[nagdu] Biological Family Support for Service Animals

[NCBootman]

Jenny,

Thank you for sharing. Your note touched me on a couple levels. I know the 
ravages of dementia firsthand having gone through them with my own Mother. 
She was the one person I could count on to keep me focused and be 
supportive. And, the fact that Diana said you knew you would get help with 
those "excuses" that were scary for you is so great. I know that I have 
those same fears and know that it will fall to me to deal with. So, right 
now, I'm experiencing much excitement, some fear, questioning, and pulling 
out my big bag of determination that saved me when I switched from a school 
for the blind to a regular public school where nobody believed. The only 
option then was success so I made it happen as I will this time. Thanks for 
helping my Mother once again do her magic of support. (Big grin).

Greg To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Biological Family Support for Service Animals

Hi all,

When I started losing my sight, I kicked around the idea of getting a dog 
for a long time.

My Step Mom, who is a dog freak to begin with was supportive when no one 
else was.

finally, after backing out of the dog idea a few times, and she had taken me 
to a doctor's appointment one day, she said to me "I know you've talked 
about getting a guide and backed out, why?"  I couldn't really answer her 
questions well, I just told her that it was because of all the things I 
would have to handle with getting a guide.

she asked me what those things were and I told her, things like the hair in 
the house, grooming, cost, etc.

She then said, "OK, I've heard your excuses, now give me legitimate 
reasons."

I couldn't give her any other than the ones I gave her, so she told me that 
I knew I would get help with all that and that those were excuses at best.

I said I agreed with her, and that she was right.  She then asked me, or 
rather said to me, so when are you going to fill out an online application, 
when you get in the house right?"

that was just the kick in the pants I needed.

though I have gone through hell with guide dogs, and never could fully trust 
Brooks, I don't regret it and I can still hear those words over four years 
later, as she can barely speak now due to the ravages of alseimer's.

those are one of the many conversations I can clearly remember, and will 
always remember, as she slips away from us because of that horrible disease.

Most of us don't have that support, and my father was not supportive at all, 
but I thank GOD for Diana, one of the few people in my life that supported 
me through just about anything.  without her, I would still never have had 
the opportunity of working a dog, no matter how bad the trust issue was.

At least I know now, that some day, I hope, I will be able to fully trust a 
dog.

Jenny
  p
On Jun 14, 2012, at 5:17 PM, Julie J. wrote:

> Greg,
>
> I'm still catching up since being out of town.  Sorry if you've already 
> gotten more info than you know what to do with! *smile*  Here's my 
> contribution.
>
> It honestly didn't occur to me to discuss my using a guide dog or doing 
> the training myself with anyone in my family, excepting the people I live 
> with.  When I started using a cane many years ago this is the same 
> approach I took then.  I simply incorporated the cane and then the dog 
> into life as it seemed relevant, logical or natural.  I never made a big 
> deal out of it.  To this day I honestly have no idea what some of my 
> family members think of my blindness or my dogs.  It doesn't keep me up at 
> night wondering.  I feel like it's my decision and really doesn't concern 
> them.  That's just me though and how I usually do things.  I don't ask 
> their advice on purchasing a home, getting married, or where to go on 
> vacation.   It's not that I don't care what they think, it's more that I'm 
> just comfortable making those decisions on my own and don't feel that 
> their input would be helpful.  I'm not explaining well, but I hope it's a 
> bit understandable.
>
> All the best in getting it all sorted out,
> Julie
>
>
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