[nagdu] Critical blind people

[Jordan Frances Ortiz]

When it comes to people's handling views and styles i try to be open 
minded.  as a raiser and handler i have learned to take something and 
give soemthing to everyone.  I like to make a style of my own made up of 
many different ideas from many different people.  Each dog needs 
something different; a harsh correction may work for one but the other 
may only need a soft "No".
I've been criticized by fellow handlers on how strict I am with Viola 
and how soft I am... I guess everyoen sees a situation in a different 
way, and some like ot think their way is right.

Jordan and Viola


Dan Weiner wrote:
> Charlene.
> Interesting story...the comment the person on the elevator made is precisely
> the type of thing that makes me hesitate to be around a lot of blind people
> with dogs--smile.
> Everyone's a critic, I seem to be the only one I know who doesn't try to
> tell other handlers what to do.
> Our fellow blind seem to be generally a rather judgmental lot who jump to
> conclusions.  I don't want another blind person or sighted person to try to
> make me feel ashamed because I may find things harder, Hell, some things I
> do better than the self-appointed critics, some worse.
> This is actually a comment not meant only in terms of guide dog use, but in
> general terms.
>
> You want examples, fine;
> I have  a hearing loss in one ear, I can't tell where sound comes from very
> well, in other words I have problems with sound localization.
> If I had a dollar for every time some fellow blind genius has made asinine
> comments such as: "Oh, I wonder why they gave him a dog, why can't he follow
> my voice", I'd be a rich guy.
> Of course, our sighted brother and sisters are champions of this type of
> brilliant and I believe deliberately hurtful comment.
>
> I know Rox here has hearing problems, have blind people acted like idiots to
> you, too?
>
> We want acceptance as blind people but we seem to have very little tolerance
> for diversity.
>
> Now when at Leader, several of my fellow American students made helpful
> comments like those. I say fellow American because I did notice the
> Brazilians and Spaniards, whom I can communicate with through my knowledge
> of languages, were not making snide comments.    When at Leader, it
> generally was gossiped that I couldn't find my chair at the cafeteria.
> Yes, why? 
> 1. We don't work our doggies in the dorm for a long time.
> 2.  Unlike everyone else, I'm attempting to be considerate and not barrel
> through the place stepping on every one and everyone's dogs. Maybe that's a
> slight exaggeration.
> Also, I felt I didn't get a very good explanation of where my seat was and I
> didn't have a chance to practice without a million people whom I had to
> worry about stepping on--smile.
>
> Now, that type of stuff used to piss me off big time. Obviously it still
> does--smile--but I was much calmer about it this time than say other times,
> because I figured, I'm coming to guide dog school to better my quality of
> life and the other students won't be going home with me to hold my hand and
> make fun.
>
> Any comments?--smile.
>
> Especially some of the partially sighted guys were giving everyone else a
> blow by blow description of my hesitant walking style. I suppose they would
> have been happier if I lumbered barreling down the hall stepping on people
> and running them over because I couldn't hear where they were.  I'll make
> sure to two that next time so that everyone's happy.
> When I'm by myself I'm fast, actually--smile
>
>
> This has gone way off track, but I'd love to hear everyone's take on it.
>
> Cordially,
>
> Dan W. and the Carter Hound
>
>
>
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