[nagdu] Note from the moderator Re: my day from yesterday

Sat Nov 10 21:55:32 UTC 2012

Thank you Lynn - so well said.

As a person with lifelong partial sight that is now dwindling, I have 
dealt with the issues you present and it is not easy.  Had it happen 
when I went for some mobility training too, and I imagine some people 
with low vision are not even considered in need of mobility training.  I 
need continued reinforcement in the form of emails like yours.  This is 
relevant to this list as I dread dealing with the second guessing when 
it becomes time for me to apply for a guide dog.  I need to be reminded 
that it is okay.  Also, I liked your description of looking around while 
using a guide and using remaining vision in conjunction with a guide dog 
instead of denying that remaining vision.

Well said and thank you.
Brenda

On 11/10/2012 2:45 PM, Lyn Gwizdak wrote:
> Thank you, Marsha.  I am a partial and see this happen in the blind 
> community in general during my 61 years of life as a visually impaired 
> person.  I see this dynamic of "not blind enough" in many different 
> communities.  People misunderstand partial vision.  They see things in 
> black and white, missing the many shades of grey in between - our vast 
> diversity in life.  People think blindness means total, blackness and 
> that is not a good description.  Most blind people have some sort of 
> vision - anything from light perception to seeing alot but not normal 
> sight.
>
> People like Sean and I can see some things but not well enough to 
> travel safely.  Here is how I see:  I have sight in one eye and it is 
> fairly decent sight but in a very small area - a tube.  I have no 
> depth perception.  I can see the traffic signals and the little white 
> man or the red hand on the Walk Sign - but better in low light or 
> darkness.  I can read signs if close enouogh or large enough.  I can 
> read print books with magnifying glasses.
>
> But my vision is no way adequate for safe travel.  If a car gets into 
> my little field of viaion, well, I can be dead after it has run me 
> down.  I can't see curbs or steps.  My dog will keep me safe and show 
> me curbs and steps or that car cutting in front of me.
>
> At the guide dog schools, they teach us partials how to use our 
> remaining vision along with the dog's job.  They teach us how not to 
> let our vision interfere with the dog's work.  My dog sees the 
> important stuff that keeps me safe and I can look around with my head 
> up and not looking at my feet.  I can see a building I want to go into 
> and then I just start to suggest "Inside" to my dog and allow him to 
> guide me safely into that building.  I can look at and enjoy scenery 
> as I walk like a sighted person would but still allow my dog to do his 
> job as trained.  I have "night blindness" so I can see NOTHING in the 
> dark.
>
> In my own blind community, there was a woman who used to have sight 
> but no longer has it.  She used to be nasty and jealouos of us wioth 
> sight and used to say stuff about what are wwe doing with a dog when I 
> coould see.  I told her about my sight and not being able to see after 
> dark.  She stopped complaining about me having a dog when she realized 
> that my sight is like hers used to be.  I did tell her that schools 
> will not accept a person if they have too much sight or if they can't 
> give up control and let the dog do its job and trust thast dog.  It 
> varies.  Some totals can't give trust to a dog and they choose to stay 
> with the white cane.  Some partials will override the dog's decisions 
> and they do better without a dog.  This is why the schools evaluate 
> each applicant before acceptance and after you are in training.
>
> Marsha, I liked your answer - it has always been my answer to folks. 
> Interestingly, I see the same sort of thing in other communities.  To 
> bisexuals - you're not "gay enough".  To blacks who are light skinned 
> or bi-racial - you're not "black enough".  In the transgender 
> community - you're not "trans enough".  it is the same dynamic - a 
> dynamic of not understanding each other and each person is different 
> and each blind person sees differently.
>
> Partially blind folks, biracial folks, transgender folks all are in 
> the same boat:  We get crap from both ends of the spectrum.  Totally 
> blind from birth folks, and other folks who don't fit the sterotypes 
> in any group get this crap.  As partials, we get "You're not blind!" 
> from both the totals and the fully sighted.  Like we are faking it.  
> this is hurtful to hear.
>
> We all need to be more understanding of each other no matter what our 
> situation is.  We all get crap for being something other than white, 
> sighted, able bodied, straight, non-trans, non-male, non American in 
> our society.  We need to stick together rather than tear each other 
> down so that each human being on earth can live a life of safety, 
> caring, and dignity.
>
> Hope this helps people to be respectful and understanding to one 
> another on this list.
>
> Lyn and Landon
> "Education creates tolerance towards diversity."
> ----- 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>
> Cc: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Saturday, November 10, 2012 7:39 AM
> Subject: [nagdu] Note from the moderator Re: my day from yesterday
>
>
>> List,
>>
>> I am sorry first of all that I did not get to this thread before now. 
>> I am currently in New York for their state convention.
>>
>> I will not tolerate anymore judgements on list members who have 
>> partial vision. It is not our place to say how a person will mess up 
>> a dog. If a school issued a guide to a partial, it is their judgement 
>> to make. Your welcome to voice your opinion, but please. please. 
>> please. be nice!
>>
>> If I need to members off list about this I will do so. Please be 
>> accepting of others.
>>
>> Marsha drenth
>> Sent with my IPhone
>> http://adventureswith2feet4paws.blogspot.com
>>
>> On Nov 9, 2012, at 12:51 PM, Sean Moore <seanmoore87 at gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>> Thanks a lot for that, first nice word on this list  and my school 
>>> list is just as supportive.
>>>
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>>
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>
>
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