[nagdu] New member

Sat Nov 29 04:10:37 UTC 2008

Marion,
I'm a clinical psychologist and treat primarily dually diagnosed patients,
i.e. those with substance abuse and a co morbid psychiatric problem,
primarily mood disorders and PTSD.  We are a Yale teaching hospital, and I
teach psychiatric residents and predoctoral psychology interns.

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Marion & Martin
Sent: Friday, November 28, 2008 6:06 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] New member

Jeff,
    I enjoy traveling; however, because of the need to find someone to care 
for our dogs, we don't do as many overnight trips as we would like. Prior to

next year's convention, Merry and I are going to take a week for our 
honeymoon and stay on mackinaw Island.
    BTW, I wanted to ask what type of psychology you practice. I am a 
behavioral counselor, specializing in hypnotherapy for health and personal 
enhancement. Issues like smoking cessation weight management,stress 
management, and athletic enhancement.

Fraternally,
Marion

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jeffrey Schwartz" <sidney.schwartz at sbcglobal.net>
To: "'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Friday, November 28, 2008 7:11 AM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] New member

> Thanks Marion,
> I hadn't figured in the complications of travelling.  Do you take Louisa
> with you on trips?  I travel very little.  My wife has some serious 
> chronic
> medical problems, and I hate to leave her alone.
> Better get ready for work,
> Jeff
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
> Of Marion & Martin
> Sent: Friday, November 28, 2008 5:37 AM
> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] New member
>
> Jeffrey,
>    No, I haven't started the application process yet. As I said, I'm not
> going to get another guide until Louiza is gone. Merry thinks Louiza would
> handle it well, but having dogs that need to be left home while traveling
> makes it difficult to do so. So, for now, I will work Louiza when she 
> wants
> to and use my cane when she doesn't.
>    Our convention will be held in Detroit, Michigan July 4 - 9. The annual
> meetings of the National Association of Guide Dog Users are held at the
> convention, generally on the first and third seminar days  (Saturday &
> Monday this year). The NFB also has a Human Services Division for those in
> the fields of Counseling that you may be interested in. the Convention is 
> a
> life-changing experience if you have never been to one and what my wife
> calls "a shot of NFB-12"! It is very motivating and energizing! I hope you
> are able to make it!
>
> Fraternally,
> Marion Gwizdala
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Jeffrey Schwartz" <sidney.schwartz at sbcglobal.net>
> To: "'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'"
> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Thursday, November 27, 2008 10:40 PM
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] New member
>
>
>> Marion,
>> You certainly have quite a pack of dogs.  I was eight months between my
>> second and third dogs and took some nasty falls.  Have you started the
>> application process for your next dog?  Not much difference between three
>> and four.  I had my retired first and active second at the same time.
>> They
>> seem to be very sensitive to the other's ability to run and play and are
>> quite respectful of it.  When is the convention?
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On 
>> Behalf
>> Of Marion & Martin
>> Sent: Thursday, November 27, 2008 8:17 PM
>> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] New member
>>
>> Jeffrey,
>>    My pup, Louiza, is a 12-year-old Collie/Shepherd cross from
>> Southeastern
>>
>> Guide Dogs in Palmetto, florida. My wife also has a SEGDI guide dog, a
>> Vizsala named Sydney. We also have a pet dog who rules the pack - a Corgi
>> mix named Joy.Sydney is retired and Louiza is semi-retired. I work her at
>> least once a week, using my cane most of the time. I probably won't get
>> another guide dog until Louiza is gone. She is very healthy, except a bit
>> of
>>
>> arthritis in her spine, causing a little weakness in her hind quarters.
>> This
>>
>> makes it challenging for her to get up stairs and onto some buses.
>>    Do you think you might be able to make our next national Convention in
>> detroit? It would be great to meet you and for you to get acquainted with
>> other people you chat with on this list!
>>
>> Fraternally,
>> Marion Gwizdala
>>
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>> From: "Jeffrey Schwartz" <sidney.schwartz at sbcglobal.net>
>> To: "'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'"
>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Thursday, November 27, 2008 9:25 AM
>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] New member
>>
>>
>>> Thanks Marion.  I hope that you have a great holiday.  What is your 
>>> dog's
>>> name, and where did you get him/her?
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>>> Behalf
>>> Of Marion & Martin
>>> Sent: Wednesday, November 26, 2008 8:05 PM
>>> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] New member
>>>
>>> Jeffrey,
>>>    Welcome to the NAGDU list. I am sure you will find a great deal of
>>> information and support here.
>>>
>>> Fraternally,
>>> Marion Gwizdala
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>>> From: "Jeffrey Schwartz" <sidney.schwartz at sbcglobal.net>
>>> To: "'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'"
>>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>>> Sent: Wednesday, November 26, 2008 7:27 PM
>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] New member
>>>
>>>
>>>> Hi,
>>>> I just joined this week and was glad to read the digest.  My name is
>>>> Jeff
>>>> Schwartz.  I am a psychologist and have lived in New Haven by way of
>>>> Pittsburgh, Baltimore and Scranton.  I didn't know that I had a
>>>> significant
>>>> visual problem until I was about 20.  At that time I was already 
>>>> legally
>>>> blind due to the insidious deterioration of my visual field from
>>>> Retinitis
>>>> Pigmentosa.  At age 61, I'm left with little more than light 
>>>> perception.
>>>> I
>>>> recently received my third guide dog, Faith, from Fidelco.  They are a
>>>> superb organization.  The founders, Charles and Roberta Kaman have been
>>>> raising German Shepherd dogs for about 40 years.  Originally they 
>>>> raised
>>>> them as show dogs.  The story which I heard is that they started the
>>>> school
>>>> after one of the dogs prevented their young son from running into
>>>> traffic.
>>>> John Byfield was their first trainer.  He was my trainer for my second
>>>> dog,
>>>> Webster.  John is from the "old school".  My wife and I called him the
>>>> dog
>>>> Nazi.  He was really tough, as were all of the early trainers.  The new
>>>> breed, if you'll pardon the pun, rely more on positive reinforcement. 
>>>> I
>>>> really liked the in community orientation, as you get four hours a day
>>>> of
>>>> the trainer's undivided attention.  I don't think that there are any 
>>>> bad
>>>> or
>>>> even mediocre schools.  German Shepherds are fantastic dogs.  If I were
>>>> in
>>>> the position to select a pet, it would be a GSD.  The only problem that
>>>> I
>>>> have encountered is that they tend to be dog aggressive.  Fidelco gets
>>>> its
>>>> breeding stock from Germany.  They are only a generation or two away
>>>> from
>>>> being working shepherds.  Every pure bred dog was selectively shaped to
>>>> perform a certain task, even lap dogs.  Centuries ago, before central
>>>> heating and indoor plumbing people seldom bathed.  As a consequence,
>>>> they
>>>> had fleas.  They would sit with a dog in their lap because, given a
>>>> choice,
>>>> fleas prefer dogs.  Back to German Shepherds and dog aggression.  They
>>>> were
>>>> bred to keep the flock together and protect it from predators.  Today's
>>>> German Shepherds are "hard wired" to see other dogs as potential
>>>> predators.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Like all of you, I have had my share of blind stereotypes tossed my 
>>>> way.
>>>> When I was younger, slim and walked with a white cane, I went into a
>>>> Wal-Mart's and the greeter asked me if I wanted a wheelchair.  I've 
>>>> been
>>>> in
>>>> restaurants with my wife and had the service person ask her "and what
>>>> will
>>>> he have"   I guess we have all heard, "you don't look blind".
>>>> Anyway, sorry to have gone on at such length.  I'm glad to have joined
>>>> this
>>>> group and I'm sure that I will enjoy participating.  I don't usually
>>>> talk
>>>> so
>>>> much.  Just ask my spouse.
>>>>
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>>>> Behalf
>>>> Of lindagwizdak at peoplepc.com
>>>> Sent: Wednesday, November 26, 2008 5:42 PM
>>>> To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
>>>> Subject: New member
>>>>
>>>> Hi Mardi,
>>>> I liked the part about "You don't look blind...".  That one had me
>>>> stumped
>>>> for years and years.  I didn't know what people meant by the remark.  I
>>>> thoought it was people denying that I was blind. Well, a sighted friend
>>>> finally explained the basis of the remark to me.  He said that people
>>>> look
>>>> at a blind person and see the blindness.  People have this view that
>>>> blind
>>>> people are people who rock, jam their fingers or fist into their eye.
>>>> They
>>>> walk with a stiff-leggeed gait and don't look at people who are talking
>>>> to
>>>> them.  In other words, the crappy stereotypes people think of when you
>>>> say,
>>>> "blind person".
>>>>
>>>> Marti, you used to be a sighted person.  Think back on your sighted 
>>>> days
>>>> long before you ever met a blind person. What did your mind conjure up?
>>>> Now,
>>>>
>>>> me - I've always been visually impaired and I can't and never was able
>>>> to
>>>> see people's faces and the expressions on them.  I had no clue about
>>>> "look
>>>> blind" sinse I've spent a lifetime around blind people.
>>>>
>>>> My friend told me that when someone tells me that I don't "look blind" 
>>>> I
>>>> need to take it as a compliment.  The statement really says that you
>>>> look
>>>> normal - like a SIGHTED person!  You and I do not have the so-called
>>>> "blind
>>>> mannerisms" that so many sheltered congenitally blind people display.
>>>> You
>>>> learned how to be as a sighted child - what was socially acceptable. As
>>>> a
>>>> child, I was taught by my parents how to be in public and that people
>>>> can
>>>> see what I do.  So, you and I behave in a normal socially acceptable
>>>> manner.
>>>>
>>>> We look at people who speak to us.  We don't poke our eyes with our
>>>> fingers
>>>> or fists.  Our eyes may look pretty normal - well - mine wiggle with
>>>> nystagmus.  We rock only to music or while seated in a rocking chair.
>>>>
>>>> I don't remember if you are totally blind or are partially sighted.
>>>> Being
>>>> in a wheelchair, I can see how people think your guide is a wheelchair
>>>> service dog.  There aren't too many of you out there. I know several
>>>> visually impaired wheelchair users but they see too much to use a guide
>>>> dog
>>>> and they don't have a service dog, either.
>>>>
>>>> I know it's annoying when people don't know.  People think you are
>>>> either
>>>> fully sighted - "Oh, you must be faking it!" or you are totally blind.
>>>> People still don't seem to grasp the idea of all kinds of partial 
>>>> vision
>>>> in
>>>> between. I tell them that I have enough vision to be dangerous.  We 
>>>> then
>>>> have a laugh.
>>>>
>>>> Hope that helps!  Thank God we are normal people who can give the 
>>>> public
>>>> a
>>>> good impression of who blind people are.
>>>>
>>>> Take care and Happy Holidays!
>>>>
>>>> Linda and Landon
>>>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>>>> From: "Mardi Hadfield" <wolfsinger.lakota at gmail.com>
>>>> To: <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>>>> Sent: Sunday, November 23, 2008 6:52 PM
>>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] service vs therapy dogs and welcome
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> Hi every one,   I have had similar experiences with Therapy dog 
>>>>> owners.
>>>>> They seem to think they know it all. They seem to think,because I am 
>>>>> in
>>>>> a
>>>>> wheelchair that my dog is not a guide.They can't see beyond the chair.
>>>>> My
>>>>> dog must be a  "wheelchair dog",because I use a wheelchair. I am told
>>>>> that
>>>>
>>>>> I
>>>>> don't look blind. Can some one tell me what a blind person looks like?
>>>>> Do
>>>>> they all look the same? I get so aggravated at these people, that I
>>>>> don't
>>>>> even try to explain. I just roll away and ignore them. There are too
>>>>> many
>>>>> other battles that are more important to take care of.
>>>>> Welcome
>>>>> Ted.  All my guides have been Siberian Huskies except for my current
>>>>> trainee,Wanagi. She is a Husky/Shepherd cross, and I adopted her from
>>>>> the
>>>>> pound. I have trained my dogs with the aid of a private trainer.  I am
>>>>> sure
>>>>> that whatever school you choose, you will get a wonderful, and 
>>>>> faithful
>>>>> partner.     Have a great day, Mardi and Nala, retired, Wanagi, gdit,
>>>>> and
>>>>> Tokala,gdit.
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> nagdu mailing list
>>>>> nagdu at nfbnet.org
>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
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>>>>>
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>>>
>>
>
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/lindagwizdak%40people
>>>> pc.com
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
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