[nagdu] just a couple of additional comments about the 9-year-old boy and his guide dog

[Marion & Martin]

Charlene,
    There is a very different attitude today, even among those of whom we 
would say are custodial. Even the most custodial of the agencies today would 
have been considered progressive in the 50s! My uncle was a very independent 
blind person in the 50s & 60s; however, as I look back on his life, I would 
not consider him so by today's standards! I also believe that he would agree 
with me, were he alive to do so!

Fraternally yours,
Marion

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Charlene Ota" <caota at hawaii.rr.com>
To: "'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Friday, February 05, 2010 2:55 PM
Subject: [nagdu] just a couple of additional comments about the 9-year-old 
boy and his guide dog


> After seeing some of the comments, I just wanted to add a couple of things
> about this situation that might be interesting and might clarify.
>
> When I spoke with Tim about this experience, I could sense that it was a
> very important part of his growing up years and is a very vond memory. 
> It's
> kind of like he speaks of it with great pride and fondness. It meant a lot
> to him that I asked about it and wanted to share it with the list.
>
> I think for much of this country, the philosophy about kids traveling
> independently, whether with a cane or a dog was very different 50 years 
> ago.
> I hessitated to add one of Tim's comments, but decided to share it because
> it just shows how different philosophy was at that time, not to start any
> arguments or offend anyone. When Tim's Mom was looking into getting Tim 
> the
> dog, she called The Seeing Eye for their suggestions or feedback and they
> told her she should basically be put away for even allowing her child to
> travel independently. I just share this to say that we have come a long 
> way
> today, I don't share it as an example of Seeing Eye's current philosophy.
>
> Tim is a unique person with a unique experience that I feels hould be a 
> part
> of the history of traveling with guide dogs. It's not really about whether
> kids should have dogs as I also agree it's probably not something for most
> kids but it was very visionary of this Dr. Ford to have thought about it 
> and
> given it a try and much more so back in the 50's. It's a good thing that 
> we
> always have people who are thinking outside the box and trying new things
> and going in new directions. somethings they're successful, somethings 
> it's
> just a learning experience and even then sometimes someone still benefits
> from it.
>
> ALoha,
> Charlene
> _______________________________________________
> nagdu mailing list
> nagdu at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
> nagdu:
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/swampfox1833%40verizon.net