[nagdu] The Process of Getting a Guide

[NCBootman]

I had this situation come up with GDF. They want a statement from my o&m 
instructor. That was way back in the mid 1970's and I'm sure if I could 
remember the lady's name, she is retired lol. So, what they said is that 
they will be looking very closely at my video for technique and cane skills. 
If for some reason they can't get from that what they need, they may send 
out a trainer or find some other technique to assess my skills. So, if you 
have been getting where you need to go safely for the last bunch of years, 
they can tell and that is the real question. What the dog is going to do for 
me is make me more comfortable since there will be two brains watching and 
not just mine. Who knows, maybe it is placebo even, but I'll feel more 
comfortable.

Greg

-----Original Message----- 
From: Pickrell, Rebecca M (TASC)
Sent: Monday, May 21, 2012 11:49 AM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
Subject: Re: [nagdu] The Process of Getting a Guide

        Bibi makes a great point re mobility.
We're all here meaning that however we learned it, we do manage to get 
around.
What do the schools do if someone wants a dog but can't prove via paperwork 
that they can navigate safely?

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf 
Of Criminal Justice Major
Sent: Friday, May 18, 2012 12:13 AM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] The Process of Getting a Guide

I've been trying to go through that process of getting O&M refresher through 
Denver Vocational Rehabilitation here in denver, Colorado.
No, I didn't get anywhere at all, despite filling out paperwork with an O&M 
teacher in January, 2012.
That same teacher ended up having another baby last month and from that time 
on despite me contacting my rehab counselor, I never got any calls or emails 
from her.
I was originally going to do O&M in the hopes that GDF would reconsider me 
to go through training there as they turned me down last year: claiming I 
needed more mobility skills.
Main reason for wanting to go through GDF is to have a guide dog trained to 
not only be a guide, but being able to guide me while I do have to use a 
support cane or walker on the days when I don't have the physical strength 
due to arthritis or having a seizure happen.
I'd also like to be able to have the dog still be able to guide while I 
would have to use a power chair.
Since I haven't gotten anywhere with DVR, I figure it was best for me to 
just go train with another guide dog through Pilot Dogs.
I definitely understand that mobility is important, but what if a blind 
individual doesn't have a rehab case, then what are they supposed to do from 
there?
Truth is that there are a lot of other visually impaired individuals who 
aren't able to get Vocational Rehab to help them out and even with filling 
out the necessary paperwork, a person would either end up on a waiting list 
for probably a year or not be taken in.
Yes, I'm aware that SEGDI (Southeastern Guide Dogs Incorporated) does 
wheelchair training, but I'm way out of their bounds for any follow up.
TSE (The Seeing Eye) will do wheelchair training, but I would have already 
had to be a graduate in order to receive the training.
GDB (Guide Dogs for the Blind) is doing  wheelchair guide do training, but 
I'd still would like to know more.
A grad is willing to talk to me more on a handler she knows who did go 
through training there, but I just haven't had a chance to contact her 
personally as of yet.
No, Pilot doesn't do any wheelchair training and I don't think they would 
plan on going that route either.
So, I'd have to teach the next dog myself directly.
Back to the mobility thing...
I do have an outtpaitient therapist from Denver Health Medical who is 
willing to help me deal with contacting my rehab counselor and I admitted to 
her it was better that she'd end up speaking with my rehab counselor on my 
behalf so I won't stress that bad.
Well, I guess I'll end right here and hide out underneath my quiet rock 
again.
Bibi
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