[nagdu] Quick Question

Tue Apr 26 02:19:51 UTC 2011

Mark,

You're asking the right question and you're expressing a good understanding
about what the decision you're making is really all about.  You've been
doing this for at least a year now -- if I remember correctly.  You've
prepared in advance, including arranging a mobility instructor for your
summer vacation so you can start your higher education oriented and knowing
your way around.

What I'm picking up then is that your level of responsbility is pretty much
about what you think it is.  Some people will automatically assume that a
kid your age just going off to college is a flaky little twit who should
never be allowed to get a dog just because your 19 and heading off to
college.  There are plenty of those to go around in your age group, and some
of them stay that way into and beyond mine...  That doesn't mean you're a
clone.  You're you.

So as I see it, the data for you to crunch now is all about you, and you're
the only one who is qualified to pull it all together and run the numbers to
reach a solution.  Will it be bad for a dog you get this summer to go to
school with you your freshman year?  That depends entirely on you.  Will you
be unable to deal with all the routes and a new dog, too?  Only you know
that, really.  You're planning a month of O&M to learn those routes
beforehand, before you go for the dog.  Do you think that will be enough for
you to learn you way around so that you can communicate with your young dog
when you're doing it together when class starts?  Only you know that.  Are
your mobility skills sufficiently good in general to enable you to walk and
talk and carry books to class and get there on time while still having
enough concentration left over to communicate to your dog?  You know that,
too!  /grin/

Questioning everything is good, evaluating everything, including yourself is
good.  Statistical data to use in making predictions is very satisfying to
have!  Well, if you're a number cruncher to begin with.  /grin/  But in the
end, the most significant variable is the one labeled "Mark."  You know the
value of that variable now and you are the one who will determine its change
in value with progress of the function over time.  See?  You really can use
algebra in real life.  /lol/

Just promise to keep us all posted!

Tami Smith-Kinney

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Mark J. Cadigan
Sent: Monday, April 25, 2011 6:13 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Quick Question

I still don't know if I am going to go get a dog. I know that if I was to go

get a dog I would be able to take care of it and make it work. What I don't 
know is would it be more beneficial to spend a year and know the campus cold

before getting the dog, or will the month I will be spending on the campus 
this summer with a mobility instructor be sufficient. After that, I will 
know the routes I will need on the first day of school but, still won't be 
familiar with the entire campus. I basically want to do what's best for the 
dog and what will simplify things the most. It is a huge campus covering the

Beacon Hill and government center areas of Boston. I know people feel 
strongly both ways.

I wish I could have some data to crunch. If only there was a survey of 
people that got there dog before freshmen year, and people that waited and I

could compare some data.

Thoughts?

Mark

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Sheila Leigland" <sleigland at bresnan.net>
To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, April 25, 2011 7:59 PM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Quick Question

> If you believe you are ready to get a dog go for it and have a great time.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Mark J. Cadigan <kramc11 at gmail.com>
> Sent: Monday, April 25, 2011 2:04 PM
> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users 
> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Quick Question
>
> Good news is I am not much of a party person. In fact, I can't stand crazy
> parties with all the noise and crowds. I am also 19 so a bit older than 
> you
> were when you started college for the first time. I am an early riser
> anyway, so the taking the dog out in the morning won't be a problem. I am
> normally up at 6:00 except those days when it is noon. Lol. But those are
> not often.
>
>
> Mark
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Julie J" <julielj at neb.rr.com>
> To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users"
> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Monday, April 25, 2011 10:07 AM
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Quick Question
>
>
>> Mark,
>>
>> I never had a guide dog at college.  The first time I went to college I
>> was 17 and just out of high school.  I enjoyed staying up late, sleeping
>> even later, staying with different friends and their parents on the
>> weekends, going to parties and generally enjoying myself.  Having a new
>> dog in that situation would have been a disaster.  I had no regular
>> schedule, only stayed at my dorm room weekdays, was constantly running
>> around visiting new places and new people.
>>
>> Then several years later I went back to college.  By then I was married
>> and had Kiddo.  I could have easily fit a guide into life then.  I lived
>> in an apartment, had a regular routine,  and was much more settled. I
>> actually had three pet dogs then.
>>
>> At both colleges I attended there were other students that had guide dogs
>> One was a younger student with questionable orientation skills.  the 
>> other
>> was an older gentleman who had good skills.  Both seemed to be successful
>> with their dogs at college.  I think the difference was in their
>> willingness to put the dog before parties and other random college
>> craziness.
>>
>> It's all you though.  Best of luck in whatever you decide!
>> Julie
>>
>>
>> ----- 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: Monday, April 25, 2011 8:17 AM
>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Quick Question
>>
>>
>>> Thanks for all the responses thus far. They are providing food for
>>> thought.
>>>
>>>
>>> Mark J. Cadigan
>>> Kramc11 at gmail.com
>>>
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>>> From: "PICKRELL, REBECCA M (TASC)" <REBECCA.PICKRELL at tasc.com>
>>> To: "'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'"
>>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>>> Sent: Monday, April 25, 2011 8:34 AM
>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Quick Question
>>>
>>>
>>>> Mark,
>>>> How do you feel on this subject and why do you feel a given way?
>>>> I got my first dog shortly after high school. She started college with
>>>> me and completed it with me too.
>>>> Looking back, I don't know that it was the right call.
>>>> I had a few friends that could not adjust to me having a dog.
>>>> Irronically, now that I am no longer using a dog, these people are back
>>>> in my life. One friend and I had the breakup from hell. The dog was 
>>>> only
>>>> part of the reason why. We are friends again and looking back, I'm 
>>>> sorry
>>>> for all the time we lost. I have missed him.
>>>>
>>>> My rationale for getting my dog when I did was that everybody I met
>>>> would know me as having a dog and could either accept or reject the
>>>> package.
>>>> Looking back, I'm not sure this is logical. We all change over time and
>>>> friendships change over time.
>>>>
>>>> I'd almost urge you to wait, but this is only because of my experience.
>>>> Interestingly enough, I met my husband when I had a guide dog. He isn't
>>>> really a dog person and we still got together. So if you're not sure,
>>>> I'd wait.
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>>>> Behalf Of Lisa Irving
>>>> Sent: Sunday, April 24, 2011 4:32 AM
>>>> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
>>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Quick Question
>>>>
>>>> Mark,
>>>>
>>>> I applaud
>>>> your maturity, your willingness to seek feedback.
>>>>
>>>> As an incoming freshman you will incur many new responsibilities. It's 
>>>> a
>>>> lot
>>>> of work to be a college student. It's work whether you are blind or
>>>> sighted.
>>>> The fact of the matter, it's even more work when you are blind. Keep
>>>> this in
>>>> mind as you weigh your options.
>>>>
>>>> I think back to when I was a freshman, back in the 80s.  I think I 
>>>> could
>>>> have handled caring for my guide dog. What I likely would have had
>>>> trouble
>>>> with is not letting my dog become everyone's toy. I think I would have
>>>> had
>>>> difficulties living in a dorm and setting boundaries with room mates.
>>>>
>>>> There are a lot of us on this list who want to see you be successful as
>>>> a
>>>> student as well as being a guide dog handler. Both are huge jobs that
>>>> take
>>>> determination, consistency and some tenacity.
>>>>
>>>> Lisa and Bernie ----- 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: Saturday, April 23, 2011 8:09 AM
>>>> Subject: [nagdu] Quick Question
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> Hi all. This is Mark with a quick question. Feel free to respond 
>>>>> either
>>>>> on
>>>>> or off list. I will be attending college at Suffolk University as a
>>>>> freshman in Boston this September. I have been accepted to attend the
>>>>> Seeing Eye July class. My question is, should I get a dog now, or
>>>>> should I
>>>>> defer it for a year and go to the training the summer before soft more
>>>>> year. I can see the merits of both, and just curious as to your
>>>>> thoughts.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>
>>
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