[nagdu] Re new member

[Gail]

This does sound interesting- especially since it was founded by aerospace
folk. My dad worked for Northrop for over 30 years, and when you grow up in
a company atmosphere like that, this kind of sounds like 'going home'. Going
to LA would be both wonderful and a wrench....I grew up in Orange County,
and though I've lived here in Kansas since 1987, it has never been home.
Never knew you could be homesick that many years, but I sieze on anything
that lets me know what is going on at home. My folks moved to Idaho 20 years
ago, so I have no home to go to now there, though the whole of OC is home,
in a way. 
 
And what you say about them kind of giving credit to people who have a lot
of experience with dogs would be helpful in many ways. For me to leave my
family here to go train is going to be very hard on them, though I havent
been able to actually do much by way of chores as I once was. Just the 'mom
gone' kind of thing. I wish it were possible to go during their vacation-my
husband teaches, and it would be easier for them all- but thats not
realistic, with no O&M training. 
 
Breed isnt that important to me now- its the temperment of the dog that is
now. Anja, my last dog, was bought for me by a member of my own Yahoo SD
group, but she didnt know how to choose or test for the right temperment,
and the years with Anja have been miserable in many ways. She is WIthout a
doubt the smartest dog I have ever had, but she was ruined while being
trained for Schutzhund. Something happened that made her really spooky of
strangers. If I kept in 'trainer mode' while we were out, she was relaxed
enough to work reasonably well, and sometimes spectactularly. But she never
wanted strangers even thinking about petting her, even here at home-I would
convince her they were potential playmates if I gave someone her laser
pointer to play with her-but that was rarely practical. I had gone from a
comfy, calm, people loving rough collie to a cross between a Ferrari and
something with a hair trigger on it when people wanted to talk to me or her.
Now I just want a nice, quiet dog, strong enough to help me with occasional
vertigo moments, who likes strangers and friends equally, one to keep me
safe from things on the ground that I cant see right, and let me know that
things I cant see on the sides are not scary. 
 
I have that appointment this week for the last Humphries test, and I'm
really afraid of it. Afraid it might say I'm 'just low vision', and I lose
my chance for a dog, afraid even of going out of the house again without the
help of a dog. I wouldt even dare take my long cane, this guy would say 'why
do you want to be blind?' but the more times I leave the house without the
help of my dog is making me more afraid. This has not been a fun few months.
.. 
Gail 
 
 
 
-------Original Message------- 
 
From: Elizabeth Rene 
Date: 6/14/2010 8:08:55 PM 
To: nagdu at nfbnet.org 
Subject: [nagdu] Re new member 
 
Gail, 
 
Guide dogs of America was founded by the International Association of 
Machinists and Aerospace Workers in the late forties when one of its members

Was denied admission to other guide dog schools because of his age. He was 
Around 50. GDA has maintained nondiscrimination as a founding principle. 
 
The harness is almost identical to GDB's, except that the shaft of the 
Handle is painted white. It's nice on both Black and Yellow Labs. I think 
They're trying to beef up their population of Shepherds, but Labs are the 
Primary GDA dog. 
 
What I mean when I say that the school staff is collegial towards those who 
Know dogs, is that they recognize the knowledge, skill, and life experience 
Of seasoned guide dog handlers, and take these into account in the training 
Relationship. You have to follow the program, but may be put into an 
Accelerated class, or allowed to leave a week before the first-timers. 
Bottom line, though, is that you will be treated as a responsible adult, not

A ward under guardianship. 
 
I trained there with my seventh dog last July, having gotten my sixth from 
GDA also and my first five from GDB. 
 
I've found there's always something new to learn, or some old habit to 
Break. 
 
My GDA experience was fun, I love my dog, and I left with warm feelings 
Toward classmates and instructors. 
 
All that said, you might want to explore GDB's O&M program. I think they've 
Built some of that into their training program, or may offer it to those 
Preparing to get a GDB guide dog. You might want to let them know of your 
Frustrated efforts to get O&M in Kansas, and they might help you as part of 
their admissions process. 
 
Come to think of it, especially if Kansas seems no longer to have a 
department of services for the blind, maybe you can arrange a 
fee-for-services contract with your state's department of vocational 
rehabilitation to attend one of the NFB's own training centers. I'll bet 
that cane travel is taught there! With lessening eyesight, you might find 
that NFB's program is freeing in other ways, too. 
 
Good luck, and happy tails! 
 
Elizabeth 
 
 
 
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