[nagdu] $150: Then & now

[Garry and Joy Relton]

Margo,

I believe that the purpose is to influence how we feel about ourselves. Many
blind people receive lots of freebies by family, friends and government. I'm
not saying that some of this isn't helpful or necessary, but our self esteem
is raised when we work and earn something for ourselves. Very often, one's
self-worth influences one's willingness to try and the confidence that one
can succeed. It is the self-respect and sense of self-worth that I believe
the policy instills. When I first went to the school everyone, especially
the students were called "mr." or Mrs." or Ms." There was no use of first
names. The purpose was to instill that sense of self-respect and self-worth.
For many people I met there the loss of their sight had been a demoralizing
and crushing experience. Many came with fear and a low sense of self-worth.
I saw changes in people who came there even in those four weeks.  

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Margo and Elmo
Sent: Wednesday, March 04, 2009 3:26 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] $150: Then & now


angie, I think the fact that we must pay a certain amount does influence the

social structure.  the Seeing eye does lookk more like a hotel and a very 
realxing hotel at that--i always feel at home.

I think because we aren't getting something as a freebie influences how they

treat us.

margo and Elmo
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Angie Matney" <leadinglabbie at mpmail.net>
To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, March 04, 2009 2:54 PM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] $150: Then & now


> Hi Rebecca,
>
> It's more complex to me than feeling more invested in the partnership
> because I had to pay for Yani. I think I like the arrangement more for its

> secondary effects. When a TSE employee was making her way down the hall 
> collecting dog payments, I
> had to smile. I can't help but wonder if the fact that we pay *something* 
> doesn't influence student-staff interactions in some way. I want to add 
> that my trainers at GDB were great folks, but the TSE model is a little 
> different. The staff call the main
> building "the house," instead of the dorm. This makes sense, since 
> administrative offices are located in the same building. In some ways, the

> atmosphere was more like a hotel than a dorm. I wonder if the fact that 
> staff know we pay something (albeit
> a small amount) for our dogs has influenced the social structure at all.
>
> Angie
>
>
> On Wed, 4 Mar 2009 13:08:20 -0500, Pickrell, Rebecca M (IT) wrote:
>
>>These posts are interesting.
>>Maybe it's me, but I still am not feeling the "I'm required to pay so 
>>this is more important". What *would* give me a sense of value though, 
>>and this is probably only me, would be to be heavily involved with 
>>raising a puppy. It would be good, and I don't know how to define 
>>"good" for me to see the incremental process from puppy to guide dog, 
>>or even potential guide dog.
>>I'm sorry guys, I'm just not getting the self-respect, dollars and value
>>linkage.
>>How do those of you who weren't required to pay a little for your dogs
>>feel?
>>I do appreciate those of you who have responded for doing so.
>
>
>
>
>
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