[nagdu] An altercation on the bus yesterday

[Lyn Gwizdak]

Bibi,
That sure is some story!  The last time someone grabbed me, they got a good 
solid punch from me.  We were in a bad area of town and the person grabbed 
from behind - they thought I'd just walk out into moving traffic.  Turned 
out that person worked in the same place as I did and knew me by sight - and 
we both had a great laugh about that punch as we walked the rest of the way 
to work together.  He then told me that he thought about the bad idea 
grabbing me was as he got the punch.

About the dog you had, Freedom David Berry.  where did the David Berry name 
come from?  I had to chuckle because there was a Republican here named David 
Berry running for judge - I'd see his campaign signs plastered around my 
neigborhood.  Just curious.

Lyn and Landon
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Criminal Justice Major" <orleans24 at comcast.net>
To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Thursday, June 07, 2012 5:21 PM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] An altercation on the bus yesterday


> Hi, Steve,
> I do agree wit you as far as all the different transit authorities like 
> the one here in Colorado as Regional Transportation District.
> Yes, I can confess I've used a fold up shopping cart and have been on the 
> bus during peak hours.
> Majority of the time though, my husband or I try to do that during off 
> peak hours.
> reason being is due to how full the buses can get during rush hour.
> I did have an incident almost seven years ago on an RTD bus here though.
> That incident took place a month after Freedom and I came home from 
> training.
> As Freedom and I borded to get on, there was a seat up front, but not 
> enough room for Freedom to be seated on the floor in between my legs 
> safely.
> As I went to look for an area where wheelchairs whould normally be, an 
> unknown passenger jumped up and grabbed me.
> He then pushed me toward the seat behind the driver and forced me down on 
> to it.
> The driver didn't do anything nor did he ask the person to get off.
> By that time, I went to the back as I was very angry and annoyed.
> When the board and public meeting took place, i did file my complaint 
> then.
> The former general manager didn't give a you kno what about the fact that 
> my guide dog was traumatized and wanted nothing to do with the buses 
> anymore.
> Later on, Freedom David Berry ended up having to be retired anyway.
> The rest of the staff of RTD were angry with the general manager that he 
> didn't show any consideration or offered to help with me getting another 
> guide dog as they all felt he should have offered something.
> Their board members were very angry too.
> The last time I did visit their meetings though, they got to meet Odie and 
> saw how wonderful of a guide dog he turned out to be.
> That formal general manager is retired and the rest of the RTD staff/board 
> members are happy that he's gone like myself.
> I like to know who the bus drivers are as if there's any problems, they 
> can help educate the other passengers as far as letting them know they 
> need to ask if a blind individual needs help and not to grab at them.
> I try to do my part on education as well too.
> Bibi
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