[nagdu] The Process of Getting a Guide

[Tracy Carcione]

If a school insisted on an actual statement from an O&M instructor, I'd
find that rather patronizing.  Some places seem to assume that every blind
guy gets cradle-to-grave services, and it just ain't so.  Like Greg, I
haven't talked to an O&M person for at least 25 years, except for those
who happen to work for a dog school.  Imagine that.  I've actually been
rehabilitated, and escaped from the rehab system. And I know for a fact
that many other blind people have, too.  Isn't that supposed to be what
rehab is all about?
Tracy

> -----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
> _______________________________________________
> nagdu mailing list
> nagdu at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> nagdu:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/rebecca.pickrell%40tasc.com
> CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This message and any attachments or files
> transmitted with it (collectively, the "Message") are intended only for
> the
> addressee and may contain information that is privileged, proprietary
> and/or
> prohibited from disclosure by law or contract. If you are not the intended
> recipient: (a) please do not read, copy or retransmit the Message; (b)
> permanently delete and/or destroy all electronic and hard copies of the
> Message; (c) notify us by return email; and (d) you are hereby notified
> that
> any dissemination, distribution or copying of the Message is strictly
> prohibited.
>
> _______________________________________________
> nagdu mailing list
> nagdu at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> nagdu:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/ncbootman%40gmail.com
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> nagdu mailing list
> nagdu at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> nagdu:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/carcione%40access.net
>