[nagdu] independence

[Mária Orovcíková]

Hi list,
I thought I'd post my opinion on this topic.
I would not go anywhere without my dog because I also have ballance issues 
and my dog helps me keeping a straight line.
When I am walking just with a cane, I have a problem going straight.
I hope my post makes sense.
Have a wonderful day.
Maria

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Shannon Dyer" <solsticesinger at gmail.com>
To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Saturday, April 28, 2012 11:37 PM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] independence


Hi, Rox'e.

My situation is different from yours, in that I'm not deaf/blind. However, I 
cannot just leave the house without a dog or a person. Very bad things would 
happen were I to attempt this.

The belief that not having good cane skills makes people less independent is 
narrow-minded, in my opinion. It's fine for people to have good cane skills, 
if that's what they feel is important for them, but their views should not 
be foisted onto the rest of us, who lead different lives with different 
strengths and weaknesses.

Shannon and Caroline
Shannon Dyer
Alumni Council Member,
Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind, Inc
®  and
America's VetDogs®,  The Veteran's K-9 Corps Inc ®
Providing "Second Sight" ® since 1946
371 E. Jericho Turnpike, Smithtown, NY 11787
Office: 631-930-9000, Toll-free: 866-282-8047
solsticesinger at gmail.com
To make a donation that can change a life...contact the Guide Dog Foundation 
at
www.guidedog.org
or America's VetDogs the Veterans K-9 Corps at
www.vetdogs.org
Visit us on facebook at:
www.facebook.com/GuideDogFoundation or www.facebook.com/AmericasVetDogs

On Apr 28, 2012, at 2:11 PM, The Pawpower Pack wrote:

> Cheryl,
>
> The issue here is that not everyone can use a cane.  For some of us, we 
> cannot leave the house without either a dog or a person.  This is not me 
> not being independent, it is me being Deaf, Blind, and unable to walk 
> without assistance from something-- be it dog, person, or walker.  It is 
> physically impossible for me to just grab my cane and leave the house.  If 
> I didn't get killed crossing a road by myself, I'd probably fall down and 
> break something.  I am not alone in my limitations and abilities.  There 
> are others, for reasons other than mine, who cannot leave their home 
> alone.  Maybe they have a mental illness and have a dog to help with that. 
> Maybe they're in a wheelchair and need assistance with other tasks.
>
> To make broad statements about people's independence isn't helpful.
>
> It may be important for you, yourself to have good cane skills.  I know it 
> is important for many people.
> But understand that this is your life, your skills and your choice and 
> that not everyone can or will make the same choices you do, and this does 
> not mae them less independent.
>
> Rox and the Kitchen Bitches:
> Bristol, Mill'E, Laveau, Baylee,!
>
> "Dance, even if you have to warn others to get out of the way first."
> http://pawpower4me.blogspot.com
> pawpower4me at gmail.com
> AIM: brissysgirl
>
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