[nagdu] Introducing myself, another new NAGDU member

[Bryan Jones]

Hi Folks,

I've recently joined the NAGDU and the NFB and wanted to take a moment to quickly introduce myself.

My name is Bryan Jones and I live just west of Philadelphia, PA in the US. My vision has been fading for about 10 years as the result of a connective tissue disorder called Marfan Syndrome. Two years ago, while living in Milwaukee, I got my first dog, a female black lab / golden cross from The Seeing Eye. Her name is Marqi, which is pronounced with an emphasis on the last syllable as in the famous diamond or the billboard above a theater,not as in Marky-Mark. <grin>.

Prior to applying for a dog, I was a fairly mobile cane user thanks to some good O and M instruction I had received, but I had a few incidents that made me believe that a guide dog could help improve my independence and safety. I'm very happy that I did as I feel significantly more independent and mobile now. During Marqi & my first year together I had several follow-up phone conversations with Seeing Eye staff members and two visits from them to help me improve my skills as a handler. Even after two years together I still feel like a newbie at this and am looking forward to learning more as time passes.

I'm 49 and spent the last twenty something years working in corporate IT, but put my career on hold last year to move back to the Philadelphia area to complete my undergraduate degree in psychology. I'm now into my first semester back at school and am very happy with the level of mobility, independence and confidence I have while navigating my suburban town and college campus with Marqi.

Thanks for being here and I look forward to being an active member of NAGDU and this list!
Cheers,
Bryan
opensesame at me.com