[nagdu] just a couple of additional comments about the9-year-old boy and his guide dog

[Charlene Ota]

It's interesting how attitudes change over the years. I remember when I was
at the school for the blind in 1970, when we had so-called mobility, we had
to walk without a cane or anything and this was supposedly a certified
mobility instructor. Somehow, someone took an interest in me or figured I
wanted my independence bad enough and helped me get into a summer program at
our Voc Rehab office and I got some really good cane travel skills. When I
returned to school that fall, the powers that be tried to force me to put my
cane away but I refused to do so. I have never forgotten the mentors that I
had from our local NFB affiliate that inspired me and encouraged me and gave
me the strength to overcome. 


Somehow, in a rather unique way, Tim's story strikes me as something
similar. He had a real drive to be independent as a child and has always
been that way as an adult. 

Kind of connected in a way, I was hit by a car several years ago. I
struggled for the longest time with being very uncomfortable crossing
streets in very heavy traffic areas and I felt so inadequate because I'd
always been a very comfortable, confident cane traveler before that time. I
had a dog guide when I was younger but because of all the hassles wit health
problems I had really determined I didn't want to go that route. However, I
finally succumbed two years ago and got my dog Irish and I'm free again!!
(smile!) This has really shown me how we can be limited in our independence
in many different ways and there are different ways that we overcome our
limitations, but it's important to explore all of our options. 
-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Marion & Martin
Sent: Saturday, February 06, 2010 8:22 AM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] just a couple of additional comments about
the9-year-old boy and his guide dog

Charlene,
    There is a very different attitude today, even among those of whom we
would say are custodial. Even the most custodial of the agencies today would
have been considered progressive in the 50s! My uncle was a very independent
blind person in the 50s & 60s; however, as I look back on his life, I would
not consider him so by today's standards! I also believe that he would agree
with me, were he alive to do so!

Fraternally yours,
Marion

----- Original Message -----
From: "Charlene Ota" <caota at hawaii.rr.com>
To: "'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Friday, February 05, 2010 2:55 PM
Subject: [nagdu] just a couple of additional comments about the 9-year-old
boy and his guide dog


> After seeing some of the comments, I just wanted to add a couple of 
> things about this situation that might be interesting and might clarify.
>
> When I spoke with Tim about this experience, I could sense that it was 
> a very important part of his growing up years and is a very vond memory.
> It's
> kind of like he speaks of it with great pride and fondness. It meant a 
> lot to him that I asked about it and wanted to share it with the list.
>
> I think for much of this country, the philosophy about kids traveling 
> independently, whether with a cane or a dog was very different 50 
> years ago.
> I hessitated to add one of Tim's comments, but decided to share it 
> because it just shows how different philosophy was at that time, not 
> to start any arguments or offend anyone. When Tim's Mom was looking 
> into getting Tim the dog, she called The Seeing Eye for their 
> suggestions or feedback and they told her she should basically be put 
> away for even allowing her child to travel independently. I just share 
> this to say that we have come a long way today, I don't share it as an 
> example of Seeing Eye's current philosophy.
>
> Tim is a unique person with a unique experience that I feels hould be 
> a part of the history of traveling with guide dogs. It's not really 
> about whether kids should have dogs as I also agree it's probably not 
> something for most kids but it was very visionary of this Dr. Ford to 
> have thought about it and given it a try and much more so back in the 
> 50's. It's a good thing that we always have people who are thinking 
> outside the box and trying new things and going in new directions. 
> somethings they're successful, somethings it's just a learning 
> experience and even then sometimes someone still benefits from it.
>
> ALoha,
> Charlene
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