[nabs-l] Preparing for The Nfb Training Centers

[Mark J. Cadigan]

Hi Sofia,



I attended BLIND inc. with a guide dog. The skills I gained in travel class 
with a cane did in fact help me with working with my guide dog. They helped 
me in terms of being able to make a mental map of my surroundings and 
keeping myself orientated. But, in addition to the travel class BLIND inc. 
has all the other classes such as jobs, shop, cooking, and communications. 
These classes were immensely helpful. Because the working relationship with 
my dog was 2 years old, and I was able to work my dog in the evenings and on 
the weekends, I don’t think that leaving him in a kennel during class time 
adversely affected our working relationship.



HTH

Mark



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Sofia via nabs-l" <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
To: "Candice Chapman" <chapman.candicel at gmail.com>
Cc: "Candice Chapman via nabs-l" <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Sunday, August 10, 2014 1:25 AM
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Preparing for The Nfb Training Centers


> Hi Candice
>
>
> Thank you so much for your reply. Could you try to connect me with your 
> friend if it’s not too much trouble? I feel that I would benefit a lot 
> from attending a training center, but the idea of not working with my dog 
> for most of the day for such a long period of time really, really scares 
> me.
>
>
> Thanks 😊
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Sofia
>
>
> Sent from Windows Mail
>
>
>
>
>
> From: Candice Chapman
> Sent: ‎Sunday‎, ‎August‎ ‎10‎, ‎2014 ‎1‎:‎11‎ ‎AM
> To: Sofia Gallo
> Cc: Candice Chapman via nabs-l
>
>
>
>
>
> Hi Sofia,
>
> I attended BLIND, Inc., one of the NFB training centers. It is true that 
> you cannot use your guide dog during the day. Before 8 and after 4:30, on 
> the weekends; any time other than class time you can use your dog. I've 
> known people who still got a lot out of training, even though they 
> couldn't use their dogs. I would encourage you to talk to someone who has 
> gone through one of the training programs, who has had a guide dog prior 
> to their training. I don't think all the stories that you find will be 
> negative. There was a person who went through training with me
> who had a really positive experience. She said that she was a better dog 
> user because of the cane skills that she had gained.
>
> If you want, I can try and connect the two of you so that you can talk to 
> her about her experience.
>
> Take care,
>
> Candice Chapman
>
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
>> On Aug 8, 2014, at 12:55 PM, Sofia Gallo <sofiagallo13 at gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> Hi
>>
>> I also have a question about the training center: I really want to go
>> to one some time soon because it would help me address areas that I
>> need work in like navigating unfamiliar places and improving
>> independent living skills. However, I've heard that the centers don't
>> let us work with guide dogs -- we can only do that in our free time.
>> I've felt a lot safer and more independent with my dog, and I can't
>> just stop working with her for 9 months, which keeps me from
>> considering a center even though it would really help me. Does anyone
>> have any input or does anyone know someone who has gone with a guide
>> dog?
>>
>> Thanks!
>>
>> Sofia
>>
>>> On 8/8/14, Candice Chapman via nabs-l <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>> Hi Roanna,
>>>
>>> You're right. Talking with family and your rehab counselor is important, 
>>> but
>>> another important place to start is the NFB center you want to attend. 
>>> The
>>> center can be helpful in assisting with issues you may have with rehab.
>>>
>>> Best if luck with your research.
>>>
>>> Best,
>>>
>>> Candice Chapman
>>>
>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>
>>>> On Aug 7, 2014, at 8:43 AM, Roanna Bacchus via nabs-l 
>>>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>>>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> Dear Nabs Members,
>>>>
>>>> I have a question for all of you.  How would you prepare to attend one 
>>>> of
>>>> the Nfb training centers? I know that you have to discuss attending one 
>>>> of
>>>> these facilities with your vocational rehab counselor since they are 
>>>> out
>>>> of state.  I'm assuming that each of you spoke to your families before
>>>> planning to attend one of these centers.  I'd like to hear your stories
>>>> about preparing to attend an Nfb training center.
>>>>
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