[Blind-rollers] Inquiry about service dog and electric wheelchair

Fri Oct 28 19:37:35 UTC 2016

Leanne, Jake came from the Seeing eye. I gather, but don't know some schools
like the Seeing Eye will train a dog to guide a power chair for their grads.

Seven years ago I had a terrible accident where I smashed my ankle. The
doctor told me much later, he had no idea if I would ever walk again. I just
got golden retriever Jake from the Seeing Eye. So I made myself not feel
stuck in my wheelchair. In fact as I prayed, I felt strongly to see the
chair as my "joy wheels. I could do more in the manual chair then on
crutches or try hopping with a walker. So it was a hassle, but I did a lot
in my "joy wheels." We went to Seattle, and Disney World, shopping trips. I
made my husband meet me across the store at the other door. Joy wheels and
my cane took me across the store avoiding many people in our way to meet
him. All those little things I did on my own really increased my confidence.
In my case though, I had one good foot to help push the chair, so I could
have a free hand to use my cane.

Waiting for my husband to finish shopping, I felt like a door stop. So I
shook myself and my husband learned to talk so I could follow him in my
manual chair. One thing I noticed was Jake started guiding my chair. So I
took his harness told him to steady and I followed him. We worked out
smaller spaces and larger spaces also. I just worked him in stores as he
naturally pulls and he shouldn't pull. So the floor would make it easier for
him if he did tug to hard. 

I also have hearing loss, so me following my husband only worked to a point.
He would tell me left or right, meaning him turning. I got pretty good at
keeping a straight line. Hey I followed my dog, smile.

I was born with a bone disorder. I have very fragile bone. In fact I just
got done with a research study conducted by the National Health something
which funded the study. Hey I even had coffee and my brain is stuck in
neutral. They are following us over five years of the funding, but will
apply for more study years. So I hear you fully about being afraid and
breaking easily. 

Becky and the fluffy flying fur ball, ims a real smart dog, Aunt Leanne,
toothy grin. Love Jake   
-----Original Message-----
From: Blind-Rollers [mailto:blind-rollers-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Cliff & Leanne Cherry via Blind-Rollers
Sent: Friday, October 28, 2016 10:26 AM
To: 'Blind wheelchair users list' <blind-rollers at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Cliff & Leanne Cherry <cliff.leanne at verizon.net>
Subject: Re: [Blind-rollers] Inquiry about service dog and electric
wheelchair

Unfortunately, when I had my below knee amputation, I did get a prosthesis;
but I couldn't walk far with it because I was afraid of falling.  I had
fallen many times when I had both legs and lost my confidence first of all.
Secondly, because of my diabetic neuropathy, my balance became terrible,
therefore, causing my falling; and two of my falls cause me to break, first,
my right femur and ,second, my left femur.  My second amputation is a left
above knee amputation.  Because my muscles have gotten so atrophied, I don't
have the strength to use an above knee prosthesis.  

Trust me, I don't like not walking; I don't know, this side of heaven, if I
will ever get over not being able to walk like I have, with God's grace and
strength, gotten over many other hurdles (loss of my sight, kidney function
and being on dialysis three different times with two kidney transplants in
between stents on dialysis, etc.)

I loved being able to harness up my girls, whichever I had at the time, and
how all three of them used to hear the harness being taken down out of the
closet and would excitedly run straight into her harness.  They all were
born to guide, and guide they did as perfectly as God created them to.  I
loved harnessing up my dog guide, being able to just go, independently,
wherever, whenever and with whomever I wanted to.  I miss watching how
intelligent God made these dogs (and other service animals) and how much
they loved doing their job!

Anyway, enough of my wallowing!  Becky, I'm sorry about not asking about
your boy Jake!  What kind of dog is he, where did you receive him from and
where is the dog guide school, you went to get him from, located?

Thanks for all the information everyone has given!

Leanne Cherry

-----Original Message-----
From: Blind-Rollers [mailto:blind-rollers-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Becky Frankeberger via Blind-Rollers
Sent: Friday, October 28, 2016 12:41 PM
To: 'Blind wheelchair users list' <blind-rollers at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Becky Frankeberger <b.butterfly at comcast.net>
Subject: Re: [Blind-rollers] Inquiry about service dog and electric
wheelchair

Leeanne, There is a totally blind man with two artificial legs about to
train with a guide dog. He walks down several steps to get to the transit
van to take him to work. He did have a kidney pancreas transplant so is not
diabetic any longer. So you could go that way as well, as something to
consider.  

But yes, agree withMaureen for the lift problem and a power chair. Also you
will need a van with a lift, if your husband or friends drive you in your
car.

Yes, we as blind people can own cars and have insurance in our own names. We
had two at one point, but sold both.

Becky and guide dog Jake
-----Original Message-----
From: Blind-Rollers [mailto:blind-rollers-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Maureen Pranghofer via Blind-Rollers
Sent: Thursday, October 27, 2016 7:06 PM
To: Blind wheelchair users list <blind-rollers at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Maureen Pranghofer <maureensmusic at comcast.net>
Subject: Re: [Blind-rollers] Inquiry about service dog and electric
wheelchair

Hello Leann
There are lifts which can be put on a stairway and one can wheel right on to
these and go down the steps in a power chair but they are frightfully
expensive.  And in a condo whether the management would allow it, I don't
know.
My dog is a jet black lab named Walter.He was trained through Can-Do-Canines
who train mobility assist, seizure response, autism assist, diabetic assist,
and hearing assist dogs.
Maureen

-----Original Message-----
From: Cliff & Leanne Cherry via Blind-Rollers
Sent: Thursday, October 27, 2016 8:40 PM
To: blind-rollers at nfbnet.org
Cc: Cliff & Leanne Cherry
Subject: [Blind-rollers] Inquiry about service dog and electric wheelchair

Hi, Maureen,

First, I'd like to thank everyone for all the information given.  I'm blind
and wheelchair bound because I'm a diabetic and have had two amputations!

Second, I live in a first-floor condo, but it's up ten steps.  So far, I've
used a manual wheelchair and have a chair lift that I transfer to; and it
glides down the stairs, someone carries my wheelchair down the steps
(usually my husband) and away we go. I do wonder, if I had to go to an
electric chair, what would be my options of getting an electric chair down
my 10 steps?  Also, Maureen, where did you receive your service dog?  Also,
I suppose this is only a nosey question because I am a dog lover. what kind
of dog do you have, and what is his/her name?  Thanks again!

Leanne Cherry

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