[blParent] pregnant with my first baby and wondering about helpful resources?

Tue Nov 15 04:56:15 UTC 2022

Hi Stephanie,

I have a one-year-old girl. About a year and a half ago, I was in the
same position. I think the others gave you some great book resources.
But here are some additional things to look into.

If you're on Facebook, here are some excellent groups for blind parents.
Baby Bookworms: A group for blind parents to trade, sell, and buy
print/Braille books and other items.

Blind Parents Connect: A group for blind parents to network and ask questions.

Blind Parent Alliance: A group just like the above, to connect with
other blind parents and ask questions.

There are also WhatsApp groups for blind moms and blind parents in
general. If you're interested in them, send me a message off list, and
I can connect you.

I don't know where you live, but there might be a blind parents group
in your state. Blind parents groups have calls from time to time and
share resources with one another.

As for strollers, I have the Duna, which is literally the best
invention in the world. It's a car seat that folds out into a
stroller. It's the best for blind parents because you can easily pop
it in a ride share or paratransit and then lift it out when you're
done and use it as a stroller. It's convenient for sighted people too
because the install is super easy, and they can push it. I pull it
next to me for the most part while using my cane. I have not used it
with a guide dog, but I know others who have.

If you have other questions about preparing for a hospital delivery,
about products, etc, please message me off list. I can give you my
phone number and we can connect.

So happy for you!

Julie

On 11/14/22, Deborah Kent Stein via BlParent <blparent at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>
>
> I certainly will!
>
> Debbie
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: BlParent [mailto:blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Judy Jones
> via BlParent
> Sent: Monday, November 14, 2022 2:20 PM
> To: 'Blind Parents Mailing List' <blparent at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Judy Jones <sonshines59 at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [blParent] pregnant with my first baby and wondering about
> helpful resources?
>
> Debbie, that's wonderful to hear.  Our daughters still remember yours, and
> send their best.
>
> Judy
>
> "Embrace each day with His mercies and blessings."
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: BlParent <blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Deborah Kent
> Stein
> via BlParent
> Sent: Monday, November 14, 2022 12:14 PM
> To: 'Blind Parents Mailing List' <blparent at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Deborah Kent Stein <dkent5817 at att.net>
> Subject: Re: [blParent] pregnant with my first baby and wondering about
> helpful resources?
>
>
>
> Now that we have our first grandchild, I'm thinking about these things
> again.
>
> Debbie
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: BlParent [mailto:blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Judy Jones
> via BlParent
> Sent: Monday, November 14, 2022 2:08 PM
> To: 'Blind Parents Mailing List' <blparent at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Judy Jones <sonshines59 at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [blParent] pregnant with my first baby and wondering about
> helpful resources?
>
> Hi, Debbie,
>
> Sorry to hear the Twin Vision books are no longer an item, and also letting
> me know of other resources.
>
> Judy
>
> "Embrace each day with His mercies and blessings."
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: BlParent <blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Deborah Kent
> Stein
> via BlParent
> Sent: Monday, November 14, 2022 11:59 AM
> To: 'Blind Parents Mailing List' <blparent at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Deborah Kent Stein <dkent5817 at att.net>
> Subject: Re: [blParent] pregnant with my first baby and wondering about
> helpful resources?
>
>
>
> Hi again! The American Action Fund no longer has the Twin Vision program.
> They do provide many books for older kids, such as the popular Goosebumps
> series, and those are sent free of charge.
>
> The National Organization of Parents of Blind Children (NOPBC) runs a
> program called ShareBraille that lets families exchange used Braille books.
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: BlParent [mailto:blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Judy Jones
> via BlParent
> Sent: Monday, November 14, 2022 1:04 PM
> To: 'Blind Parents Mailing List' <blparent at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Judy Jones <sonshines59 at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [blParent] pregnant with my first baby and wondering about
> helpful resources?
>
> Hi, Stephanie, welcome to the list.
>
> My husband and I are both blind, raised two successful daughters who now
> have their own kids.  We enjoyed raising them, was quite an adventure with
> lots of good memories.
>
> The biggest thing about parenting is, with any parents, letting them know
> they  are loved through encouragement, discipline, and taking time to build
> the relationship.
>
> American Action fund, I believe, still puts out the Twin Vision books.  I
> like them best, as they have picture captions in them.
>
> I'm sure I'm behind on the latest equipment and innovations, but we did a
> lot of common sense things that worked for us.  As toddlers, we had bells
> on
> their shoes.  In an unfamiliar area, instead of watching from across a
> room,
> we would be with them if they wanted to explore.
>
> If we asked them to "come here," and they did not, we wouldn't say anything
> more, but unobtrusively go to where they were and be nonchalant about it.
>
> We used colors in our vocabulary a lot, so this meant we had to color label
> some things, and learn the colors of others.  Since I sew, I made a cloth
> booklet of material scraps on the machine and braille labeled them.  A
> quiet
> pastime to work on colors.
>
> Feeding when they are learning solids?  I used my index finger on the top
> of
> the spoon as a guide, and had my other hand behind their head to aim for
> the
> mouth.  It doesn't take long for the practice to become seamless, although
> somewhat messy as all babies will be.
>
> I found my best support system as a new mom was La Leche League.  We both
> made many wonderful friends and wonderful tips and advice.
>
> Those are some things I can think of off the top of my head.
>
> When reading on this list, it is so fun to rejoice with new parents, enjoy
> hearing about today's equipment, and wish some of it had been around when
> we
> were raising ours hahaha.
>
> Oh yes, there may be better devices now, but we carried our girls in frame
> packs everywhere, and when we used a stroller, it was the umbrella kind you
> can pull behind you as you use the cane or dog guide.
>
> Best wishes, and glad you found this list.
>
> Judy
>
> "Embrace each day with His mercies and blessings."
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: BlParent <blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Stephanie
> Campbell
> via BlParent
> Sent: Monday, November 14, 2022 10:22 AM
> To: blparent at nfbnet.org
> Cc: Stephanie Campbell <stephanie.m.zundel at gmail.com>
> Subject: [blParent] pregnant with my first baby and wondering about helpful
> resources?
>
> Hi,
>
> I am new to this mailing list. I am pregnant with my first baby and due in
> early May. I am fully blind (only see light and dark). My blindness is not
> genetic so my baby will be sighted. I am making my baby registry and was
> wondering if anyone has items that are must haves for blind parents? Does
> anyone know if the evenflo stroller works to be both pulled and pushed? Any
> tips that I should know to be a successful blind parent? Any programs where
> I can get free books that are print braille, and picture books? I know
> seedlings has a good selection and national braille press has some too, but
> I was wondering if there is a program to get some for free since the cost
> adds up very quickly. I am very excited to be a parent, but would love any
> advice or guidance.
>
> Thank you,
>
> --
> Stephanie Campbell, M.Ed.
> School Counselor
> Soaring Hawk Elementary
>
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-- 
Julie A. McGinnity
MM Vocal Performance, 2015; American University Washington College of
Law, JD Candidate 2023