[NAGDU] for Cindy

Wed Jul 19 12:11:59 UTC 2023

So, I don’t know about the federal government, but I know that every state has different laws, regarding what their agencies can provide to which age groups, and classifications of people. Some states have much better systems for meeting with needs of older blind folks than others. Also, and to make this related to guide dog use, the Volk rehab issue is a little bit complicated and self reinforcing. For instance, some individuals do better with a cane and a dog, and some do better with a dog, that a cane, and so, when you mentor someone or write a reference for them, you take a gamble. There are some people who don’t travel nearly as much as they should, and Ken, but once they get a guy dog, they travel a lot, and give the dog plenty of work. But if they’ve never had a dog before, it’s a little hard to guess whether they will be one of those folks who increases their activity and gives their dog plenty of work once they have one, or if their current pattern  of activity will continue even after they obtain a dog. This is similar to the Volk rehab issue. Many newly blind folks don’t have any vocational goals, because they don’t know that they can, they don’t know what options are out there. And if they got the training they needed, many of them might decide to sue a vocational goal. But until unless they get the training to realize their potential, they wouldn’t even realize that vocational goal is something that they can, and maybe should pursue.  But it is understandable, why the government is hesitant, to throw a lot of money and effort into folks, who may never go out and try to work another day in their life. So it’s a very difficult balance, and a difficult guessing game, even when it is an educated, guessing game, to play. 

Just my two cents for now, and, of course, any dictation errors are just that, dictation errors. Have a great day everyone.

Sent from my iPhone

> On Jul 18, 2023, at 10:55 PM, Debbie Gabe via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> What you said may be true part of the time, but I am turning 73 on Friday and just got my very first guide dog from GDB last week! So far, she is still smarter than me, but I'm slowly catching up!
> 
> And for VR services, if you cannot or won't work, then that's right, you don't qualify for VR services. But if you are old enough, then you might qualify for Older Indivieduals who are Blind services. It's unfortunate, but that's what the Feds decided a while back and the states have to follow it.
> Debbie
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: NAGDU <nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Lisa Belville via NAGDU
> Sent: Tuesday, July 18, 2023 6:07 AM
> To: Richard via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Lisa Belville <missktlab1217 at frontier.com>
> Subject: Re: [NAGDU] for Cindy
> 
> Hi, Richard.
> 
> 
> I agree with your thoughts.  It does seem that as we age schools want younger people; probably because there are no chronic health conditions that require much beyond the cookie cutter approach as far as training is concerned.  I also think some of it has to do with the fact that younger, working people have access to better training.  In my state rehab only pays for O&M if you want to work, go to school, or are currently working.  Anyone over fifty-five who doesn't or can't work won't t get much help at all.  I live in a rural area, and I think many of these schools, because they're located in more metropolitan areas don't seem to understand that not all of us have access to the same opportunities.
> 
> 
> I also think the reps doing the in-home interviews have a lot to do with whether you are accepted or not.  I was rejected from one school because the rep took me in an area I'd never walked in before, then told me I needed more O&M.  This person also didn't approve of my older neighborhood with it's mix of old and new houses and terrible sidewalks.  Oh, and the fact that I like to visit my retired guides seemed to have bothered him as well because it was stressful on the dogs.
> 
> 
> I've attended two schools in the nearly thirty years I've handled dogs. Making the first switch was hard and felt like I was cheating on the other school, but it was worth it.
> 
> 
> Good luck to all of us currently waiting on that next dog.
> 
> 
> Lisa
> 
> 
> Lisa Belville
> missktlab1217 at frontier.com
> 
>> On 7/18/2023 10:24 AM, Richard via NAGDU wrote:
>> Hi;
>> 
>> I too had similar questions.  Some schools have become a bit
>> particular as to whom they will accept.  I have found they tend to
>> prefer younger people who are going to work five days a week.  I
>> wouldn't be at all reluctant to go school shopping.  I have had seven
>> dogs from three different schools each of which was right for me at that time.
>> 
>> Best of luck and don't give up.
>> 
>> Richard
>> 
>> 
>> 
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