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

[Applebutter Hill]

I actually like this article. Yes, the title may be a bit inflammatory, but
that's PR and writing these days. There was recently a blog on National
Braille Press called "Braille is Sexy," which rubbed some people the wrong
way too, but I liked that one as well.

The best part of this article, aside from it's overall well-written
enumerations of the realities of working with a guide dog, is IMO this:
Block quote
Whatever the guide dog school marketing might argue, the dog does not grant
you independence; it will enhance it. Do get a dog if you can treat the dog
as a living, breathing companion you can collaborate with to navigate the
world.

Block quote end
Donna & Hunter

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Aleeha Dudley via
nagdu
Sent: Friday, March 20, 2015 9:52 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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