[nagdu] Working Our Dogs
d m gina
dmgina at samobile.net
Fri Nov 16 05:04:01 UTC 2012
Tammy,
Share with Sarah in the town you live, what you are doing, getting out
walking your dog, and how are you learning the area.
Is a store near you, or do you take a buss?
Or do you have to wait for the car ride?
I hope your address got into my book.
Thanks,
Original message:
> Sarah and Lyn,
> I've been enjoying getting to know you, Sarah, through the journey
> you've shared with us. Even though I'm an old fart like Lyn, I still
> remember too much about being your age in a small town, where resources
> are limited, so much is limited, but I needed to somehow get on with
> growing up and getting to the life I wanted anyway... Having no clue
> from never having lived an adult life, it was scary, depressing, etc. I
> mean, how do you deal with the struggle when you don't even know what
> winning it is like? Honestly! People do, apparently. Somehow, I did. But
> when you're in the middle of it, and it's you, and you don't know what
> it's like on the other side of all those barriers.... Tough stuff.
> So I've been reading what you share and what others have to offer and
> trying to figure out if somehow I have something useful...
> Lyn's suggestion of an NFB Center is inspired! If you can get from where
> you are to there... Some VR agencies will do anything to keep their
> clients from anyplace so heretical (mine, in Oregon, is one). Others
> will do what they should by law. Others can be convinced. I think
> California is better about that than many others, especially for younger
> clients.
> So would that maybe work? Your mother would still have the extra
> financial assistance from your income while you're away, but you could
> be in a learning environment in which you could get much of what you
> need and will need, while having places to work Wizard. There is a lot
> of controversy (at times, anyway) about the NFB Centers approach to
> attendees with guide dogs, since they don't allow the use of guide dogs
> in class time. I think there's some easing, but can't really tell you
> the exact ins and outs or if they vary slightly from Center to Center.
> Still, you can work your dog when you're not in classes, in places where
> it's safe to do so. Or so I assume, since they are places where the cane
> using students can also move around safely at will. So maybe an
> improvement over what you're working around now?
> Anyway, it's a thought. What you do is up to you, of course. /smile/ You
> certainly have a hard row to hoe, as they say, but I can tell that you
> are strong and very, very bright. You won't do things as I think you
> should, but I'm not you and not living your life. You are and will find
> your way despite the added difficulties and challenges.
> Wish I had the secret magic key, but, you know. I'm not Dumbledore! /lol/
> Best to you in finding what you need in your circumstances.
> Tami Jarvis
> On 11/15/2012 04:00 PM, Lyn Gwizdak wrote:
>> Yeah Sarah,
>> Thought so. And so is Wizard. This is very unhealthy for both of you.
>> Is there an NFB chapter near you? Maybe they can connect you with a
>> good therapist for the depression. I have suffered with depression for
>> most of my life and have been in and out of therapy myself. No shame in
>> that and I'm a better person because of it.
>> You owe it to Wizard to give him the work he needs, get yourself out -
>> get help and support - and start living your life. Many of us are poor
>> - I get that. many of us grew up in places with no public
>> transportation - I get that. Maybe try to get into college in a larger
>> city where you can get around independently. maybe go to an NFB
>> training center where you will learn the living skills you will need for
>> the rest of your life.
>> As for Wizard, well figure out how to make him happy with work and a
>> purpose or do him the kindness of returning him for another more active
>> person to have. I'm not saying this to be mean - I'm not. I'm just a 61
>> year old fart who has been around the block a time or two and have been
>> where you are. Please, do it for you and do it for Wizard.
>> I'm sorry to hear that still there are parents of blind kids who think
>> they're doing the kid a favor by sheltering them and not teaching them
>> how to be adults like parents are supposed to be doing for their kids -
>> disabled or not. There's just no excuse for that today with all the
>> information on the Internet available to parents of blind kids. This
>> didn't exist in the early 1950s when i was a kid. When I was growing
>> up, I didn't get sheltered but my sister did and she's the one who has
>> had to pay for that decision. She was never made to do anything and I
>> was and now she has to live with me with me taking care of her. she
>> does have developmental disability along with blindness and me just
>> blind with some physical stuff that has showeed up with age.
>> I grew up in a town with NO buses or anything except for folks driving
>> their cars. I left town when I was 20 and went to college in Boston.
>> what freedom! I could walk anywhere and i could ride the bus and
>> trolleys and subways anywhere - whenever i wanted. Even the late night
>> parties!
>> Please get some help! You deserve it.
>> Lyn and Landon
>> "Education creates tolerance towards diversity."
>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Sarah" <coastergirl92 at gmail.com>
>> To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users"
>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Saturday, November 10, 2012 12:43 PM
>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Working Our Dogs
>>> Yeah I'm really depressed. And when me and Wizard work we really have
>>> nowhere to go except around the blocks and that bores uddNow every
>>> time I put his harness on, he turns his head away or tries to go get
>>> in his bed. The instructors said he leves to work but that's not true
>>> now.
>>> Sarah and Wizard
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: "Lyn Gwizdak" <linda.gwizdak at cox.net
>>> To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users"
>>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org
>>> Date sent: Sat, 10 Nov 2012 10:22:45 -0800
>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Working Our Dogs
>>> Sarah,
>>> I've been reading your posts and other's responses to them. I am
>>> concerned
>>> about your having nothing to occupy your time or ability to get out
>>> and walk
>>> and work your dog. You sound young if you're still living at home and
>>> your
>>> Mom still works.
>>> Sarah, you need to find some volunteer work where you can do something
>>> useful. I pick up some depressed and defeated signals from you and,
>>> boy do
>>> i know what that's like, and you need to get out for your own mental and
>>> physical health. The same goes for the dog. These dogs are bred to work
>>> and they need it.
>>> I used to live in a place with limited bus service and I just had to plan
>>> for that. Unfortunately, as blind people, we must live on other people's
>>> time when it comes to getting things done or going someplace. For this
>>> reason, I chose to move back to the city where we have many buses that
>>> run
>>> at least every 15 minutes and a number to choose from. Here in San
>>> Diego, I
>>> live in City Heights, a very urban area. I live along two bus routes and
>>> these connect to all the others as well as a trolley system. I can
>>> get to
>>> most places I want to. Where these don't go or at night, I also have
>>> paratransit. You may want to consider moving to a city where you can
>>> have a
>>> life.
>>> In my area, there are a whole bunch of blind and disabled folks and we
>>> either have Section-8 Housing Vouchers or live in Senior/Disabled
>>> housing.
>>> It works. Many don't have jobs but some of us have volunteer jobs or
>>> other
>>> activities to keep busy. I do pet assisted therapy with Landon where we
>>> bring cheer and animals to visit those folks in facilities where they
>>> can't
>>> have a pet. I'm active in my Democratic Party club, my LGBT community
>>> events, and local blind center where I do crafts and belong to the
>>> singing
>>> group for our huge fundraiser each holiday season. When I'm not doing
>>> those
>>> things, I spend time with friends, read, watch TV, work on the computer.
>>> You have a life - live it to the max! You're only young once and it
>>> gets no
>>> easier as you age. I sure know about that - I'm 61. I remember all the
>>> work and partying I did in my 20s - Hahahaha! I don't party much now.
>>> I wish you well and hope you find the right solution for your situation.
>>> Lyn and Landon
>>> "Education creates tolerance towards diversity."
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: "Debbie Cole" <debbieanne1124 at gmail.com
>>> To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users"
>>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org
>>> Sent: Saturday, November 10, 2012 9:13 AM
>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Working Our Dogs
>>> I agree with Julie. Our buses here run only on the hour. But i still
>>> know the schedule and get up to the hospital for PT on time and make
>>> arrangements to ahng out in the hospital until 10 minutes before the
>>> bus should come. It can be done.
>>> And Sarah... I'm a deaf/blind. Just saying.
>>> On 11/10/12, Julie J. <julielj at neb.rr.com> wrote:
>>> What's the problem with the bus running only once an hour? Just plan
>>> accordingly. I used to live in a city where the busses ran once an hour
>>> for most of the day and longer on saturday. It's totally doable. Just
>>> wear a watch and know when the last bus is so you don't get stuck
>>> someplace.
>>> You knew the bus schedule when you got your guide dog. Nothing has
>>> changed. You knew you'd have to work the dog. I'm assuming you've gone
>>> over this with GDD. What suggestions did they make? Is there some
>>> reason those are not working for you now?
>>> As to how much I work my guide in an average week...at least 5 days.
>>> He's fine with a day or two off, more than that and he gets fidgety and
>>> restless. If we've had a long weekend out of town where he's worked
>>> some very long days in a row, I will plan for a day of no work or very
>>> light. An average week of routes would include:
>>> 5 trips to and from my office, about 10 blocks each way
>>> 1 trip to the middle school about 25 minutes one way
>>> 1 trip to the high school about 15 minutes one way
>>> 1-2 errands, generally these are downtown and I do them before or after
>>> work so maybe an extra 1-4 blocks on top of the route to work
>>> 1 trip to the grocery store by car, about 1 hour in the store
>>> All of that stuff is pretty much guaranteed in a week, but I also travel
>>> out of town frequently. I suppose once a month if you averaged it out
>>> over a year. I also attend random meetings and teach an all day
>>> Saturday class at the college 4 times in a school year. Then there is
>>> walking nowhere in particular for exercise or to spend time with my son
>>> just doing something we both enjoy. Oh and the random saturday mornings
>>> when you just have to have donuts and a mocha!
>>> Even on Monty's days off I will still make sure he has a good amount of
>>> exercise by playing in the back yard or off leash running. A note about
>>> off leash time...if you're dog isn't trustworthy off leash you shouldn't
>>> be letting him free run. Monty is excellent off leash so he gets that
>>> opportunity. Belle would be in the next county in about 3 seconds so
>>> she gets the Flexi leash. Monty is a very high energy dog and needs
>>> this level of work. I think Belle would be content with 2-3 days a
>>> week, if she were able to guide still.
>>> Julie
>>> On 11/10/2012 10:35 AM, Sarah wrote:
>>> I live in the desert where the bus only runs ond an hour. And my mom
>>> works from 4 o'clock in the morning until 3 in the afternoon so she
>>> usually doesn't feel like taking me anywhere.
>>> Sarah and Wizard
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: Debbie Cole <debbieanne1124 at gmail.com
>>> To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users"
>>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org
>>> Date sent: Fri, 9 Nov 2012 10:35:39 -0800
>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Working Our Dogs
>>> Do you use a city buss or Access (Mini Van for your transit company
>>> for the disabled? Unless you are in the suburbs You shouldn't be
>>> using that as an excuse. When your mom goes to the amrket go along
>>> with her and go off on your own jsut you and Wizard and do your thing
>>> while she does her thing.
>>> On 11/9/12, Sarah <coastergirl92 at gmail.com> wrote:
>>> I just wonder because I have nowhere to go nothing to do. I have
>>> no job and there's nowhere to go where I can walk except around
>>> the streets of the neighborhood but he's getting bored with that
>>> and the weather is getting bad. And I have no money for Access
>>> to go anywhere.
>>> Sarah and Wizard
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: "Chantel Cuddemi" <jawsgirl87 at gmail.com
>>> To: "'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog
>>> Users'" <nagdu at nfbnet.org
>>> Date sent: Fri, 9 Nov 2012 13:15:44 -0500
>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Working Our Dogs
>>> I give Motley the weekend off. He loves it!
>>> Chantel and Motley
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Sarah
>>> Sent: Friday, November 09, 2012 12:54 PM
>>> To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog
>>> Users
>>> Subject: [nagdu] Working Our Dogs
>>> Hello list,
>>> I was wondering how often do you work your dogs? I feel like I
>>> have to work Wizard every day and I feel guilty if I just let him
>>> have one day off. How long is the longest you've allied your
>>> dogs time off?
>>> Sarah and Wizard
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: Sheila Leigland <sleigland at bresnan.net
>>> To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog
>>> Users"<nagdu at nfbnet.org
>>> Date sent: Fri, 9 Nov 2012 04:52:34 -0700
>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Diabetic alert dogs and how alert dogs
>>> arepreventing aneed for a guide dog!
>>> Lyn my husband and I were at the convention last weekend. Our
>>> dogs misbehaved and growled and were immediately corrected. I
>>> would agree with you if we chose not to bring our dogs under
>>> control but we did and it didn't happen again. When you know all
>>> of the facts then please make judgment calls on whether a dog
>>> should remain in a situation. I don't know of any dog that
>>> hasn't made a misstep and the important thing is that the dogs
>>> were corrected properly and immediately. In fact they were still
>>> lying at our feet. They didn't stand up or approach in any way.
>>> Sheila Leigland
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>>> --
>>> warmly,
>>> Debbie Cole
>>> debbieanne1124 at gmail.com
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>>> --
>>> warmly,
>>> Debbie Cole
>>> debbieanne1124 at gmail.com
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