[nagdu] Introduction

Fri Jul 6 19:40:23 UTC 2012

Vanessa,
    I did not see your original message, as I was at the NFB convention 
without email. I echo Marsha's message welcoming you to our list. I look 
forward to reading more messages from you and your perspective on advocacy 
issues.

Fraternally yours,
Marion Gwizdala, President
National Association of Guide Dog Users (NAGDU)
National Federation of the Blind
813-626-2789
President at NAGDU.ORG
HTTP://WWW.NAGDU.ORG


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Marsha Drenth" <marsha.drenth at gmail.com>
To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Friday, July 06, 2012 1:30 PM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Introduction


>
> Hi Vanessa,
> Glad you joined us here. I am Marsha, from Pennsylvania, working my second 
> guide from Seeing Eye. Emma is 6 and half years old, but will be retiring 
> due to stress and health issues. I am a full time student at Temple 
> University in my undergraduate program to be a social worker.
>
> I am also the moderator of this list, and currently at our national 
> convention. Just to warn you, we do discuss NFB related topics, but with 
> that said we do not discuss which is better or wose in organizations. I 
> won't allow bashing of either organization on this list. Nor will I allow 
> any flaming of any person because of there affiliation to the NFB. I am 
> not singling you out, but I would say the same things to anyone who posted 
> that they were also involved in other blindness organizations. I hope you 
> understand my obligation to this list as the moderator. I by no mean think 
> there will be any trouble.
>
> Everyone who was at our convention will be returning home today and 
> through the weekedn. As I said I hope you like it here, we have all sorts 
> of people from all walks of life.
>
> email: marsha.drenth at gmail.com
>
> Marsha drenthSent from my iPhone
>
> On Jul 5, 2012, at 12:42 PM, "Vanessa Lowery" <vlowery at dhr.state.md.us> 
> wrote:
>
>> Trying this for a secomd time.  Since the massive storm that hit Maryland 
>> and a couple of other states, my computer has not been all that happy 
>> here at work.
>>
>> A few of you who are on the seeingeye-l list as well will probably 
>> recognize me.  For the rest of you...
>>
>> My name is Vanessa and I live in Baltimore County, Maryland (very hot and 
>> humid Maryland right now).  I am working with my fifth dog from The 
>> Seeing Eye, a male lab named Griffin.  he is almost ten, and because of 
>> some health issues, I will be retiring him as soon as a class date is 
>> available.  I will be keeping him, so I will have a household of two dogs 
>> and two cats.  I received him in the August/September, 2004 class, and my 
>> instructor was Joan Markey (one of the best).
>>
>> Professionally, I am a social worker for the State of Maryland.  I work 
>> for the Baltimore County Department of Social Services (it employs both 
>> state and county staff).  I am in the Adult Services Division, and I and 
>> my other three co-workers take calls from the public and other 
>> professionals (police, fire, medical staff, home care agencies, nursing 
>> homes, etc).  Our primary focus is on Adult Protective Services, and if 
>> warranted, I woudl prepare an referral in order to start an investigation 
>> on a vulnerable adult between the ages of 18 and ancient.  WE also keep 
>> track of the availability of shelter space for homeless individuals and 
>> families.  Some of the staff from our HOmeless Unit reach out to those 
>> clients once they are sheltered.  I have been with the agency for almost 
>> 25 years (dnag, where did the time go).
>>
>> Now, to be as open and honest as is possible, let me tell you about 
>> another aspect of two of me that you should know.  I am a long-time 
>> member of the ACB.  In fact, I am the President of a local chapter.  I am 
>> also a long-time member of GDUI, and at least for now, I am the 
>> chairperson of GDUI's Advocacy Committee. I may let that role go while 
>> possibly remaining on the committee (still pondering my decision) mainly 
>> because I have been a part of that committee for a number of years.  A 
>> break from it might be in order so I don't burn out.  My goal is not to 
>> compare the differences between NAGDU and GDUI.  Nor is it my goal to 
>> comare the differences between the NFB and the ACB.  I am comfortable 
>> where I am, and that floats my boat just fine.
>>
>> I have joined to share, hopefully, like everyone else on this list, my 
>> thoughts, ideas, and anything else related to guide dogs.  No matter what 
>> our affiliations are with various groups, I hope that we share in a 
>> common goal of furthering the cause for guide dog users.
>>
>> That's my story, and I'm stickin' to it.  I suspect that many members are 
>> currently at the national convention, so I expect that for now, the list 
>> traffic will be light.
>>
>> Everyone stay safe, keep you puppy paws cool if you are in a hot part of 
>> the country (who isn't these days), and have a good weekend.  And have 
>> fun plowing through my typingn booboos.
>>
>>
>>
>> Vanessa Lowery, LGSW
>> Adult and Community Services Division
>> Adult Services Screening Unit
>> 410-853-3550
>> VLowery at dhr.state.md.us
>>
>>
>>
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>> <Vanessa Lowery1.vcf>
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