[nagdu] Blind Inc.

Fri Apr 2 17:17:35 UTC 2010

I have to agree with Rox, Albert, and Tracy.  I would very much like to 
attend an NFB center; however,  I don't want to leave my dog crated/alone 
for 6 hrs a day. I go out sometimes without my dog so that I can improve my 
cane skills. The way I look at it, though, is if I didn't have good cane 
skills, my guide dog school wouldn't have given me my dog. I believe that in 
order to handle a guide dog and to travel successfully with him/her cane 
skills are essential. I would like to improve on such skills as cooking, 
home management, and wood working, which the NFB centers offer. I feel, 
however, that my dog and I can travel extremely well together. I don't want 
the lack of work to jeopardize our good working relationship.
Just my opinion.

Hope and Beignet
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Albert J Rizzi" <albert at myblindspot.org>
To: "'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Friday, April 02, 2010 12:24 PM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Blind Inc.

>I have to agree with rox and traci here. We do to much pontificating on 
>what
> is the right and wrong way to be blind. we are all of us individuals with
> individual  strengths and weaknesses  and we are all an integral part of 
> our
> community. This country is all about diversity and without acknowledging
> the true mosaic that is the united states we may miss an opportunity to
> learn and grow in this life, especially from others with different views 
> and
> perspectives on what are traditionally held positions. Peace.
>
> Albert J. Rizzi, M.Ed.
> 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."
>
>
> Visit us on Facebook LinkedIn
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
> Of Tracy Carcione
> Sent: Friday, April 02, 2010 11:55 AM
> To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Blind Inc.
>
> Marion, I think a person can live "fully and vibrantly" even if they don't
> have great cane skills.  I know a guy who often seems confused while
> traveling, but he gets where he wants to go.  More than that, he goes
> places I'll probably never go, like Iraq and Korea, as well as travelling
> all over the U.S.  Now he has retired his dog, and because of declining
> health has not gotten another, but he still gets where he wants to go.
> Isn't that what the oft-cited Nature of Independence speech was about?
> Basically, stop judging each other on how we get where we want to go, so
> long as we get there?
> Cane skills are very handy, but people who don't have them can still get
> where they want to go, and that's what counts.  I do get tired of this
> veneration of the sacred long white cane.  It's just a long stick.  Using
> it is not rocket science.
>
> I found what Rox said about her travel very interesting.
> Tracy
>
>> 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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>>>
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