[nagdu] Perceptions

[Daryl Marie]

While I disagree with her wording, I do agree with Sandra that I feel much more independent with a dog than with a cane.  That having been said, I have many friends who are confident, efficient cane travelers, and who choose to use a cane, whether it's just for right now or the foreseeable future.

One of them simply doesn't have the desire for one at this point; she lives on campus and believes that a dog would not be useful for her.  Another friend lives within 2 blocks of his office and just a quick train ride away from his gym.  Both believe their life circumstances are not reasonable or fair for a dog to work in... another friend decided that the effort of working a guide did not return enough for her... and that's their decision, period.  I do not view any of them as pathetic people tap-tap-tapping around.  I would much rather they make an informed decision that a dog isn't right for them at this point than take the time and resources to train and underwork a dog, or not be able to take care of one.  We've all seen people whose life circumstances are NOT conducive to having a dog... just because I think a dog is better doesn't mean I should think less of those who choose not to use one...

Daryl





----- Original Message ----- From: S L Johnson via nagdu <nagdu at nfbnet.org> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users <nagdu at nfbnet.org> Cc: S L Johnson <SLJohnson25 at comcast.net> Sent: Sat, 20 Jun 2015 13:28:54 -0600 (MDT) Subject: Re: [nagdu] Perceptions  Hi Dan: Well said. I think guide dogs are fantastic. I am a good cane user but hate them. I feel much more independent and confident with a guide dog. A cane is just someone pitifully tap tap tapping along while a dog is total freedom and independence. After forty years of working guide dogs, I do not think of any disadvantages. Yes, there is picking up poop, dog hair and expenses for food and vet bills but, that is nothing compared to all the dog gives to me in return. Stuff the useless canes in the closet and grab that leash and harness. Sandra and Eva -----Original Message----- From: Dan Weiner via nagdu Sent: Saturday, June 20, 2015 3:19 PM To: 'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users' Cc: Dan Weiner Subject: Re: [nagdu] Perceptions Well perhaps it's a generational thing...when I got a dog I wanted to be more independent and hoped that a dog would help me do this. Now with the proliferation of cane training and so on the younger new dog users say things like "Oh I can use a cane just fine and I just want to be more efficient" or "I want to be faster". I think guys we should look at this...the dog must be doing something for you or you wouldn't have wanted to get one or keep using one. There must be something pretty damend good about a dog if despite all of the negatives gleefully listed over the last day, we still have them and at least I, since I can only speak for myself, enjoy using one. Now I'm definitely over quota, keep out of trouble, guys. Dan W. dcwein at dcwein.cnc.net  -----Original Message----- From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Cindy Ray via nagdu Sent: Saturday, June 20, 2015 3:13 PM To: 'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users' Cc: Cindy Ray Subject: Re: [nagdu] Perceptions I see your point, but I think the two things are different. Well, most of the time they are. Often people go into training centers and they honestly cannot do a thing. They can't read, they can't go catch a bus, they can't write, you know. So they did get their life back. I got a dog and I was independent when I was using a cane, yet people are convinced that now I have the dog I am more independent. Well, it is probably true for some but was not so for me. I may have overdone it, too. LOL. Cindy  -----Original Message----- From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Dan Weiner via nagdu Sent: Saturday, June 20, 2015 2:03 PM To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users' Cc: Dan Weiner Subject: Re: [nagdu] Perceptions Well, I've heard the same thing from folks who graduate NFB training centers, I swear one man says, "I got my life back". So what do we conclude? Perhaps of course some of it is the misconceptions about guide dogs or the self-promotion of the guide dog training centers...but maybe also anything that allows you a feeling of freedom that you can do what you want to do or hope that you can might cause a similar reaction. And I think I've written more than five messages today, so sorry if I did go over my quota. Dan W.  -----Original Message----- From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Kaye Kipp via nagdu Sent: Saturday, June 20, 2015 1:48 PM To: 'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users' Cc: Kaye Kipp Subject: [nagdu] Perceptions Hi.  Unfortunately, I've actually heard some guide dog users say,, "I have my dog; now I got my life back. At one of my guide dog graduations, at least one person said that. I think this perpetuates the perception that guide dogs are super heroes. Sometimes they are; like the one who got between the user and the buss, but using a guide dog is all about team work. Without a good handler, it goes without saying that the guide dog doesn't work well. _______________________________________________ nagdu mailing list nagdu at nfbnet.org http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for nagdu: http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/dcwein%40dcwein.cnc.net  _______________________________________________ nagdu mailing list nagdu at nfbnet.org http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for nagdu: http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/cindyray%40gmail.com  _______________________________________________ nagdu mailing list nagdu at nfbnet.org http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for nagdu: http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/dcwein%40dcwein.cnc.net  _______________________________________________ nagdu mailing list nagdu at nfbnet.org http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for nagdu: http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/sljohnson25%40comcast.net   _______________________________________________ nagdu mailing list nagdu at nfbnet.org http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for nagdu: http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/crazymusician%40shaw.ca