[nagdu] another reason for having your own harness

[Marion Gwizdala]

Stepper,
    What you are saying is very, very true. Some schools see us as 
beneficiaries, while others see us as consumers. The truth of the matter is 
that we are consumers. If it were not for us, none of the schools would be 
in business with their Executive Directors, office staff, kennel workers, 
and trainers earning a living! As consumers, we have a very powerful voice 
and we need to use it. If we were to object to those schools that treat us 
as beneficiaries, no better than children who cannot care for a dog, by 
choosing those schools that treat us as first-class individuals, those who 
treat us otherwise would be required to change their policies or go out of 
business!
    One of my goals as NAGDU President is to help shape such policies 
through dialogue, where, possible, and through consumer influence, where 
necessary. If you are a consumer of these services, it is partly up to you 
to let them know that you either do or do not support their specific 
policies.

fraternally yours,
Marion Gwizdala




----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Stepper" <stepper12 at cableone.net>
To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Friday, August 20, 2010 11:11 PM
Subject: [nagdu] another reason for having your own harness


> Hello listers.
> I haven't been on here a while.
> However this subject really struck me deep inside.
>
> When we write on this list serve or any other, these comments are 
> available to any and all people or schools that care to read now or later 
> in the archives, and I think we forget that. I know I sure do.
> But given that I still would like to say the following about how I feel 
> about most services for blind people and
> At the guide dog schools for the most part and state services for the 
> blind it seems to me its like two languages are being spoken at the same 
> time.
> One language is telling us you really one of us, and the sub language 
> which is louder is, not really, but to stay in business we have to pretend 
> your equal.
> I am not saying every school and every state services speak these two 
> languages at once, however in my life experience most do.
> I am finding out that the longer I am around the more it hurts. So I try 
> and stay clear if I can.
> When I stop and think about it, there is no other animal training 
> schooling anywhere I have heard of that says after you and your animal 
> have completed training you can't have ownership for a year or two, or 
> never.
> Can you imagine, if this was any other physical disability group?
> Unheard of, I believe.
> But we don't as a group for the most part have the money or the drive to 
> attempt owner training, so we suck up, and take the deal, even though 
> inside it kills us.
> Knowing that there are a couple of schools that transfer ownership at end 
> of trading as its been said already, speak volumes. These are not two 
> language schools.
>
> Stepper
>
>
>
>
>
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