[nagdu] Critical blind people

[Sherrill O'Brien]

Julie,
Good one!!

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org]On
Behalf Of Julie J
Sent: Saturday, July 31, 2010 7:11 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Critical blind people


Dan,

I just have to tell this story.

Several years ago when I took Belle to convention, I was in the elevator
with her.  anyway it was just Belle and me at first.  I was leaning on the
side wall and Belle was facing the door standing in front of me.  I was
holding her leash just a couple of inches from the collar.  A few floors
down the doors open and a blind lady with a cane gets on.  she does this
turn to face the doors and sort of steps back in the process.  Unfortunately
her backside was the exact height of Belle's nose.  I didn't feel the leash
even twitch, but she says, "Your dog sniffed me.  Aren't you going to
correct her?"  All I could think of was that quote from Bill Clinton, "I
didn't inhale."  ROFLOL

Julie

----- 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: Saturday, July 31, 2010 5:15 PM
Subject: [nagdu] Critical blind people


> 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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