[nagdu] Transition to a new guide

Sat Apr 28 19:59:38 UTC 2012

Hi Marsha,

I will certainly do that.  It is a bittersweet time during this transition
like so many of us have gone through.  Unfortunately, the circumstances that
caused Misha's retirement were most unfortunate and who would have ever
thought a tornado would have even hit this small community in Western
Wisconsin.  However, she was my first priority, and now that all seems to
have really fallen place nicely, it is time to concentrate on the new guide.
I will be busting hump as I will be in an accelerated class and essentially
be there for 11 training days as I leave tomorrow and return on the 12th.
Basically, it is a home and away training which really fit my work schedule
perfectly.  Of course, a home follow-up will be scheduled after I return
which again, is perfect.  
Now, I would bet some would like to know why I chose Leader Dog?  Well, it
was the school that most impressed me at the time.  I knew of a number of
other guide dog handlers from different training programs and after not only
talking with them, and looking at information on the programs, it was the
school that seemed to best fit me.  Since that time, now 20 years ago,
things have changed so much.  Yes, Leader does not grant ownership upon
graduation, but this is not my first concern as a handler as is the support,
the matching process, the home-like feeling of the training facility and so
much more.  This, is like I said, the 20th year when I was matched with my
first guide dog, and in that time, have worked 3 dogs now ready for #4.  The
other end of the reason I have continued to support Leader Dog, is that it
is directly connected with the Lion's and in fact, was founded by 3 Lion
members back in 1938 and became a formal training program in 1939.  I myself
am a very active Lion and travel throughout our State's district to present
on Leader Dog and help fellow-Lion's understand how their club donations
work and what they are truly supporting.  I have had incredible support from
both Leader Dog and the Lions' over the past 20 years and again am very
proud to have my new guide sponsored by my own club, the La Crosse Lion's.
Through these involvements, I feel that I am a good ambassador for both
Leader Dog and the Lion's while at the same time, continue to be a good role
model for my guide peers...no matter what training program they choose.
Find what works for you, and if it fits comfortably, wear it, and wear it
proudly.

More to come on issue-day, Tuesday:)

Steve

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Marsha Drenth
Sent: Saturday, April 28, 2012 2:42 PM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
Subject: [nagdu] Steve new pup wasRE: Question about crossing streets

Steve,

Good Luck at Leader. I do hope that we will all hear about the new pup? 

I am a bit envious, no more cane for you, getting a new pup, that *crossing
fingers* will work out. And I am having such trouble with Emma *sigh* 

Keep us updated okay?

Marsha 

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Steven Johnson
Sent: Saturday, April 28, 2012 2:28 PM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Question about crossing streets - hope thisis guidedog
related

Marsha,
I wonder if it is that people are so accustomed to dogs, and that seeing a
person with a white cane is kind of, well, unusual?  Kind of a desentizing
so to speak as so many people have dogs, so many people use harnesses to
walk their dogs, but when one sees a white cane, it really jumps out.  I
think in my particular case, it was probably due to the fact that my skills
were quite rusty, and people were observing that probably thinking I was
going to do something stupid.  It is nice to know that people are concerned,
and at the same time frustrating as I have good cane skills, and just needed
to get them sharpened a little.  Nonetheless, I think your point and
research are well taken and I couldn't agree more.  Now, onto Leader Dog for
my new match on Tuesday:)  Goodbye cane for a while!

Steve

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Marsha Drenth
Sent: Saturday, April 28, 2012 1:17 PM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Question about crossing streets - hope this is guidedog
related

Steve, 

I also find this to be true. Cane equals people wanting to help. Guide dog
equals people pay attention to me because of the cute pup. 

In a funny thought, I wrote a paper lately about my observations of my
environment, it was for sociology. And I explained in my paper, when I use
my cane, I become invisible girl. When I have my guide dog, it's the pup,
but not me. Crazy phenominom. 

Marsha 

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Steven Johnson
Sent: Saturday, April 28, 2012 1:58 PM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Question about crossing streets - hope this is guidedog
related

Hi Marilyn,

I absolutely believe this.  In fact, as I transition to a new guide, I am
using a white cane in the meantime, and ironically, have had this exact
concept really jump out at me.  In fact, I am offered more assistance when
using the white cane than I have ever with a guide.

Steve

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of marilyn
Sent: Saturday, April 28, 2012 11:42 AM
To: nagdu
Subject: [nagdu] Question about crossing streets - hope this is guide dog
related

Hi All,
yesterday I had a day off from work so I went to a library where  there was
a guest speak there from the National Helen Keller Center who teaches
mobility. He did a power point presentation and told us that when a blind or
blind/deaf person tries crossing a street the driver pays more attention to
a cane user than to a guide dog user. We were told they did some research in
Maryland, Minnesota and I forgot the other state. They did suburbs and city.
the man doing the presentation who can see and still drives a car did the
research. he told us he has glaucoma. He said he dressed in regular street
clothing , put dark glasses on and used a cane, then a flag and then held
his hand up to stop traffic to cross.  
They had a grant to do this study. I told him since every day I cross
streets with my guide dog and have had close calls I would have been killed
with a cane. My dog didn't go across until it was safe even if I give the
forward command. I was told that a guide dog team was killed last year
because the dog went forward and the person had a hearing problem besides
being blind. I told him I cannot comment on what happened to this person
because pedestrians who can see are hit by cars every day. 
My question is do you think people who drive cars pay more attention to a
cane user when your trying to cross a street or do people pay attention to a
guide dog user?
I asked why a study wasn't done about guide dog users crossing streets and
was told there wasn't a grant for that study since more people use canes
than dogs. 
Marilyn and Anna
_______________________________________________
nagdu mailing list
nagdu at nfbnet.org
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for nagdu:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/blinddog3%40charter.net

_______________________________________________
nagdu mailing list
nagdu at nfbnet.org
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for nagdu:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/marsha.drenth%40gmail.com

_______________________________________________
nagdu mailing list
nagdu at nfbnet.org
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for nagdu:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/blinddog3%40charter.net

_______________________________________________
nagdu mailing list
nagdu at nfbnet.org
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for nagdu:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/marsha.drenth%40gmail.com

_______________________________________________
nagdu mailing list
nagdu at nfbnet.org
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for nagdu:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/blinddog3%40charter.net