[nabs-l] NFB training centers and guide dogs

Thu May 12 15:10:39 UTC 2011

Jedi,
  Some of my skills are superb-some are not-they could all use
improvement.  I definitely have a high enough skill level to thrive in
college, in the workplace, and, should I choose, in the family.  On
the other hand, I have to take your word about training showing you
deficiencies you didn't know you had because you've been there and I
haven't.  I'll read the book-I read it a few years back but that was
before I really understood what was going on and such.
  Warmly,
Kirt

On 5/12/11, Jedi <loneblindjedi at samobile.net> wrote:
> Kirt,
>
> I felt much the same way about my skills that you do about yours. And
> you're right: training isn't the only way to improve skills, but it's a
> great idea if the opportunity presents itself. And the fact that you
> seem to have expressed two different oppinions about your skills tells
> me that training would be a good idea. On one hand, you say your skills
> are superb. On the other, you say you need improvement. So which is it?
>
> If it's confidence that's holding you back, training is a good way to
> go for a few reasons. First, we're all surrounded by public attitudes
> that keep us from meeting our full potential in a number of domains.
> Being in a training environment like CCB removes that factor for a
> little while to a considerable degree. Also, when you're in training,
> you've got all the time in the world to focus on blindness skills. when
> you're in college, not so much; you'll be lucky if you have a quick
> minute to fix yourself something to eat! More important though,
> research tells us that self-efficacy comes through social learning; its
> sped along in contexts where we have positive role models who can
> encourage us and help us tackle the right amount of challenge as we
> continually improve. We also know from research that mentors can help
> us bridge that gap between what we can do on our own and what we need
> help doing. Those reasons alone are great reasons to go through a
> training center because a training center has all those
> characteristics: you've got those positive role models, people to push
> and challenge you, people to encourage you, tons of time to just focus
> on your blindness skills without life distractions and with fewer
> public attitudes to deal with. And with anything in life, we often
> don't know what we don't know until we find out. that was my experience
> when I attended the LCB; I thought I had it good until I realized there
> was a lot of stuff I just didn't have much opportunity to get growing
> up. But if you want to know whether or not training is right for you,
> I'd read Freedom for the Blind and do some serious reflection.
>
> Respectfully,
> Jedi
>
> Original message:
>> To all,
>>   Very good points-I know I probably am better off getting a dog after
>> training.  And I'm really considering it-the more I think about it,
>> the more I'm leaning towards that option.  But here's the thing.  Due
>> to rehab bureaucracy and slowness (namely, taking a month to even get
>> in touch with me to schedule an appointment...but let's  not go
>> there), It's pretty much not possible for me to do training on the
>> original time table I wanted to.  And, the more I think about it, the
>> more I'm seeing a lot of cons to training (although I'm still probably
>> going to do it).  In a lot of areas the center spends a lot of time
>> on, my skills are superb.  Those that need work are improving at a
>> very good clip already-I'm already independent enough to do pretty
>> much whatever I want to do, whenever I want to do it, without too much
>> trouble.  My o&m isn't great, but it's good and getting better fast.
>> My daily living isn't all that good but it's improving at a rapid clip
>> as well because I'm having to figure out stuff on my own and I'm
>> making tones of progress there.
>>   So my question is this...and let's drop talking about a dog for a
>> minute because I don't know what to do about that just yet.  While
>> training would certainly be beneficial, I've come to realize my
>> biggest hinderence is a lack of confidence rather than a lack of
>> skill-I've been doing more o&m and cooking recently, and my skills are
>> a lot better than I thought they were.  While I'm not denying training
>> would give me the confidence I'd need-would I gain that confidence
>> working on the skills I already have in a real-world environment?
>> (namely college)  I mean-would it be a better use of my time to go to
>> training and re-learn a lot of what I already know and gain
>> confidence, or would I be better served spending those 6-9 months in a
>> college classroom, in my own apartment, practicing and improving the
>> considerable skills I already have and gaining confidence that way?  I
>> honestly don't know.  I'm not denying I need serious improvement in
>> some areas (and I could improve even on the skills I excell at), but
>> it's not as if I'm starting from scratch-and I honestly feel like I
>> know enough to learn anything else I need to know with practice.  On
>> the one hand, training would improve those skills faster than college
>> would-I'd certainly come out of it more efficient and empowered.  On
>> the other hand-I'm already quite efficient and empowered already, and
>> I know my efficiency and empowerment will improve with time so long as
>> I keep working at it.  Thoughts, anyone?  Would I gain more by keeping
>> up with my college education, or going to a center?  I'm really not
>> sure anymore.
>>   Warmest regards,
>> Kirt
>
>> On 5/11/11, Antonio Guimaraes <freethaught at gmail.com> wrote:
>>> Kirt,
>
>>> You're probably better off geting a guide dog after your training at CCB.
>
>>> While CCB is known for being the most dog-friendly of NFB training
>>> centers,
>>> you still spend most of your day without your guide, and attend class
>>> travel
>>> the building and such with your long cane.
>
>>> You're free to leave the the training grounds with your guide dog in toe,
>>> and will use the dog on your activities outside the formal training
>>> setting.
>
>>> The time you spend away from your dog is time your dog is just sitting
>>> with
>>> another instructor, not bonding with you, unlearning good behavior, and
>>> forgetting its place in the pack of two.
>
>>> Other people, including the dog sitter for the day take your place as the
>>> alfa dog, and this does nothing for your team.
>
>>> this is just how I see the picture. I have been at CCB long enough, but
>>> others may have a different story.
>
>>> You'd need only ask Julie Deeden about the policies and she'll tell you
>>> all
>>> about them. No dogs durring the training day. Dog stays with someone
>>> else,
>>> and not with handler, and such.
>
>>> So get some good training under your belt, then interview and train with
>>> a
>>> dog after, I say. You'll have superb cane travel skills, and will be
>>> ready
>>> to take on dog travel with renewed confidence.
>
>>> Best,
>
>>> Antonio
>
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: "Kirt Manwaring" <kirt.crazydude at gmail.com>
>>> To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list"
>>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>>> Sent: Sunday, May 08, 2011 6:05 PM
>>> 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
>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> nabs-l mailing list
>>>>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>>> nabs-l:
>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/amylsabo%40comcast.net
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> nabs-l mailing list
>>>>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>>> nabs-l:
>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/kirt.crazydude%40gmail.com
>
>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> nabs-l mailing list
>>>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>> nabs-l:
>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/freethaught%40gmail.com
>
>
>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> nabs-l mailing list
>>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>> nabs-l:
>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/kirt.crazydude%40gmail.com
>
>
>> _______________________________________________
>> nabs-l mailing list
>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> nabs-l:
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/loneblindjedi%40samobile.net
>
> --
> Email services provided by the System Access Mobile Network.  Visit
> www.serotek.com to learn more about accessibility anywhere.
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> nabs-l mailing list
> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> nabs-l:
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/kirt.crazydude%40gmail.com
>