[NAGDU] Isn't dependency a Wonderful Thing?

Thu May 17 05:05:46 UTC 2018

This is such a delicate topic.  I think what we have here is a
difference between denotation and connotation.  Or that's the closest
comparison I can make.

Yes, we do depend on our dogs.  Sighted people depend on their cars
and a variety of other tools to get around too.  So if we're talking
the strict definition of dependence and reliance, then yes, it is
accurate to say that we are dependent on our dogs.

The problem is that this dependence is colored by societal perceptions
of what it means for a blind person to "depend" on something.  In
their minds, the dog has all the power and control in the human-dog
partnership.  Has anyone else been told how great it is that our dogs
"take care" of us?  I can't be the only one who's heard this.  Society
seems to expect us to be entirely dependent on our dogs, not like they
are on their tools, not in an interdependent kind of way; no, they're
thinking dependence to the extreme.  That's what we're working against
here.

So yeah, it would be great to state that we depend on our dogs because
it's the truth, but unfortunately, those kinds of assertions make our
lives more difficult by reinforcing those misconceptions.  I suppose
this is an argument of semantics, and that's unfair to us.
Unfortunately, we have to think about how the public will react to the
words we use, particularly when we put ourselves out there.  We can't
expect them to understand when there is so much mis-information and
stereotyping in the world, so we need to be as clear as possible.
Dependence...  It's just such a strong and dramatic word...

Julie

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On 5/16/18, NAGDU President via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Jenine,
>
> 	I would like to think no one else saw this drivvle; however, the general
> public just thinks our guide dogs are just so cute, especially when we get
> them to "stand up and wink" as Mr. Rizzi said his dog was doing!
>
> Marion
>
>
> Marion Gwizdala, President
> National Association of Guide Dog Users Inc. (NAGDU)
> National Federation of the Blind
> (813) 626-2789
> President at NAGDU.ORG
> Visit our website
> Follow us on Twitter
> The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the
> characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise
> expectations because low expectations create barriers between blind  people
> and our dreams. You can live the life you want! Blindness is not what holds
> you back.
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Jenine Stanley
> via NAGDU
> Sent: Wednesday, May 16, 2018 8:33 PM
> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
> Cc: Jenine Stanley
> Subject: Re: [NAGDU] Isn't dependency a Wonderful Thing?
>
> Marion, I doubt anyone but me was even paying attention to the video at that
> point but the few phrases about dogs caught my attention.
>
>> On May 16, 2018, at 6:37 PM, NAGDU President via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>> wrote:
>>
>> Jenine,
>>
>> 	So, is what you are telling us is that every American Airline passenger
>> will be told that we are dependent upon our guide dogs? It's not like we
>> don't face enough challenges from the public misconceptions about our
>> abilities as blind people. I recently had a medical screening procedure
>> during which I was asked who brought me to the facility. When I responded
>> I came by myself, I was asked who was going to sign the consent form for
>> me. I was once at a restaurant when the server asked my daughter what I
>> wanted to drink. She is a good Federationist and responded, "I don't know!
>> You will have to ask him; I'm only five." Isn't dependency a wonderful
>> thing?
>>
>> Fraternally yours,
>> Marion
>>
>> Marion Gwizdala, President
>> National Association of Guide Dog Users Inc. (NAGDU)
>> National Federation of the Blind
>> (813) 626-2789
>> President at NAGDU.ORG
>> Visit our website
>> Follow us on Twitter
>> The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the
>> characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise
>> expectations because low expectations create barriers between blind
>> people and our dreams. You can live the life you want! Blindness is not
>> what holds you back.
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Jenine Stanley
>> via NAGDU
>> Sent: Wednesday, May 16, 2018 12:51 PM
>> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
>> Cc: Jenine Stanley
>> Subject: Re: [NAGDU] American Airlines and My Blind Spot join forces....
>>
>> I wanted to chime in on this thread.
>>
>> I recently flew American and saw this video shortly after the door closed
>> and before the safety video. I remember saying to my husband, “What was
>> the point of that?”
>>
>> The airlines are being bombarded by disability organizations right now to
>> help them with their new policies and other types of training for staff.
>> the tough part though as one of those organizations is making sure your
>> message is on point and being OK with saying, once you view the finished
>> product, “No, that’s not what we want to convey.”
>>> On May 16, 2018, at 12:36 PM, NAGDU President via NAGDU
>>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>>
>>> Cindy,
>>>
>>> 	Well, I think that being a guide dog user is a life style. A great
>>> deal of adjustments to our lifestyles are made because of having a dog to
>>> care for, just as having a child, a spouse, or some other major
>>> responsibility changes our lifestyle. JMHO!
>>>
>>> Marion
>>>
>>> Marion Gwizdala, President
>>> National Association of Guide Dog Users Inc. (NAGDU)
>>> National Federation of the Blind
>>> (813) 626-2789
>>> President at NAGDU.ORG
>>> Visit our website
>>> Follow us on Twitter
>>> The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the
>>> characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise
>>> expectations because low expectations create barriers between blind
>>> people
>>> and our dreams. You can live the life you want! Blindness is not what
>>> holds
>>> you back.
>>>
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Cindy Ray via
>>> NAGDU
>>> Sent: Wednesday, May 16, 2018 11:05 AM
>>> To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
>>> Cc: Cindy Ray
>>> Subject: Re: [NAGDU] American Airlines and My Blind Spot join forces....
>>>
>>> I'm not sure about the use of a dog or of a cane being a life style
>>> choice
>>> either. I think I might prefer to say I have a choice of mobility aids,
>>> or I
>>> choose to use a dog because I feel more comfortable with one than
>>> without. I
>>> do reasonably well with a cane. I don't feel I do as well with the cane
>>> as I
>>> once did, and I feel more complete with the dog. I wouldn't say I am
>>> dependent on a dog. I haven't used one for two and a half years I think
>>> it
>>> is. I don't feel dependent, and not even whole. There is something about
>>> having him on the left side that makes my body feel more balanced though.
>>> I
>>> feel light on that side without him. Currently though I am choosing to
>>> use a
>>> cane. I'm not sure that changes my life style except that I don't have to
>>> take my cane out to relieve it, and I don't have to worry about feeding
>>> the
>>> cane, though the dogs are still here to feed  so must be fed whether one
>>> is
>>> a guide or not.
>>>
>>> Cindy Lou Ray
>>> cindyray at gmail.com
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: NAGDU <nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Tracy Carcione via
>>> NAGDU
>>> Sent: Wednesday, May 16, 2018 9:55 AM
>>> To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
>>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>>> Cc: Tracy Carcione <carcione at access.net>
>>> Subject: Re: [NAGDU] American Airlines and My Blind Spot join forces....
>>>
>>> I am not dependent on my guide dog, but I absolutely feel I can move
>>> about
>>> more quickly and easily with him in most situations than I can without
>>> him.
>>> It's why I have him.  To me, "a lifestyle choice" sounds like a pretty
>>> weak
>>> argument for why I should be allowed to have my dog with me in places
>>> other
>>> dogs aren't allowed.  Dependent isn't the right word, but lifestyle
>>> choice
>>> isn't either, IMO.
>>> Tracy
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of NAGDU
>>> President
>>> via NAGDU
>>> Sent: Tuesday, May 15, 2018 3:36 PM
>>> To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
>>> Cc: NAGDU President
>>> Subject: Re: [NAGDU] American Airlines and My Blind Spot join forces....
>>>
>>> Albert,
>>>
>>> 	It's too bad this podcast promulgates the myth that a blind person -
>>> or any other disabled person who uses a service dog - is "dependent upon
>>> our
>>> dog". The goal of the National Federation of the Blind and the National
>>> Association of Guide Dog Users is to remove the low expectations that
>>> create
>>> barriers between blind people and our dreams in order to foster
>>> independence. Dependence on anything or anybody is unhealthy, including
>>> dependence upon a mate, alcohol, drugs, or a service animal. Those of us
>>> who
>>> use a service dog are, by your assertion, not independent! When you
>>> speak,
>>> you are not speaking for the community, since you are not accountable to
>>> anyone else; rather, you are asserting your own opinion; Therefore, you
>>> only
>>> speak to this issue from your perspective, not as a representative voice.
>>>
>>>
>>> 	The National Federation of the Blind and the National Association of
>>> Guide Dog Users has been the leading voice on this issue, having met with
>>> a
>>> number of airlines, the Department of Transportation, and the Office of
>>> Information and Regulatory Affairs. We represent the largest constituency
>>> of
>>> any disability group in the world and our unified, collective voice is
>>> being
>>> heard!
>>>
>>> Marion Gwizdala, President
>>> National Association of Guide Dog Users Inc. (NAGDU) National Federation
>>> of
>>> the Blind
>>> (813) 626-2789
>>> President at NAGDU.ORG
>>> Visit our website
>>> Follow us on Twitter
>>> The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the
>>> characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise
>>> expectations because low expectations create barriers between blind
>>> people
>>> and our dreams. You can live the life you want! Blindness is not what
>>> holds
>>> you back.
>>>
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Albert Rizzi
>>> via
>>> NAGDU
>>> Sent: Tuesday, May 15, 2018 9:03 AM
>>> To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
>>> Cc: Albert Rizzi
>>> Subject: [NAGDU] American Airlines and My Blind Spot join forces....
>>>
>>> My Blind Spot and American Airlines, and other nationally recognized
>>> associations and organizations, are ironing out ways to limit the number
>>> of
>>> pets being passed off as service animals or dog guides when handlers and
>>> their legitimate dog guides fly! This also aired on CNBC.
>>>
>>> http://news.aa.com/news/news-details/2018/American-Airlines-Announces-Change
>>> s-to-Emotional-Support-Animal-Policy/default.aspx
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Albert J. Rizzi, M.Ed.
>>> My Blind Spot, Inc
>>> Founder and CEO
>>>
>>> NYC Office
>>> 90 Broad Street - 18th Fl.
>>> New York, New York  10004
>>> Tel: 212.363.0330
>>>
>>> Long Island Office
>>> 175 West Main Street
>>> Babylon, N.Y.  11702
>>> office: 631.620.3483
>>> fax: 631.620.3481
>>>
>>> e-mail: Albert at MyBlindSpot.org<mailto:Albert at MyBlindSpot.org>
>>> website: MyBlindSpot.org<http://www.myblindspot.org/>
>>> C: 917.553.0347
>>> P: 212.363.0330
>>> Certified Professionals in Accessibility
>>>
>>> The person who says it cannot be done, shouldn't interrupt the one who is
>>> doing it. - Ancient Chinese Proverb We need to make every single thing
>>> accessible to every single person with a disability. - Stevie Wonder
>>> | Like us on
>>> | Facebook<http://www.facebook.com/pages/My-Blind-Spot/179273234423> |
>>> | Follow us on Twitter<https://twitter.com/MyBlindSpotOrg>  | Connect
>>> | with us on
>>> | LinkedIn<http://www.linkedin.com/pub/albert-j-rizzi/13/142/0> |
>>> [Access=Ability infinite possibilities logo.jpg]  My Blind Spot is a 501
>>> (c)
>>> 3 tax exempt organization
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
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>>
>>
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>
>
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-- 
Julie A. McGinnity
President, National Federation of the Blind Performing Arts Division,
Second Vice President, National Federation of the Blind of Missouri
"For we walk by faith, not by sight"
2 Cor. 7