[nfbwatlk] Urgent: about being a blind parent

Tue May 9 05:19:59 CDT 2006

Hi,
I was afraid, all those years, that neighbors would report us and that my 
daughter would be taken away.  It was a real fear and I am glad it never 
happened.

Neighbors called the police one time saying our house was being broken into 
and it was my former husband putting a window frame in.  They also called 
when he was on the roof cleaning out the eaves troughs, gutters, whatever 
you call them.  So they knew two blind people lived there and had a 
daughter.  And they watched us all the time, just waiting for something bad 
to happen.

I am just really sorry this kind of stuff is still going on like all our 
efforts still weren't enough or something.
thanks
Lauren
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----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Kris Lawrence" <kris.lawrence at comcast.net>
To: "'NFB of Washington Talk Mailing List'" <nfbwatlk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Tuesday, May 09, 2006 12:28 AM
Subject: Re: [nfbwatlk] Urgent: about being a blind parent

> This is the law thet Mike wrote and I think Ben helped on, where a state
> agency is not allowed to go in and take a child out of the home based 
> solely
> on blindness. Talk to Mike for the exact RCW #.
>
> Noel and I were recently able to meet with the Director of Civil Rights 
> for
> Health and Human Services. The Regional director was there as well. We
> talked about this particular issue at that meeting. The Regional Director,
> Linda, is aware of the NFB and would like to continue working with us.
>
> I know that Debbie Bacon is (or has) put together training for CPS workers
> regarding Blind Parents. I have also recently worked with another blind
> parent who was dealing with custody issues as well. The spouse was telling
> the lawyer and the GAL that the blind parent was not fit as a parent 
> solely
> due to blindness. After some discussion with the GAL we were able to work
> things out satisfactory.
>
> Before I joined the NFB, it was a concern of mine that something like this
> might happen to me. Now I know that there are a whole lot of people out
> there who will back me up if ever they come a-knocking.
>
> Good luck and keep us informed.
>
> Kris
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nfbwatlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfbwatlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
> Behalf Of Bob Sellers
> Sent: Monday, May 08, 2006 11:24 PM
> To: NFB of Washington Talk Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [nfbwatlk] Urgent: about being a blind paret
>
>
> Kris,
> Thank you for participating. You will have to refresh my memory about 
> which
> law you are referring to. Maybe we as local chapters need to invite CPS
> workers to meetings, our convention and get their attitudes and reactions
> about blind parents. Otherwords do some educating.
>
> Bob
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Kris Lawrence" <kris.lawrence at comcast.net>
> To: "'NFB of Washington Talk Mailing List'" <nfbwatlk at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Monday, May 08, 2006 11:03 PM
> Subject: Re: [nfbwatlk] Urgent: about being a blind paret
>
>
>> Bob,
>>
>> Now, isn't this where the law that was passed oh solong ago will come 
>> into
>> play?
>>
>> I'll send my testimony to you off list. Hard to believe this sh** still
>> happens when blindness alone is the only concern.
>>
>> Kris
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: nfbwatlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfbwatlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>> Behalf Of Bob Sellers
>> Sent: Monday, May 08, 2006 5:39 PM
>> To: NFB of Washington Talk Mailing List
>> Subject: [nfbwatlk] Urgent: about being a blind paret
>>
>>
>> We have an urgent need. We have a blind lady  here in town, Mary Baker,
> who
>> has a 5 month old baby. When the child was born the hospital contacted 
>> CPS
>> with the concern of her blindness and the raising of the child.
> Apparently
>> Mary has had to jump thru some hoops trying to satisfy CPS. Mary
> contacted
>> me at the end of last week. What she said she is in need of, is aare
>> testimonies, experiences and comments on how, technieques, methods,
>> different ways etc.etc.  on how we as  blind parents overcame situations
> in
>> raising kids. Such as, knowing where they are when we are out walking,
>> feeding them, where they are hurt at, any bloodd, etc. etc. I'm sure we
> have
>> all had to explain to people how we accomplished some of these task.
>> I've talked  with the case worker, there only concern is the blindness.
> She
>> would appreciate any comments that we can generate on Mary's behalf. The
>> case worker and her boss are not aware of   parenting  as a blind person.
>> We had a very good discussion and she is supportive of Mary. The case
> worker
>> told me that when she talked with Mary's mother, that her mother said 
>> that
>> Mary is fiercely independent.  I am meeting with the case workers and 
>> Mary
>> this Wensday morning, 5/10. So it is importent that you send in emails in
> A
>> S A P!! I'll have you send it to the case worker with a cc to Mary.
>>
>> Mary will  also be able to learn from our technieques. After all, kids
> don't
>> come bouncing out with a 'Here's what you need to do manuel" in their
> hands.
>>
>> case workers email: nelson7909 at comcast.net
>> Mary's email: lakotagirl1424 at hotmail.com
>>
>> Bob Sellers, President
>> Clark County Chapter of NFBW
>>
>> Bob
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
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>> nfbwatlk at nfbnet.org
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>>
>>
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>>
>
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