BB Torch :: How To Check Email Without Phone Service

We have recently had to downgrade our cell phone service for financial reasons, and sprint does not allow you to downgrade from a everything data plan to a talk and text plan only if you have a smartphone.As a result I had no choice but to turn off the phone service on my torch and use a much older non smart phone. I only recently purchased the torch 9850 and still use it daily in wifi areas. I would like to know how it may be possible to still check my email on it. I know I have other devices ( kindle) that are able to access my email accounts without having to use phone service. I would also like to know if any of the instant messaging capabilities would still work, although that I understand not working more so than the email.