recently become visually impaired and cant get son to school

jellybeans13

hi
due to an illness i have recently lost over half my vision and am unable to take my son to school due to safety issues he is 4 years old and in reception class.
the school say they are unable to help , have tried social services who said they cant help and have called educational welfare services who said they cant help and i will have to pay for a taxi to get him to school and back,which i cant afford, i don't know any parents who could take him for me either.
was hoping someone might have any other ideas or advice.
thanks

Savvy_Sue

Can I ask if this is a temporary or a permanent problem? As in, are you due to get some mobility training which would allow you to do this, or is it too far to walk?

Have you got a local service for blind and partially sighted people? If not, or you haven't been told about it, contact RNIB.

jellybeans13

hi , i have been working with a rehabilitation worker from the kent blind association who has supplied me with a white stick but we have only been working on using it around the house, we will be going on to use it outside but she said it will be quite sometime before i m able to go out by myself with the stick and also be in charge of my son .
to be honest the thought of going out by myself really scares me and having my son with me even more so with all the roads to cross and not being able to see him if hes more than a few feet away.
it feels like getting used to living in a whole new world.

Cyclamen

Have you contacted the school .

Maybe they know another kiddie from your area who you could get your son a lift with? It's grasping at straws but might work.

Savvy_Sue

jellybeans13 wrote: »

hi , i have been working with a rehabilitation worker from the kent blind association who has supplied me with a white stick but we have only been working on using it around the house, we will be going on to use it outside but she said it will be quite sometime before i m able to go out by myself with the stick and also be in charge of my son .
to be honest the thought of going out by myself really scares me and having my son with me even more so with all the roads to cross and not being able to see him if hes more than a few feet away.
it feels like getting used to living in a whole new world.

OK, it is like a whole new world, but it's worth remembering that many blind and partially sighted people DO get around perfectly well, AND take care of children, so it is possible.

Just had a thought, the Radio 4 programme 'In Touch' is worth getting onto your radar, they did a programme on blind fathers last November which could be worth a listen, still on Listen Again.