[nabs-l] NFB training centers and guide dogs

Tue May 10 04:43:25 UTC 2011

Hi Kirt.

I am currently a dog user.  Yes, dogs do help the straight line
problem.  I have that too.  It's a serious pain, and I notice it much
more when I walk with a cane now that I have a dog.  I never noticed
the difference before I got a dog.  I don't know if that makes sense.

Honestly, the training centers sound great.  All the reasons you have
listed above are good ones for going to the center.  I'm also
interested in knowing CCB's policy because if you really get to use
the dog for part of the day, I think that is fair.  I know their
concentration at those centers are cane skills, but there are other
reasons(like you pointed out) for going to a center than to work on
cane skills, and if I am going to use a dog for the majority of my
travel, I just feel that what I do in the center should reflect what I
will do in real life.  I'm not trying to start anything.  These are
just my thoughts.  I may poke around on the CCB's webcite or call to
find out myself their policy.

Good luck!

On 5/9/11, Kirt Manwaring <kirt.crazydude at gmail.com> wrote:
> Darian,
>   That does make sense.  And it's a valid, very important point for me
> to consider.  But here are some important factors I also have to
> weigh:
> 1.  Improving my O&M is one of many reasons I'd have to attend a traiing
> center.
> 2.  I have the fundamentals of cane travel down pat.  (I've been using
> a cane my whole life)
> 3.  My biggest weakness in O&M is a lack of confidence and experience
> in urban areas.
> 4.  Although my cane skills are solid, I struggle with walking a
> straight line across streets-I've had guide dogs recommended to me as
> a possible solution to the problem by many people, blind and sighted
> alike, both cane and dog users.
> 5.  Based on past experience, my problem solving skills are mostly
> solid, although I need work and experience in more varied
> environments.
> 6.  Even if my cane skills met RJ's standard of perfection, I'd still
> probably want to get more training in daily living,
> confidence-building activities like wood shop, advanced technology
> instruction and braille (I've been reading braille my whole life, I
> read contracted braille at around 130 words a minute and I'm not good
> at slate and stylus-plenty to work on there.)
>   So, basically, I want to explore as many options as I can here.  If
> a dog guide could help me do what I need to do, and I have free time
> this summer I wouldn't have during normal school time, why not take
> advantage?  I could always wait till one more semester is done before
> I take my nine-month break from school; I guarantee pushing the center
> back 4 months from myinitial plans won't kill anyone.  Assuming I go
> the dog route, that would give me and Fido some more time to get to
> know each other.  Of course, since my state center is increasingly
> adopting the NFB training model, there's a chance rehab won't pay for
> me to go out-of-state when a similar program is available here.  Of
> course, maybe I'll realize a dog isn't the right fit for me and a cane
> would be better-who knows?  If that happens, this is all moot anyhow.
>   I was just looking at this as a possible option-I'm not saying it's
> what I'm planning on or what I think I should do.  Again, thanks
> everyone for the input, suggestions and constructive discussion.  I'm
> tired-have a great night!
>   Warmest regards,
> Kirt
>
> On 5/9/11, Darian Smith <dsmithnfb at gmail.com> wrote:
>> Would it  be much  simpler to say that the main idea is to get  a
>> solid foundation in  cane travel (how to use a cane in all kinds of
>> situations, problem-solving, and the like)?  doing this  will best
>> allow you to make the best dicision for yourself in regards to if you
>> really want  to go the cane or dog guide route  (both respectable
>> choices).
>>  However you choose to go about this is how you choose to do it, but
>> it's probably key to think about what's the most fair to you and your
>> dog guide, because after all, you and your four-legged friend are a
>> team. *smile*
>>   does that make sense?
>>
>> On 5/9/11, Nicole B. Torcolini at Home <ntorcolini at wavecable.com> wrote:
>>> Yes.
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: <bookwormahb at earthlink.net>
>>> To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list"
>>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>>> Sent: Monday, May 09, 2011 8:18 PM
>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] NFB training centers and guide dogs
>>>
>>>
>>>> Nicole,
>>>> Are you a dog user?
>>>>
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>> From: Nicole B. Torcolini at Home
>>>> Sent: Monday, May 09, 2011 10:36 PM
>>>> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
>>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] NFB training centers and guide dogs
>>>>
>>>> Unless you are in a situation with work, school, or something else in
>>>> which
>>>> you know that you will be using your cane more than your dog, I do not
>>>> think
>>>> that it is fair to ask someone if he/she is going to use a cane more
>>>> than
>>>> the dog.
>>>>
>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>> From: "Jedi" <loneblindjedi at samobile.net>
>>>> To: <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>>>> Sent: Monday, May 09, 2011 7:01 PM
>>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] NFB training centers and guide dogs
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> at the LCB, they require that you use the NFB straight cane for all on
>>>>> and off hours while in training. But when you put a dog in the mix,
>>>>> they
>>>>> ask you to use the straight cane if you plan on using a cane more than
>>>>> a
>>>>> dog. If you must use a cane while using a dog (i.e. for varification or
>>>>> something), they probably want you using the telescoping cane because
>>>>> it
>>>>> has more of the properties that make the straight hollow fiberglass
>>>>> cane
>>>>> such a great tool than do the conventional folding canes.
>>>>>
>>>>> Respectfully Submitted
>>>>>
>>>>> Original message:
>>>>>> Kirt,
>>>>>> When on your own time you can use the cane of your choice; for classes
>>>>>> and
>>>>>> center activities they want the NFB straight cane.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>>> From: Kirt Manwaring
>>>>>> Sent: Sunday, May 08, 2011 6:05 PM
>>>>>> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
>>>>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] NFB training centers and guide dogs
>>>>>
>>>>>> Amy, Nicole and all,
>>>>>>   If I get a dog (which is a huge if), I'd wait at least a couple
>>>>>> months before going to a training center.  I'm guessing me and my new
>>>>>> friend would need some time to really get to know each other-time
>>>>>> which would probably be in short supply at a training center.  I do,
>>>>>> however, have a question which is probably silly.  When attending a
>>>>>> center, are you under contract to use a straight cane whenever you
>>>>>> travel anywhere-whether in class time or just on your own time?  I
>>>>>> mean...let's say me and my dog want to go see a friend in Denver over
>>>>>> the weekend (I have a few friends, hard to believe.  :)).  Would there
>>>>>> be any official policy against me bringing a folding cane along for
>>>>>> the trip, in the event I'd need it?  I'd do a straight cane but...you
>>>>>> know, those don't really fit in backpacks very well.  Would anyone
>>>>>> care if I did that, on my own time?  From what I understand, you
>>>>>> guys'll probably say that's a really dumb question and of course that
>>>>>> would be fine.  But my experience with life has told me to always make
>>>>>> sure I know what's going on before I get in to it.
>>>>>>   Warmest regards,
>>>>>> Kirt
>>>>>
>>>>>> On 5/8/11, Amy Sabo <amylsabo at comcast.net> wrote:
>>>>>>> hello kurt,
>>>>>
>>>>>>> i see that you want to attend ccb which is awesome! yes, you can
>>>>>>> bring
>>>>>>> your
>>>>>>> guide dog to the ccb but, you will have to use a cane for some of
>>>>>>> your
>>>>>>> activities oncluding travel class. i hope this is helpful to you and,
>>>>>>> hopefully others here will chime in with their comments and
>>>>>>> suggestions
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>> this topic.
>>>>>
>>>>>>> take care and good luck in coming to ccb.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>>> hugs,
>>>>>>> amy
>>>>>
>>>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>>>>> From: Kirt Manwaring <kirt.crazydude at gmail.com>
>>>>>>> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
>>>>>>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>> Sent: Sun, 08 May 2011 21:22:10 -0000 (UTC)
>>>>>>> Subject: [nabs-l] NFB training centers and guide dogs
>>>>>
>>>>>>> Dear list,
>>>>>>>   I'm thinking of attending the CCB sometime soon.  I'm also going to
>>>>>>> try out using a guide dog and, if I find it beneficial, will probably
>>>>>>> go through the process of getting one.  So my question is this.  Is
>>>>>>> it
>>>>>>> ok to bring a guide dog to an NFB training center?  I mean, I know
>>>>>>> that during my official day-time lessons I'd just need to use a
>>>>>>> cane-and I'm fine with that.  I think the worst thing I could do, if
>>>>>>> I
>>>>>>> get a guide dog, is let my cane skills slip.  But would there be any
>>>>>>> problems, aside from logistics I'd have to work out, with bringing a
>>>>>>> guide dog to a training center?  Anyone done it?
>>>>>>>   Warmest regards,
>>>>>>> Kirt
>>>>>
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>>
>>
>> --
>> Darian Smith
>> Skype: The_Blind_Truth
>> Windows Live: Lightningrod2010 at live.com
>> Follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/goldengateace
>>
>> "The purpose of life is a life of purpose.
>>
>> — Robert Byrne
>>
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-- 
Julie McG
 Lindbergh High School class of 2009, participating member in Opera
Theater's Artist in Training Program, and proud graduate of Guiding
Eyes for the Blind

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that
everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal
life."
John 3:16