[NFBF-Tampa] [FLAGDU] Rev. Blake & Southeastern Guide Dogs in her Own words

Thu Mar 11 00:07:37 UTC 2021

Rev. Susan,
thank you for the courage you have shown by sharing your experience. I am
so sad that that has happened to you. Many of us are behind you and all
guide dog users. You can count on my support in whatever ways I can help.

On Mon, Mar 8, 2021 at 4:20 PM Marion Gwizdala via FLAGDU <flagdu at nfbnet.org>
wrote:

> Dear All,
>
>
>
>             Please read Rev. susan Blake's account of what happened to her
> in her own words. I have not edited the following in any way!
>
>
>
> Marion Gwizdala
>
>
>
> On Thursday, March 4, 2021 about 12 30 PM a car drove into my driveway. I
> recognized the painted logos of  Southeast Guide Dog Schoo.  A woman
> emerged
> from the car . She called  herself Diane Miller. I had never met her
> before.
> She said she had called while on her way from Tavares. There was no call on
> my phone from her  This was my first encounter with her.  I had not seen
> my
> usual representative since Nov/Dec of 2019.  I had received a call mid
> January from Diane announcing herself as the new rep, but I did not see
> that
> call or listened to it until March 5th. Being visually impaired, sometimes
> I
> don't see an entry.  There has not been any other contact with the school
> in
> all that time. I asked Diane where the other rep  was and she said "she
> isn't with our company anymor".
>
>
>
> Diane was dressed in the usual uniform of SEGDS, tan slacks and jacket and
> blue jersey.  She had no ID, forms  or paperwork.  or contracts With her
> that I could see. . with her.  She presented  me with nothing. I never
> thought a thing about asking for ID, Why shouldn't I trust SEGDS who always
> said they "care for the handlers and dogs".
>
>
>
> I brought Didi out and had her in the harness while she went to her car and
> was making a phone call. , I asked if she wanted to see her walk, and she
> said "NO", I said "all the .trainer/reps want to see them walk and work."
> She said nothing.
>
>
>
> Diane said,  about Didi,  she seems to be overweight by 4 lbs".  I looked
> at
> her  and said "she has lost weight, and  now is  at a good weight.  I feed
> her  a vegetarian kibble, Pur Vita, frutis and vegetables".
>
>
>
> She said "she was concerned she is not eating well. Did you know about our
> program where you can get a bag of food  each month and the Trifexus".
>
> I said " I had learned a little about it from Rachel  Weeks when they were
> setting it up but done nothing about it.  I said a lot of foods are not
> good
> for the dogs and cause cancer. She said our food is from Wisconsin called
> Fromm and we have salmon  and potato and another fish flavor." I did not
> make much of a comment.
>
>
>
> I said "I do not believe in Trifexus, it is like a pesticide and I didn't .
> want it".
>
> She said "I probably agaree but those items will help you out.  I feel she
> is being neglected. " I said "no she isn't!"
>
>
>
> She said " she has a stye on her eye and her eyes are cloudy."
>
> I said "we're taking care of that with warm cloths and and this comes and
> goes" .
>
>
>
> Diane asked " have you had  the dog's eyes tested"?
>
>
>
>
>
> I said "no because I doubted if t here was any where around here to  have
> that done."
>
>
>
> She said there were vets that gave some free shots and lower prices. She
> took her phone and started reading locations; Bushness., Boynton. I said "I
> can't get any where!"
>
>
>
> She then asked " do you have rides?"
>
> I said " no , only the para transit bus, with Lake County Connections."
>
> She finally said there was such a vet, I do not know the name, in Eustis .
>
> I said "I could get there if I arranged a ride."  She seemed not to be
> aware
> of barriers fffor the blind!
>
>
>
> Dianne never finishing that story or the one about the special food and
> medication program from SEGDS.
>
>
>
> She just continued to say  , at least 8  times or more, "you breached the
> contract, I'm taking the dog."
>
>
>
> She asked if I was up to date  with her shots.
>
>
>
> I said she may be a little late but I wasn' t makiing trips out due to
> .Covid.  I said Didi and I were walking less at this time and I'd get it
> taken care of. She is proably due.
>
>
>
>
>
> I said that two months ago  we went to a new vet that was less expensive,
> Lake Vetinary Clinic of 19 A. She was treated for an ear infection, and the
> vet weighed her she was 75 lbs. She said she looked good and was ok with
> the
> weight. Vet Nancy Smith said "when Didi felt better, we could attend to any
> other  needs and shots.  Let's wait a bit."
>
>
>
> I was planning to go on the 5th , the next day, of March to  get more Nexus
> for the the flee control and make an appointment for follow up care and
> shots etc.  I was going to call the paratransit bus later on the afternoon
> of the 4th , for the 5th. But now that Didi is gone... no need  for that.
>
> Diane askesd what vet I went to and I said Animal  Wellness with  Dr. Trac
> y
> Wilson. She looked up the number and called and asksed when the last time I
> had been there. I don't know who Diane talked to she went to the car to
> call.  She said 2018 when she returned. Then she looked up address for the
> new vet but did not call them. See info above for Lake Veteinary Clinic.
>
>
>
> During the visit, Diane seemed very disinterested in the dog or interacting
> with her.  She seemed cold, robotic and  emotionless. Her mantra was " You
> breached the contracct and I'm taking the dog".
>
>
>
> When she got real emphatic, I burst into tears and shouted "NO, you can't
> take her!" I began to sob. I She said, you have the other dog.!  knelt on
> the driveway, huged Didi, she gave me two wet kisses and I said good bye.
> I
> didn't know what to do, I was in pure shock,. I felt threatened, shocked,
> intimidated, and I didn't know what to do..I was so scared to resist.  This
> couldn't be happening. This is a terrible nightmare!
>
>
>
>
>
> Diane detached the lead from the harness, and handed it to me.
>
>
>
> I said "if you are taking her, what good will the leash do me"?  She took
> it, reattached it to the harness and tugged on Didi and said come we're
> going to the car.  She said, "she obviously loves you." I said "of course
> she does" .
>
>
>
> She asked me if I wanted another dog, and I shook my head no.
>
>
>
> I said through tears, "will I see her again"? and she said "No"!
>
>
>
> I couldn't even watch the car leave and I turned my back to the driveway
> while she left.
>
>
>
> I was sobbing so hard.   I have cried a river of tears. I am so sad. I am
> angry. I feel lost  without my  guide.  I want my Didi girl back!!!!!!!
>
>
>
> This was premeditated and . pre planned  and well rehearsed for this
> unnannounced visit.  Great training!
>
>
>
> Two days later, after many calls to agencies, asking for help, I was told
> that the older dogs are " taken  only with excuses that the handler's broke
> the contract for a weight reason usually, and is  taken away. and sold for
> 5
> thousand dollars to off set the cost of the original guide dog teams.
>
>
>
> I had had Didi  since graduation in May of 2013.  I have had her for almost
> eight years! I love her with my whole heart. She 9.5 years old and has made
> such a difference in my life. I am heartbroken, I want my dog back!!!!  We
> bonded at first sight! I've had her longer than SEGDS and know her. She is
> smart, loyal and protective! Already my home is empty, she isn't here for
> me, even guiding me in the house in the dark! Oh I miss her  and love her,
> no one could ever love her like I do!
>
>
>
> I reflect on that incident. It happened so quickly.
>
> This just wasn't a random visit, it was a pre calculated purposeful visit,
> so well rehearsed  with the phrase, you  breach the contract, .I'm  taking
> the dog.  They have taken advantage of a  blind person, with low vision,
> vulnerable and alone! They probably had their eyes on Didi, the prize, for
> a
> long time!   How many have they done this to?
>
>
>
> What could I have done differently?
>
> I should have run into the hosue with Didi, slammed and locked the door and
> refused to surrender the dog.  I just could think, I was so scared! I had
> no
> one to help me!
>
>
>
> The Police were contacted, they said it was a civil contract matter and
> they
> could do nothing.
>
>
>
> I should have called the police while Diane was there, I didn't have my
> phone in my hands,  and gotten her throw off my property.  Intimidation wsa
> the name of their game!
>
>
>
> I am a Diabetic with high blood pressure. This excessive stress is not good
> for me. My blood sugars have ben up, I have no appetitie  and can't sleep.
> I have cried so much my eye with sight is swollen and it's ahrd to see.
> This
> unfortunate incident has taken its toll on me.  How is effecting Didi???
>
>
>
> My  guide, my guide dog, my seeing eye dog dog  has  been stolen from me.
> I
> have been robbed of independence,mobility especially.
>
>
>
> Didi , a guide dog is not a pet, but a way to retain independence and
> freedom, safe mobility and helps to keep confidence and dignity.  This was
> robbed from me.  Doesn't the bible say, t " thou shall not steal"?  I
> don't
> feel as protected and safe now.  Something precious beyond any amount of
> money has been forcibly taken from me.  This gift of independence, that
> SEGDS gave me, should never have been   taken away from me.
>
>
>
>
>
> The SEGDS rep came unannounced. I had no  knowledge she was .coming.
>
> They gave me no chance to do any changes or resolve any issues, or d vet
> care. They could have said, have it done, we'll be back in a week.  Yes,
> the
> last rep said she was  overweight, and helped me help her lose weight, but
> she never said, if you don't get the weight down, we'll take the dog.  The
> seems to be no recourse or due process  or compassion for the people or dog
> involved.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> 1 feel I have lost my  protection, safety, security and unconditional love
> from this guide dog who  has taken care of me so well.  She isn't here.
> She's not here to greet me, be under my table on her bed and her chin isn't
> on my foot under the computer. Her smiley bright eyes and wagging tail
> aren't here for me.    I  feel so lost and alone. I can't think or
> function.
> I keep thinking what must she be thinking. The uncertaintly, being scared
> and where is my mom who takes such good care of me???!!!!
>
>
>
> On Thursday, afternoon I had found the number and also a referrel from the
> mobility instructor from New Vision for  Independence, to contact the
> National Guide Dog Users Groujp and this is how I found Marion Grizdala who
> has been so helpful to me and he  asked me to help speak out  about this
> issue. He said at least three dogs have been taken and  clients treated
> this
> way in the last year. I was shocked.  I was over whelmed when he said the
> dogs are sold for 5K.  I also found out that giving is down  for SEGDS
> from
> 2019 giving rates.  I guess they must have found this  money raising effort
> to offset lower donation levels, but look at the price dogs and handlers
> are
> paying!
>
>
>
> Didi, don't forget me, I'll never for get you! We are working to bring you
> home where you belong.  The angels are watching over you!
>
>
>
> Love, you mom,,,, Susan Blake
>
>
>
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-- 
*Debbie Malone*
*InclusionEducation.com *
*Unlikely Dancer* available on Amazon at
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1945456477
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