[Blindtlk] Adjustment to Blindness Training, NFB Centers or Not?
Michelle Medina
michellem86 at gmail.com
Sat Mar 23 21:12:45 UTC 2013
You're right, I won't be anytime soon Ray. Smile.
Only, I am a liberal, not a conservative like a few have come out the
list as. Lol.
On 3/23/13, Gary Wunder <gwunder at earthlink.net> wrote:
> Hello, Kelby. I appreciate your honesty and the fact that you are talking
> about feelings rather than making accusations.
>
> There are comments which are sometimes made in the NFB that make me
> uncomfortable. I do not think we know the truth about blindness. It is a
> nice statement, but it is too overarching for me to embrace. I think we
> know some truths about blindness that make sense. I think we know that
> good
> training can make a tremendous difference in how people function in the
> world. I think we know that it makes sense for society to support
> rehabilitation programs that lead to our education and employment. I think
> we know that it makes sense to carry a cane that is long enough to tell you
> there is a poll or a sign in your path before you actually come in contact
> with it. I think we know that being literate is helpful in the information
> society and that this issue must be addressed so that many blind people
> have
> opportunity. I think we know that an important element of changing
> attitudes
> about blindness comes from interacting with and collectively addressing the
> misconceptions that cause a social worker to say there is no way she can,
> in
> good conscience, place a frail little infant in the care of two blind
> people
> unless they can guarantee her they will have 24x7 sighted assistance.
>
> I can't think of one person who believes that they are superior by virtue
> of
> the fact that they are blind. I can, however, think of a number of people
> who believe they are inferior because they once had sight and no longer do.
> I do believe that there are times when people react so strongly to the
> notion that we are broken human beings that they make it sound as though we
> are somehow special or superior, but I think this has more to do with
> changing the underlying assumptions of our discussions than it does a true
> sense of superiority.
>
> I am glad you are part of this list, whether or not you decide to join the
> national Federation of the blind. I feel the same way about Desiree. I
> welcome the opportunity to exchange points of view, and I do not consider
> it
> a failure of communication if I failed to change your mind or you failed to
> change mine. As long as we can communicate civilly and actually try to
> understand what the other person is saying, I think this kind of
> conversation is very worthwhile.
>
> Warmly,
>
> Gary
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: blindtlk [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of kelby
> carlson
> Sent: Friday, March 22, 2013 5:51 PM
> To: Blind Talk Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Adjustment to Blindness Training, NFB Centers or
> Not?
>
> My reservations are primarily attached to what I see as a "my way or the
> highway" mentality. Despite protestations to the contrary, I get the
> distinct feeling the NFB really believes it has found *the way* of
> understanding and living with blindness. While the NFB's particular
> methodology may work for some people--and has a good deal to commend
> it--it's just not something I'm comfortable embracing. I also detect a kind
> of insularity--a constant "looking in" if you will--that is unhelpful. It's
> one thing to have a like-minded community, but I sometimes feel as if there
> is a kind of feeling of superiority over sighted people--or even
> non-Federationists! I have felt distinctly out of the loop and out of place
> at some NFB events because I wasn't "plugged in", didn't know the lingo,
> and
> didn't have the kind of personal history that most other federationists
> seem
> to have. I cannot use these experiences to discourage anyone from joining
> the NFB, nor do I wish to. As I said previously in this discussion, I am
> uncomfortable with arguments based on anecdotal experience. This, then, is
> not an argument for or against the NFB--it probably explains more about me
> than the Federation. I hope that helps clarify a little.
>
>
>
> On 3/22/13, Desiree Oudinot <turtlepower17 at gmail.com> wrote:
>> A good soldier is not measured by how many bullets they fire, but by
>> their dedication to the cause. And a warrior doesn't need to be on the
>> battlefield to prove his worth to society.
>>
>> On 3/21/13, justin williams <justin.williams2 at gmail.com> wrote:
>>> Be a warrior. Be on the frong lines.
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: blindtlk [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
>>> kelby carlson
>>> Sent: Friday, March 22, 2013 5:52 PM
>>> To: Blind Talk Mailing List
>>> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Adjustment to Blindness Training, NFB Centers
>>> or Not?
>>>
>>> My perspective is similar to Desiree's. I have every intention of
>>> getting more involved in blindness advocacy in some way. However, I
>>> have reservations about all of the organizations there are. (It's
>>> totally possible those reservations will go away some day.) For now,
>>> I want to figure out what's going to work best for me as a blind
>>> person and do what I can individually to help others as well. There
>>> is great value in collectivity--no mistake--I'm just at a place where
>>> that isn't how I believe i can best function. I do hope to attend the
>>> convention one of these years, though, and my mind could definitely
>>> change!
>>>
>>> I know I may come across sounding antagonistic toward the Federation
>>> at times. I need to work harder on moderating what I say and how I
>>> say it. But believe me when I say I see a ton of value in the
>>> Federation and a great deal that I like and agree with.
>>> Fundamentally, my philosophy is very similar (I think) to the NFB
>>> philosophy. How it is worked out practically is sometimes where the
> rubber meets the road.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On 3/22/13, Desiree Oudinot <turtlepower17 at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>> Hi,
>>>> While I won't speak for Peter, I'll give my own perspective on why I
>>>> choose not to join the NFB or ACB.
>>>> It's not about having a superiority complex. I don't consider myself
>>>> to be better than anyone who is part of an organization. however, I
>>>> like to draw my own conclusions, keeping politics and hidden agendas
>>>> at arm's length. That's why my involvement only extends as far as
>>>> listservs will take it. I feel that reading messages written by
>>>> individual members is a much more unbiased, not to mention realistic
>>>> view, of how the members of each organization live, work and
>>>> interact in day-to-day life. At a meeting or convention, there's the
>>>> expectation that one must carry themselves a certain way, say the
>>>> right things, be inspired by all the right catch phrases. That's not
>>>> limited to organizations for or of the blind, either, that's a fact
>>>> of human nature. When you draw a large number of like-minded
>>>> individuals together, and get them all to focus on one specific
>>>> problem, proposition, or what have you, the people will either put
>>>> their best or worst foot forward collectively. There is little time
>>>> for individual thought processes, emotions, or personalities to take
>>>> root and stand above the rest.
>>>> I am, by nature, very reserved, maybe I could even be classified as
>>>> a loner in a lot of ways. As I said, I think and draw conclusions
>>>> best when there are no distractions, no bells and whistles so to
>>>> speak. I take what is important to me, what fits in with my values
>>>> and beliefs, and apply it to how I live my life. I don't honestly
>>>> feel that I need to belong to anything to find my purpose, nor
>>>> should I be told that I have no purpose unless I'm at the forefront
>>>> of every high and low point in the organization's history. I am
>>>> content with this, and I feel that I have a right to speak out about
>>>> it, since it's a viewpoint which most who hold it would probably not
>>>> be comfortable expressing for fear of being blamed and shamed.
>>>>
>>>> On 3/22/13, Gary Wunder <gwunder at earthlink.net> wrote:
>>>>> Hello, Peter. I have not followed this thread, but I have looked
>>>>> at one or two of your posts. I think it is a shame that you will
>>>>> not join the American Council of the Blind or the National
>>>>> Federation of the Blind.
>>>>> I
>>>>> suppose you believe there is some kind of superiority in being what
>>>>> you might call an independent. Perhaps you are right, but my own
>>>>> life experience indicates that having influence means joining with
>>>>> others of like mind, exploring how you can understand them and get
>>>>> them to understand you, and then acting together in a concerted way
>>>>> to bring about the better world we all say we want. One popular
>>>>> buzzword you can't help but hear if you listen to five minutes of
>>>>> the news is the word infrastructure, but there is a lot to be said
>>>>> for having a way to effect the change we want. For me this is the
>>>>> National Federation of the Blind. For others it is the American
>>>>> Council of the Blind. Though the organizations may disagree from
>>>>> time to time, one thing most all of us share is that we have made a
>>>>> commitment to blind people that extends beyond words. We are
>>>>> willing to put our time, our energy, and our money into helping
>>>>> you, whether or not you appreciate that we do so or ever raise a
>>>>> finger to help us. Much distance remains for us to travel, and we
>>>>> certainly can use a willing hand at the oars. Thanks for reading.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>> From: blindtlk [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
>>>>> Peter Wolfe
>>>>> Sent: Friday, March 22, 2013 1:52 PM
>>>>> To: Blind Talk Mailing List
>>>>> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Adjustment to Blindness Training, NFB
>>>>> Centers or Not?
>>>>>
>>>>> In fact, the best method that anybody can teach you is
>>>>> improvization not technique persay. It doesn't matter where you get
>>>>> any information from on these things whether NFB, ACB, AFB, Lion's
>>>>> Club's or wherever as long as you get whatever information. Make-up
>>>>> yoru own techniques and sell a book for all I care as long as it
>>>>> works for you that is all that counts. I could careless as logn as
>>>>> you share the information with fellow blind individuals that is my
>>>>> thhing that it shouldn't matter what special interest group that
>>>>> your apart of cause we should all work together in dealing with a
>>>>> rotten situation to make it better. By the way, I'm never going to
>>>>> be part of NFB, ACB, AFB or any of them.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> sincerely,
>>>>> Peter
>>>>>
>>>>> On 3/22/13, Steve Jacobson <steve.jacobson at visi.com> wrote:
>>>>>> Kelby,
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Your question is a fair one and I don't have a definitive answer.
>>>>>> I can only tell you that I received training before there were NFB
>>>>>> centers and I have been a reasonably successful traveler and have
>>>>>> generally managed my life successfully. However, in the work I
>>>>>> have done with BLIND Incorporated, I see that there are things I
>>>>>> missed when I was trained. I think I have picked up much of what
>>>>>> I missed primarily because of my association with others in the
>>>>>> Federation. It has more to do with being confident enough to try
>>>>>> new situations and knowing that I'll figure them out even if I
>>>>>> don't know exactly how at the start, and less to do with how many
>>>>>> inches I swing my cane left and right. In my opinion, and you may
>>>>>> see this as a cop-out, it has less to do with comparing the
>>>>>> quality of one's travel skills and more to do with whether one
>>>>>> actually gets out and travels. These are not easy things to measure.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I know you some via e-mail and I think we may have met in the
>>>>>> past, but I don't know how well you travel, for example. What I
>>>>>> do know is that most of us are affected by the general attitudes
>>>>>> that surround us in a way that is hard to measure. Even though we
>>>>>> have some idea of what our capabilities are, unless we are
>>>>>> exceptionally confident, we are going to tend to believe it if we
>>>>>> are uncertain how we would accomplish a given thing and someone
>>>>>> tells us we can't do it. I believe there was a time when there
>>>>>> was a clear dividing line between NFB training centers and many
>>>>>> other centers. We believed that we have to affect one's attitude
>>>>>> toward blindness and oneself while most other centers believed that
> they need to concentrate on teaching techniques.
>>>>>> The common belief among some other centers was that changing
>>>>>> attitudes toward blindness was dictating a philosophy and was
>>>>>> outside of their mandate.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Frankly, I think this has changed some over the years and that
>>>>>> there is a more general acceptance of the notion that one's belief
>>>>>> in oneself is probably as important as the techniques used so some
>>>>>> of the lines are not as clear as they once were. Still, I am
>>>>>> skeptical of how well attitudes can be changed in a couple of
>>>>>> months, but of course, it depends some upon the starting point of the
> individual.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> It was observed at one of our state conventions that we are not
>>>>>> all good travelers. The person making the observation, who shall
>>>>>> remain nameless, said that they felt a need to jump in and help
>>>>>> but there were too many people to try to help all at once.
>>>>>> However, they soon realized that good techniques or bad, people
>>>>>> were getting where they needed to go without assistance, and that
>>>>>> what appeared to be potentially frustrating to an observer was not
>>>>>> the case for the traveler. This isn't meant to diminish the role
>>>>>> of good travel techniques, only to make the point that there is
>>>>>> more to travel than techniques. Having said all this, though, I
>>>>>> also believe that what we have come to call structured discovery
>>>>>> is a valid difference in how one learns to travel. In some ways,
>>>>>> it takes longer to learn but provides a better base from which to
>>>>>> work. Some of us who did not attend NFB training centers have
>>>>>> adopted this approach on our own to some degree, but we would
>>>>>> probably have adopted it more easily having had training in an NFB
> center.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I have seen somewhat of a pattern in a number of your messages.
>>>>>> Often, you start rejecting a position that some of us have taken.
>>>>>> Then, when you hear the stories that some have told, you seem to
>>>>>> be more open to the possibility that there are sometimes reasons
>>>>>> for positions we might have taken. I won't bore you with the
>>>>>> details of the time I almost missed a flight because I allowed
>>>>>> myself to be talked into waiting for a cart, only to have one not
>>>>>> be available for close to an hour, and how the airline employee
>>>>>> refused to tell me which gate I needed to get to. Anyway, some of
>>>>>> what you are hearing here would have been a part of your training
>>>>>> at an NFB Center. You would likely have been given the chance to
>>>>>> interact personally with people who had similar experiences so
>>>>>> that you could ask them questions. You can get some of this
>>>>>> information here, of course, but what about the many experiences that
> are not discussed?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Still, I think it makes sense to be careful not to judge one another.
>>>>>> My goal is not to convince you how bad your training was, because
>>>>>> it might be all right. I feel pretty certain that there are
>>>>>> things you didn't get that you would have gotten had you spent
>>>>>> time in one of our centers as indicated above, but I don't really
>>>>>> think that is the point. The point is how can we help you now and
>>>>>> how can you help us and other blind people? Are there things you
>>>>>> are not comfortable doing that perhaps someone else here is
>>>>>> comfortable doing? We could even explore here some of the things
>>>>>> that many of us have overcome as a result of the encouragement from
> others.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Sure, I'd like to have the words to make you see things exactly as
>>>>>> I see them, isn't that always true? In the end, though, I don't
>>>>>> care that much whether you believe there is a difference in
>>>>>> training centers or not. I care more that you have what you need
>>>>>> to get a job when you get out of college and that you are able to
>>>>>> live as full a life as you can live, and I believe there are ways
>>>>>> we can help you do that.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Best regards,
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Steve Jacobson
>>>>>>
>>>>>> On Thu, 21 Mar 2013 23:09:07 -0500, Kelby Carlson wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>I keep hearing this in NFB literature and from federationists-that
>>>>>>>my local training simply must have been far, far inferior to
>>>>>>>anything the NFB has. I have as of yet seen no actual compelling
>>>>>>>evidence for this claim, and no one I know well in the NFB has
>>>>>>>offered me convincing reasons as to why the training I have is
>>>>>>>bad. (Those who don't know me can't offer any reasons, as they
>>>>>>>don't know my context.) If NFB mobility is so wonderful, I wish
>>>>>>>they would allow people interested to pay for a little instruction
>>>>>>>to get a sense of their methodology in real space time rather than
>>>>>>>forcing people to commit to six to nine months.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>Kelby
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>>>>>From: cheryl echevarria <cherylandmaxx at hotmail.com
>>>>>>>To: Blind Talk Mailing List <blindtlk at nfbnet.org Date sent: Thu,
>>>>>>>21 Mar 2013 23:56:35 -0400
>>>>>>>Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] NFB Guide Dog School, A Possible Scenario
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>Well we all need good mobility skills. A dog is not a replacement
>>>>>>>for mobility skills. Whether you use a cane, sighted guide, or a
>>>>>>>guide dog.
>>>>>>>If you haven't been to an NFB School over the training you get
>>>>>>>locally then you don't know what you are missing.
>>>>>>>Never going to them myself. I have seen what someone with no
>>>>>>>knowledge of any of the services or very little in there own
>>>>>>>areas, and come back from our schools with the confidence and the
>>>>>>>mobility and the other services that are given there.
>>>>>>>If NFB is interested in forming a guide dog school on the NFB's
>>>>>>>philosophy then it comes with the first steps in mobility and then
>>>>>>>a dog. I have not been blind all my life. I lost my vision as an
>>>>>>>adult, and I learned the mobility and cane skills, my dog doesn't
>>>>>>>know when to cross the street, I have to give him the direction to do
> so.
>>>>>>>Know if I am mistaken in what is being said, I am the first to
>>>>>>>mention when I am wrong, but there will be a day that we will
>>>>>>>either not want to take our dogs places, by our own choice, or in
>>>>>>>between a dog, or whatever the issues are. That I know the skills
>>>>>>>to get me where I want to go whether it is with my Maxx or not.
>>>>>>>Have a great night all.
>>>>>>>Take care and god bless.
>>>>>>>Whatever decision is met and decided should be done with kindness
>>>>>>>to one another; and with the philosophy of the great organization.
>>>>>>>Cheryl Echevarria, PresidentNFB Travel & Tourism
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>Disabled Entrepreneur of the Year 2012 of NY State Leading the Way
>>>>>>>in Independent Travel!SNG Certified - Accessible Travel
>>>>>>>Advocate!Cheryl Echevarria,
>>>>>>>Ownerhttp://www.echevarriatravel.com631-456-5394reservations@eche
>>>>>>>varriatravel.comhttp://www.echevarriatravel.wordpress.com2012
>>>>>>>Norwegian Cruise Line University Advisory Board Member.
>>>>>>>Affiliated as an independent contractor with Montrose TravelCST -
>>>>>>>#1018299-10Echevarria Travel and proud member of the National
>>>>>>>Federation of the Blind will be holding a year round fundraiser
>>>>>>>for the http://www.NFBNY.org after Hurricane Sandy and other
> resources.
>>>>>>>Any vacation package booked between November 6 2012-November 6,
>>>>>>>2013 and vacation must be traveled no later than
>>>>>>>12/30/2014 a percentage of my earnings will go to the affiliate.
>>>>>>>Also is you book a Sandals for couples or Beaches for families and
>>>>>>>friends resorts vacation, $100.00 per booking will go to the
>>>>>>>affiliate as well. You do not need to be a member of the NFB.org,
>>>>>>>just book through us.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Date: Thu, 21 Mar 2013 21:18:49 -0500
>>>>>>> From: kelbycarlson at gmail.com
>>>>>>> To: blindtlk at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] NFB Guide Dog School, A Possible Scenario
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I'll echo what Cindysaid. There isno way I would give up that
>>>>>>>much time for mobility training I already had purely for the
>>>>>>>purpose of getting a dog. ZPeter said, I would go somewhere else
> straightaway.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Kelby
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>>>>> From: "Cindy Handel" <cindy425 at verizon.net
>>>>>>> To: "Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org Date sent:
>>>>>>>Thu,
>>>>>>>21 Mar 2013 21:56:01 -0400
>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] NFB Guide Dog School, A Possible Scenario
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> When the NFB centers were started, many years ago, there was a
>>>>>>> real lack of quality training for blind people. I don't really
>>>>>>> think that's the case with guide schools. There are some schools
>>>>>>> which do things differently from others. But, there are people
>>>>>>> who prefer one approach over another. I don't really think that
>>>>>>> NFB needs to get involved with guide dog training.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> As for Peter's suggestion that students would go through the nine
>>>>>>>month NFB center training, first, this will severely limit the
>>>>>>>number of people choosing to have training from an NFB guide dog
>>>>>>>school, should one be started. I don't know to many people who
>>>>>>>can give up a year of their life to get a guide dog.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Cindy
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>>>> From: Peter Donahue
>>>>>>> Sent: Thursday, March 21, 2013 2:25 PM
>>>>>>> To: Blind Talk Mailing List
>>>>>>> Subject: [Blindtlk] NFB Guide Dog School, A Possible Scenario
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Good afternoon Julie and everyone,
>>>>>>> Julie and I have had many conversations on this issue in the
>>>>>>>past so she knows where I'm coming from. In line with her
>>>>>>>comments below I'd like to suggest a possible scenario for an
>>>>>>>NFB-run guide dog program:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Since we all ready have three orientation and adjustment
>>>>>>>centers for blind adults and youth there would be no need for a
>>>>>>>facility for housing students in training to be constructed.
>>>>>>>Hold on folks.
>>>>>>>Students
>>>>>>> wishing to
>>>>>>> obtain a guide dog from the NFB's program would be required to
>>>>>>>complete the
>>>>>>> 6-9 month program at one of the centers. During the student's
>>>>>>>"Bootcamp training" the center has an opportunity to come to know
>>>>>>>the student inside-out and will be able to furnish lots of
>>>>>>>background information on the applicant to the guide dog unit.
>>>>>>>Unlike current guide dog programs that must rely on references
>>>>>>>and other information that may be true or false the NFB guide
>>>>>>>dog program will have all ready had accurate information gathered
>>>>>>>for them by the training center and can be assured that the
>>>>>>>applicant is a suitable candidate for a dog.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> This approach will also assure the guide dog program that the
>>>>>>>student is up-to-par with their cane skills and is capable of
>>>>>>>transferring them to the use of a dog. Students that
>>>>>>>successfully complete the cane travel component of their
>>>>>>>immersion training would be eligible to receive a dog.
>>>>>>> This
>>>>>>> approach would also permit students receiving a dog to complete
>>>>>>>other aspects of their immersion training minimizing the wasted
>>>>>>>time students often experience when at guide dog training
>>>>>>> facilities.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Students undergoing guide dog instruction would be required
>>>>>>> to wear sleep shades as they do when taking other center classes
>>>>>>> and participating in designated center activities. Like students
>>>>>>> who undergo cane travel instruction at our centers those training
>>>>>>> with dogs would be encouraged to travel on their own prior to
>>>>>>> completion of the training. In the beginning they could be
>>>>>>> accompanied by an experienced guide dog user/trainer but would be
>>>>>>> expected to travel and complete "Monster Routes" entirely on their
> own using their dogs.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> As for the dog component of the operation I imagine it would
>>>>>>> operate similar to those of current guide dog programs. The
>>>>>>> program would operate its own breeding component or obtain
>>>>>>> suitable dogs from donations. The usual period of socialization
>>>>>>> and puppy raising wouldn't be that much different than is done by
>>>>>>> current guide dog programs. The dogs would return for a period
>>>>>>> of training when they're taught how to guide a blind person.
>>>>>>> Once the dogs are ready to be pared with their future blind owner
>>>>>>> they along with an instructor would be sent to the center where
>>>>>>> the student receiving the dog will be trained. Alternatively the
>>>>>>> NFB guide dog program could operate from one of our centers.
>>>>>>> Those wishing to obtain dogs once their "Bootcamp"
>>>>>>> training is complete would transfer to that center for training
>>>>>>> with the dog. Using all ready existing facilities to house
>>>>>>> students in training is one way to reduce the cost of training guide
> dogs.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> The above is just one possible scenario of how an NFB-run
>>>>>>> guide dog program could work but I'm sure others would have
>>>>>>> additional ideas. If it's to happen at all the discussion must
>>>>>>> continue at a cost of 0 to participants. All the best.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Peter Donahue
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>>>>> From: "Julie J." <julielj at neb.rr.com
>>>>>>> To: "Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>> Sent: Thursday, March 21, 2013 8:08 AM
>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Canes and Dogs, the In-House Checkup
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I think the answer to protecting the dogs is two fold. First I
>>>>>>>would like to see a more in depth background investigation of the
>>>>>>>blind applicant. Do a criminal background check, require more
>>>>>>>references, ask the neighbors...whatever it takes. Adoption
>>>>>>>agencies place children into homes surely we can figure out a
>>>>>>>way to more accurately know what sort of situation the dog will be
> placed into.
>>>>>>>Secondly, I think there are already agencies in place for
>>>>>>>dealing with animal abuse, the police and animal control. I
>>>>>>>don't see any reason why these agencies can't be used in cases
>>>>>>>of neglect or abuse.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> In regard to cost and the blind applicant absorbing the cost of
>>>>>>>the dog in order to own the dog outright is an extremely valid
>>>>>>> point.
>>>>>>>We
>>>>>>> have
>>>>>>> to stop expecting everything for nothing. I like the Seeing
>>>>>>>Eye's concept of charging the student. I do wish that the cost
>>>>>>>had increased over the years with the cost of living. It has
>>>>>>>been $150 since the beginning of the school in 1928. I think
>>>>>>>that's the right year.
>>>>>>> $150
>>>>>>> was a very different sum of money then and now.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I also think that guide dogs can be raised and trained for
>>>>>>> substantially lower sums of money than $60,000. If you look at
>>>>>>> the various guide dog programs and how much each claims it costs
>>>>>>> to train a dog, the numbers vary widely. All those buildings,
>>>>>>> fancy food, excessive equipment and other niceties cost money.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Julie
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>>>>> blindtlk at nfbnet.org
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>>>>>>> blindtlk:
>>>>>>>
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>>>>>>> 0satx.rr.com
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>>>>
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>>>>>>
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>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> --
>>>>> Cordially,
>>>>> Peter Q Wolfe, BA
>>>>> cum laude Auburn University
>>>>> e-mail: yogabare13 at gmail.com
>>>>> "If you don't stand up for something your willing to fall for
>>>>> anything"
>>>>> Peter Q Wolfe
>>>>> "Stand up for your rights"
>>>>> Bob Marley
>>>>>
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>>> link.ne
>>>>> t
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