[Nyagdu] let's all take a deep breath

Tue Nov 3 13:07:47 UTC 2009

Now, I have stayed out of the fray as I found it to be unnecessary to chime
in. however,  Marion I feel you make a very compelling case in favor of not
leaving a dog in our room when we are at a conference. Or at any hotel for
that matter, unless and until proper accommodations are made with a sitter,
i.e.; a partner or friend in attendance with us on the trip, or at least
with hotel management so they are aware of a dog being left unattended in a
room in the event of an emergency.   As a child, I remember a call to have
stickers applied to windows where children lie sleeping to alert fire
fighters to their presence in the unlikely event of a fire. I also remember
seeing similar stickers   on the doors of apartments  in new york city
alerting all to the presence  of our four footed loved ones. While I was of
the position to feel it is my decision to leave or not leave  my room with
my service animal, I now see that there are possibilities that exist to
counter my original thoughts on the matter.  Then too, many hotel workers
come and go from our rooms for any number of reasons, what happens if an
attendant with an extreme phobia of dogs were to be taken off guard when
entering the room to do their job? What are we doing for the community and
for the advancement of our civil rights if we do not respect the
accommodations extended to us, and more importantly  not take full
responsibility, financially  or otherwise for any and all damage we or our
service animals do to the room?  I for one appreciate the completely clear
and unarguable point you make when taking the safety of our precious
friends  and the respect we need to extend to our hosts whomever they be.
Peace and thank you for allowing me to see this from a different
perspective.

Albert and doxology 

Albert J. Rizzi
CEO/Founder
My Blind Spot, Inc.
90 Broad Street - 18th Fl.
New York, New York  10004
www.myblindspot.org
PH: 917-553-0347
Fax: 212-858-5759
"The person who says it cannot be done, shouldn't interrupt the one who is
doing it."

-----Original Message-----
From: nyagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nyagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Marion & Martin
Sent: Monday, November 02, 2009 10:04 PM
To: New York Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [Nyagdu] let's all take a deep breath

Dear All,
    I want to chime in here. The policies of the National Federation of the 
Blind are binding upon all affiliates. This is not a "Big Brother" issue; 
rather, it is a policy that has been made to govern gatherings of the 
organization so as to maintain order. There were a lot of issues with dogs 
left in rooms disrupting other guests and damaging rooms, creating serious 
issues for the Federation. Not only were we having problems getting good 
rates, we were being charged for damage caused by our members and their dogs

that the hotels were unable to recoup from the members. When this occurs, 
the hotel "follows the money" and charged the NFB. The same could happen 
with an affiliate. This policy is designed to protect the organization from 
such a liability.
    I, too, feel I could leave my dog unattended in a room without 
disrupting other guests or causing damage; however, if a policy is to be a 
good policy, it must be enforced equally. If we are to expect the grass 
roots membership to adhere to a policy, we, as leaders, must give the 
example.
    I would also like to share an actual incident that occurred at the 2007 
NFBF convention. A member left her dog in her room and went to dinner. While

at dinner, she had a medical emergency and became unconscious. She was taken

to the hospital and her dog was still in the room with no one to care for 
it. we were unable to contact the member at the hospital, as she was in the 
emergency room and there was no telephone where she was. We had to find 
someone we felt was responsible to care for the dog for the two days she was

hospitalized. If she had not left her dog unattended, we would not have been

put into such a situation.
    Another incident occurred at a national convention when an evergency 
alarm sounded and the hotel was evacuated. There was a member who was very 
concerned about his dog because it was left in the hotel room alone. 
Fortunately, the alarm was a false one; however, what would have happened if

there were a fire and the dog was injred or killed?
    These policies have been made for the good of the organization, not as 
arbitrary, paternalistic rules. We ask that members abide by certain rules 
for the good of the organization and to protect our assets!

Fraternally yours,
Marion Gwizdala

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Margo and Arrow" <margo.downey at verizon.net>
To: "New York Association of Guide Dog Users" <nyagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, November 02, 2009 11:39 AM
Subject: [Nyagdu] let's all take a deep breath

> Okay, let's all take a deep breath.  Cheryl, you brought up valid points; 
> Tracy, so have you.
>
> I think this morning some buttons got pushed.  Let's un-push them and 
> either have a policy like national's or figure out what to do in instances

> when someone does not act like, to use Tracy's words, a responsible adult.
>
> I am sure we've all encountered instances when we've had to follow a 
> policy because of actions of a few.   It is unfortunate that many of our 
> laws and policies are made because of actions of a few people.
>
> Tracy and Cheryl have made very valid points.
>
> marion or Julie or others, please chime in.  Let's see what we  end up 
> doing.
>
> This is our division.
>
> Margo and Arrow
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