[nagdu] A Question of Philosophy

[Michael Hingson]

Hi Ann,

I have some thoughts which I will include in the body of your message.
Please see below.



Hi, Everyone,,

I have recently been contacted by a writer who is writing a book about
"animals which save lives".  She is interested in talking with me about
Panda and her work as a guide.  I responded to the writer that I am always
happy to talk about Panda and her guide work, but that I had some qualms
about focusing on the "life-saving", dramatic aspect of our partnership.

I know that many guide dog users will say that their dogs "save their lives"
many times each day.  But to me this statement can very easily be
misunderstood by the general public.  It could give the impression that
blind people are incapable of traveling safely outside their homes without
the miraculous life-saving instincts and skills of a specially-bred and
specially-trained service animal.  Although I very much appreciate my
guide's abilities to guide me around obstacles, to evaluate footing for
hazardous conditions, to plan a route through construction sites and other
complicated situations, and to judge traffic and take evasive action or
exercise intelligent disobedience where necessary, I guess I am more
inclined to frame our safe travel as the result of contributions by both the
human and the animal members of the partnership.
[[Michael Hingson]]  I agree with your observations about the contributions
of Panda or any assistance animal trained to guide.  I suspect the author,
like the general public, has a bit of a misconception of exactly what our
animals do.  Given, however, the positions we and our animals are in I think
it is fair to say that in fact we save each other's lives every day.

You have a wonderful opportunity with this author to express exactly what
you stated here.  Here is a major chance for you to help frame the public's
view of guide animals.  I hope you go for it.

Also, I usually think of Panda's guide work as making travel smoother, more
efficient, and more relaxing and enjoyable for me, rather than as a matter
of life and death.  I feel that I am capable of traveling safely using my
white cane, as well as using my guide animal.  In either case, I still must
use my senses of hearing, touch, and smell, and my intelligence, experience,
and judgment to evaluate the environment around me every moment as I travel.
Of course, I appreciate the assistance that Panda provides me, or why would
I take on the added responsibilities and chores that caring for an animal
partner and maintaining a working partnership entail?
[[Michael Hingson]]  Right.  However, do not mitigate the extra ways our
animals do in fact make guiding safer.  Hybrid cars come to mind.  Animals
will often see them before we hear anything.  What our animals do for us in
such cases is just another example of the interdependence between us and
them.

We do as much for our animals as they do for us.  What would they do if they
were in the wild, or at lease if they had no home in this country.
Civilization and our constant interaction with animals makes us more aware
of their needs.  We as guide animal users know more than most the value both
sides place on the bond we forge.  I think it is important that the author
understands it is a real two-way street.

Another reason that I am reluctant to talk about the work of a guide animal
as "life-saving" work is that I do not regard the world as an inherently
dangerous and scary place, or at least, not significantly more dangerous to
me as a blind person than to anyone else in the general population.  I can
remember sitting in my 7th grade health class and hearing the teacher say,
"Turn to the person sitting next to you and take a good look at him or her.
Statistics show that one of the two of you will be seriously injured or
killed in a traffic accident."  And this was in a class where everyone was
fully-sighted, except for me.

I know that one way of looking at the world is that we are taking our lives
into our hands every time we venture out onto the streets.  In that light,
the service our guides provide may be considered truly life-saving.  But
then, don't we take risks of harm to life and health every time we breathe
the air, drink the water, or eat food purchased at the local market?  The
alternative, of not doing anything unless it can be shown to be risk-free,
is neither very attractive, nor very practical.
[[Michael Hingson]]  Yes, but the fact is that we choose to use our animals
to guide us and, in fact, help keep us safe.  We believe these creatures do
help us stay more safe in at least some instances.

I believe we should not emphasize the safety aspect for the wrong reason.  I
suspect the author and the general public think our animals save our lives
because their opinion is that we are less competent and capable because we
are blind which inherently makes us less than they.  You have the
opportunity to help educate through your words.  I think you have expressed
it very well.

One more thing.  When I was obliged to run for my life as Tower Two of the
World Trade Center collapsed only 100 yards away from me I was using a guide
dog as you know.  Looking back on it and having the opportunity to think
about now for over seven years I believe absolutely that I would have had
much less chance of surviving my run without a guide dog.  I am an excellent
cane user.  I can and do travel anywhere with a cane.  However, if I had
been using a cane while running from that falling tower I think I would have
not been able to navigate my surroundings as easily with a cane since I
would have lost or broken it if it were extended fully as people would have
undoubtedly stepped on it; no one was looking down to avoid a cane, they
were running in panic too.  Also, I might have tripped someone as again no
one was watching for a blind person with a cane.  My dog navigated in and
out of the crowd of people.  She did save my life, no question.

My story is an unusual one of course.  I do think the story is all about the
bond and how two creatures learned to work together to do a job.  I can say
that I saved Roselle's life too.  I now spend my life helping to educate the
public about this wonderful thing called the human-animal bond and how so
many could benefit from it.  Again, you have a wonderful opportunity to do
the same.

And here is the final thought that causes me pause when I am asked to
describe the "life-saving" work of my guide:  Haven't we all heard of blind
people who have been injured or killed while walking with their guide
animals?  Obviously, there is no guarantee of safety, with or without a
well-trained guide animal.  There is only the increased probability of
successful travel that can be achieved by using all the skills and
techniques that we ourselves judge will work best for each of us as
individuals.
[[Michael Hingson]]  Right.  You, at least, get to say that to the public
through this interview.  As you work with the author I urge you to insist
that you have final say over the wording of the interview before it goes to
print.  If the author does not agree then don't do the interview.  This is
not a news piece.  You have the right to make sure your thoughts and words
are represented accurately.

I would welcome your thoughts on this subject to help me formulate how to
frame the discussion with the writer who has contacted me, as well as for
future reference.
[[Michael Hingson]]  If you wish to talk more in person feel free to call me
at (415) 827-4084 or email me off line at info at michaelhingson.com 


Best,
Ann


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 Ann Edie
Sent: Sunday, October 26, 2008 12:06 PM
To: nagdu at nfbnet.org
Subject: [nagdu] A Question of Philosophy