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

[Shannon Dyer]

I read this article yesterday. I think the author raises some good points, things people should really consider before getting a guide dog, but the way he presented it was off-putting.

Shannon and the Acelet
On Mar 20, 2015, at 9:51 AM, Aleeha Dudley via nagdu <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:

> 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
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
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> 
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