a child regarding how your parents reacted to your blindness.  It provides
> some good perspective for me as a sighted parent of a blind four year old.
>
> Right now my son does not know that he is blind, but I can see the wheels
> turning in his head.  He asks me about the paper I read stories from and
> yesterday he asked what was the purpose of some piano sheet music I was
> using.  The other day, a boy ran up to him and grabbed his cane ignorantly,
> and asked several questions about its purpose and about Nate's blindness.
> I was very aware that Nate was listening to what I said.  I try to answer
> in an honest and non-judgmental way.  I often say to other kids that he
> can't see with his eyes but that he uses his hearing, cane and touch
> instead.  When asked why his eyes don't see, I say they formed differently
> when he was a baby.  I don't know if these are the best answers, so if
> anyone has any suggestions please let me know.
>
> And in the future when Nate asks me about it, I want to be honest, yet not
> make him feel bad about it in any way.  Do I tell him that most people see
> with their eyes, or do I let him figure this out on his own?  I feel that
> telling him that fact might make him feel bad, but should he know?  I would
> think the gradual approach might be better.  As in some other topics with
> bringing up a child, maybe I should match the complexity of the answer to
> the complexity of the question?
>
> Thanks for any thoughts,
> Alison
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