[nagdu] The Requirement of a Harness

[Tamara Smith-Kinney]

Albert,

Yeah, the first few times you get the weird challenges, it's tough to know
how to respond.  Every time I think I've got it figured out, some new and
weirder one comes flying out of left field...  The same is true of some of
the questions I get from people who clearly think they're just being polite.
That's harder for me, because I can't get my attitude and snoot going.
Well, I could, but it wouldn't be appropriate.  So there I am, politely
smiling and saying, "Uh..." /smile/

I can't remember if I've been asked directly to prove I'm blind, but I've
been informed quire firmly that I see just fine, so what do I need a guide
dog for, since I'm not really blind.  I tried a couple of times to come up
with a coherent answer to that one, but decided to just laugh it off like
they made a good joke and I'm playing along with it.  I toss off information
casually during the process, of course.  A few people have pushed it some,
which irritates me to no end, so I do my best to answer the issue then get
on with my life.  Why is it that at these times I am so sorely tempted to
haul out my just-in-case cane and wave it in their face?  Rhetorical
question there.

Anyway, learning how to deal with all that new and often disruptive -- or
worse -- behavior from others does take some getting used to, and we all
have to find ways of dealing with it.  I seem to have more success using
humor, so that's most often where I go.  I was still getting used to it as a
cane traveler when I added a curly pup to the act, which kept things
challenging.  Would so hate to get bored there. /grin/

Tami Smith-Kinney

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Albert J Rizzi
Sent: Tuesday, October 27, 2009 1:14 PM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
Subject: Re: [nagdu] The Requirement of a Harness

I never knew that.  I am occasionally being asked to produce proof that I am
blind and that the dog is a service animal on the long island railroad.  I
will from this day forth not be digging into my wallet to produce any such
document any longer.  I find it insulting and belittling to tell you the
truth. I appreciate the education as I am newly blind and not sure of all
the ins and outs as it were.

Albert J. Rizzi
CEO/Founder
My Blind Spot, Inc.
90 Broad Street - 18th Fl.
New York, New York  10004
www.myblindspot.org
PH: 917-553-0347
Fax: 212-858-5759
"The person who says it cannot be done, shouldn't interrupt the one who is
doing it."



-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Jenine Stanley
Sent: Tuesday, October 27, 2009 3:48 PM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
Subject: Re: [nagdu] The Requirement of a Harness

Albert, 

Actually no ID is required to be shown to anyone, harness or not. 

Is it good form to travel without the harness and expect no one to challenge
your rights? IMHO, no, but others may argue. Just because we can do
something legally doesn't always make it the most prudent thing to do. 

That said, if I, or anyone else, wishes to work a dog without a harness,
technically a business owner cannot ask anything more than "Is that a
service animal?" and "How does it assist you with your disability?" 

Jenine Stanley
jeninems at wowway.com


_______________________________________________
nagdu mailing list
nagdu at nfbnet.org
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for nagdu:
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/albert%40myblindspot.
org


_______________________________________________
nagdu mailing list
nagdu at nfbnet.org
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for nagdu:
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/tamara.8024%40comcast
.net