[nagdu] Traveling in New York
lindagwizdak at peoplepc.com
lindagwizdak at peoplepc.com
Sat Nov 29 23:32:50 UTC 2008
Hey Jeffry, welcome to the list. I'm from your neck of the woods - Norwalk,
CT and am now living in San Diego. I have a 3 year old Lab/Golden mix named
Landon. I got him from The Seeing Eye a year ago and he is my eighth dog.
I had a few that didn't work out - that happens. I've been a guide dog user
since the early 1970s and I have enough vision to be dangerous! Landon
keeps me out of trouble! (smile!)
Hope you enjoy the list.
Cheers,
Linda and Landon
----- 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 7:18 PM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Traveling in New York
> Ted and Michael,
> I'm glad that you guys enjoy NYC. During the 35 years that we have live
> an
> hour and a half away I've only been down there a few times. Guess that
> I'm
> just a small town "boy". New Haven is just about the right size, but most
> folks here wouldn't go down town without a loaded gun. A friend in San
> Francisco was thinking of sending his son to Yale, but a number of folks
> told him that New Haven is too dangerous. When we first moved here, it
> felt
> quite safe. Now I'm uncomfortable walking the streets in my middle class
> oasis. Yale is far and away the largest employer and property owner, but
> they don't pay a cent in property taxes.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
> Of Ted Shelly
> Sent: Friday, November 28, 2008 1:14 PM
> To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Traveling in New York
>
> Michael,
>
> I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one who seems to spend a significant
> amount of money on buying canes. I have a whole drawer-full of broken
> ones
> that I keep thinking to go through and make one or two whole ones.
>
> Most people I ask for directions do OK, but I have certainly been sent the
> wrong way on occasion.
>
> Funny thing is, I often get asked for directions myself. I think they
> must
> figure that a blind guy must really know the territory. A few weeks ago I
> was standing on a corner getting ready to cross 18th Street and a woman
> asked me where 18th Street was. I paused for a second and said "Uh, it's
> right here". "Oh, no", she replies, "I meant where is Broadway?" I
> pointed
> her in the right direction and went on my way.
>
> Sometimes I think I should be a tour guide.
>
> All the best,
>
> Ted
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
> Of Michael Hingson
> Sent: Friday, November 28, 2008 11:14 AM
> To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
> Subject: [nagdu] Traveling in New York
>
> Ted and Jeff,
>
> I lived in New Jersey and worked in the World Trade Center and around NYC
> for six years. I very much enjoyed zipping around the Center and the City
> with my fourth and fifth guide dogs Linnie and Roselle. Linnie became ill
> in May, 1999 and it was six months before I met Roselle.
>
> Personally, I found I could travel with either a guide dog or a cane. I
> did
> find that people did not watch for canes well. I am fond of saying during
> my speeches today that I spent more on buying new canes during 1999 than I
> spent on dog food.
>
> I regarded traveling in NYC as an adventure. It was fun. When necessary
> I
> was able to find people who could give directions -- another adventure in
> of
> itself. I was amazed how many people couldn't even read signs to point
> out
> a particular location. However, I got by with no complaints.
>
> I find the City to be relatively easy to traverse. The numbers of people
> and the amount of traffic is a help in getting around.
>
> Go for it!
>
>
> Michael Hingson,
> NSA
> President,
> The Michael Hingson Group
> 84 Bahama Reef
> Novato, CA 94949
> Phone Direct number (415) 827-4084
> Fax number (415) 883-6220
> Mobile/Pager (888) 965-9191
> Email
> info at michaelhingson.com
> <
> mailto:
> info at michaelhingson.com>
> For information on Michael's speaking topics, his availability, and his
> consulting services on Diversity and Access Technology for blind persons
> please visit < http://www.michaelhingson.com> For information on Guide
> Dogs
> for the Blind please visit < http://www.guidedogs.com>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
> Of Ted Shelly
> Sent: Friday, November 28, 2008 6:50 AM
> To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] New member
>
> Jeff,
>
> I wouldn't call Manhattan a nightmare, more like a frustration. I love
> New
> York City and its vibrant streams of humanity. I like to move fast, which
> sometimes leads to running into people or getting my cane stepped on (I
> break 2 or 3 canes a year this way). I've heard from some guide dog users
> about zipping through crowds and around obstacles and that sounds good to
> me. But I also have realistic expectations and I know it will take a lot
> of
> hard work with a guide and even then things won't be perfect. I love a
> challenge and I think I'm ready to take this one on.
>
> Ted
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
> Of Jeffrey Schwartz
> Sent: Thursday, November 27, 2008 5:08 PM
> To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] New member
>
> Ted,
> This must be real culture shock after living on the West Coast. People
> are
> so much more relaxed out there. The area between Boston and NYC is Type A
> alley. Your variety of RP is the rarest, and accounts for only about 5%
> of
> all cases of RP. Manhattan must be a nightmare for you. Years ago,
> before I even had a cane, I was walking in the Village and almost fell
> into
> one of those openings that restaurants and blubs have in the front leading
> down to their basements. You'll really have to work with your dog to help
> you avoid those overhanging branches. One of my trainers told me that
> it's
> the hardest thing to teach them and the first thing that they forget. It
> makes sense when you consider that their eyes are about 30 inches above
> ground level. If you don't mind me asking, what kind of work do you do in
> the city?
> Hope you had a nice day,
> Jeff
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
> Of Ted Shelly
> Sent: Thursday, November 27, 2008 12:22 PM
> To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] New member
>
> Jeff,
>
> I'm originally from Washington State and lived most of my life on the west
> coast. We moved out here in 1990 for my job. We like it here, but our
> families are mostly out West still and we sometimes think about going
> back.
>
> I know about the wait with Fidelco. This is not urgent for me, so it is
> not
> a big problem to wait. I've also applied to Guide Dogs for the Blind,
> just
> in case. GDB has a much shorter wait and from what I have learned, they
> have a good program.
>
> I have what I believe is referred to as an X-linked version of RP. The
> males on my mother's side of the family get it but the females pass it on.
> I have several uncles with the condition and one brother (2 brothers do
> not
> have RP).
>
> I still have some vision and I do alright with the cane, especially during
> the day. At night I can usually only see light sources, which makes
> navigation much slower. I work in Manhattan and finding my way along
> crowded New York sidewalks after dark is not much fun. I think a dog will
> be a great help in those situations and also keep me safer on subway
> platforms and street crossings. I'm also tired of hitting my head on
> overhead branches here in Stamford and occasionally smacking into things
> like street signs. I'm sure that no guide dog will be perfect, but it's
> bound to be an improvement.
>
> Happy Thanksgiving to you also.
>
> Ted
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
> Of Jeffrey Schwartz
> Sent: Thursday, November 27, 2008 9:19 AM
> To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] New member
>
> Hi Ted,
> Are you a native or did you move to Ct? If you go up to Vermont or New
> Hampshire, they refer to us as flat landers and don't consider Ct. to be
> part of Newe England. You are lucky, if one can use that word, to get to
> your age and still be able to get around with a cane. Perhaps you have
> the
> dominant genetic variety. Did one of your parents have RP? Not to
> discourage, but it can be a long wait with Fidelco. They are the only
> guide
> dog school in New England and they also service New York, New Jersey and
> any
> place that one of their graduates has moved and now needs a successor dog.
> I have a friend in Chicago. She got her first dog from Seeing Eye, the
> original school, in Morristown, New Jersey. Her wait was far less than
> you
> can expect from Fidelco, and she was quite pleased with the entire
> experience. It's something to consider.
> Happy Thanksgiving,
> Jeff
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
> Of Ted Shelly
> Sent: Wednesday, November 26, 2008 8:09 PM
> To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] New member
>
> Hi Jeff,
>
> I'm practically a neighbor of yours - I'm just down the road in Stamford.
> I
> also have RP. I'm 57 and have been using a cane full time for the last
> decade or so and I'm just now working on getting my first guide dog. I've
> applied to Fidelco and I'm hoping they will accept me without too much of
> a
> wait. Welcome to the list.
>
> Ted
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
> Of Jeffrey Schwartz
> Sent: Wednesday, November 26, 2008 7:28 PM
> To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
> 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.
>> _______________________________________________
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>
>
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