In a message dated 96-04-25 07:39:01 EDT, you write:

>
>Date:    Thu, 25 Apr 1996 00:17:23 -0400
>From:    Margery Wilson <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: bf materials for the blind
>
>Ellen, contact LLLI. My husband is blind and, in 1987 when we were expecting
>Susan, he obtained tapes through them. They have The Womanly Art of
>Breastfeeding on tape. My husband used to get tapes of New Beginnings (the
>LLLI magazine for bf parents). We met an interesting blind couple (from
>Idaho, I believe) who were (at that time) responsible for getting the
>materials into audio form. They shared their enthusiasm for bf and LLLI with
>us.
>
>They told us a wonderful story of having two guide dogs present at the
>hospital when their children were born -- talk about a family centered
>birth!
>
>Your client might also try the Library of Congress lending library in her
>area (National Library Service for the Blind and Handicapped) -- likely she
>already gets books on tape from them.
>
>There are organizations for blind parents. Contact your state agency for the
>blind, National Organization of the Blind, or American Federation of the
>Blind. They can provide resources. We used to belong to an organization of
>parents of blind children, but they also had materials for blind parents.
>
>Nothing will take the place of kinesthetic learning for this lady. She would
>benefit from practice with dolls, and one-on-one explanation of positioning,
>latch-on. She will need to feel the latch, so observation and helpful
>support in the first couple of days will be very important.
>
>BTW: One of our friends, who is blind, had her baby at a local hospital
>where baby-friendly has been a goal. Her highest compliment of the nursing
>staff: "They never once assumed I needed more help than sighted moms. They
>asked me to tell them if I needed anything -- then they left me to it." This
>is often a deep concern for blind or deaf parents. My husband says when he
>was young it was common for blind or deaf parents to have their children
>removed to foster care, regardless of their parenting abilities.
>
>I hope the materials are still "out there." If not, perhaps the local LLLI
>group would read the materials onto a tape for her. Having information from
>New Beginnings -- incuding the advertisements -- is a real help. There are
>also places that will set printed material into jiffy Braille for a fee.
>
>If you hit dead ends email me and I will put my husband on the trail. He
>works for the National Braille Press and, even though he is past needing
>bf info (he knows it all :-D ) I'll bet he could track down something. I'll
>give a plug for the National Braille Press: they have a Children's book
>club. Publishers donate children's books and the press inserts clear
>brailled pages. This way the child can look at the book while the parent
>reads.
>
>Good luck.
>Sorry this was so long.
>
>Margery Wilson, IBCLC
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