[NAGDU] Questions for low-vision people

[Gary]

hi Tracy:

first, it's nice to see your message. I haven't seen a lot of mail on this list and was wondering if there was something wrong at my end.

I'm typing on the train so my apologies if I miss a couple of typos. 

I have RP and quite usable vision into my early 30's. however, I don't get a guide dog until I was in my mid 40's.  when I was younger. my barrier was my life style, foot loose and fancy free. playing on bands, going to parties and chasing women. :). so my life settled down. had a steady job and a life partner who really wanted a dog.  I really didn't want to deal with shedding and dog hair so what really opened it up for me was when  I learned of poodles as an option.


I used to be able to see the cross walk lines but was finding I no longer could guarantee that I could find it. in my little pony hole of vision.  I was also living in an area that was very busy so every day on the way home from work I was crossing busy roads and couldn't be 100% sure I was going straight.  as an example when shooting my video for GDF my girlfriend had to say something because I was angling towards traffic.  probably would have figured it out but was good demonstration of need for dog.

also, like your husband, I have always walked fast.  now  that I'm working with seniors it made me even more aware of the damage I could do if I ran into someone.  I thought the dog would allow me to travel fast when possible and navigate crowds  when necesary.  this is the case.

yes, there are times where I can do things quicker with a cane but they don't balance out to how comfortable it is with a dog.  even Gonzo. who pulls too hard much of the  time and is rather dog distracted still wins over the cane for most circumstances.

so that's my little take. :)

good luck.

gary


On March 14, 2018 8:18:48 AM PDT, Tracy Carcione via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>I have questions for people who had vision, then lost most of it.  I've
>been blind most of my life, and I'd like your perspective to help my
>husband.  He had low but OK vision for many years, but has lost most of
>it
>over the past few years.  He uses a cane, but still wants to move fast,
>like he did when he could see better, and isn't always as cautious as
>he
>should be.  He had an accident recently.  Nothing too bad, yet, but it
>easily could have been.
>I'm arguing with him to get a dog, because I think it's the safest and
>fastest way to get around the big city safely, and what you get is well
>worth the pain of eventually having to say goodbye.
>
>My first question is:  I was watching a publicity video yesterday for
>TSE,
>and 2 people said that getting a dog was like getting some of their
>vision
>back.  It gave them a set of eyes to use, and an extra brain to assess
>situations.  Do other people feel this way, or is it just hype?
>My second question is:  What got you to change your approach and get a
>dog, or sharpen your cane skills?  Listening to classmates at TSE, it
>seems to take a real hard shove from someone, or a bad accident.  But
>maybe that's not always so?
>
>If people want, they can write privately to me at carcione at access.net.
>Thanks.
>Tracy
>
>
>
>
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