[Nfb-krafters-korner] OT: a must read for guide dog owners and lovers

Sat Sep 19 03:46:38 UTC 2015

Thanks for sharing.

Courtney F. smith
662.279.1301

Sent from my iPhone

> On Sep 18, 2015, at 3:43 PM, Cathy via Nfb-krafters-korner <nfb-krafters-korner at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> What roadside bomb takes away, guide dogs return tenfold
>  Sue Manning, Associated Press Updated 8:50 am, Wednesday, September 16,
> 2015
>  LOS ANGELES (AP) - Michael Jernigan lost his eyesight and part of his
> brain in Iraq in 2004.  But he insists, thanks to a couple of dogs, he found
> more than he lost.
>  His confidence, hopes, dreams, independence - they were shattered on a
> roadway.  He couldn't even go to games for his favorite team, the Tampa Bay
> Rays.  Then Brittani, a Labrador and golden retriever mix, became his
> "battle buddy." She boosted his confidence and independence and taught him
> to forget his disabilities and concentrate on his capabilities, he said.
> They got a history degree together and even went to the ballpark.
>  Jernigan was a Marine corporal on patrol with four others on Aug.  22,
> 2004, on the outskirts of Mahmudiyah, between Baghdad and Kuwait.  A
> roadside bomb ripped into their Humvee, killing one and injuring most of the
> rest.  Jernigan was thrown 60 feet from the gun turret.
>  Surgeons removed both eyes, the front of his brain and his forehead -
> leaving the rest of his brain to be supported by titanium mesh.  His left
> kneecap was fractured and his right hand had to be rebuilt.  He has
> undergone more than 30 surgeries, and he can only see black.  Through it
> all, Jernigan said, the hardest part of all was being alone.
>  But before the surgeries were done, Southeastern Guide Dogs, Inc., in
> Palmetto, Florida, contacted Jernigan's mom and told her they would have a
> dog for her son when he needed one.
>  Jernigan is still learning to handle large crowds, but Brittani helped him
> control anxiety attacks caused by post-traumatic stress disorder.  One day
> when they got caught in a crowd and Jernigan became "frazzled," Brittani
> went to work.
>  She "started hitting my hand with her cold, wet nose," Jernigan recalled.
> "I started petting her neck.  She was wagging her tail and kissing my face.
> She realized I was at my breaking point and stopped me and helped me release
> all that tension to get me to a better place." It felt, he added, like "I
> had a Marine to the right and a Marine to the left of me at all times."
>  Earlier this year, Brittani retired and is living with a friend.  It took
> several months to find a replacement, a Labrador named Treasure, who could
> match Brittani's speed, gait and size.  
> But Treasure has taken over where Brittani left off.
>  "Brittani was the longest and most successful female relationship I have
> ever had," Jernigan joked.  He adds that he "will never be able to replace
> Brittani.  It doesn't mean Treasure won't have a tremendous impact on my
> life - just different."
>  After training with Treasure for 26 days on Southeastern's campus,
> Jernigan graduated in August and began a new phase of his life.  He turns 37
> in October.
>  Only in the last two or three years has he started to understand how great
> his recovery was.  "What I have been able to accomplish post-recovery is
> amazing, unbelievable.  It wasn't too many years ago I thought I might have
> to live in a nursing home having somebody take care of me."
>  In some ways, he thinks "getting blown up was the best thing that ever
> happened to me because it changed the trajectory of my life.  Before, I was
> a failed student.  Wounded, I made a comeback and am a better son now than
> before."
>  There are things he can't do: "You wouldn't want me driving a car, would
> you?" But he is writing a book, organizing a motivational speaking tour and
> working at Southeastern.
>  "If you used one word to describe Michael it would be inspirational," said
> Titus Herman, Southeastern's CEO.  "The fact that he has found the
> commitment and courage to create a life of meaning is inspirational to all
> of us.  We are in awe of his accomplishments.  He pushes all of us to try
> harder."
> 
> 
> Cathy F
> 
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Nfb-krafters-korner mailing list
> Nfb-krafters-korner at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-krafters-korner_nfbnet.org
> Division Website:  http://www.krafterskorner.org
> Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/NFB-Krafters-Division/269246643109571
> "Follow NFB Krafters Korner on Twitter: Our Handle is @craftingblind
> Don't have a Twitter account? You can still follow Krafters Korner on Twitter. Go to: Twitter.com/craftingblind
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for Nfb-krafters-korner:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfb-krafters-korner_nfbnet.org/cmfulghum%40gmail.com