[nagdu] Signed up by family?

[Kaye Kipp]

Frankly, I'm surprised a school would take someone who was signed up by
someone ellse.  I knew of a case like that back in 1969 where someone got a
dog because her "guardian" signed her up.  This person was terrified of
dogs.  Things have changed since then though.  I don't know how anyone could
sign someone else up to get a dog without knowing anything about the
responsibilities and time it takes.  It doesn't make any sense.

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Tracy Carcione
via nagdu
Sent: Friday, June 19, 2015 8:25 AM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
Cc: Tracy Carcione
Subject: [nagdu] Signed up by family?

I just got the GDB newsletter for the general public, and there's a bit I
think is odd or over-the-top or patronizing, really.

So-and-so suddenly lost his sight, and found ways to go on for years, but
felt something was missing.  Then "his wife stepped in and signed him up for
a guide dog, and, before he knew it, he was at GDB, being matched with his
new partner."  

Really?  I've sometimes wished I could "sign someone up" for a guide dog,
but it takes a real commitment from the person to get through the training
and the first few months of adjustment, at least.  It's not a decision
someone else could take for me, or me for someone else.

When my brother fell down a manhole using his cane, my mother did sit him
down and tell him he should get a guide dog, like his sister.  He decided it
was good advice, and has been happy with the decision, but, if he'd decided
otherwise, there wouldn't be a darn thing anyone could have done about it,
even if they'd wanted to try.

 

The GDB piece just seemed weird to me.  Why would they even want to
encourage someone to sign up someone else?  What makes them think I have a
keeper, who can make life-changing decisions for me?

Has anyone actually heard of such a thing happening?

Tracy

 

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