[nagdu] Blind Inc.

Fri Apr 2 17:36:11 UTC 2010

Well to that end, if it is the schools policy or institutions  policy we
have as an option in our life a choice to go elsewhere. I am not adverse to
gaining new skills and honing old ones, but I feel I travel extremely well
and very independently  with my preferred mode of mobility the tried and
true guide dog.  I for one am admittedly  open to improving my cane skills
as an option, though it is not and will not ever be my first choice or
preference.

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."

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-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Hope Paulos
Sent: Friday, April 02, 2010 1:18 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Blind Inc.

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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