[Nfbmo] What roadside bomb takes away, guide dogs return tenfold

[Julie McGinnity]

I think this is a good story.  I appreciate the work done by the guide
dog schools to train dogs for people who have multiple
disabilities-whether they are deafblind, dealing with PTSD and
blindness, or mobility issues.  This is a wonderful service and seems
to be expanding.

On 9/16/15, Nancy Lynn via Nfbmo <nfbmo at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> I got this from the ACB list and thought you’d like to see it.
> 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."
> _______________________________________________
> Nfbmo mailing list
> Nfbmo at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbmo_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for Nfbmo:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfbmo_nfbnet.org/kaybaycar%40gmail.com
>


-- 
Julie McGinnity
National Federation of the Blind of Missouri second vice president,
National Federation of the Blind performing arts division secretary,
Missouri Association of Guide dog Users President
graduate, Guiding Eyes for the Blind 2008, 2014
"For we walk by faith, not by sight"
2 Cor. 7