[nagdu] another road to independence
Julie J
julielj at windstream.net
Sat Apr 3 13:13:41 UTC 2010
Rox'e,
thank you for saying this!
I used to be firmly in the camp that using a guide is a choice. I used to
think that a guide dog enhanced mobility, but is not a necessity. I used
to feel like a guide dog was like a luxury mobility tool.
I'm not so sure anymore. As I age my physical abilities are changing. I
have arthritis and although it has been a part of my life for years, it has
only recently started to make a substantial difference in how I am able to
do things. It is much worse through the winter. Several years ago it
really only limited my ability to stir cookie dough and scoop hard ice
cream. By a year ago it had gotten to the point where I couldn't hold onto
my cane for more than two blocks or so. Last winter there were many days
that I would be in serious pain by the time I got to work, a ten block or so
walk. Some days all I could manage was to sort of push the cane in front of
me and hope for the best.
This past winter was the worst we've had in twenty years. If I didn't have
Monty, there is absolutely no way I would have been able to use my cane
through the heavy snow to get to work. I would have been dependent on
others to drive me there. There is no public transportation where I live.
I'm sure if I didn't have Monty, I would have hired a driver or worked out
something. However my measure of being independent is being able to do what
I want, when I want with minimal inconvenience to others. I don't think I
would be very independent if I didn't have Monty.
JMHO
Julie
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