[nabs-l] 5 Reasons Why Guide Dogs Are a Terrible Idea!

[Dezman Jackson]

I have read the blog in it's entireity including all of the comments. Sounds to me that as a previous dog guide user, he's earned the right to give commentary on the subject. I say great food for thought.

Kindest regards,
Dezman Jackson

> On Mar 19, 2015, at 11:56 PM, Jamie Principato via nabs-l <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Why are people so sensitive about their choice to use a cane or a dog that they'd get upset over someone's choice of subject line? If you are confident in your choice to have a guide dog, one person's subject line on a casual mailing list isn't going to rattle that or harm you or effect your life and that of your dog in any way, especially once you actually read the well thought out and well composed blog post attached to it. No one has to agree with your reasons for having a dog or a cane, and they shouldn't have to walk on eggshells to be careful not to offend that choice. You should be proud of what you choose, or at least secure in your choice, enough that a simple subject line doesn't put you immediately on the defensive. 
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
>> On Mar 19, 2015, at 7:00 PM, Aleeha Dudley via nabs-l <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> 
>> Personally, I find your subject line a bit offensive, as it assumes
>> that guide dogs are a terrible idea for everyone. Being the proud
>> handler of a wonderful dog myself, and a quite independent cane
>> traveller before that, I am a bit upset as what I find to be a
>> somewhat inflammatory post. You are right; guide dogs are not for
>> everyone. They are a huge responsibility and need a lot of daily care.
>> But to say that there are five reasons why a guide dog is a terrile
>> idea seems to be going too far, especially addressing such a large
>> body of people such as that on this list. Now, having clicked the link
>> and read the blog, I know that you are making an attempt to be fair
>> and point out the disadvantages, but to not point out that this was a
>> blog post or an opinion article, can make some folks pretty mad fairly
>> quickly. Can wa choose our words and subject lines a little more
>> wisely next time?
>> Aleha and Dallas, Seeing Eye dog extrordinaire
>> 
>>> On 3/19/15, Joe via nabs-l <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>> If you're blind, you obviously read Braille. Your hearing must naturally be
>>> superior to your sighted peers, and of course you have a guide dog! Right?
>>> 
>>> Well, that last may not be as pervasive as the first and second. Someone
>>> recently told me the number of guide dog users has actually declined in my
>>> millennial generation. I have no evidence proving this one way or the
>>> other,
>>> but for the general public, to see a blind person with a guide dog feels as
>>> natural as butter and toast.
>>> 
>>> Thing is, I'm not so sure guide dogs are right for everyone. Or, maybe I'm
>>> just projecting my own uncertainties onto the rest of the community?
>>> 
>>> Last November I took the first step in the application process to return
>>> for
>>> a second Seeing Eye dog. It's been more than three years since I lost
>>> Gator,
>>> and even though I've gotten around just fine with a white cane, I am
>>> approaching what feels like the final years with sight, however minimal
>>> that
>>> sight might be. I admit it's unnerving if I sit still long enough to
>>> contemplate total blindness. NFB philosophy be damned, and the thought of
>>> an
>>> extra set of eyes to help me navigate the world does bring a measure of
>>> comfort. But, is it enough to go get another dog?
>>> 
>>> In no particular order, here are reasons why a guide dog would be a
>>> terrible
>>> idea:
>>> 
>>> Read more:
>>> 
>>> http://serotalk.com/2015/03/18/5-reasons-why-guide-dogs-are-a-terrible-idea/
>>> 
>>> --
>>> Musings of a Work in Progress:
>>> www.JoeOrozco.com/
>>> 
>>> Twitter: @ScribblingJoe
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
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>> 
>> 
>> -- 
>> Aleeha Dudley and Seeing Eye Yellow Labrador Dallas
>> Vice President, Ohio Association of Blind Students
>> Email: blindcowgirl1993 at gmail.com
>> Follow me on Twitter at @blindcowgirl199
>> 
>> The wind of heaven is that which blows between a horse's ears.
>> - Arabian Proverb
>> 
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