[nagdu] Mobility and Dogs

[Margo and Arrow]

A cane is good for the right person, too.  A cane can do things a dog can't.

I use a cane sometimes to pattern my dog because I cannot give a command in 
various circumstances at the right moment, but, I can use my cane to 
recognize something in the environment, give the command when my cane 
recognizes it, and then train my dog to do this specific thing.

to me, the cane and dog are equall--there are things each can do and things 
each can't do.

margo and Arrow
----- 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: Sunday, August 21, 2011 1:15 PM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Mobility and Dogs


> You are right in that there shouldn't actually be a debate, whatever works
> for you.
> But, I personally think a dog is better for the right person.
> A dog does things a cane cant, plain and simple.
> So that's my two cents, but I do reiterate my agreement that there really
> shouldn't be a debate and we'd all be happier if we learned to accept each
> other.
>
> It seems that in the blind community we've gotten to this stumbling block
> that we feel like we should say things like "oh, I can use a cane but I 
> like
> having a dog".
> What's wrong with those of us who say that  not being perfect at some 
> things
> is okay...some people read Braille better than others, some people really
> feel more comfortable with technology.  I just don't believe in saying
> someone "should" do something, it's whatever method they find most
> effective.  Some people just can't orient themselves well no matter how 
> they
> try, how many sighted folks have I met who say  Oh, I don't know how I'd 
> do
> it if I were blind 'cause "I have a lousy sense of direction"?
> We've just gotten in to this way of thinking that only one way is correct.
>
> When I hear people talk about others who don't get around well it's almost 
> a
> type of scorn I hear, things like "they can't get out of a paper bag".
> How do you think they fell?  Do you think that these guys don't know they
> have problems?
>
> Anyway, back to canes and dogs: There
> are four methods for the blind to get around that have been tried and
> tested:
> 1. human guide (sighted guide)
> 2. Long white cane
> 3. Guide dog dog guide)
>
> 4. Stay at home and just don't go anywhere--smile.
>
> Oh, there's a fifth, I know one or two blind people who use neither cane r
> dog but I find it an extremely poor choice and I've stopped having the
> discussion with these people because it makes me angry--smile.
>
> So, that was my two cents that with inflation is worth maybe a half penny
> and remember, just my opinion so no offence meant to anyone.
>
> Dan the man, Carter the Dog
>
>
>
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