[nagdu] Restaurant ordered service dog to lobby

[Larry D. Keeler]

That was my stance exactly Bibi!  But, I find that belonging to one of these 
organizations provides me with a lot more contacts.  Up here in Michigan 
they seem to sort of be at war!  Although they shouldn't be!  Our commission 
for the blind is having all kinds of issues and both organizations are 
arguing instead of trying to work together.  NFB at least seems to have more 
folks in it who will rise to the challenge.  I don't aggree with everything 
we do but I can voice that and still be respected for my oppinion.  With 
things such as what is happening in Grand Rapids or any of the other 
discriminatory things going on that organization is necessary!  It should 
not be a concern as to what organization is dominant in an area or not but, 
a clear cut case of discrimination that ACB,NFB and the nutral have to all 
address.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Criminal Justice Major Extraordinaire" <orleans24 at comcast.net>
To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, November 09, 2011 11:00 PM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Restaurant ordered service dog to lobby


> Hi, Marion and all,
> I'm not a member of either organization, but have been on both sides of 
> the coin.
> What we as individuals, including myself have to remember that what one 
> may feel may not agree with what one may think.
> I guess what I'm trying to get at here is although both blind 
> organizations differ from one another, I've seen both the positive and 
> negative sides on each.
> Now, it's confession time and I'm going to try my hardest to do my best in 
> wording what I'm saying here carefully.
> Back when the informative choice resolution passed or came about in 2003, 
> that was what really turned me off and I felt that I didn't want to renew 
> a membership as a whole.
> I experienced the same thing under the other guide dog affiliate too, but 
> have sinced realized that regardless of what organization a blind 
> individual or people choose to be apart of, it should be up to individuals 
> on whether they want to go further up the ladder or just stay in that 
> nutral position.
> Since my health has drastically changed and since I have have three 
> medical ailments I'm working with, I've decided the best course of action 
> for me is to just stay nutural.
> Honestly, I can't tell people directly what organzation is best and which 
> will fit their needs.
> I usually just tell those who may be interested is to refer them both to 
> the web site of each organization and they can look over the resources 
> directly.
> My belief here is that what makes a group like this one and the other one 
> work out is leadership and how both organizations are or will be 
> perceived.
> Some people also figure that they'd be better off sticking to the cane 
> rather than taking on the annual expense for food or vet costs.
> My belief again as that each and every one of us do have a choice of what 
> works best.
> Although the rule here is no organzation bashing, same rule is applied on 
> the other guide dog affiliate list too, mainly to prevent a possible war 
> from occuring.
> Although membership fee has gone down to $5.00, I may think about 
> rejoining again.
> Other affiliate is good too, despite differences, but can't afford the 
> higher membership fee since my financial resources are limited to what I 
> can spend on a monthly basis.
> Since I'm medically not able to work, I do what I can with my fixed 
> income.
> My job is to also make sure that Odie's needs are still met and he's 
> properly taken care of.
> I have a rule where if I'm supposed to make sure I take care of myself 
> monthly and am required to bathe, it applies to Odie as well.
> Because of how much he went beyond the lines of duty when he was my guide 
> dog and now a medical alert service dog, Odie deserves more and it's only 
> fair that I continue what I promised in the beginning.
> I'm ashamed to admit that I didn't have that powerful, strong, bond in the 
> beginning with my first and second guide dogs, but am glad that Odie and I 
> still have that deep connection and attachment to one another.
> Again, this is just my sharing of the experience I went through with both 
> blind consumer organizations.
> What I have experienced doesn't mean that others will have the same thing, 
> but far different from mine directly.
> I feel that most important of all, I can go through both groups to ask for 
> advice.
> I also realize that I don't need to be a member just to seek advice 
> either, but if I do need the further help, then yes, I'd fill out that 
> membership form.e, even if opinions or views may be different.
> *Smiles*
> just my thoughts here.
> Bibi and Odie
> the happy spirited bounty labra wolf
>
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