[nagdu] dogs and dignity

[Michael Hingson]

Hi,

I would say that a guide dog provides a way to obtain or find dignity.  I
would not say the dog provides dignity.

We all too often under estimate our own abilities to gain dignity.  The dog
may show the way, but he or she does not provide the end product. 


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 Angie Matney
Sent: Friday, January 16, 2009 12:15 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] dogs and dignity

This is certainly an interesting thread.

Michael, I think you make some really good points. The source of dignity
should be our own selfconfidence, and for many of us, this is true. But lots
of people would agree with the schools that their dogs do provide dignity.
And if the dog helps someone develop that selfconfidence which in turn makes
the person feel more dignified, then hasn't the dog actually provided
dignity to that person? Even if the person recognizes that the dog was
simply a gateway to that selfconfidence, the fact is that for this
individual, acquiring a dog resulted in "dignity" that the person didn't
have before.

I don't think I'm articulating my point as clearly as I might. I really do
disapprove of fundraising tactics that imply that without our dogs, we would
be helpless and incapable of leading fulfilling lives. But the truth,
whether or not we want to accept it, is that many guide-dog users feel this
way. 



On Fri, 16 Jan 2009 11:33:46 -0800, Michael Hingson wrote:

>Hi,

>The Webster on-line dictionary defines dignity as follows:

>1: the quality or state of being worthy, honored, or esteemed
>2 a: high rank, office, or position b: a legal title of nobility or honor
>3archaic : dignitary
>4: formal reserve or seriousness of manner, appearance, or language

>I must respectively disagree that any guide dog provides dignity.  The
first
>guides provided an aid to independence, but they did not provide dignity.
>Self respect comes from within.

>Guide dogs help build confidence.  You do not automatically gain dignity
>because you use a guide dog.  For many years guide dog schools used the
fund
>raising argument that the dogs they trained provide "dignity for the
blind".
>I believe some schools use that line today.  It is simply not true.

>Guide dogs help make us better than we were if we learn to have confidence,
>dignity, self respect, and if we develop the inner tools to work with guide
>dogs wisely.  The burden is on us and not the dog.


>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 Sarah and Loretta
>Sent: Friday, January 16, 2009 10:05 AM
>To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
>Subject: [nagdu] dogs and dignity

>It is helpful for me to remember that when the first dog guide schools were
>established, there was no such thing as O&M training. No one used white
>canes. The dogs did provide independence and dignity. "Independence and
>dignity" is a historical reality. It certainly does not mean that nothing
>else provides independence and/or dignity.

>Sarah J. Blake
>http://www.growingstrong.org
>sjblake at growingstrong.org 


>I'm protected by SpamBrave
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