[nagdu] Guide Dogs, Canes, and Blindness

Larry D Keeler lkeeler at comcast.net
Sun Jul 20 03:41:48 UTC 2014


Don't think so. At least not in so many words. It implies that they treat us 
with respect it doesn't protect against deseption especially during the 
application phase.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Nicole Torcolini via nagdu" <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
To: <barbandzoe at comcast.net>; "'Danielle Antoine'" 
<singingmywayin at gmail.com>; "'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of 
Guide Dog Users'" <nagdu at nfbnet.org>; "'Star Gazer'" 
<pickrellrebecca at gmail.com>
Sent: Saturday, July 19, 2014 11:35 PM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Guide Dogs, Canes, and Blindness


> Ugh, okay, more reason for me to think that they did that on purpose. BTW,
> to the rest of the people on the list, is there anything in the Guide Dog
> handler bill of rights about schools doing this? That is, schools making 
> you
> think that you are getting a fair interview, but they are really just
> pacifying you temporarily because they have already made a decision?
> Although not the same, one of my friends had something similar happen. My
> friend got a dog from a school. Near the end of the time that the dog was
> working, the dog had some medical problems. My friend applied to the 
> school
> again, and they told my friend that they would come for an in home
> interview. When they got there, they told my friend that they would not 
> give
> my friend another dog.
>
> Nicole
>
>  _____
>
> From: barbandzoe at comcast.net [mailto:barbandzoe at comcast.net]
> Sent: Saturday, July 19, 2014 6:49 PM
> To: 'Danielle Antoine'; 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of
> Guide Dog Users'; 'Star Gazer'; Nicole Torcolini
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Guide Dogs, Canes, and Blindness
>
>
> When the gal came to do the interview, she didn't look at the house, to 
> see
> where the dog would stay.  She sat in a chair and we talked until we went
> for a four block walk.
> I thought they would want to see where the dog would be sleeping, or what
> room he my be kennels in.
> Or look at the basement where he would spend time with me when I am down
> there.  She didn't want to see my room. Nothing.
>
> Sent from Xfinity Connect Mobile App
>
>
> ------ Original Message ------
>
> From: Nicole Torcolini via nagdu
> To: 'Star Gazer', 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide 
> Dog
> Users', 'Danielle Antoine'
> Sent: July 19, 2014 at 6:27 PM
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Guide Dogs, Canes, and Blindness
>
> Okay, no, I am not the moderator, nor am I Barb, but how many times does 
> she
> have to say that she does not get vacation or sick leave for you guys to
> understand that? If you have not read that yet, then read the entire 
> thread
> before responding.
> I agree that the person who did the interview sounds really 
> unprofessional.
> Although I certainly hope that this was not the case, it is also possible
> that they had already decided before the interview that they would not
> accept you, and they just needed some excuse to not do the interview 
> process
> correctly.
> I would appeal and/or try somewhere else. Tell them what you have told us
> about not being able to see elevation changes. Also tell them that, even
> though you do have vision, that you will trust the dog and not try to make
> decisions for the dog. Also, I would not get a dog from them. Even if you
> did somehow convince them to give you a dog, I get the feeling that they
> would watch you like a hawk, looking for any opportunity to take the dog
> back.
> As for your job, do you make considerably more than you would get on SSI?
>
> Nicole
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Star Gazer via
> nagdu
> Sent: Friday, July 18, 2014 2:15 PM
> To: 'Danielle Antoine'; 'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of
> Guide Dog Users'
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] (no subject)
>
> I wouldn't call it selfish. Barb, I'm sure people
> have taken off for surgeries, babies, honeymoons, that sort of thing. Why 
> is
> this not an option, the only difference is you're coming back with a dog.
> Also, there are gyms everywhere. Why not go work at another one and tell
> them "I can start on xxx" date which would just happen to be after you got
> your dog?
> Why is this boss and this gym the only game in town?
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Danielle 
> Antoine
> via nagdu
> Sent: Thursday, July 17, 2014 10:17 PM
> To: barbandzoe at comcast.net; NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association 
> of
> Guide Dog Users
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] (no subject)
>
> Barb,
> You say, "I can't get two weeks off  of work to get a dog,  I might not 
> have
> a job."
> That's selfish! Alot of people say that but in the grand scheme of working
> with dog guides how often do you actually need to leave to train? We're
> talking about a month at most every 8-10 years?  In the case of my first
> guide, he worked 8 years and I waited another 8 years for my second
> well-deserved fur partner. God forbid a partnership only lasts a year or 
> two
> and they do sometimes but that is not the usual.
> That is what happened with my precious Eden girl and it's been 4 years 
> since
> she's been retired. Again, what about sick leave and vacation days?
>
> As to the help your dog can provide on the job, probably not much. You 
> have
> the option of leaving dog in a secure place either on tie-down or in a 
> crate
> or choose to work the dog outside of work. Plenty of people get dogs that
> don't even have a job so don't let that deter you.
>
> blessings for your best outcome,
>
> Danie and ?
>
>
>
> On 7/17/14, Barb breuer via nagdu <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> I was a bit put off when the gal didn't have her stuff, but things
>> seemed to go well.  I was thinking about sending them a letter, not a
> space in a form.
>>  As to why I want and need a dog.
>> Maybe I. Wasn't clear as to why a guide would help me.
>> If I could just go to any school I wouldn't care what they thought.  I
>> can't get two weeks off  of work to get a dog,  I might not have a job.
>>
>> Barb
>>
>> Sent from Xfinity Connect Mobile App
>>
>>
>> ------ Original Message ------
>>
>> From: Star Gazer via nagdu
>> To: 'Tracy Carcione', 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of
>> Guide Dog Users'
>> Sent: July 17, 2014 at 6:00 PM
>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] (no subject)
>>
>> Tracy makes some excellent points.
>> I also wonder Barb, if you filled out the application inappropriately.
>> If it says "Can you cross streets independently?" did you respond with
>> "Yes, I can do this without a cane?" If you did, I can see why they
> rejected you.
>> That being said, there is no excuse for the woman doing the interview
>> to be unprepared. I'd not want to do business with anybody who
>> couldn't or wouldn't hold up their end of the deal.
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Tracy
>> Carcione via nagdu
>> Sent: Thursday, July 17, 2014 7:46 AM
>> To: barbandzoe at comcast.net; NAGDU Mailing List, the National
>> Association of Guide Dog Users
>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] (no subject)
>>
>> Hi Barb.
>> When I met my husband, he didn't use a cane.  I talked him into using
>> one when he slammed into a pole and had to get stitches.  He uses a
>> folding cane, as someone else suggested, and takes it out when he
>> wants it, which now is nearly all the time.  Because he's using his
>> cane, he doesn't slam into poles or fall down steps, which makes us
>> both happy.  Also, people understand why he's asking what a sign says,
>> or where something is, or even looks at them kinda sideways.
>> He hasn't had formal training, just me showing him what to do when he
>> started out.  His technique could be a lot better, but even so he's a
>> lot safer with his cane than without.
>> Tracy
>>
>>  ----- Original Message -----
>>  From: Barb breuer via nagdu
>>  To: Becky Frankeberger ; 'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association
>> of Guide Dog Users'
>>  Sent: Wednesday, July 16, 2014 11:42 PM
>>  Subject: Re: [nagdu] (no subject)
>>
>>
>>  Many ask if I use a cane,  I use it but I have not had formal
>> training with an O&M instructor.  So when a school wants me to have an
>> instructor sign that I can travel, I have to hire one.
>>  I went to regular public school, and I didn't have the training.
>>  Now I would have to talk a course or something.
>>  Barb
>>
>>  Sent from Xfinity Connect Mobile App
>>
>>    ------ Original Message ------
>>
>>    From: Becky Frankeberger
>>    To: barbandzoe at comcast.net, 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National
>> Association of Guide Dog Users'
>>    Sent: July 16, 2014 at 2:22 PM
>>    Subject: RE: [nagdu] (no subject)
>>    Barb, my husband went from travel vision to using a guide dog. He
>> absolutely loves the experience. He did later take O and M and used a
>> cane, but to stride out was so wonderfully freeing with a guide dog.
>> He did not have to look down and worry if he missed a crack or step.
>> He looked up and is so happy working a guide dog. Your dog will love
>> going with you on your job. Just make sure she sees you when you are
>> away from her in the tight areas you go into. High partials love
>> working guide dogs, so don't worry about anything. As long as you are
>> legally blind and that is a wide range of abilities, try it out. If
>> you don't like it or the extra work is too much, then you have other
>> options. I remember my first dog. I thought oh I have to get up even
>> earlier to catch the van to church. So I got up got dressed fed the
>> dog and out we went for park time and a quick brush time. Back in to
>> finished the fine points of dressing, and breakfast. I was ready a
>> half hour before the van came. Boy was I shocked. So this low partial
>> has
> enjoyed the miracle of what these dogs can do to keep us safe.
>>
>>
>>
>>    The miracle of you don't have to follow any longer, that you can
>> lead if you choose. Right now you don't have that choice. You said you
>> cross streets so I would anyway, say your orientation is fine. Leader
>> has a brush up program for a week if you need help with O and M.
>>
>>
>>
>>    I love myth busting you have to be very low vision and all the
>> other crap. The myth you have to use a cane first. No you just need to
>> show you can orient yourself and move about getting where you want to
>> go
> safely.
>>
>>
>>
>>    The dog is extra work, but the freedom she will give you well you
>> won't even think the things you do for her is work.
>>
>>
>>
>>    Sorry I don't know why I keep saying she.
>>
>>
>>
>>    There are so many activities at night you could go to with a guide
>> dog. I would walk to the theater and see live plays. My dogs were
>> always
> welcomed.
>> They would even tell me if there were going to be loud noises or
>> people running up and down the aisles. Then we would walk the several
>> blocks home confidently and safely.
>>
>>
>>
>>    Anyway My husband and I both have guide dogs.
>>
>>
>>
>>    So you choose your path, talk to schools, talk to us, talk to
>> friends in the area.
>>
>>    Warmly,
>>
>>    Becky and Jake
>>
>>
>>
>>    From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Barb
>> breuer via nagdu
>>    Sent: Wednesday, July 16, 2014 10:50 AM
>>    To: Full Name
>>    Subject: [nagdu] (no subject)
>>
>>
>>
>>    I have been doing a lot of thinking sence  I started looking into
>> getting I guide dog.  Like do I need one, will it be a help to me, or
>> can I get around well enough on my own.  Plus do I have to much vision
>> to
> qualify.
>>    I have a good amount of vision for a blind person.  My mother went
>> to a school for the blind, and didn't want her kids to go to one.  She
>> wanted us to learn to use the sight we had.
>>    So now I feel like, I can do these things, cross the street, walk
>> without a cane, find my way.
>>    I have had people I know ask why do you need a guide dog?  My
>> answer is because the dog would help me at night when I don't see so
>> good, and in the bright sun, plus I have thick glasses and I have
>> little side vision.  I get a long well at work, but I clean locker
>> rooms
> for a living and fold towels.
>>  Not a lot of need for dog.
>>
>>    I don't like going places that I haven't been so much because I do
>> think about, will there be a step or something I don't see.  I walk
>> slower because of it and when I am with people I walk a step behind
>> and watch where they step.
>>    So I feel like a dog would make my life easier, and having a
>> companion with me would be nice.
>>    I Am in my 50's and do think about how walking a dog,  people think
>> twice before they want to jump you.  But having a dog is a good way to
>> meet new friends.
>>    Sorry for it being so long, I just have a lot on my mind.
>>    Barb
>>
>>    Sent from Xfinity Connect Mobile App
>>
>>
>>
>> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>> --------
>>
>>
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