[nagdu] Introducing myself, another new NAGDU member

[cheryl echevarria]

Bryan,

Welcome to NAGDU.

I am Cheryl Echevarria, I live in Brentwood, Long Island, NY. Currently working my first guide dog, Maxx, from the Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind, Inc., here on Long Island, about 10 minute drive from me.

I lost my vision to Diabetic Retinopathy back in 2001, and still go for laser treatments, little left in the right eye and losing more and more.


Leading the Way in Independent Travel!

Cheryl Echevarria
http://www.echevarriatravel.com<http://www.echevarriatravel.com/>
631-456-5394
reservations at echevarriatravel.com<mailto:reservations at echevarriatravel.com>

Affiliated as an Independent Contractor with Superior Travel, located in Baldwin, NY. www.superiortravel.com<http://www.superiortravel.com/>


  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Marion Gwizdala<mailto:blind411 at verizon.net> 
  To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users<mailto:nagdu at nfbnet.org> 
  Sent: Tuesday, October 18, 2011 12:28 PM
  Subject: Re: [nagdu] Introducing myself, another new NAGDU member


  Bryan,
      Welcome to our list and to the National Association of Guide Dog Users. 
  We have several subscribers from Pennsylvania on this list, including our 
  treasurer, Toni Whaley, and one of our moderators, marsha Drenth. We are 
  beginning the process of organizing a Pennsylvania Association of Guide Dog 
  Users, so we would love to have your energy and expertise.
      My wife, Merry Schoch, who also serves as the Vice President of the 
  Florida Association of Guide Dog Users, our daughter and granddaughter, all 
  have Marfans Syndrome, so we are well aware of some of the challenges this 
  condition presents. Merry has had 20 eye surgeries to correct retinal 
  dysfunction, corneal problems, and lens dislocations. Out of curiosity, how 
  tall are you?

  Fraternally yours,
  Marion Gwizdala


  Merry is 6-feet tall.
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: "Bryan Jones" <opensesame at me.com<mailto:opensesame at me.com>>
  To: <nagdu at nfbnet.org<mailto:nagdu at nfbnet.org>>
  Sent: Tuesday, October 18, 2011 12:05 PM
  Subject: [nagdu] Introducing myself, another new NAGDU member


  > 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<mailto:opensesame at me.com>
  >
  >
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