As Father’s Day approaches, I am reminded of the blind parents who are not able to be with their children right now. Not because of the lack of desire or because of their inability to care for their children but because of the assumptions of those who are ignorant of the capabilities of the blind. Sometimes, because of low expectations, it seems as if changing the minds of the people who wield the power to break up families is too big a job, but there is hope. I am reminded of the story of Pedro Martinez, which I talked about in my presidential report to the National Federation of the Blind last summer. I would like to share this excerpt with you as well as a few remarks I received from Pedro in a letter he sent to me right after our convention.  

One of the most dynamic ways that we live the lives we want is by providing the love and commitment that is needed to parent young children. Blind parents continue to get unfairly questioned by social workers, attorneys, and judges about their capacity to take care of their children simply because the parents happen to be blind. This year we have continued to reject those questions by assisting many blind parents who faced discriminatory actions in custody disputes. One case is that of a New York father, Pedro Martinez, who fought to have full custody of his young daughter. The social worker initially applauded his skills as a blind parent, but the social worker went on to conclude that the child was just too young to live with her father because he was blind and she would not have the ability to tell someone if she was being harmed. The report from the social service agency was described by our attorneys as one of the most shockingly discriminatory reports they had ever read. We were successful in convincing the government officials and the court that blindness was not the characteristic that defined the ability to be a good parent, and the little girl is now happily living with her dad. Mr. Martinez is with us at this convention. We are currently taking action on behalf of parents in New York, California, and Washington State who are each facing hostile and discriminatory presumptions about their ability to parent due to their blindness. Together we work with love to protect the rights of blind parents and we are not afraid to use our parenting skills forcefully and loudly when our blindness is used to artificially limit us. We will continue to say “no” to that behavior.

Pedro later wrote: “The NFB has given me the motivation to continue standing up for the rights of blind parents and to educate those who are in positions that will hinder parents who are blind or visually impaired in living the lives they choose with their families.” Here is a man who could have given up, yet he committed himself to fight for the right to raise his daughter. He goes on to share that “my daughter called me her hero. I knew at that point that I would never give up fighting for custody. At one point, I found myself between a rock and a hard place with very little room to maneuver.” Thanks to Pedro’s tenacity, he found the National Federation of the Blind and we were able to help. Pedro writes, “There is only one regret I have. That it took me so long to become a full member of NFB.”

He says that to this day, his daughter still calls him her hero and “this has been a learning lesson for me as well, because I also realized even the strongest heroes need help sometimes.”

We have the unique opportunity to give blind parents the resources and connections needed to become heroes for their children, and to support their protection when their rights are threatened. Do you agree? If so, I invite you to give the NFB a high five in support of blind parents across the nation. Together, we can change what it means to be blind in the hearts and minds of any and every one we come across.