[nagdu] Hey Got a Question for the List

[Pickrell, Rebecca M (TASC)]

	Cathrine wrote; 
"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.

Showing up to class five minutes late doesn't make the greatest first
impression either. A dog doesn't make it okay to be disrespectful of
another person's time.  -----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Cathryn Bonnette
Sent: Saturday, May 01, 2010 1:48 AM
To: nagdu at nfbnet.org
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Hey Got a Question for the List

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)

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