[NAGDU] Intro and great news

[Cindy Ray]

And the crowing that the successful people do is justified so long as they
don't lord over the ones still seeking the fact that they've been
successful. Sometimes the crowing gives people the strength to continue on
even when it gets tough. But Amanda, I believe you will find a job, and I
believe you will love your dog when you go for it.
Cindy Lou Ray
cindyray at gmail.com


-----Original Message-----
From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Dan Weiner via
NAGDU
Sent: Saturday, January 28, 2017 12:45 PM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Dan Weiner <dcwein at dcwein.cnc.net>
Subject: Re: [NAGDU] Intro and great news

I'm sure you'll do  fine. I'm Dan Weiner, (rhymes with finer) and I'm on my
fourth guide dog, hard to believe, I have had dogs for 23 years.   My
current partner in crime is a yellow lab named Parker from Guide Dogs of
America.
I think you'll   enjoy having a dog, at least I hope you will.
and we're all hear to encourage you every step of the way.
It may not always seem like it--lol as we are all like drunks at a bar, we
all have different opinions about everything, but no one wants a new guide
dog user to be successful more than other guide dog users.

I'm sorry about your  difficulties in finding work.
I'd like to be one of those who say "Oh just keep trying" but there is a
reason that the statistics show the high percentage of unemployment for us
blind folks. Despite the crowing about how successful some of our
job-holding fellow blind people hmay be--lol it is still difficult and I
know I've been on all sides.
I wish you luck and if a job is part of your goals and dreams I want you to
find the perfect one.

Always glad to hear from you or answer questions.

Dan the man with Parker the nut


-----Original Message-----
From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Amanda Markham
via NAGDU
Sent: Saturday, January 28, 2017 11:52 AM
To: nagdu at nfbnet.org
Cc: Amanda Markham
Subject: [NAGDU] Intro and great news

Hello all. Very happy to be finally joining this list. My name is Amanda and
I live in Michigan with my fiancé who is also on this list.
Jeff Crouch. I have been a cane user since about 3 years of age.
Within the last couple of years, I've joined the NFB in hopes of gaining
self-confidence and more independence. Since joining, I've been to two
national conventions and have come away from them with a sense of adventure.
A need for discovery and a goal to push myself beyond my comfort zone. I
used to be one who didn't mind staying in the house, playing games on my
computer. Although from time to time I still do this, A need to get out and
go places is part of my daily life now.

I joined the NFB shortly after completing college at ITT Technical institute
and receiving my associates degree in information technology. While some
aspects of college were great, others were not.
I had to have sighted assistance for almost every assignment because there
programs would not work with JAWS. My other issue came when I could not get
my textbooks in a format that I was easily able to read.
Things on the accessibility front were never resolved and I passed with a
3.50 GPA. It's going on 5 years now that I've been out of school and while
I'm enjoying no homework, I'm finding it very difficult to find a job.
I've had several interviews which I either received rejections from or never
heard anything back at all. While this is frustrating at most, it drives me
to keep going. To keep looking. Explore different avenues and skill sets.
Most days are spent job searching now. I do mmake an effort to get out at
least once daily, finances and weather allowing.
I did work with our agency for the blind here in Michigan, but have recently
closed my case for medical and other personal reasons. One of which being
that I felt they at this time, cannot do more than what I am already doing
for myself. But enough about that, let's move onto the great news shall we?

Since joining the NFB and gaining more self-confidence, I have been
pondering the idea of a guide dog. I was dating Jeff when he got his first
dog and seing not only the interactions they had together but how the dog
enhanced his independence really inspired me. Last Summer Jeff unfortunetly
had to return his dog back to Pilot because of some safety issues. In August
he applied to GDF and inspired me to do the same. So I have! I filled out
both the pre application and online application and just received my
paperwork in the mail Thursday. Just
2 days after having my home interview. I was nervous at first about the
interview. I was afraid I might say or do something that would lessen my
chances for getting accepted. But throughout the interview and walk, I
realized that if not for doing more traveling now than I used to, there's a
good chance I'll get in. I realise they stil could say no, but that's okay
as well.


--
Thank you and warmest regards,
Amanda markham

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