<html><body><font face="Helvetica">Many ask if I use a cane, I use it but I have not had formal training with an O&M instructor. So when a school wants me to have an instructor sign that I can travel, I have to hire one. <br>I went to regular public school, and I didn't have the training. <br>Now I would have to talk a course or something. <br>Barb<br><br>Sent from Xfinity Connect Mobile App</font><blockquote><br>------ Original Message ------<br><br><b>From: </b>Becky Frankeberger<br><b>To: </b>barbandzoe@comcast.net, 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'<br><b>Sent: </b>July 16, 2014 at 2:22 PM<br><b>Subject: </b>RE: [nagdu] (no subject)</blockquote><blockquote><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"><head><style><!--
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--></style></head><body lang="EN-US"><div class="WordSection1"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">Barb, my husband went from travel vision to using a guide dog. He absolutely loves the experience. He did later take O and M and used a cane, but to stride out was so wonderfully freeing with a guide dog. He did not have to look down and worry if he missed a crack or step. He looked up and is so happy working a guide dog. Your dog will love going with you on your job. Just make sure she sees you when you are away from her in the tight areas you go into. High partials love working guide dogs, so don’t worry about anything. As long as you are legally blind and that is a wide range of abilities, try it out. If you don’t like it or the extra work is too much, then you have other options. I remember my first dog. I thought oh I have to get up even earlier to catch the van to church. So I got up got dressed fed the dog and out we went for park time and a quick brush time. Back in to finished the fine points of dressing, and breakfast. I was ready a half hour before the van came. Boy was I shocked. So this low partial has enjoyed the miracle of what these dogs can do to keep us safe. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">The miracle of you don’t have to follow any longer, that you can lead if you choose. Right now you don’t have that choice. You said you cross streets so I would anyway, say your orientation is fine. Leader has a brush up program for a week if you need help with O and M. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">I love myth busting you have to be very low vision and all the other crap. The myth you have to use a cane first. No you just need to show you can orient yourself and move about getting where you want to go safely.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">The dog is extra work, but the freedom she will give you well you won’t even think the things you do for her is work.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">Sorry I don’t know why I keep saying she.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">There are so many activities at night you could go to with a guide dog. I would walk to the theater and see live plays. My dogs were always welcomed. They would even tell me if there were going to be loud noises or people running up and down the aisles. Then we would walk the several blocks home confidently and safely. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">Anyway My husband and I both have guide dogs. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">So you choose your path, talk to schools, talk to us, talk to friends in the area. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">Warmly, </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">Becky and Jake </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D"> </span></p><div><div style="border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in"><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">From:</span></b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""> nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces@nfbnet.org] <b>On Behalf Of </b>Barb breuer via nagdu<br><b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, July 16, 2014 10:50 AM<br><b>To:</b> Full Name<br><b>Subject:</b> [nagdu] (no subject)</span></p></div></div><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif"">I have been doing a lot of thinking sence I started looking into getting I guide dog. Like do I need one, will it be a help to me, or can I get around well enough on my own. Plus do I have to much vision to qualify. <br>I have a good amount of vision for a blind person. My mother went to a school for the blind, and didn't want her kids to go to one. She wanted us to learn to use the sight we had. <br>So now I feel like, I can do these things, cross the street, walk without a cane, find my way. <br>I have had people I know ask why do you need a guide dog? My answer is because the dog would help me at night when I don't see so good, and in the bright sun, plus I have thick glasses and I have little side vision. I get a long well at work, but I clean locker rooms for a living and fold towels. Not a lot of need for dog. <br><br>I don't like going places that I haven't been so much because I do think about, will there be a step or something I don't see. I walk slower because of it and when I am with people I walk a step behind and watch where they step. <br>So I feel like a dog would make my life easier, and having a companion with me would be nice. <br>I Am in my 50's and do think about how walking a dog, people think twice before they want to jump you. But having a dog is a good way to meet new friends. <br>Sorry for it being so long, I just have a lot on my mind. <br>Barb<br><br>Sent from Xfinity Connect Mobile App</span></p></div></body></html></blockquote></body></html>