[nagdu] Blind Inc.

[Marion Gwizdala]

Jewel,
    If you are going to attend a center, I think it would be best if you did 
so before getting your guide dog. Their very intensive O&M training will 
make you a superior guide dog handler. If you choose to go after getting 
your guide dog, I would suggest you do so well after you and your dog have 
bonded. During the day, you will be using your white cane. You will be able 
to see your guide dog during breaks and for relief, as well as before and 
after training.
    Just for the record, there are those who will try to spin this policy to 
be an "anti guide dog" policy; however, I am of the opinion, from talking to 
and listening to what they believe and how each of the centers approach this 
issue, that it is not anti guide dog, rather it is pro sound O&M training. I 
am of the opinion that, like the general public, many blind people see a 
guide dog as the answer to their O&M problems, rather than as an enhancement 
to them. Both the white cane and guide dog have their advantages and 
disadvantages. Without the flexibility to choose the one that works best for 
a particular application, a blind person limits their independence and their 
ability to participate in all aspects of society and life! A carpenter 
learns how to use a hammer, but cannot build a house with just one tool! In 
order for us to live fully, we must have several blindness tools in our tool 
box. Of course, if one is comfortable with limiting their choices, that is 
their prerogative. My choice is to live fully and vibrantly. Sometimes my 
guide dog is not a part of this choice. JMHO!

Fraternally yours,
Marion Gwizdala



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jewel S." <herekittykat2 at gmail.com>
To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, March 31, 2010 10:36 AM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Blind Inc.


> Hi, this makes me curious. I am considering going to Louisiana Center
> for the Blind. Should I go before I get a guide dog? What are the
> rules at LCB for guide dogs?
>
> ~Jewel
>
> On 3/31/10, Tracy Carcione <carcione at access.net> wrote:
>> Hi Martha.
>> There are people on this list who have been through the Colorado Center
>> with their dogs, or there used to be.  Jen was one of them, I believe. 
>> She
>>  said it was fine.  I don't know if the dog arrangements are different at
>> Blind Inc.  They have always appeared to me to be the most anti-dog of 
>> the
>> bunch, but that's my opinion.
>> I wouldn't do it myself, but others have and it's been OK for their dogs.
>> Tracy
>>
>>
>>
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