[nfbwatlk] Urgent: about being a blind paret

Tue May 16 11:36:09 CDT 2006

From: "Bob Sellers" <robertsellers500 at comcast.net>
Reply-To: NFB of Washington Talk Mailing List <nfbwatlk at nfbnet.org>
To: "NFB of Washington Talk Mailing List" <nfbwatlk at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [nfbwatlk] Urgent: about being a blind paret
Date: Mon, 15 May 2006 22:54:11 -0700

What about it being a convention agenda itemf or our Fall convention?

bob
----- Original Message -----
From: "Alco" <amcanfield at comcast.net>
To: "NFB of Washington Talk Mailing List" <nfbwatlk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, May 15, 2006 10:19 PM
Subject: Re: [nfbwatlk] Urgent: about being a blind paret

 > I thinkCPS could also play a role in educating us re their guidelines,
etc.
 > This needs to be a dialog if people's attitudes are going to change.  It
has
 > been my experience that adversaries are more likely to be more receptive
 > when they realize we are gnuinely trying to understand their point of
view.
 > It may well get to "knock-down", but hopefully progress can be made 
before
 > that point.
 >
 > Alco
 > ----- Original Message -----
 > From: "Bob Sellers" <robertsellers500 at comcast.net>
 > To: "NFB of Washington Talk Mailing List" <nfbwatlk at nfbnet.org>
 > Sent: Monday, May 08, 2006 11:23 PM
 > 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
 > >>
 > >>
 > >> _______________________________________________
 > >> nfbwatlk mailing list
 > >> nfbwatlk at nfbnet.org
 > >> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbwatlk
 > >>
 > >>
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5/5/2006
 > >>
 > >>
 > >
 > > _______________________________________________
 > > nfbwatlk mailing list
 > > nfbwatlk at nfbnet.org
 > > http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbwatlk
 >
 > _______________________________________________
 > nfbwatlk mailing list
 > nfbwatlk at nfbnet.org
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 >
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Hi everyone:

I had some interesting news that kind of worries me. Blind people at the 
Washington State School for the Blind, the girls especially are afraid to 
have children now.  They say that they don't want children that will just be 
taken away by C.P.S.  Here's what I propose, and if I'm off base then tell 
me.

I have been dealing with C.P.S., and my case is nearly at a close thanks to 
everyone's letters.  I do find it odd though that none of them were read 
aloud in the meeting or otherwise brought up, don't you Bob?  Anyways, I've 
been getting ready to fill out some volunteer paperwork at the Washington 
State School for the blind, and i had this idea that kind of just popped 
into my head.

What if we had a blind parent go and tach a course at the Blind School, with 
the help of a C.P.S. worker if we can get one involved.  In this class 
called "Parenting for the blind 101", we teach the students how to parent a 
baby, much like Home Economics, but also all the threads and hoops to look 
forward to with C.P.S.  That way they all are prepared and know what to 
expect when and if they have a bouncing baby.  I could call my Lactation 
Specialist as well as my guideance counsellor and my Public Health Nurse to 
come in as guest Speakers and talk to the girls and boys about all kinds of 
things they teach at Maternity Support, and we could help the blind teens to 
know of resources they can fall back on.  If we do manage this class, it 
would be a year long course, and I'm willing to do it voluntarily though it 
might also do me a favor and count as some credits in college, since I'm 
majoring as a teacher.  Also, perhaps our young generation won't be so 
afraid to have babies if we do.  We'd need a blind father as well to come in 
and teach, but that shouldn't be too hard, should it?  I wish I had this 
class proposed when I went there.  Even the teachers threaten these poor 
students with C.P.S., and what if we opened it to public as well so that way 
everyone is educated?

Tell me what you all think  We could even talk of all the laws and rights 
Disabled people have, and the statutes and things.!
Sincerely
Mary