[nfb-db] Delcenia -- Usher2

[Darlene Laibl-Crowe]

Hi, Delcenia!

As for HKNC, maybe your job will let you go to HK for 8 week evaluation?
Just to see what type of services you need.  

I got my guide dog from Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind in Smithtown, NY.
She is also trained for hearing alerts.  So she will alert me of someone
knocking at the door, doorbell ringing and etc when I don't have my hearing
aids on.  When I was there last September, there was a woman who was also
allergic to dogs and they matched her to a poodle.  The poodles are great
for those who are allergic to dogs.  She got a black standarad poodle and it
was amazing at all they did together!  From what I understand Poodles do not
have the dander and stuff that causes allergies.  

I've had kids be very afraid of dogs, too but once they get used to the dog,
it isn't too bad.  The dogs are very well trained.  You can tell the school
that you do have grandchildren that are afraid of dogs and they will take
that into consideration when they do the matchin process.  It is amazing at
what the dogs can do and the trainer are very intuitive to those special
needs as well.

I had a Blind services counselor once tell me 'never ventured, never gained'
is a good adage to keep in mind when you want to ask a question.  In other
words, all the answer can be us yes or no...if you don't ask you won't know.
So just take a step of faith and ask...(smile)

Darlene

-----Original Message-----
From: nfb-db [mailto:nfb-db-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Delcenia Brown
Sent: Thursday, March 20, 2014 4:25 PM
To: NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List
Subject: Re: [nfb-db] Delcenia -- Usher2

Hi Darlene,
Nice to meet you also. I am new to this list but not to NFB. I have been a
member for at least 8 years. I have work with the (BSVI) state agency over
20 years but no one has ever told me about HK or that it was an option for
me. I am not sure if it is today. I want to keep control and do things
before it gets worst. Like I said I want to work and with what I want  to do
it has been challenging. Where did you get your guide dog?  I started to
applying at Seeing Eye last year but I chicken out. I would like one. 
However, most of my family has allergies and my grandchildren are terrified
of dogs.
Delcenia
-----Original Message-----
From: Darlene Laibl-Crowe
Sent: Thursday, March 20, 2014 3:46 PM
To: 'NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List'
Subject: [nfb-db] Delcenia -- Usher2

Hello, Delcenia!  Nice to meet you!  I am from Florida and I also have Usher
2.  I was able to go to HKNC because I advocated for myself to the state and
justified as to why I needed their services.  My reasoning was that there
are NO services for Adult Deaf Blind individuals in the State and I had also
been a client of DBS since 1986.  By the way, DBS means Division of Blind
Services.  Anyway, after a few years I kind of got lost in the state's
system and was not getting the services I needed.  So when I began to lose
more hearing and vision I struggled in a huge way.  I didn't know anything
about HKNC until I started doing research And found out about the Florida
Deaf Blind Association.  I soon met HKNC Southeast rep and many of the
members of that organization and within a year I was hearing to NY.

The training is very expensive but the state more than willingly paid for
that service.  I am so grateful that they have.  Now, the state has grown
because I do all I can advocate and educate them and others as needed.  I
don't know everything but what I don't know I do my best to find out.  One
thing that I have learned is that it is important to know what resources are
out there and how you can use it for your specific needs.  HKNC taught that
to me and it is something that needs to be taught to many.

As for the balance issue, I, too, did not have problems with balance but
I've noticed more lately that I am getting dizzy...I think it is because I
can't quite focus on something to maintain a sense of balance.  It isn't too
bad...and hopefully it won't get worse.

My guide dog is wonderful about being sure I am good on my feet.  I've
noticed when I get a little off balanced she will slow down and let me kind
of lean on her a bit to get myself oriented again.  She is amazing and I am
so glad I have her.

I, too, am fairly new to NFB...a little over a year now.  NFB is a great
learning experience as well!

Hope you are able to go to HKNC, it is very a rewarding experience!!


(smile)
Darlene

"God wants to breathe new life into your dreams. He wants to breathe new
hope into your heart. Don't give up. Hold on and you'll begin to see Him do
amazing things"
   ~               Joel Osteen




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