[nagdu] Fwd: 5 Reasons Why Guide Dogs Are a Terrible Idea!

[Julie J.]

I think the post was accurate.  His communication style is a bit on the 
sarcastic and snarky side, but he's brutally honest with how he feels.  He's 
also clear that this is his experience and is using the post as a way to 
process his own feelings and possibly in the process give others some points 
to ponder.

I really liked it.  I get a lot tired of the super gooey, mushy sentimental 
drivel that so commonly surrounds talk of guide dogs.  I'm with Vivianna, 
guide dogs don't give you independence.  sure they help you express your 
independence, but freedom and independence are intrinsic qualities.  They 
are personal decisions or ways of viewing yourself in the world.  They are 
not things that can be bestowed on another. You have to claim them for 
yourself.

I think we all agree that guide dogs are not for everyone.  I think Joe was 
just a bit more straightforward with the why part than a lot of us are 
comfortable talking about.

Julie
Courage to Dare: A Blind Woman's Quest to Train her Own Guide Dog is now 
available! Get the book here:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QXZSMOC
Visit my new website on developing courage and living authentically:
http://www.falling-up.com
-----Original Message----- 
From: Aleeha Dudley via nagdu
Sent: Friday, March 20, 2015 8:51 AM
To: the National Association of Guide Dog Users NAGDU Mailing List
Subject: [nagdu] Fwd: 5 Reasons Why Guide Dogs Are a Terrible Idea!

Just curious what you all think. This article greatly upset me, especially 
given the subject line. But I wanted to see what you guys thought, as the 
responses on the list that I saw this on our very mixed.

If you're blind, you obviously read Braille. Your hearing must naturally be
> superior to your sighted peers, and of course you have a guide dog! Right?
>
> Well, that last may not be as pervasive as the first and second. Someone
> recently told me the number of guide dog users has actually declined in my
> millennial generation. I have no evidence proving this one way or the 
> other,
> but for the general public, to see a blind person with a guide dog feels 
> as
> natural as butter and toast.
>
> Thing is, I'm not so sure guide dogs are right for everyone. Or, maybe I'm
> just projecting my own uncertainties onto the rest of the community?
>
> Last November I took the first step in the application process to return 
> for
> a second Seeing Eye dog. It's been more than three years since I lost 
> Gator,
> and even though I've gotten around just fine with a white cane, I am
> approaching what feels like the final years with sight, however minimal 
> that
> sight might be. I admit it's unnerving if I sit still long enough to
> contemplate total blindness. NFB philosophy be damned, and the thought of 
> an
> extra set of eyes to help me navigate the world does bring a measure of
> comfort. But, is it enough to go get another dog?
>
> In no particular order, here are reasons why a guide dog would be a 
> terrible
> idea:
>
> Read more:
>
> http://serotalk.com/2015/03/18/5-reasons-why-guide-dogs-are-a-terrible-idea/
>
> --
> Musings of a Work in Progress:
> www.JoeOrozco.com/
>
> Twitter: @ScribblingJoe
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> nabs-l mailing list
> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
> nabs-l:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/blindcowgirl1993%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/julielj%40neb.rr.com


-----
No virus found in this message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 2012.0.2250 / Virus Database: 4257/8835 - Release Date: 03/19/15