[nagdu] Quick Question

Mark J. Cadigan kramc11 at gmail.com
Tue Apr 26 02:46:03 UTC 2011


Glad to know that there are no bad decisions. Thanks for sharing your 
stories and advice with me. They provide good food for thought, so keep them 
coming.


Mark J. Cadigan
MassABS Secretary
Kramc11 at gmail.com


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Michael Hingson" <info at michaelhingson.com>
To: "'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, April 25, 2011 10:32 PM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Quick Question


Hi Mark,

I think I would like to chime in as well.  I received my first guide dog the
summer between 8th grade and high school.  Back in 1964 it seems, at least
for me, that I was fully accepted in high school with my guide except that
the superintendent of the district tried to ban us from the school bus
system.  Let's not visit that more now.

Anyway, I went to the school with my dog beginning about two weeks before
school opened.  I did this to learn much of the campus so I wouldn't have to
do that along with getting use to new teachers, new facilities, and new
homework and study demands.

When I went to college I arranged in advance through my major department to
get help right from the start in learning the campus.  I arrived a few days
before classes began and again spent much time going around the campus to
learn the area, not specific routes but the overall layout of the
university.

For me this process worked well.  I had not received any kind of formal
orientation and mobility training until the summer before college.  Even
then the training was minimal and mostly unnecessary as by then I had become
a good traveler.

As others have said only you can determine what is best for you.  I like
exploring and challenging myself especially while using my guide dog.
Getting your first guide is an adventure.  You can succeed if you believe
you can.  Getting lost is never a bad thing, but rather it is an opportunity
to learn something new.  I should say I put this axiom to good use later in
my life when I first went to work at the World Trade Center in New York
City.

I am sure you will do fine.  We're all here to support you and to encourage
your efforts no matter what you do.


Best,


Mike Hingson

The Michael Hingson Group, INC.
 "Speaking with Vision"
Michael Hingson, President
(415) 827-4084
info at michaelhingson.com
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-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Sherrill O'Brien
Sent: Monday, April 25, 2011 7:08 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Quick Question

Hello Mark,

I'd like to chime in here. The decision is yours to make, but I want to tell
you that I was blind since birth, and knew as a very young child that I
wanted to get a guide dog. I got some decent O andM training in high school,
and decided to spend my first year in college with only my cane. I used the
cane, and also, I must admit, walked around on that campus a good bit sans
mobility aid...no cane, no human guide! Silly me, I know, but I lived to
tell about it. Getting my first dog during the summer between my freshman
and sophomore years was a good decision for me. The stress of going off to
college, learning a new place, dealing with readers etc. was enough for me
to handle that first year. I was very happy having my dog that next year.
She was the ultimate college guide dog. Some stories here, but that's for
another time...or not. Anyway, my dog was a great help to me, and I don't
regret not having her that first year. For you, it might not be the same.
But I hope all our experiences help you to make the best decision for you.

Sherrill


-----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 9:13 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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