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

Sat Mar 21 00:04:40 UTC 2015

Sherry,
At the heart of this comment (IMO) is the fact that there is a gulf of
ignorance in the eye care community. I believe a good doctor ought to be
able to better direct the patients they can no longer help than they did
with the people who called you. I was lucky to get a recommendation for my
novel from one of only a handful of optometrists worldwide, who have earned
the highest level of certification in low-vision care, but so far have not
been successful in getting the schools/professional organizations to allow
me to talk to them.
Donna & Hunter

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Sherry Gomes via
nagdu
Sent: Friday, March 20, 2015 4:29 PM
To: 'Julie J.'; 'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog
Users'; 'Aleeha Dudley'
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Fwd: 5 Reasons Why Guide Dogs Are a Terrible Idea!

When I worked in admissions at GDB, we used to get lots of calls from newly
blind people whose eye doctors had told them, well, there's nothing more I
can do for you, go get a guide dog. Most of these people had no training in
anything yet, in terms of blindness skills, daily living and mobility in
particular. I would spend a good amount of time talking to these people,
listening to them cry, desperate for help sometimes. and I'd explain why
they weren't ready for a dog, and I'd tell them the pros and cons of getting
a dog. I didn't read all of this article, so I don't know what the author
said, but I'd talk about things like the expense, the 24/7 commitment, the
fact that you can just put your dog in a corner when you get home and forget
about it. I'd talk about grooming and shedding and picking up dog poop in
the snow, or whatever came to mind. I'd talk about what I love about having
a dog too. and of course, I'd talk to them about the things they need, give
them info on where to find help in their area, through rehab agencies,
organizations like NFB things like that. I don't remember how my sighted
colleagues handled such calls, but I always gave the seekers a realistic
look at what it's like to have a guide dog.

Sherry

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Julie J. via
nagdu
Sent: Friday, March 20, 2015 8:33 AM
To: Aleeha Dudley; NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog
Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Fwd: 5 Reasons Why Guide Dogs Are a Terrible Idea!

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
>
>
>
>
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