I don't think I would have discouraged her from the blood pythons. We got two and they are great. We have ball pythons that are more aggresive towards people than they are. Also most of the worry about not eating is gone with bloods as they are like vacuums when it comes to rodents and will readily accept frozen thawed. Also Blood pythons tend to do better in display type enclosures and come out to say Hi more frequently.
Ball Pythons are way more popular, but Bloods are just as easy to take care of and I have not seen very many people who own both say anything bad about the temperment of a blood python.