<html><body><font face="Helvetica">When the gal came to do the interview, she didn't look at the house, to see where the dog would stay. She sat in a chair and we talked until we went for a four block walk. <br>I thought they would want to see where the dog would be sleeping, or what room he my be kennels in. <br>Or look at the basement where he would spend time with me when I am down there. She didn't want to see my room. Nothing. <br><br>Sent from Xfinity Connect Mobile App<br><br><br>------ Original Message ------<br><br>From: Nicole Torcolini via nagdu<br>To: 'Star Gazer', 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users', 'Danielle Antoine'<br>Sent: July 19, 2014 at 6:27 PM<br>Subject: Re: [nagdu] Guide Dogs, Canes, and Blindness<br><br>Okay, no, I am not the moderator, nor am I Barb, but how many times does she<br>have to say that she does not get vacation or sick leave for you guys to<br>understand that? If you have not read that yet, then read the entire thread<br>before responding.<br>I agree that the person who did the interview sounds really unprofessional.<br>Although I certainly hope that this was not the case, it is also possible<br>that they had already decided before the interview that they would not<br>accept you, and they just needed some excuse to not do the interview process<br>correctly.<br>I would appeal and/or try somewhere else. Tell them what you have told us<br>about not being able to see elevation changes. Also tell them that, even<br>though you do have vision, that you will trust the dog and not try to make<br>decisions for the dog. Also, I would not get a dog from them. Even if you<br>did somehow convince them to give you a dog, I get the feeling that they<br>would watch you like a hawk, looking for any opportunity to take the dog<br>back.<br>As for your job, do you make considerably more than you would get on SSI?<br><br>Nicole<br><br>-----Original Message-----<br>From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces@nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Star Gazer via<br>nagdu<br>Sent: Friday, July 18, 2014 2:15 PM<br>To: 'Danielle Antoine'; 'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of<br>Guide Dog Users'<br>Subject: Re: [nagdu] (no subject)<br><br> I wouldn't call it selfish. Barb, I'm sure people<br>have taken off for surgeries, babies, honeymoons, that sort of thing. Why is<br>this not an option, the only difference is you're coming back with a dog. <br>Also, there are gyms everywhere. Why not go work at another one and tell<br>them "I can start on xxx" date which would just happen to be after you got<br>your dog?<br>Why is this boss and this gym the only game in town? <br><br>-----Original Message-----<br>From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces@nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Danielle Antoine<br>via nagdu<br>Sent: Thursday, July 17, 2014 10:17 PM<br>To: barbandzoe@comcast.net; NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of<br>Guide Dog Users<br>Subject: Re: [nagdu] (no subject)<br><br>Barb,<br>You say, "I can't get two weeks off of work to get a dog, I might not have<br>a job."<br>That's selfish! Alot of people say that but in the grand scheme of working<br>with dog guides how often do you actually need to leave to train? We're<br>talking about a month at most every 8-10 years? In the case of my first<br>guide, he worked 8 years and I waited another 8 years for my second<br>well-deserved fur partner. God forbid a partnership only lasts a year or two<br>and they do sometimes but that is not the usual.<br>That is what happened with my precious Eden girl and it's been 4 years since<br>she's been retired. Again, what about sick leave and vacation days?<br><br>As to the help your dog can provide on the job, probably not much. You have<br>the option of leaving dog in a secure place either on tie-down or in a crate<br>or choose to work the dog outside of work. Plenty of people get dogs that<br>don't even have a job so don't let that deter you.<br><br>blessings for your best outcome,<br><br>Danie and ?<br><br><br><br>On 7/17/14, Barb breuer via nagdu <nagdu@nfbnet.org> wrote:<br>> I was a bit put off when the gal didn't have her stuff, but things <br>> seemed to go well. I was thinking about sending them a letter, not a<br>space in a form.<br>> As to why I want and need a dog.<br>> Maybe I. Wasn't clear as to why a guide would help me.<br>> If I could just go to any school I wouldn't care what they thought. I <br>> can't get two weeks off of work to get a dog, I might not have a job.<br>><br>> Barb<br>><br>> Sent from Xfinity Connect Mobile App<br>><br>><br>> ------ Original Message ------<br>><br>> From: Star Gazer via nagdu<br>> To: 'Tracy Carcione', 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of <br>> Guide Dog Users'<br>> Sent: July 17, 2014 at 6:00 PM<br>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] (no subject)<br>><br>> Tracy makes some excellent points.<br>> I also wonder Barb, if you filled out the application inappropriately. <br>> If it says "Can you cross streets independently?" did you respond with <br>> "Yes, I can do this without a cane?" If you did, I can see why they<br>rejected you.<br>> That being said, there is no excuse for the woman doing the interview <br>> to be unprepared. I'd not want to do business with anybody who <br>> couldn't or wouldn't hold up their end of the deal.<br>><br>> -----Original Message-----<br>> From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces@nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Tracy <br>> Carcione via nagdu<br>> Sent: Thursday, July 17, 2014 7:46 AM<br>> To: barbandzoe@comcast.net; NAGDU Mailing List, the National <br>> Association of Guide Dog Users<br>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] (no subject)<br>><br>> Hi Barb.<br>> When I met my husband, he didn't use a cane. I talked him into using <br>> one when he slammed into a pole and had to get stitches. He uses a <br>> folding cane, as someone else suggested, and takes it out when he <br>> wants it, which now is nearly all the time. Because he's using his <br>> cane, he doesn't slam into poles or fall down steps, which makes us <br>> both happy. Also, people understand why he's asking what a sign says, <br>> or where something is, or even looks at them kinda sideways.<br>> He hasn't had formal training, just me showing him what to do when he <br>> started out. His technique could be a lot better, but even so he's a <br>> lot safer with his cane than without.<br>> Tracy<br>><br>> ----- Original Message -----<br>> From: Barb breuer via nagdu<br>> To: Becky Frankeberger ; 'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association <br>> of Guide Dog Users'<br>> Sent: Wednesday, July 16, 2014 11:42 PM<br>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] (no subject)<br>><br>><br>> Many ask if I use a cane, I use it but I have not had formal <br>> training with an O&M instructor. So when a school wants me to have an <br>> 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<br>><br>> ------ Original Message ------<br>><br>> From: Becky Frankeberger<br>> To: barbandzoe@comcast.net, 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National <br>> Association of Guide Dog Users'<br>> Sent: July 16, 2014 at 2:22 PM<br>> Subject: RE: [nagdu] (no subject)<br>> Barb, my husband went from travel vision to using a guide dog. He <br>> absolutely loves the experience. He did later take O and M and used a <br>> cane, but to stride out was so wonderfully freeing with a guide dog.<br>> He did not have to look down and worry if he missed a crack or step. <br>> He looked up and is so happy working a guide dog. Your dog will love <br>> going with you on your job. Just make sure she sees you when you are <br>> away from her in the tight areas you go into. High partials love <br>> working guide dogs, so don't worry about anything. As long as you are <br>> legally blind and that is a wide range of abilities, try it out. If <br>> you don't like it or the extra work is too much, then you have other <br>> options. I remember my first dog. I thought oh I have to get up even <br>> earlier to catch the van to church. So I got up got dressed fed the <br>> dog and out we went for park time and a quick brush time. Back in to <br>> finished the fine points of dressing, and breakfast. I was ready a <br>> half hour before the van came. Boy was I shocked. So this low partial <br>> has<br>enjoyed the miracle of what these dogs can do to keep us safe.<br>><br>><br>><br>> The miracle of you don't have to follow any longer, that you can <br>> lead if you choose. Right now you don't have that choice. You said you <br>> cross streets so I would anyway, say your orientation is fine. Leader <br>> has a brush up program for a week if you need help with O and M.<br>><br>><br>><br>> I love myth busting you have to be very low vision and all the <br>> other crap. The myth you have to use a cane first. No you just need to <br>> show you can orient yourself and move about getting where you want to <br>> go<br>safely.<br>><br>><br>><br>> The dog is extra work, but the freedom she will give you well you <br>> won't even think the things you do for her is work.<br>><br>><br>><br>> Sorry I don't know why I keep saying she.<br>><br>><br>><br>> There are so many activities at night you could go to with a guide <br>> dog. I would walk to the theater and see live plays. My dogs were <br>> always<br>welcomed.<br>> They would even tell me if there were going to be loud noises or <br>> people running up and down the aisles. Then we would walk the several <br>> blocks home confidently and safely.<br>><br>><br>><br>> Anyway My husband and I both have guide dogs.<br>><br>><br>><br>> So you choose your path, talk to schools, talk to us, talk to <br>> friends in the area.<br>><br>> Warmly,<br>><br>> Becky and Jake<br>><br>><br>><br>> From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces@nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Barb <br>> breuer via nagdu<br>> Sent: Wednesday, July 16, 2014 10:50 AM<br>> To: Full Name<br>> Subject: [nagdu] (no subject)<br>><br>><br>><br>> I have been doing a lot of thinking sence I started looking into <br>> getting I guide dog. Like do I need one, will it be a help to me, or <br>> can I get around well enough on my own. Plus do I have to much vision <br>> to<br>qualify.<br>> I have a good amount of vision for a blind person. My mother went <br>> to a school for the blind, and didn't want her kids to go to one. She <br>> 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 <br>> without a cane, find my way.<br>> I have had people I know ask why do you need a guide dog? My <br>> answer is because the dog would help me at night when I don't see so <br>> good, and in the bright sun, plus I have thick glasses and I have <br>> little side vision. I get a long well at work, but I clean locker <br>> rooms<br>for a living and fold towels.<br>> 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 <br>> think about, will there be a step or something I don't see. I walk <br>> slower because of it and when I am with people I walk a step behind <br>> and watch where they step.<br>> So I feel like a dog would make my life easier, and having a <br>> companion with me would be nice.<br>> I Am in my 50's and do think about how walking a dog, people think <br>> twice before they want to jump you. But having a dog is a good way to <br>> 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<br>><br>><br>><br>> ----------------------------------------------------------------------<br>> --------<br>><br>><br>> _______________________________________________<br>> nagdu mailing list<br>> nagdu@nfbnet.org<br>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org<br>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for<br>> nagdu:<br>> <br>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/carcione%40access.n<br>> et _______________________________________________<br>> nagdu mailing list<br>> nagdu@nfbnet.org<br>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org<br>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for<br>nagdu:<br>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/pickrellrebecca%40g<br>> mail.com<br>><br>><br>> _______________________________________________<br>> nagdu mailing list<br>> nagdu@nfbnet.org<br>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org<br>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for<br>nagdu:<br>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/barbandzoe%40comcas<br>> t.net<br>><br><br>_______________________________________________<br>nagdu mailing list<br>nagdu@nfbnet.org<br>http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org<br>To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for nagdu:<br>http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/pickrellrebecca%40gmail.c<br>om<br><br><br>_______________________________________________<br>nagdu mailing list<br>nagdu@nfbnet.org<br>http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org<br>To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for nagdu:<br>http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/ntorcolini%40wavecable.co<br>m<br><br><br>_______________________________________________<br>nagdu mailing list<br>nagdu@nfbnet.org<br>http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org<br>To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for nagdu:<br>http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/barbandzoe%40comcast.net<br></font></body></html>