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

[d m gina]

Brenda,
I remember when I had tunnel vision I could go from one light to 
another, that hit rite in the cross walks.
I was able to help the kids at the school to get to the hospital.
After I was at home and much child abuse I understood when you say you 
can't see your feet, my mother said she will learn.
After I fell down many flights of stairs.
I was pleased when I got my first dog.
You can move faster.
Now by golly I have knees that are not as fast, and they do have dogs 
that will go my speed.
I don't do bad, I feel I can get where I am going, and that is what it 
is all about.
Hang in there.
Stay safe out there.
Original message:
> 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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