[NAGDU] Questions for low-vision people

[sonfire11 at gmail.com]

Hi,

Here is my input with these questions.

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?
Given the training in lectures at TSE on the biological, emotional, and
intellectual aspects of a typical dog, I would have to be neutral on the
subject of hype. A dog can see better than most humans within a 20-30 foot
distance. However, their eyesight drastically decreases the further away an
object gets from them. Their sight covers a 260+ degree radius from the
center of their face (their nose). Dogs have no need to see at a long
distance away because their hearing and sense of smell picks up for the lack
of long distance sight. Their reflexes are mostly better than humans.
However, we can learn to keep up with them in the event something happens.
The emotional and intellectual aspect of a dog usually end up with
patterning and training based on reward or consequence. I agree that dogs
can give independence back to a blind person. However, it is a team at work,
not the dog or handler. A dog can help with travel, speed, and located
misplaced objects. In fact, they even help with social environments. On the
other hand, it is nothing like having sight. You still have to create
alternative ways of cooking, cleaning house, traveling, you have the added
responsibility of keeping your dog in check, there is the added
responsibility of ensuring the public doesn't mess with your dog, filling
out paperwork, reading the ever inaccessible street sign or laptop display,
etc. In the travel department, Alec does push me back to a sighted person's
ability to travel. However, there are limitations. He still can't tell me
where the bus I want to transfer is located, he can't tell me 'gate A is
over this way', he can't read street signs or construction site cautions or
warnings, etc. So, even though a dog gives significantly larger amounts of
independence during travel and social events, you are still limited and must
depend on a sighted person for needs a dog can't fill. Don't get me wrong, I
love my dog. He is amazing on the street and in buildings. However, I feel
it is a tradeoff of responsibilities and rewards when deciding to get a dog.

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?

Observing my mother with her dog got me interested in one for myself.
However, I had many misunderstandings about a dog and what they did for
people. The more I interacted with her dogs and talked to her about working
one, the more I wanted one. I started to get one back in 2001. However,
barrier after barrier prevented me from getting one. 17 years later, I now
have a dog. For me, seeing the benefit through my mother, talking to dog
guide schools, and research on the subject burnt it in my heart to get one.
-----Original Message-----
From: NAGDU <nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Tracy Carcione via NAGDU
Sent: Wednesday, March 14, 2018 11:19 AM
To: nagdu at nfbnet.org
Cc: Tracy Carcione <carcione at access.net>
Subject: [NAGDU] Questions for low-vision people

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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