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

Fri Nov 1 12:53:21 UTC 2013

thank you james, for your one liner wisdom. It's clear that you put much 
thought and effort into answering the question at hand.
On 11/1/2013 12:06 AM, James Hulme wrote:
> always use the white cane
>
> Twitter: @JimHulmeLookout
> Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jimmy.hulme1
>
>
> 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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-- 
Take care,
Ty
http://tds-solutions.net
He that will not reason is a bigot; he that cannot reason is a fool; he that dares not reason is a slave.