[nagdu] Hello from returning member

[Gail]

Thank you for the welcome! 
 
Actually, I wouldnt need a dog with extra training, since the ordinary pull
of the dog walking forward is the perfect counterbalance for my Meniere's
Disease. I only use the right hand crutch to prevent possible problems. A
forearm crutch is essentially a cane you can hang on your forearm, with
better mechanics. 
 
I trained all my own dogs till now, but with things getting visually
spookyer, I am afraid to risk it now. I trained for some guide work-showing
me places I could fall over/into or slip on, and kept me from crashing into
things when I thought the area we were walking was safe. I wish I could just
hunt up a good canidate for training, and go to it, but I'm 50 now, and not
in as good a shape as I was 10 years ago when I started. I'm hoping I can go
to GDB in California...for one thing, I know the weather there is such that
it would be *much* easier to train in, having grown up in southern Californa
 and vacationed often in the north. Its also a school I know more about...
the funny thing is that, growing up, my career choice was to apprentice
there as a trainer! I had done all the studies they suggested I do, but when
I was old enough to move out, family problems prevented it. So its really
odd to come to a time in my life when I am on the other end of the situation
 Distinctly an odd feeling! <wry grin> But I hope it works out! 
 
 
Gail 
 
 
 
 
-------Original Message------- 
 
From: Tamara Smith-Kinney 
Date: 6/13/2010 11:30:01 AM 
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users' 
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Hello from returning member 
 
Welcome back, Gail! I must have joined after you left the list. I'm tami,
and I live in Oregon with an owner-trained poodle guide named Mitzi, who
turns 4 tomorrow. I can still hardly believe she's a grown up, but there it
is. 
 
Over the past few years, it has seemed like guide dog schools are becoming
more and more open to applicants with additional disabilities, although I
don't know how rigid they are about the boundaries between crappy vision and
actual legal blindness these days. It probably depends on the school. 
 
I know there are others on the list with balance issues to go along with
their vision issues, so they should be able to steer you in a useful
direction. A couple of the other owner-trainers have cross-trained dogs for
two or more issues, including balance. 
 
Good luck. 
 
Tami Smith-Kinney 
 
-----Original Message----- 
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Gail 
Sent: Saturday, June 12, 2010 6:23 PM 
To: nagdu at nfbnet.org 
Subject: [nagdu] Hello from returning member 
 
Hello all! 
 
 
 
 
 
Its been a few years since I was last here, but I'm back and full of 
Questions again! The deal is, my last SD retired herself, and with my vision

Gradually taking a nosedive, I'm investigating getting a guide dog this time

So this means going through the process of doctor exams, determining if I 
Am legally blind or just low vision, etc. I have a second Humphries test 
Next week, which should tell the tale. I'm hoping, as odd as it sounds, that

I fail it, because I cant get a service dog from programs like CCI, since 
They wont touch people with visual problems, and I'm frankly afraid to go 
Anywhere without the help of a dog. I've tried going out with my husband, 
Using both my forearm crutches (normally only use one), using one to feel 
Out danger spots, but I have to creep along that way. And its so scary to 
Not know what is on the sides, because of the blurry. 
 
 
 
I've got a cane, but no training, and with budget cuts here in Kansas, I 
Havent yet found anyone who teaches it. And it would be difficult to use, 
Since I am using both crutches for balance-before this, the pull on the 
Harness of my SD kept me balanced. So I have to figure things out somehow. 
 
 
 
So here I am again! 
 
 Gail 
 
»§«.,¸¸,.·´¯`·.,¸¸,.»§« 
 
Stand up for what is right, 
 
Even if you are left standing alone. 
 
 
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