[nagdu] Introduction

Thu Nov 5 21:00:56 UTC 2009

Linda,

Oh, beautiful description of how you use the dog within the context of
tunnel vision.  I've bot the same thing going on, and my vision varies a
whole lot with light, as well.  I would bet it applies as well to any other
form of vision loss where one has partial vision but requires a mobility
aid.

Would you mind sending me your experience and learning through the ether?
/grin/  I still have days when I go from smoothly sailing along in my poodle
guide's wake letting her do her job while I do mine.  Love it.  It's new
enough that I can still savor it now and then, although I'm beginning to
take it for granted.  I still backslide far too often for my taste, though
and catch myself failing to listen to my dog or -- worse! -- getting after
her for taking me around something I didn't know was there.  Sigh.  At least
I catch myself in the act pretty quick now, so that's progress. /smile/

Mitzi would be very grateful to anyone wishing to come to Portland and
follow me around with a big stick to keep me on the straight and narrow!
/grin/

Tami Smith-Kinney

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Linda Gwizdak
Sent: Wednesday, November 04, 2009 11:42 AM
To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Introduction

Hi David,
Welcome!  There are several of us on the list who have some remaining vision

and are sucessful in working guide dogs.  I have some vision during the day 
but see nothing after dark. But I demand the same level of guide work from 
my dog during the day as I do at night.

Sounds like you have "tunnel vision" as I do. I have to disregard the stuff 
I see and let Landon do the guide work.  That frees me up to look for 
landmarks, enjoy the scenery while my dog watches for stuff like curbs, 
steps, cars, people, etc. What's nice is that having the dog do these 
things, it takes alot of stress off mobility.  You can enjoy the walks like 
you were almost sighted! So yeah, you do have to learn to allow the dog to 
do the work!  And it sure frees you up!

That's a great idea to learn from us so you can determine if a guide dog is 
right for you.  Feel free to jump in with questions and comments from us. 
We range from people with dogs for years and years to first timers to people

like yourself who are trying to decide if a dog is the way to go.

Good luck!

Linda and Landon
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "David Baker" <davidbaker at bellsouth.net>
To: <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Tuesday, November 03, 2009 12:46 PM
Subject: [nagdu] Introduction

> Hello, list members.  My name is David Baker and I have been lurking for a

> few
> days and wanted to introduce myself.
>
> I live in Atlanta, GA.  I am 69, retired, in good health and spend my time
> cooking, gardening and web-surfing.   I have very poor night vision and 
> have
> become more insecure lately when in stores and around groups of people.  I

> have
> late onset RP with substantial remaining vision -- just over 10 degrees 
> with
> good acuity after cataract surgery.  I have a fairly dominant personality 
> and
> find it hard to let go of things, but realize that my vision has ideas 
> other
> than those I might wish for.  I am not ready for a guide dog, because I am
> concerned that I have too much vision to let a dog lead and my current 
> living
> situation is such that I may not get out and about often enough to 
> maintain his
> or her training level.  Perhaps I'd get out more with a guide dog, but 
> I'll have
> to think on that.  We currently have an 18 month old female 50 pound lab 
> husky
> mix who is a real sweetheart.
>
> If no one is offended, I'd appreciate just being able to sit back and 
> listen as
> people talk about their guide friends to get a better feel of your/their 
> world
> and an idea of what kinds of things I need to be looking at as I get 
> closer to
> needing help beyond my cane.
>
> Thanks for listening,  David
>
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