[blindkid] Experiences with Psychology attention?

[Carol Castellano via blindkid]

Hello Gerardo,

Our daughter was born extremely premature and we 
learned that her retinas were detaching when she 
was still in the NICU.  It was not pleasant to 
hear, but compared to the life-and-death 
situations she was facing, it seemed a drop in 
the bucket.  Later, after consultation with eye 
specialists and two surgeries, we learned that 
her blindness would be total and permanent.  By 
that time we were already reaching out for 
information about how blind children get and 
education and how blind people live their lives.

We were lucky enough to learn about the NFB and 
NOPBC when Serena was still an infant.  The 
support we received and the information, and 
attitudes we learned there were the critical to 
our being able to get used to the idea that our 
daughter was blind.  Additionally, we had the 
support of family and friends, but--and this is 
important--WE HAD TO TEACH THEM THE NEW, POSITIVE 
ATTITUDES WE WERE LEARNING THROUGH THE NFB in 
order for them to support us meaningfully.  We 
did not want pity and did not want anyone feeling sorry for our child.

Regarding support from professionals, of course 
each of us has different needs and I'm sure that 
some people would benefit from professional 
attention.  The problem is the attitudes they 
might face.  Have you read any of Adrienne 
Asche's work on disability and ethics?  It is 
relevant to the subject and 'm sure it would be of interest to you.

The most important thing parents need to learn is 
that their child can be okay.  They need to meet 
or read about high-achieving adults so that their 
expectations can be raised.  Sometimes the 
professionals (even some in the blindness field) 
overly focus on loss & grieving, instead of 
empowering parents with the information they need 
to raise their child with confidence.  For a 
gruesome look at some of these poor attitudes, 
read my review of a book that is still available 
for parents.  (I have not looked at the new 
edition--maybe they've improved 
things!)  https://nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/fr/fr16/issue1/f160109.html

So, I guess the bottom line is there is indeed an 
adjustment for parents to make when they find out 
their child is blind and it is helpful to have 
support from people who actually know about living as a blind person.

Carol

Carol Castellano
Parents of Blind Children-NJ
Director of Programs
National Organization of Parents of Blind Children
973-377-0976
carol_castellano at verizon.net
www.blindchildren.org
www.nfb.org/parents-and-teachers


At 11:16 AM 5/15/2014, you wrote:
>  HI listers
>Been here before, but for those who don't know 
>me because of having joined recently, I'm 
>Gerardo; I'm a blind 36-year-old Psychology 
>major from Mexico, deafblind and thanks to my 
>parents' support, am where I am. Yes I might not 
>be the appropriate person to be on here, but I 
>might have some experiences or tips/tricks that 
>have helped me to get where I am, that might 
>help you who are just starting. Also I might 
>have some questions for you guys, in the hopes I 
>can get something started here in my area to start helping other blind parents.
>my debut one is regarding Psychology attention 
>for when you got your child's diagnosis of 
>blindness: Such as individual therapy or group 
>therapy? Did you have either of these? Would it 
>have been useful to have some sort of 
>Psychological attention be it during the initial 
>shock stages, or as time passed? Thanks for info.
>
>--
>Enviado desde mi lap
>Gerardo J Corripio Flores Psicólogo, Terapéuta Reiki
>Saludos desde Tampico, Tamaulipas México
>RompiendoBarreras espacio de 
>psicología/Superación Personal Sábados 10PM 
>México http://radiogeneral.com ¡los esperamos!
>
>
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