[nabs-l] Guide Dog or Cane? Which do u recommend and why?

Fri Nov 1 04:06:30 UTC 2013

always use the white cane

Twitter: @JimHulmeLookout
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On Thu, Oct 31, 2013 at 11:57 PM, melissa Green <lissa1531 at gmail.com> wrote:

> Arielle.
> I completely agree with what you said about getting a dog.
>
> I figure I should share my story.
>
> I hope that it helps in some way.
> I have had my first dog for over two years now.
> Before that, I was a cane user.
> People pressured me to get a dog as well.
> I didn't feel comfortable with my cane.
> When I started using my cane a lot, I took myself off of a guide dog
> school's waiting list.
> I had to be ready and I knew that I wasn't getting the dog for me, it was
> for those who thought that I needed a dog because I was blind.
> Also growing up in an urban neighborhood that was predominatly black.  For
> this reason, I didn't get a lot of O&M services like many other people did.
> The services that I got was because my mom and the teacher of blind
> students
> would raise hell.  Then it would last for a few months and then be gone
> again.
> When I decided to get a dog, the school that I had removed my name from the
> waiting list because I wasn't ready held that against me and thus denied my
> application.
> I still use my cane at times.
> I love having the opportunities of both a dog and a cane.
> But arielle is correct.
> It takes lots of  responsibility.
> When it is raining outside and the dog has to go out.
> You have to take the dog out.
> then there are vet bills, and food costs.
> think of it this way, your cane won't get diarrhea or vomit in the middle
> of
> the night.
> I love my girl, and I love travvling with her.
> And, after all of those years of using my cane, I am confortable with it as
> well.
> I have said that I may not go back for a second dog when she retires.
> It ultimately your decision.
> I would also suggest going to nfbnet and joining the national asociation of
> guide dog users, as well as the state devision of guide dog users.  If
> there
> is one, and talk to other dog users.
> Best,
> Melissa Green  and Pj
> "There's a God that loves you, you matter, & you have value & purpose."
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Arielle Silverman" <arielle71 at gmail.com>
> To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list"
> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Thursday, October 31, 2013 7:13 PM
> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Guide Dog or Cane? Which do u recommend and why?
>
>
> Hi Haley,
>
> When I was in high school several people from outside the blindness
> world pressured me to get a guide dog before college. I also knew very
> few competent blind adults who used canes, so I was pushed toward
> getting a dog because I thought I needed one to be a competent
> traveler. I eventually decided to delay getting a dog because at age
> 18 I didn't feel ready for the responsibility. After delaying for a
> couple years and meeting a bunch of competent cane travelers in
> college, I made that a permanent decision. I'm not sure if you too are
> experiencing pressure to get a dog but if you are, I don't think that
> should factor into your decision. There are many people who are happy
> as guide dog users and have a great travel experience. But there are
> others of us who are equally happy using a cane. I think if you want
> to get a dog, it should be because you really love dogs, because you
> like that style of travel, or ideally both.
> For me, I chose not to for two main reasons. First, I am the kind of
> traveler who needs to know what's around and be in control. If another
> being is guiding me I tend to space out and lose track of where I am
> going. I need to be in contact with things in the environment to keep
> my bearings and be able to make confident travel decisions. However,
> some people don't have that problem and they appreciate being guided
> around obstacles. Second, I like my solitude and am not motivated to
> have a companion all the time, plus the responsibility and stress that
> goes along with it. But again, it's a personal choice and for some
> people it is worth the trouble to have that special bond with a dog.
> I think you can learn a lot by talking with lots of guide dog users
> and seeing how well the lifestyle and travel method fits with your
> personal style. But there is also the reality that you can always
> switch from cane to dog, but it is harder to turn back once you have
> decided to commit to have a dog. So, I would not recommend getting a
> dog unless you feel you are ready and really motivated to have that
> experience.
>
> Best,
> Arielle
>
> On 10/31/13, Hannah Chadwick <sparklylicious at gmail.com> wrote:
> > Haley,
> > I think there are advantages to both.  A dog does give the public
> > (especially in college) an opening to start a conversation.
> > However, they are a lot of work.  I'm currently working my second
> > dog and we're in a college environment.  The advantage to having
> > a cane is that at the end of the day you can just put it away and
> > not have to worry about it.  However, with a dog you have to
> > water, feed, play and take them out for bathroom breaks.  You may
> > have to take time out of your schedule to take them to the vet
> > for emergency visits.  With all this said, I'm still glad I have
> > my dog.  She is fantastic in every way possible! This decision is
> > completely up to you because you will be the one responsible for
> > your dog.  You have to want to do all that time consuming work,
> > but I think that the end result is worth more.  I don't mind all
> > the work that my dog requires because she is a delight, her work
> > is great and she is a living, breathing being.  Please email me
> > off list if you have any further questions.
> > Best, Hannah
> >
> >  ----- Original Message -----
> > From: haley sumner <haleysumner at sbcglobal.net
> > To: nabs-l at nfbnet.org
> > Date sent: Thu, 31 Oct 2013 17:05:12 -0700 (PDT)
> > Subject: [nabs-l] Guide Dog or Cane? Which do u recommend and
> > why?
> >
> >
> > Hello fellow Nabsters,
> > I am in the process of deciding whether or not to get a guide dog
> > in about a year and a half, right before I go to college, and am
> > still unsure whether i should go through with this or just stick
> > with the cane.  What do you all recommend? Which do you feel is
> > better travel-wise, social-wise, etc.  I am looking forward to
> > hearing about your experiences and preferences.
> > Thanks,
> > Haley Sumner
> >
> >
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