[nagdu] Hey Got a Question for the List

[Cathryn Bonnette]

Greetings,

 

In response to a unique advantage of using a guide dog over a cane, I find
that canes don't know the things that guide dogs do. For example, you cannot
tell a cane to "Find right, inside." And expect the cane to guide you to a
doorway 20 yards ahead on the right.  There are countless other examples.
Canes don't ever remember routes you have taken before, no matter how
frequently you have used the route. Also, a cane cannot find you a seat in a
crowded lecture hall 5 minutes after class has started.  Consider the
prospect of poking around with a cane; even if you don't snag anyone's
nylons in the process, it is definitely not the greatest first impression.
Also, you still may not find an empty seat if the few left are in the middle
of rows and book bags etc on the floor will make it difficult to locate them
using the end of a stick, with or without a ball on the end. 

Granted, a guide dog requires food, water, relief time, exercise, and care a
cane will never ask. You can be refused public transportation if fleas are
evident and constant treatment is required.  Grooming, bathing, and keeping
your room or apartment free of dog hair are all more time consuming than
just leaning a stick by the door.   It depends on who you are as a blind
person who wants and needs to function independently. A guide dog requires
training and consistency with limits, but that well trained dog will get you
to places and find things for you that a cane cannot. If the task is
convincing parents, think about what you need in order to travel
independently and use your needs as arguments to support your request.  If
you can see well enough now, and you locate addresses, or elevators, or
stairs etc. independently in strange places using a cane, then your parents
may have a point that a stick is more convenient, and you don't need a dog.
If not, why should you be limited in where you go because a stick is not
helpful enough for you? 

Hoping these ideas will be helpful, and give you ideas to consider. Contact
me off list if you wish, cathrynisfinally at verizon.net.

 

Best wishes-

 

Cathryn (& Abby)