[nagdu] Explaining to parents that guide dogs are useful

Sun Feb 14 23:27:47 UTC 2010

I agree. Where do you live? I am in Bellport on the south shore.

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 solsticesinger
Sent: Sunday, February 14, 2010 9:54 AM
To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Explaining to parents that guide dogs are useful

Albert,

I, too, am a huge GDF fan. I'm currently working my second dog from them, 
and, in fact, will be taking her to visit the vet there a week from 
tomorrow. Maybe I'll con them into letting me stay for a meal or two. (Grin)

Shannon and Caroline
----- 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: Saturday, February 13, 2010 9:41 AM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Explaining to parents that guide dogs are useful

Do not rule anything out. there are scholarships for college bound blind
students from the nfb and the lighthouse international. Then too, you could
look into your local lions clubs as they also grant scholarships to students
in their districts, could come in very handy for books and supplies. I am a
big fan of the guide dog foundation here on long island. Their
accommodations and food are remarkable, the staff is supportive and warm,
and you are a hop skip and a jump to Manhattan if you wanted to go with me
or someone from the area. 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 Mark J. Cadigan
Sent: Saturday, February 13, 2010 10:18 AM
To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Explaining to parents that guide dogs are useful

I was definitely thinking about going to the NFB convention. I just was not
planning on dragging my parents along kicking and screeming. As for
scholarships, I am not eligible for any as far as I know.

Thanks
Mark

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Marion & Martin" <swampfox1833 at verizon.net>
To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users"
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Saturday, February 13, 2010 12:59 AM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Explaining to parents that guide dogs are useful

> Mark,
>    The best advice I can give you on transitioning to a dog or
> transitioning to college is "Don't let it stress you out!" As for doing
> them simultaneously, see previous sentence! (smile) You may not be able to

> control the pressures from the outside, but yu can control your reactions
> to them. Don't sweat the small stuff....it's all small stuff!
>    Hey, did you ever think of asking your parents to go with you to an NFB

> convention? You would have an awesome time and your parents would, as
> well!"Oh, sure!" you say to yourself sarcastically, "How much fun it would

> be to have 3000 blind people in one place!"
>    Your parents might learn how many mentors there are for you! You could
> bring them to the NAGDU meeting so they could meet 100 or so of the most
> dedicated guide dog users in the country! Yeah, that might be fun!
>    Also, have you thought about applying for an NFB scholarship? Maybe you

> getting $3000 - 12,000 might be a way to get them there! What do you plan
> to study in college?
>
> Fraternally yours,
> Marion Gwizdala
>
>
>
>
> Fraternally yours,
> Marion
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Mark J. Cadigan" <kramc11 at gmail.com>
> To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users"
> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Thursday, February 11, 2010 10:13 AM
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Explaining to parents that guide dogs are useful
>
>
>> Thanks again for all of your suggestions. I will use the points made on
>> this list next time I talk to the parents. Any thoughts about
>> transitioning to college and a dog simultaneously?
>>
>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>> From: "Joy Relton" <jrelton at verizon.net>
>> To: "'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'"
>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Thursday, February 11, 2010 9:50 AM
>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Explaining to parents that guide dogs are useful
>>
>>
>>> Hi Mark,
>>>
>>> When I went to college I shared my suite with two other women but my
>>> room
>>> was a single. Fortunately I was able to do this, but my reason for
>>> electing
>>> this arrangement had to do with the amount of equipment and the type of
>>> equipment that I used to study, not my dog. In those days, and I'm now
>>> dating myself, we had reel-to-reel machines to use to read the books and

>>> all
>>> other kinds of equipment like a typewriter, a Braille writer and more.
>>> There
>>> weren't computers, Victor Reader Streams or any of that stuff and I
>>> thought
>>> spreading all of my stuff all over the room and taking up more than my
>>> share
>>> would be unfair. My dog, slept next to my bed in the center part of the
>>> suite with the other two women and was never a problem. When I shared
>>> apartments it was never a problem with my room mates. In fact, one of my
>>> room mates went to the doctor and he asked her if there were any animals

>>> in
>>> the apartment that she could be allergic to and she said no. Then the
>>> doctor
>>> asked if she wasn't rooming with me and didn't I have a Seeing Eye Dog?
>>> She
>>> said, oh I didn't even think of Vikki as a dog or any other animal. When

>>> it
>>> was in the dorms or apartment buildings my friends all enjoyed my dog
>>> along
>>> with me. There were rules about not petting while in harness but she
>>> enjoyed
>>> many a game of ball down the halls of the dorm and traveled with me and
>>> my
>>> friends everywhere. I have never had anyone tell me that my dogs were
>>> not
>>> well groomed, or that they smelled and they've been welcome pretty much
>>> anywhere that I have gone. If they weren't and it was a legal issue I
>>> addressed it, if it was the other persons preference I let them deal
>>> with it
>>> and didn't invade their space and ensured that they did the same with
>>> me.
>>>
>>> In fact, the last two dogs that I have had to put to sleep have been so
>>> well
>>> accepted by my church that the members of the choir donated money toward
>>> hymnals and made contributions to the Seeing Eye in their honor. I'd say
>>> that was acceptance. I'm guessing that you'll work out your issues with
>>> your
>>> parents when you let them see that you are an adult who is capable of
>>> handling your life and your life decisions. Be gentle with your parents
>>> though, as the song says "teach your children well, their children's
>>> hell
>>> will slowly go by". In other words, it's probably premature to push the
>>> dog
>>> issue since you don't know yet where you will be. In the mean time,
>>> collect
>>> the facts and meet some folks in the area who are using dogs
>>> successfully.
>>> Then, make your decision based on what's best for you and nicely inform
>>> your
>>> parents. That's what my kids have done. We have the type of relationship
>>> that my husband and I have always sought to ensure that they have the
>>> tools
>>> to make their own decisions and the understanding that, if they make a
>>> mistake they can come for help and support whether or not we agree with
>>> their decision. Talking to your parents on some of these issues will go
>>> further than talking to us, except for gathering information and facts.
>>> Good
>>> luck.
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>>> Behalf
>>> Of Mark J. Cadigan
>>> Sent: Wednesday, February 10, 2010 7:59 PM
>>> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Explaining to parents that guide dogs are useful
>>>
>>>
>>> Thanks all of you for your suggestions. I like both the Seeing Eye, and
>>> GDB.
>>>
>>> Ware as I live in MA the Seeing Eye is a lot closer. I am a junior in
>>> high
>>> school so I haven't yet decided what college I will be attending. What I

>>> do
>>> know, is I want to be in a big city with access to a good public transit
>>> network such as the MBTA. I currently take the T to and from places all
>>> over
>>>
>>> Boston using my cane. Because of this independence I am having
>>> difficulty
>>> explaining to my parents that a dog would only enhance it making me a
>>> more
>>> competent, safer, and faster traveler. Have any of you ever experienced
>>> complaints about your dog either shedding or smelling bad? Is this a
>>> problem
>>>
>>> with roommates in college? Like most teenagers my room is never clean
>>> for
>>> long, but it is never that messy. I always take excellent care of all my
>>> equipment, and don't see how the maintenance of a dog will be a problem.

>>> My
>>> parents seem to have concerns of how I will maintain a dog in college.
>>> Any
>>> thoughts?
>>>
>>> ----- 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: Wednesday, February 10, 2010 2:29 PM
>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Explaining to parents that guide dogs are useful
>>>
>>>
>>>> First, where are you located? Maybe there is a guide program in your
>>>> area which would allow you to sort of host a dog for sometime until
>>>> the guide is matched up with a handler. This would help to introduce
>>>> your parents to the
>>>> concepts  and strength having a guide could and would lend to your
>>>> life.
>>>> You
>>>> could also let them know that their role in your life is to make you as
>>>> completely independent as possible and that the introduction of a guide
>>>> dog
>>>> into your life would do just that. you could also play on their
>>>> sympathies
>>>> by letting them know you are looking to be able to walk independently
>>>> with
>>>> friends and thereby depend less on their eyes and more so on your own
>>>> senses
>>>> coupled with the security and independence a guide would lend to your
>>>> life.
>>>> Where are you intending on going to college? If you are hoping to go
>>>> away,
>>>> your parents would need to understand  that a guide would help you to
>>>> move
>>>> swiftly and securely through a campus ensuring your timely attendance
>>>> to
>>>> all
>>>> your classes. Again, maybe a talk with a teacher/principal  might help
>>>> advance your crusade.
>>>>
>>>> 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 Mark J. Cadigan
>>>> Sent: Wednesday, February 10, 2010 2:11 PM
>>>> To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
>>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Explaining to parents that guide dogs are useful
>>>>
>>>> Dan W,
>>>>
>>>> My mom claims to be terrified of dogs, but yet we have a pet dog.  My
>>>> parents claim that a guide dog will smell, then I point out that if
>>>> you take
>>>>
>>>> care of it properly it won't. Then I point out people we know with
>>>> guide dogs that don't smell. My dad's response to this is to tell this
>>>> story of his friend's son's roommate's friend had a roommate with a
>>>> smelly guide dog.
>>>>
>>>> This happened so long ago, and is so far removed from the situation
>>>> that I can't see how it possibly has any bearing on the current
>>>> situation. Also that story is so convoluted that is impossible to
>>>> verify. And the argument goes on and on Ad nauseam. It is getting to
>>>> the point that I think they are just attempting to exorcize there
>>>> ability to make arbitrary decisions.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>> From: "Dan Weiner" <dcwein at dcwein.cnc.net>
>>>> To: "'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'"
>>>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>>>> Sent: Wednesday, February 10, 2010 1:33 PM
>>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Explaining to parents that guide dogs are useful
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> Well, first question is "Is the reason your parents don't support
>>>>> your idea of getting a dog that they don't like dogs?"--smile.
>>>>> Second of all, what is your parents objection, I mean presumably
>>>>> you're
>>>>> the
>>>>> one who's blind so maybe you might know a little better than they do
>>>>> whether
>>>>> a dog would enhance your lifestyle or not.
>>>>> I'm fortunate that by the time I wanted a dog, my parents had figured
>>>>> out
>>>>> I'd pretty much do what I wanted without permission, so my Dad just
>>>>> asked
>>>>> one or two feeble questions and then left it alone.
>>>>> He asked "Are you sure a dog will be worth the trouble, how do you
>>>>> know
>>>>> it'll work out."
>>>>> I explained that, never having a dog, a guide dog, that is,  I'd need
>>>>> to
>>>>> find it out for myself and I really wanted to take care of the dog and
>>>>> was
>>>>> ready.
>>>>> When I got home, he admired the dog enormously. But he asked the
>>>>> second
>>>>> day
>>>>> back home if the dog really had to go out with us to breakfast. I said

>>>>> it
>>>>> did, when he seemed to balk I said "I love you Dad, and enjoy going
>>>>> out,
>>>>> but
>>>>> this is important to me and if you don't want my guide dog than I'm
>>>>> afraid
>>>>
>>>>> I
>>>>> won't be going".
>>>>> Dead silence ensued, and the issue never came up again.  As a matter
>>>>> of fact, my Dad adopted my first hound after he retired and loved
>>>>> him.  The dog, Grant, even went to my Dad's funeral's The only thing
>>>>> I wasn't really ready for was the access issues. Being the brilliant
>>>>> young man I was--smile--it never occurred to me that people would
>>>>> have issues with a dog, I mean access issues to public places.
>>>>>
>>>>> So, tell us more what the problem is and we'll be happy to talk about
>>>>> it. There are some folks on this list who can be very good role
>>>>> models and mentors, I wish there had been such a list when I started
>>>>> out.  But, then I don't think there were such things as computer
>>>>> lists--smile.
>>>>>
>>>>> Good luck
>>>>>
>>>>> Dan W. and the Carter Dog
>>>>>
>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>>>>> Behalf
>>>>> Of Mark J. Cadigan
>>>>> Sent: Wednesday, February 10, 2010 1:17 PM
>>>>> To: nagdu at nfbnet.org
>>>>> Subject: [nagdu] Explaining to parents that guide dogs are useful
>>>>>
>>>>> Hello list,
>>>>>
>>>>> I am new to this list, and I am thinking of getting a guide dog for
>>>>> when
>>>>> I
>>>>> go to college. The only problem I am having is convincing my parents
>>>>> that
>>>>> a
>>>>> guide dog is a useful mobility tool.  As you can probably guess, that
>>>>> is
>>>>> a
>>>>> large obstacle. I am currently in high school, so I have to abide by
>>>>> my
>>>>> parent's wishes, or at least for now. What I am asking for is how best

>>>>> to
>>>>> explain to them, that guide dogs are useful mobility tools, that will
>>>>> enhance my independence rather than detract from it. I have given them
>>>>> literature, DVDs and have attempted to talk to them. Any instructional
>>>>> materiel finds its way into the circular file, and they change the
>>>>> subject
>>>>> when I talk to them. Any and all suggestions are welcome.
>>>>>
>>>>> Thanks
>>>>> Mark
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> 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/dcwein%40dcwein
>>>> .cnc.n
>>>>> et
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> 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/kramc11%40gmai
>>>>> l.com
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> 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/albert%40myblindspot.
>>>> org
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> 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/kramc11%40gmail.com
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> 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/jrelton%40verizon.net
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> 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/kramc11%40gmail.com
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> 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%40verizo
n.net
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> 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/kramc11%40gmail.com
>

_______________________________________________
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/albert%40myblindspot.
org

_______________________________________________
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/solsticesinger%40gmai
l.com 

_______________________________________________
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/albert%40myblindspot.
org