[nagdu] Impact of visual acuity was Introduction and Questions
Doug Parisian
eggmann at shaw.ca
Wed Feb 1 17:13:36 UTC 2012
Brenda, as you have already observed, you certainly won't get that attitude
from me and, shame on those so-called rehab types who are so sickenly
insensitive and obviously totally unqualified to deal with humans.
Doug: seeing is believing, feeling confirmation.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Brenda" <bjnite at windstream.net>
To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users"
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, February 01, 2012 10:39 AM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Impact of visual acuity was Introduction and Questions
> When an article is written the author considers the reading audience.
> Maybe I was the wrong audience for these articles. Even so, not sure how
> you can decide how I interpreted the articles. True my interpretation may
> not have been what the author wanted, but it was what I got out of the
> article. Maybe had the article had a different approach and said the same
> thing I would have had a different opinion. In my post, I was saying how
> much I felt that things have changed and for the better. Seems to me you
> jumped on the fact that I once felt differently.
>
> This is relevant to the guide dog list as these are the attitudes that I
> will face when I apply for a guide. I am seeing that people have all
> kinds of opinions, some which I agree with and others I don't. In the
> past, the sharp uncompassionate opinions shook me up so much I retreated
> and gave up asking for help. From this thread I know a little of what to
> expect so I will not be shocked at some of the attitudes I run across as I
> reach out.
> B
>
>
>
> On 2/1/2012 11:15 AM, Cindy Ray wrote:
>> I don't think that the articles you read from NFB ever implied that you
>> should not rely on your vision. I was trained in Iowa at the Iowa
>> Orientation and Adjustment Center when Dr. Jernigan was here. Yes, the
>> people with vision were trained to use their alternative techniques with
>> shades on. This is because human nature won't allow a person not to peek.
>> It's hard enough when the things are being worn. You will more likely
>> learn the techniques if you cannot see at the time you are learning them.
>> Then theory has it that you will learn (figure out maybe) how to use the
>> vision appropriately and the rest of the time to use the alternative
>> techniques. Beyond that, the NFB has always espoused the terminology that
>> either you are blind or you are not and if you are blind and eligible for
>> services for blind people, then you shouldn't be ashamed to admit to
>> being blind. I would assume that it is more a means to help you with your
>> own personal attitude. And to show this truth, if you say you
> aren't blind but you demand services from the agency serving the blind in
> the state, is it a double standard? Anyway, this is just a long way to say
> that I think the articles are more to teach appropriate use of vision and
> not to tell you not to use it. These are my thoughts on it anyway.
>>
>> CL
>>
>> On Feb 1, 2012, at 10:07 AM, Brenda wrote:
>>
>>> Hi Rebecca
>>>
>>> You bring up some very valid points regarding partial sight. As a
>>> person with partial sight I don't always know how to express my needs.
>>> I have been forced to rely on my vision with no adaptive help until I
>>> figured things out for myself. I now have the awareness to accept help
>>> from a totally blind traveler who is betterat street crossings then I.
>>> However, others with limited vision may not be able, aware or ready to
>>> do so.
>>>
>>> As for 20/200, 20/1000 etc, the way I learned it is Ineed to be 20 feet
>>> away to see what someone with normal vision can see from 200 feet or I
>>> need to be 20 feet away to see what aanother person can see at 1000.
>>> Butsince I really don't know what 200 feet is, I don't really have a
>>> clue what the numbers mean.
>>>
>>> It would be nice to see more explanation of visual acuity issues at
>>> guide dog schools, in colleges for rehab professionals and at NFB
>>> conferences. My first contact with the NFB was reading articles about
>>> how I was 'blind already' and that I should not rely on my vision. This
>>> thread and another list I belong to has shown me that the NFB is made up
>>> of people with varying degrees of sight in the legal blind category.
>>> But as this thread and you point out, we all need further clarification.
>>> This will help those of us with low vision as we decide to get a guide
>>> and also the people with total vision in the class and the instructors
>>> at the schools.
>>>
>>> Brenda
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On 2/1/2012 10:35 AM, Pickrell, Rebecca M (TASC) wrote:
>>>> Thank you Julie.
>>>> I'm wondering if there should be a lecture on this issue at the guide
>>>> dog schools, just so people like me "get it".
>>>>
>>>> Another thing I've noticed is that I have encountered some people with
>>>> low vision that act as if their vision is more important then any data
>>>> I may give them. For example, I was working in pairs with a lady who
>>>> had "some vision" by her words. We were about to cross a street, and I
>>>> told her a car was coming. She said "I don't see anything" right as the
>>>> car zoomed by. She said it in this tone that indicated she had to be
>>>> right and I had to be wrong.
>>>>
>>>> To her credit, she did thank me, though I'm still not sure she
>>>> understood her attitude.
>>>>
>>>> Combine this with the "Sometimes my vision works, sometimes it doesn't,
>>>> but I won't tell anybody what's going on" and it is incredibly
>>>> frustrating.
>>>>
>>>> And, I think I'd experience the same confusion if my husband said "I
>>>> have days when it's easier for me to take out the trash, and days when
>>>> it isn't, you guess which days and guess as to why this might be
>>>> happening" Add to that the attitude of "I'm a man and I take the trash
>>>> out sooo much better then you... but only when these mystical
>>>> conditions are right" and this make more sense.
>>>>
>>>> It's not my place to decide who needs a dog. It does impact me when I
>>>> have to deal with someone under conditions that have not been clearly
>>>> explained to me.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>>>> Behalf Of Julie J.
>>>> Sent: Wednesday, February 01, 2012 9:40 AM
>>>> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
>>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Introduction and Questions
>>>>
>>>> Rebeka,
>>>>
>>>> This is very interesting to me. I wonder if this not understanding of
>>>> differences in vision might contribute to some of the intolerance of
>>>> people with partial vision getting access to services and resources? I
>>>> don't mean from you, personally, of course. Just that lack of
>>>> understanding sometimes leads some people to come to incorrect
>>>> conclusions or make judgments.
>>>>
>>>> When I talk about stress and vision, I'm talking about mental stress
>>>> from trying to look everywhere at once or try to see things that are
>>>> just outside of my ability to see them. There is also actual stress or
>>>> strain to my eyes when I try to do to much visually. I'd say this is
>>>> similar to someone trying to lift something that is really to heavy.
>>>> Your muscles might feel like burning, you might shake a bit from the
>>>> strain and later you will be sore. The symptoms are different for
>>>> visual strain, but the effective outcome is about the same.
>>>>
>>>> For me first learning how to use a cane and then later a guide dog, has
>>>> meant that I don't need to be nervous that I'm going to miss something
>>>> visually. The dog will do that for me, more reliably than I ever
>>>> could. If I'm having a good vision day, meaning that my head isn't
>>>> thumping, my eyes aren't watering, the sun isn't shining and it's not
>>>> the first thing in the morning or late in the day, then I can use my
>>>> vision in useful ways.
>>>>
>>>> If I was denied the use of a guide dog, never got cane travel
>>>> instruction or the other alternative skills I've learned, I don't think
>>>> I'd be able to leave the house alone. I wouldn't have a job, friends,
>>>> volunteer in the community or even be happy. I'd be a prisoner in my
>>>> own home with no hope of parole. I think I might lose my mind.
>>>>
>>>> Julie
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> On 2/1/2012 7:49 AM, Pickrell, Rebecca M (TASC) wrote:
>>>>> I have no vision. Nobody has ever explained to me the
>>>>> differences in visual acuity and what that may mean until this
>>>>> discussion.
>>>>> For example, until I read Brenda's post, I had no clue that telling
>>>>> the difference between grass and pavement was harder, because when you
>>>>> do it with acane, it's a piece of cake.
>>>>>
>>>>> I understand from reading these posts how lighting can affect vision.
>>>>> I don't understand the stress or the "my vision changes from
>>>>> day-to-day" comments.
>>>>> I simply haven't had them explained in a manner that makes sense to
>>>>> me.
>>>>>
>>>>> I've encountered people with partial vision in my guide dog classes
>>>>> who can see a dime, in the next town, in the next county, and nobody
>>>>> ever explained that they may not see a bus right in front of them. So
>>>>> I'm left with a WTF?? Reaction.
>>>>>
>>>>> Add to that the fuzzy language of "My vision changes from day to day"
>>>>> and I'm totally confused.
>>>>>
>>>>> Nobody has explained what the visual acuity numbers mean either. So
>>>>> hearing those numbers without the tie-in to something tangible is
>>>>> Greek to me.
>>>>>
>>>>> It would be useful to me when I encounter someone with partial vision
>>>>> for them to tell me what they need/want me to do, not what they can or
>>>>> can't see, how that changes. It's interesting to know, and I would
>>>>> like to know it, but practically speaking it means more to me if you
>>>>> say "I can't see the appropriate place to sit, can you take me to it"
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>>>>> Behalf Of Brenda
>>>>> Sent: Tuesday, January 31, 2012 7:31 PM
>>>>> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
>>>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Introduction and Questions
>>>>>
>>>>> Well said Tami and marion.
>>>>>
>>>>> In addition, not only people with RP have trouble seeing. I have
>>>>> never
>>>>> had depth perception and in fact have fallen down stairs. No one even
>>>>> thought I needed a cane and I continued to survive in the sighted
>>>>> world
>>>>> as a second class citizen.
>>>>>
>>>>> When I finally took the step to get some mobility training, the
>>>>> instructor told me 'you have more vision than you realize' because I
>>>>> could walk in a straight line. It was in the winter so I could tell
>>>>> the
>>>>> difference between snow and pavement. Now grass and pavement is a
>>>>> little harder. I can see the confusion of a person with a drivers
>>>>> licence using a guide dog, but perhaps there is more to it than that
>>>>> and/or maybe they shouldn't even have had a license.
>>>>>
>>>>> It is very depressing that people with partial sight are slapped down
>>>>> by
>>>>> people with less visual acuity. Sometimes it is even people who have
>>>>> been in my shoes who devalidate me and my needs. Maybe I can see well
>>>>> one day and not another. Maybe Ican "see" in areas I travel alot as
>>>>> long as there are no obstacles. Maybe it depends on the daylight,
>>>>> sunlight, season and stress level.
>>>>>
>>>>> And if people with partial sight don't need guide dogs, maybe we don't
>>>>> need to learnBraille either.
>>>>>
>>>>> That said, I'm learning Braille and am glad to hear GDF and other
>>>>> schools are open to people with remaining vision based on the
>>>>> individual
>>>>> situation.
>>>>>
>>>>> I don't object to your concerns and question of people with partial
>>>>> sight using guide dogs Robert. However, the way you went about it was
>>>>> generalized and not very diplomatic.
>>>>>
>>>>> Brenda
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> '
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> On 1/30/2012 5:44 PM, Tami Kinney wrote:
>>>>>> Robert,
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Well, I have RP and have been legally blind since 1999. Had it not
>>>>>> been for my spouse, whom I finally had to just divorce for several
>>>>>> reasons, I would have applied for a guide then, once I learned cane
>>>>>> travel, which I ended up having to learn on my own. However, by the
>>>>>> numbers I did qualify. I needed a cane, thus I needed a dog.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> The one program that I did follow through with, just to see what
>>>>>> happened, decided somehow that I have really great vision and can
>>>>>> read
>>>>>> street signs. Therefore, I do not need a guide dog, according to
>>>>>> them.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Um... First of all, that was certainly not true by 2006. Also, the
>>>>>> ability to read street signs -- even if I had, in fact, possessed
>>>>>> that
>>>>>> ability -- seems to me pretty, um, something. Think about it.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Still, I had decided by that point that I wasn't that interested in
>>>>>> putting up with that sort of attitude, and some things in my life had
>>>>>> changed. So I got a poodle puppy and trained her myself. She is now
>>>>>> 5.5 and an excellent working guide. I do not think of her as
>>>>>> self-trained but as owner-trained.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I think it is fair to say that for me and my guide, the percentage of
>>>>>> program trained dogs over owner-trained dogs that cause problems for
>>>>>> us is, well, one hundred percent. I have met and worked around other
>>>>>> owner-trained dogs, but there has been zero problem because of either
>>>>>> dog. Every guide dog that has caused difficulty with my owner-trained
>>>>>> guide is program-trained by a certified trainer.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> When my dog was very young, she did have difficulty adjusting to
>>>>>> being
>>>>>> around other dogs, so she did cause problems. We worked on that and
>>>>>> now she does not. The problems she had when she was young began at
>>>>>> her
>>>>>> first exposure to other working guides. A program-trained dog growled
>>>>>> and lunged at her outside an elevator, then again in the elevator. A
>>>>>> short while later, that same dog repeated the behavior because we
>>>>>> were
>>>>>> unable to avoid passing the pair. Another program-trained dog at that
>>>>>> same short event brought his handler close enough that the man would
>>>>>> have tripped over her if she hadn't jumped out of the way. He nearly
>>>>>> tripped over me another time walking by where I was sitting.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> So, she was pretty uptight around other guides for quite a while, and
>>>>>> it took a lot of work with her to keep her from being ruined, since I
>>>>>> won't have a working guide that is that reactive to other guides. So
>>>>>> those first program-trained guides we met nearly cost me all the
>>>>>> training I'd put into my dog. They caused me and my owner-trained pup
>>>>>> way more difficulty than any pet dog has. We made it through, and
>>>>>> Mitzi is fine around other guide and service dogs now, but it took a
>>>>>> lot of work for both of us to get there. For a long time, I thought
>>>>>> we
>>>>>> wouldn't.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> She has saved my life many times. Not anyone else did that by giving
>>>>>> her to me already trained. Just her, following the training I gave
>>>>>> her
>>>>>> and her own brains and good judgment.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> As a partial, I hear all the time when it comes to resources of all
>>>>>> types that my really great vision means I don't need whatever it is
>>>>>> and that by just asking I am somehow taking it from "blind people who
>>>>>> need it."
>>>>>>
>>>>>> This has cost me well into the 6 figures by now.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I don't have really great vision, not by any vision exam I have had
>>>>>> really since before I crossed that magical numerical line that
>>>>>> qualified me as legally blind.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> It sounds to me, though, like you think I shouldn't get a guide dog
>>>>>> because I don't really need one. Or adaptive technology to return to
>>>>>> my vocation, I suppose.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Is there anything else I don't deserve in your opinion? /evil grin/
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I understand that it can be difficult to rectify differences.
>>>>>> However,
>>>>>> it was the guide dog program that told you you just wanted the dog
>>>>>> for
>>>>>> a pet. It was not a partial or an owner-trainer.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Tami
>>>>>>
>>>>>> On 01/30/2012 01:46 PM, Harris.Robert at epamail.epa.gov wrote:
>>>>>>> Hi Marion:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> My wife has RP so I know all that. I can only say how I felt when a
>>>>>>> school in 1980 or 1981 had the balls to tell me I wanted the dog as
>>>>>>> a
>>>>>>> pet made me feel. I also think (I'm an old fox with a lot of years
>>>>>>> and
>>>>>>> experience now) that I saw a dog guide user with a day time drivers
>>>>>>> license. I'm not buying any of that but I'm just me:0). When Pilot
>>>>>>> took me on at 19 they basically saved my life. I'm a fast traveler
>>>>>>> and
>>>>>>> was a top notch cane user who taught others that were blind, but, I
>>>>>>> went
>>>>>>> to many many different places and knew in my heart that I needed
>>>>>>> four
>>>>>>> legged help.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I can tell you many instances where "self trained dogs caused me a
>>>>>>> lot
>>>>>>> of problems, but, I think it is possible to train your own dog, if
>>>>>>> your
>>>>>>> a certified trainer.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> From: "Marion Gwizdala"<blind411 at verizon.net>
>>>>>>> To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide
>>>>>>> Dog Users"<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>> Date: 01/30/2012 03:16 PM
>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Introduction and Questions
>>>>>>> Sent by: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Robert,
>>>>>>> Individuals with retinitis pigmentosa may have fairly good
>>>>>>> acuity
>>>>>>> but
>>>>>>> their fields of vision may be seriously compromised. narrow fields
>>>>>>> of
>>>>>>> vision
>>>>>>> can distort depth perception so that individuals may not realize
>>>>>>> they
>>>>>>> are
>>>>>>> standing at the top of a flight of stairs or at the threshhold of a
>>>>>>> loading
>>>>>>> dock. Furthermore, since the periphery of the retina contains a high
>>>>>>> concentration of rods cells that are responsible for sight in dimly
>>>>>>> lit
>>>>>>> areas and the ability to see moving objects, those affected by this
>>>>>>> condition benefit from using a dog to travel safely under those
>>>>>>> conditions.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Fraternally yours,
>>>>>>> Marion Gwizdala
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>>>>> From:<Harris.Robert at epamail.epa.gov>
>>>>>>> To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog
>>>>>>> Users"
>>>>>>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>> Sent: Monday, January 30, 2012 2:30 PM
>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Introduction and Questions
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> I'm not sure why somebody with very high vision would need a dog
>>>>>>>> guide
>>>>>>>> and have said so in school. Somebody and bodies were in training
>>>>>>>> with
>>>>>>>> me and could see faces, identify cars and see the surrounding area
>>>>>>>> pretty clearly for well over 50 yards? I'm an honest person and
>>>>>>>> didn't
>>>>>>>> hesitate to ask why the hell they were getting a dog. Answers off
>>>>>>> list
>>>>>>>> only but I was not happy& hope they didn't get a dog guide.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> There are waiting lists for people who are very low partials&/or
>>>>>>>> totally blind to get a dog guide so its not just a cut and dry "get
>>>>>>>> a
>>>>>>>> dog". there is a evaluation& process for reasons mentioned
>>>>>>>> above.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Hope I don't come across as brash but I have very strong feelings
>>>>>>> about
>>>>>>>> this topic.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> From: "Larry D. Keeler"<lkeeler at comcast.net>
>>>>>>>> To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide
>>>>>>>> Dog Users"<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>>> Date: 01/30/2012 12:58 PM
>>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Introduction and Questions
>>>>>>>> Sent by: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Good choice! For me it was a case of the more the merrier!.
>>>>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>>>>>> From: "Melissa Pasron"<fuzzylucky2021 at sbcglobal.net>
>>>>>>>> To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog
>>>>>>>> Users"
>>>>>>>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>>> Sent: Monday, January 30, 2012 10:47 AM
>>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Introduction and Questions
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Thank you for giving me a different perspective. I am really
>>>>>>>>> trying
>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>>>> weigh the options before I make a decision. My current deciding
>>>>>>> factor
>>>>>>>> is
>>>>>>>>> that I currently have a pet dog and I don't know if I'll be ready
>>>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>>> do
>>>>>>>>> all the grooming and caring for two dogs. Not to mention if a
>>>>>>>>> guide
>>>>>>>> dog is
>>>>>>>>> right for me at the current moment. I think I'll just sit on the
>>>>>>> issue
>>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>>>> a while and think about it. I don't want to go rushing into a
>>>>>>> decision
>>>>>>>>> without giving it a lot of thought.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> On Jan 30, 2012, at 9:37 AM, "Pickrell, Rebecca M (TASC)"
>>>>>>>>> <REBECCA.PICKRELL at tasc.com> wrote:
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> In making your decision, think about what you most want to do
>>>>>>>>>> when
>>>>>>>> you
>>>>>>>>>> return home from being out someplace. Do you want to spend time
>>>>>>>> grooming
>>>>>>>>>> and caring for a dog, and doing it every single day, or would you
>>>>>>>> rather
>>>>>>>>>> do something else.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> I worked two dogs. Then I had my daughter and found that all I
>>>>>>> wanted
>>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>>>>> do was hang out with her, especially after being at work all day.
>>>>>>>> Taking
>>>>>>>>>> care of the dog became more of a chore then something I enjoyed.
>>>>>>> And,
>>>>>>>> at
>>>>>>>>>> times it became very difficult to balance, baby wanted to eat or
>>>>>>>>>> be
>>>>>>>> held,
>>>>>>>>>> dog needed to be brushed, you can't do both at the same time.
>>>>>>>>>> And,
>>>>>>>> while
>>>>>>>>>> an obvious answer may be "get help with the baby" I enjoyed and
>>>>>>> still
>>>>>>>>>> enjoy taking care of her.
>>>>>>>>>> Think about how you'll feel when the dog wakes you up to go
>>>>>>>>>> potty,
>>>>>>>> will
>>>>>>>>>> you be okay with it or will it mentally wear you out as "one more
>>>>>>>> thing I
>>>>>>>>>> have to do".
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> What are your hobbies and are they comptible with a guide dog?
>>>>>>>>>> You
>>>>>>>> can
>>>>>>>>>> always leave a cane, and a cane is easy to replace. Not true with
>>>>>>>>>> a
>>>>>>>> dog.
>>>>>>>>>> I have had a couple access issues. I can tell you that when that
>>>>>>>> happens,
>>>>>>>>>> the very first thought that goes through your head is "This
>>>>>>>>>> really
>>>>>>>> f***s
>>>>>>>>>> up my plans".
>>>>>>>>>> I'll add that I like dogs. They are neat animals, and I think
>>>>>>>>>> have
>>>>>>>> much
>>>>>>>>>> to teach us. At times I miss having one. On a day when the sun
>>>>>>>>>> is
>>>>>>>>>> shinging, and it's 65 degrees, I'd love to take a guide dog and
>>>>>>>>>> walk
>>>>>>>> on a
>>>>>>>>>> bike path, as the feeling of you being in synch with a dog is
>>>>>>>> amazing.
>>>>>>>>>> Right now, I can't deal with the 24/7 nature of a guide dog. I
>>>>>>> can't
>>>>>>>> do
>>>>>>>>>> it with a pet dog either.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> You can bring a guide dog anywhere, but you also need to plan on
>>>>>>> that
>>>>>>>>>> with food, water, rest, appropriate supervision, things like
>>>>>>>>>> that.
>>>>>>>> It's
>>>>>>>>>> difficult to "just stay a bit longer" when you didn't plan on it
>>>>>>>>>> and
>>>>>>>>>> don't have food for your dog.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> So, the answer is that it really depends. I offer my perspective
>>>>>>>> because
>>>>>>>>>> this list is made up of people who are currently using dogs and
>>>>>>>>>> who
>>>>>>>> like
>>>>>>>>>> doing it. It would be useful for you and others to have a
>>>>>>>>>> different
>>>>>>>>>> perspective.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>>>>>>> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org]
>>>>>>>>>> On
>>>>>>>>>> Behalf Of melissa padron
>>>>>>>>>> Sent: Friday, January 27, 2012 10:35 PM
>>>>>>>>>> To: nagdu at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>>> Subject: [nagdu] Introduction and Questions
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Hello,
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> I am new to this list so I though I would just start off with an
>>>>>>>>>> introduction and then some questions.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Well, first of all, my name is Melissa and although I am not a
>>>>>>>>>> guide
>>>>>>>> dog
>>>>>>>>>> user I am a cane user. I'm in college pursuing a degree in
>>>>>>> psychology
>>>>>>>> and
>>>>>>>>>> I will be moving back to my hometown once I graduate. I'm
>>>>>>>>>> considered
>>>>>>>>>> legally blind, so I do have vision.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Because of the condition I have, I was not taught to use a cane
>>>>>>> until
>>>>>>>> my
>>>>>>>>>> senior year of high school. I actually had to fight in order to
>>>>>>>>>> get
>>>>>>>> cane
>>>>>>>>>> lessons, but since then, I just about take my cane everywhere
>>>>>>>>>> with
>>>>>>>> me. It
>>>>>>>>>> helps a lot more than using my vision and stressing my eyes....
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Now, some questions:
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> I am not considering getting a guide dog now but I do want to
>>>>>>>>>> keep
>>>>>>> it
>>>>>>>> as
>>>>>>>>>> an option if I decide that it would help me in my travels. So my
>>>>>>>> question
>>>>>>>>>> is, what was ultimately you deciding factor in getting a guide
>>>>>>>>>> dog?
>>>>>>>>>> What are some advantages and disadvantages in using a guide dog?
>>>>>>>>>> For those of you who have vision, did you encounter problems with
>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>>>> guide dog schools saying that a guide dog would not benefit you
>>>>>>>> because
>>>>>>>>>> you have "too much" vision?
>>>>>>>>>> Ultimately, this is my greatest fear. I'm scared of encountering
>>>>>>>>>> criticism by guide dog schools and "blindness professionals"
>>>>>>>>>> about
>>>>>>>>>> whether a guide dog would benefit me or not. A lot of people with
>>>>>>>>>> my
>>>>>>>>>> condition function well without a cane or a dog so would this be
>>>>>>> used
>>>>>>>>>> against me if I were to apply?
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> I am looking forward to hearing your responses and advice.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Melissa
>>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>>> nagdu mailing list
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>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>>>>> nagdu:
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>>>>>>>
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