[nagdu] Heels (shoes) and Guide Dogs

Fri Oct 15 02:20:25 UTC 2010

Actually, no. Not these stiletto heels! They aren't *quite* stiletto
heels, since they don't come to a point, but the diameter of the heel
at the tip is about a quarter inch. However, these shoes are much
better for my balance than many lower heels because of the ankle and
foot support.

Because they are ankle boots, they support my ankles, which are weak.
Also, it is important to make sure the boots fit properly when bought.
These fit me very snugly with dress socks, with barely a finger
thickness room left at the top, and because of the zipper, it is much
tighter at the ankle and below.

I require a support cane because I lose my balance at times, but I
actually lose my balance *less* when I'm wearing my heeled ankle
boots. I double-checked with my boyfriend on that, and he agreed that
I wear them well, and that I lose my balance less when wearing them.
It's a combination of proper size, comfort, ankle support, and lots of
practice.

Not ranting, just raving!

On 10/14/10, Lyn Gwizdak <linda.gwizdak at cox.net> wrote:
> Ummm, Jewel - why wear stiletto heels while having to use a suport cane???
> Don't the heels destabilize you? Not to be critical - just curious. (grin!)
>
> Lyn and Landon
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Jewel S." <herekittykat2 at gmail.com>
> To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users"
> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Wednesday, October 13, 2010 2:02 PM
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Heels (shoes) and Guide Dogs
>
>
>> So...is there any of you who wear actual high heels? What do you do for
>> *those*?
>>
>> I have a pair of ankle-boots I wear for most dress occassions. They
>> have four-inch stiletto heels. I don't have a guide dog yet, but I
>> have a support cane that depends on height like a guide dog harness.
>> It is adjustable, though...so I put it at its longest when I wear my
>> boots, and almost the shortest when I'm in sneakers. Are there any
>> adjustable  harnesses (doubtful)?
>>
>> My two cents,
>>
>> On 10/13/10, Mark J. Cadigan <kramc11 at gmail.com> wrote:
>>> I know that men's dress shoes are different, but you still get the same
>>> lack
>>> of traction issues. Because my school dress code allows it, I ware
>>> something
>>> like fancier type work boots in the winter. Bad description I know, but
>>> really handy for walking on icy sidewalks.
>>>
>>> Now back to the regularly scheduled programming.
>>>
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: "Julie J" <julielj at windstream.net>
>>> To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users"
>>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>>> Sent: Wednesday, October 13, 2010 3:18 PM
>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Heels (shoes) and Guide Dogs
>>>
>>>
>>>> Once upon a time I used to have these really cute dress flats that had
>>>> rubber soles, like tennis shoes.  You couldn't tell they were
>>>> comfortable
>>>> just by looking though! *smile*  I'd love to find something like that
>>>> again. I think I had those shoes when I was in high school.  I doubt
>>>> they
>>>> even make anything like it anymore.
>>>>
>>>> I wanted to add that in addition to walking a bit slower I also have to
>>>> get Monty to pull lighter because my dress shoes don't have the same
>>>> sidewalk grip power as my rubber soled shoes.  I don't think Mitsy is a
>>>> hard puller though.
>>>>
>>>> Best of luck!
>>>> Julie
>>>>
>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>> From: "Tamara Smith-Kinney" <tamara.8024 at comcast.net>
>>>> To: "'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'"
>>>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>>>> Sent: Wednesday, October 13, 2010 2:06 PM
>>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Heels (shoes) and Guide Dogs
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> That's how it's gone on our few practice trials and the one gig I did
>>>>> where
>>>>> I wore girl shoes once I got to the client's building.  I sure did walk
>>>>> slow, though, because all I could see was me greeting the client an
>>>>> dpromptly falling on my face!  Mitzi did fine, too.
>>>>>
>>>>> Still, it's always good to know how others manage it.  /girn/
>>>>>
>>>>> Tami Smith-Kinney
>>>>>
>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>>>>> Behalf
>>>>> Of Julie J
>>>>> Sent: Wednesday, October 13, 2010 10:22 AM
>>>>> To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
>>>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Heels (shoes) and Guide Dogs
>>>>>
>>>>> I'm totally with you.  I despise dress shoes.  Yet I'm wearing a pair
>>>>> right
>>>>> now.
>>>>> I really only notice that I walk slower in dress shoes.  I use the same
>>>>> length of harness handle, but I don't wear heels either.
>>>>>
>>>>> I'm thinking as long as you can comfortably hold the harness handle,
>>>>> you
>>>>> aren't leaning over, I think the same length should be fine.
>>>>>
>>>>> Julie
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
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>>>>>
>>>>>
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>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
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>>
>>
>> --
>> ~Jewel
>> Check out my blog about accessibility for the blind!
>> Treasure Chest for the Blind: http://blindtreasurechest.blogspot.com
>>
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-- 
~Jewel
Check out my blog about accessibility for the blind!
Treasure Chest for the Blind: http://blindtreasurechest.blogspot.com