[nagdu] "Some vision" was: Introduction and Questions
Brenda
bjnite at windstream.net
Wed Feb 1 20:58:17 UTC 2012
And so the circle goes round and round. This topic is good because
people with partial sight and people who are blind get the chance to
understand where each other is coming from so we can be more united to
fight for the things we all need in the sighted world.
As a person with 20/200 vision, I went to a camp for the blind in 4th
and 5th grades. The first year was fine, but the second year all the
blind campers were put in the cars for the time-distance road rally.
then us partials were slotted in cars with blind campers. The blind
campers got to read the clues while us partials just sat in the back of
a car for two hours. One time my two blind friends asked a boy who was
partial who the prettiest of us three girls was? Of course, the others
did not have coke bottle lenses that made their eyes look like monster
eyes so they were considered pretty and I was not. Then there was the
ski guide who told me I didn't need anyone to call my turns because I
could follow the guide in front of me who was already out of view. Then
there was a man with near light-dark vision who told me "someday you'll
go dark.".. After experiences like these, I took my 20/200 vision and
made my way in the sighted world.
As I have needed to adapt to some vision loss, I have sought out lists
where my interests are addressed. The NFB has the most lists that meet
my needs. Email lists are a very important way for the NFB to help
people. I can be who I am as a person with dwindling partial vision and
learn how others have dealt with things. This NAGDU list has allowed me
to come in contact with other people with partial sight with guide dogs
and also that I need to think about how I express my visual situation to
those with no vision.
Brenda
Brenda
On 2/1/2012 12:35 PM, Larry D. Keeler wrote:
> Well, I went to Michigan School for the Blind in the 70's. Sometimes
> those partials used there sight to gert special priveledges, find
> better ways to pick on us totals and in general seemed to get
> prefferential treatment. This wasn't supposed to be done but I think
> for some, it was sort of ingrained. Not that us totals couldn't cope,
> but partials were sometimes put in charge of us and the like and some
> totals resented it quite a bit! Also, some partials resented us maybe
> because they could lose there sight and be just like us! Fortunately,
> the attitude didn't always become extreme and most of us knew about it
> but it didn't stop us from mingling together.
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Mark J. Cadigan" <kramc11 at gmail.com>
> To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users"
> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Wednesday, February 01, 2012 11:24 AM
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] "Some vision" was: Introduction and Questions
>
>
>> This is one of the reasons I loved BLIND Inc. everyone was on a level
>> playing field. If you had any vision at all, including light
>> perception, they gave you sleep shades. All the skills were taught
>> with full occlusion, so that you could do it regardless of how your
>> vision was cooperating.
>>
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Brenda" <bjnite at windstream.net>
>> To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users"
>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Wednesday, February 01, 2012 11:12 AM
>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] "Some vision" was: Introduction and Questions
>>
>>
>>> Maybe it is a regional thing because I have always felt as a person
>>> with partial sight that agencies and activity groups for the
>>> visually impaired (blind and partial) favored the blind. It was not
>>> as much of a feelgood to help someone with low vision. Then there
>>> is the jealousy issue among people with varying degrees of vision.
>>> I think at guide dog schools and other situations where blind and
>>> partial are together we need to work with each other and and have a
>>> compassionate attitude toward eachother.
>>> Brenda
>>>
>>> On 2/1/2012 10:54 AM, Tracy Carcione wrote:
>>>> I have noticed an opposite attitude to that which Julie J describes.
>>>> Rather than "This guy can see some, so he doesn't need any help",
>>>> sometimes it's "It's so much easier to show this guy what to do
>>>> because he
>>>> can see a bit that we don't much want to bother with those totally
>>>> blind
>>>> people. They're just so slow to get it." Or something like that.
>>>> Like,
>>>> we can show the guys with "some vision" videos and stuff, and they
>>>> get it
>>>> so much faster than those darn totals.
>>>>
>>>> I also had the feeling from my last trainer that she expected me to
>>>> know
>>>> about things I didn't know about. As if I should know there were
>>>> bushes
>>>> coming up Ben would try to sniff. How would I know? True, we'd
>>>> passed
>>>> that way before, but I'd been paying attention to other things. I
>>>> guess I
>>>> was supposed to use my amazing psychic powers to know what was up
>>>> ahead.
>>>>
>>>> I also once had a classmate tell me "You're pretty graceful, for a
>>>> total."
>>>> Gee thanks.
>>>>
>>>> None of these attitudes are helpful. I'd rather live and let live.
>>>>
>>>> Just for the record, I'm totally blind.
>>>>
>>>> Tracy
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> Thank you Julie.
>>>>> I'm wondering if there should be a lecture on this issue at the
>>>>> guide dog
>>>>> schools, just so people like me "get it".
>>>>>
>>>>> Another thing I've noticed is that I have encountered some people
>>>>> with low
>>>>> vision that act as if their vision is more important then any data
>>>>> I may
>>>>> give them. For example, I was working in pairs with a lady who
>>>>> had "some
>>>>> vision" by her words. We were about to cross a street, and I told
>>>>> her a
>>>>> car was coming. She said "I don't see anything" right as the car
>>>>> zoomed
>>>>> by. She said it in this tone that indicated she had to be right
>>>>> and I had
>>>>> to be wrong.
>>>>>
>>>>> To her credit, she did thank me, though I'm still not sure she
>>>>> understood
>>>>> her attitude.
>>>>>
>>>>> Combine this with the "Sometimes my vision works, sometimes it
>>>>> doesn't,
>>>>> but I won't tell anybody what's going on" and it is incredibly
>>>>> frustrating.
>>>>>
>>>>> And, I think I'd experience the same confusion if my husband said
>>>>> "I have
>>>>> days when it's easier for me to take out the trash, and days when it
>>>>> isn't, you guess which days and guess as to why this might be
>>>>> happening"
>>>>> Add to that the attitude of "I'm a man and I take the trash out
>>>>> sooo much
>>>>> better then you... but only when these mystical conditions are
>>>>> right" and
>>>>> this make more sense.
>>>>>
>>>>> It's not my place to decide who needs a dog. It does impact me
>>>>> when I have
>>>>> to deal with someone under conditions that have not been clearly
>>>>> explained
>>>>> to me.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org]
>>>>> On Behalf
>>>>> Of Julie J.
>>>>> Sent: Wednesday, February 01, 2012 9:40 AM
>>>>> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
>>>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Introduction and Questions
>>>>>
>>>>> Rebeka,
>>>>>
>>>>> This is very interesting to me. I wonder if this not
>>>>> understanding of
>>>>> differences in vision might contribute to some of the intolerance of
>>>>> people with partial vision getting access to services and
>>>>> resources? I
>>>>> don't mean from you, personally, of course. Just that lack of
>>>>> understanding sometimes leads some people to come to incorrect
>>>>> conclusions or make judgments.
>>>>>
>>>>> When I talk about stress and vision, I'm talking about mental stress
>>>>> from trying to look everywhere at once or try to see things that are
>>>>> just outside of my ability to see them. There is also actual
>>>>> stress or
>>>>> strain to my eyes when I try to do to much visually. I'd say this is
>>>>> similar to someone trying to lift something that is really to heavy.
>>>>> Your muscles might feel like burning, you might shake a bit from the
>>>>> strain and later you will be sore. The symptoms are different for
>>>>> visual strain, but the effective outcome is about the same.
>>>>>
>>>>> For me first learning how to use a cane and then later a guide
>>>>> dog, has
>>>>> meant that I don't need to be nervous that I'm going to miss
>>>>> something
>>>>> visually. The dog will do that for me, more reliably than I ever
>>>>> could. If I'm having a good vision day, meaning that my head isn't
>>>>> thumping, my eyes aren't watering, the sun isn't shining and it's not
>>>>> the first thing in the morning or late in the day, then I can use my
>>>>> vision in useful ways.
>>>>>
>>>>> If I was denied the use of a guide dog, never got cane travel
>>>>> instruction or the other alternative skills I've learned, I don't
>>>>> think
>>>>> I'd be able to leave the house alone. I wouldn't have a job,
>>>>> friends,
>>>>> volunteer in the community or even be happy. I'd be a prisoner in my
>>>>> own home with no hope of parole. I think I might lose my mind.
>>>>>
>>>>> Julie
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> On 2/1/2012 7:49 AM, Pickrell, Rebecca M (TASC) wrote:
>>>>>> I have no vision. Nobody has ever explained to me the
>>>>>> differences in visual acuity and what that may mean until this
>>>>>> discussion.
>>>>>> For example, until I read Brenda's post, I had no clue that
>>>>>> telling the
>>>>>> difference between grass and pavement was harder, because when
>>>>>> you do it
>>>>>> with acane, it's a piece of cake.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I understand from reading these posts how lighting can affect
>>>>>> vision.
>>>>>> I don't understand the stress or the "my vision changes from
>>>>>> day-to-day"
>>>>>> comments.
>>>>>> I simply haven't had them explained in a manner that makes sense
>>>>>> to me.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I've encountered people with partial vision in my guide dog
>>>>>> classes who
>>>>>> can see a dime, in the next town, in the next county, and nobody
>>>>>> ever
>>>>>> explained that they may not see a bus right in front of them. So I'm
>>>>>> left with a WTF?? Reaction.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Add to that the fuzzy language of "My vision changes from day to
>>>>>> day"
>>>>>> and I'm totally confused.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Nobody has explained what the visual acuity numbers mean either. So
>>>>>> hearing those numbers without the tie-in to something tangible is
>>>>>> Greek
>>>>>> to me.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> It would be useful to me when I encounter someone with partial
>>>>>> vision
>>>>>> for them to tell me what they need/want me to do, not what they
>>>>>> can or
>>>>>> can't see, how that changes. It's interesting to know, and I
>>>>>> would like
>>>>>> to know it, but practically speaking it means more to me if you
>>>>>> say "I
>>>>>> can't see the appropriate place to sit, can you take me to it"
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>>> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>>>>>> Behalf Of Brenda
>>>>>> Sent: Tuesday, January 31, 2012 7:31 PM
>>>>>> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
>>>>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Introduction and Questions
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Well said Tami and marion.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> In addition, not only people with RP have trouble seeing. I have
>>>>>> never
>>>>>> had depth perception and in fact have fallen down stairs. No one
>>>>>> even
>>>>>> thought I needed a cane and I continued to survive in the sighted
>>>>>> world
>>>>>> as a second class citizen.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> When I finally took the step to get some mobility training, the
>>>>>> instructor told me 'you have more vision than you realize' because I
>>>>>> could walk in a straight line. It was in the winter so I could
>>>>>> tell the
>>>>>> difference between snow and pavement. Now grass and pavement is a
>>>>>> little harder. I can see the confusion of a person with a drivers
>>>>>> licence using a guide dog, but perhaps there is more to it than that
>>>>>> and/or maybe they shouldn't even have had a license.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> It is very depressing that people with partial sight are slapped
>>>>>> down by
>>>>>> people with less visual acuity. Sometimes it is even people who
>>>>>> have
>>>>>> been in my shoes who devalidate me and my needs. Maybe I can see
>>>>>> well
>>>>>> one day and not another. Maybe Ican "see" in areas I travel alot as
>>>>>> long as there are no obstacles. Maybe it depends on the daylight,
>>>>>> sunlight, season and stress level.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> And if people with partial sight don't need guide dogs, maybe we
>>>>>> don't
>>>>>> need to learnBraille either.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> That said, I'm learning Braille and am glad to hear GDF and other
>>>>>> schools are open to people with remaining vision based on the
>>>>>> individual
>>>>>> situation.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I don't object to your concerns and question of people with partial
>>>>>> sight using guide dogs Robert. However, the way you went about
>>>>>> it was
>>>>>> generalized and not very diplomatic.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Brenda
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> '
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> On 1/30/2012 5:44 PM, Tami Kinney wrote:
>>>>>>> Robert,
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Well, I have RP and have been legally blind since 1999. Had it not
>>>>>>> been for my spouse, whom I finally had to just divorce for several
>>>>>>> reasons, I would have applied for a guide then, once I learned cane
>>>>>>> travel, which I ended up having to learn on my own. However, by the
>>>>>>> numbers I did qualify. I needed a cane, thus I needed a dog.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> The one program that I did follow through with, just to see what
>>>>>>> happened, decided somehow that I have really great vision and
>>>>>>> can read
>>>>>>> street signs. Therefore, I do not need a guide dog, according to
>>>>>>> them.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Um... First of all, that was certainly not true by 2006. Also, the
>>>>>>> ability to read street signs -- even if I had, in fact,
>>>>>>> possessed that
>>>>>>> ability -- seems to me pretty, um, something. Think about it.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Still, I had decided by that point that I wasn't that interested in
>>>>>>> putting up with that sort of attitude, and some things in my
>>>>>>> life had
>>>>>>> changed. So I got a poodle puppy and trained her myself. She is now
>>>>>>> 5.5 and an excellent working guide. I do not think of her as
>>>>>>> self-trained but as owner-trained.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I think it is fair to say that for me and my guide, the
>>>>>>> percentage of
>>>>>>> program trained dogs over owner-trained dogs that cause problems
>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>> us is, well, one hundred percent. I have met and worked around
>>>>>>> other
>>>>>>> owner-trained dogs, but there has been zero problem because of
>>>>>>> either
>>>>>>> dog. Every guide dog that has caused difficulty with my
>>>>>>> owner-trained
>>>>>>> guide is program-trained by a certified trainer.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> When my dog was very young, she did have difficulty adjusting to
>>>>>>> being
>>>>>>> around other dogs, so she did cause problems. We worked on that and
>>>>>>> now she does not. The problems she had when she was young began
>>>>>>> at her
>>>>>>> first exposure to other working guides. A program-trained dog
>>>>>>> growled
>>>>>>> and lunged at her outside an elevator, then again in the
>>>>>>> elevator. A
>>>>>>> short while later, that same dog repeated the behavior because
>>>>>>> we were
>>>>>>> unable to avoid passing the pair. Another program-trained dog at
>>>>>>> that
>>>>>>> same short event brought his handler close enough that the man
>>>>>>> would
>>>>>>> have tripped over her if she hadn't jumped out of the way. He
>>>>>>> nearly
>>>>>>> tripped over me another time walking by where I was sitting.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> So, she was pretty uptight around other guides for quite a
>>>>>>> while, and
>>>>>>> it took a lot of work with her to keep her from being ruined,
>>>>>>> since I
>>>>>>> won't have a working guide that is that reactive to other
>>>>>>> guides. So
>>>>>>> those first program-trained guides we met nearly cost me all the
>>>>>>> training I'd put into my dog. They caused me and my
>>>>>>> owner-trained pup
>>>>>>> way more difficulty than any pet dog has. We made it through, and
>>>>>>> Mitzi is fine around other guide and service dogs now, but it
>>>>>>> took a
>>>>>>> lot of work for both of us to get there. For a long time, I
>>>>>>> thought we
>>>>>>> wouldn't.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> She has saved my life many times. Not anyone else did that by
>>>>>>> giving
>>>>>>> her to me already trained. Just her, following the training I
>>>>>>> gave her
>>>>>>> and her own brains and good judgment.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> As a partial, I hear all the time when it comes to resources of all
>>>>>>> types that my really great vision means I don't need whatever it is
>>>>>>> and that by just asking I am somehow taking it from "blind
>>>>>>> people who
>>>>>>> need it."
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> This has cost me well into the 6 figures by now.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I don't have really great vision, not by any vision exam I have had
>>>>>>> really since before I crossed that magical numerical line that
>>>>>>> qualified me as legally blind.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> It sounds to me, though, like you think I shouldn't get a guide dog
>>>>>>> because I don't really need one. Or adaptive technology to
>>>>>>> return to
>>>>>>> my vocation, I suppose.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Is there anything else I don't deserve in your opinion? /evil grin/
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I understand that it can be difficult to rectify differences.
>>>>>>> However,
>>>>>>> it was the guide dog program that told you you just wanted the
>>>>>>> dog for
>>>>>>> a pet. It was not a partial or an owner-trainer.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Tami
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> On 01/30/2012 01:46 PM, Harris.Robert at epamail.epa.gov wrote:
>>>>>>>> Hi Marion:
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> My wife has RP so I know all that. I can only say how I felt
>>>>>>>> when a
>>>>>>>> school in 1980 or 1981 had the balls to tell me I wanted the
>>>>>>>> dog as a
>>>>>>>> pet made me feel. I also think (I'm an old fox with a lot of
>>>>>>>> years and
>>>>>>>> experience now) that I saw a dog guide user with a day time
>>>>>>>> drivers
>>>>>>>> license. I'm not buying any of that but I'm just me:0). When
>>>>>>>> Pilot
>>>>>>>> took me on at 19 they basically saved my life. I'm a fast
>>>>>>>> traveler and
>>>>>>>> was a top notch cane user who taught others that were blind,
>>>>>>>> but, I
>>>>>>>> went
>>>>>>>> to many many different places and knew in my heart that I
>>>>>>>> needed four
>>>>>>>> legged help.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> I can tell you many instances where "self trained dogs caused
>>>>>>>> me a lot
>>>>>>>> of problems, but, I think it is possible to train your own dog, if
>>>>>>>> your
>>>>>>>> a certified trainer.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> From: "Marion Gwizdala"<blind411 at verizon.net>
>>>>>>>> To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide
>>>>>>>> Dog Users"<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>>> Date: 01/30/2012 03:16 PM
>>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Introduction and Questions
>>>>>>>> Sent by: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Robert,
>>>>>>>> Individuals with retinitis pigmentosa may have fairly good
>>>>>>>> acuity
>>>>>>>> but
>>>>>>>> their fields of vision may be seriously compromised. narrow
>>>>>>>> fields of
>>>>>>>> vision
>>>>>>>> can distort depth perception so that individuals may not
>>>>>>>> realize they
>>>>>>>> are
>>>>>>>> standing at the top of a flight of stairs or at the threshhold
>>>>>>>> of a
>>>>>>>> loading
>>>>>>>> dock. Furthermore, since the periphery of the retina contains a
>>>>>>>> high
>>>>>>>> concentration of rods cells that are responsible for sight in
>>>>>>>> dimly
>>>>>>>> lit
>>>>>>>> areas and the ability to see moving objects, those affected by
>>>>>>>> this
>>>>>>>> condition benefit from using a dog to travel safely under those
>>>>>>>> conditions.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Fraternally yours,
>>>>>>>> Marion Gwizdala
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>>>>>> From:<Harris.Robert at epamail.epa.gov>
>>>>>>>> To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog
>>>>>>>> Users"
>>>>>>>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>>> Sent: Monday, January 30, 2012 2:30 PM
>>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Introduction and Questions
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> I'm not sure why somebody with very high vision would need a dog
>>>>>>>>> guide
>>>>>>>>> and have said so in school. Somebody and bodies were in training
>>>>>>>>> with
>>>>>>>>> me and could see faces, identify cars and see the surrounding
>>>>>>>>> area
>>>>>>>>> pretty clearly for well over 50 yards? I'm an honest person and
>>>>>>>>> didn't
>>>>>>>>> hesitate to ask why the hell they were getting a dog. Answers
>>>>>>>>> off
>>>>>>>> list
>>>>>>>>> only but I was not happy& hope they didn't get a dog guide.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> There are waiting lists for people who are very low partials&/or
>>>>>>>>> totally blind to get a dog guide so its not just a cut and dry
>>>>>>>>> "get a
>>>>>>>>> dog". there is a evaluation& process for reasons mentioned
>>>>>>>>> above.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Hope I don't come across as brash but I have very strong feelings
>>>>>>>> about
>>>>>>>>> this topic.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> From: "Larry D. Keeler"<lkeeler at comcast.net>
>>>>>>>>> To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide
>>>>>>>>> Dog Users"<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>>>> Date: 01/30/2012 12:58 PM
>>>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Introduction and Questions
>>>>>>>>> Sent by: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Good choice! For me it was a case of the more the merrier!.
>>>>>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>>>>>>> From: "Melissa Pasron"<fuzzylucky2021 at sbcglobal.net>
>>>>>>>>> To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog
>>>>>>>>> Users"
>>>>>>>>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>>>> Sent: Monday, January 30, 2012 10:47 AM
>>>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Introduction and Questions
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Thank you for giving me a different perspective. I am really
>>>>>>>>>> trying
>>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>>>>> weigh the options before I make a decision. My current deciding
>>>>>>>> factor
>>>>>>>>> is
>>>>>>>>>> that I currently have a pet dog and I don't know if I'll be
>>>>>>>>>> ready to
>>>>>>>>> do
>>>>>>>>>> all the grooming and caring for two dogs. Not to mention if a
>>>>>>>>>> guide
>>>>>>>>> dog is
>>>>>>>>>> right for me at the current moment. I think I'll just sit on the
>>>>>>>> issue
>>>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>>>>> a while and think about it. I don't want to go rushing into a
>>>>>>>> decision
>>>>>>>>>> without giving it a lot of thought.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> On Jan 30, 2012, at 9:37 AM, "Pickrell, Rebecca M (TASC)"
>>>>>>>>>> <REBECCA.PICKRELL at tasc.com> wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> In making your decision, think about what you most want to
>>>>>>>>>>> do when
>>>>>>>>> you
>>>>>>>>>>> return home from being out someplace. Do you want to spend time
>>>>>>>>> grooming
>>>>>>>>>>> and caring for a dog, and doing it every single day, or
>>>>>>>>>>> would you
>>>>>>>>> rather
>>>>>>>>>>> do something else.
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> I worked two dogs. Then I had my daughter and found that all I
>>>>>>>> wanted
>>>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>>>>>> do was hang out with her, especially after being at work all
>>>>>>>>>>> day.
>>>>>>>>> Taking
>>>>>>>>>>> care of the dog became more of a chore then something I
>>>>>>>>>>> enjoyed.
>>>>>>>> And,
>>>>>>>>> at
>>>>>>>>>>> times it became very difficult to balance, baby wanted to
>>>>>>>>>>> eat or be
>>>>>>>>> held,
>>>>>>>>>>> dog needed to be brushed, you can't do both at the same
>>>>>>>>>>> time. And,
>>>>>>>>> while
>>>>>>>>>>> an obvious answer may be "get help with the baby" I enjoyed and
>>>>>>>> still
>>>>>>>>>>> enjoy taking care of her.
>>>>>>>>>>> Think about how you'll feel when the dog wakes you up to go
>>>>>>>>>>> potty,
>>>>>>>>> will
>>>>>>>>>>> you be okay with it or will it mentally wear you out as "one
>>>>>>>>>>> more
>>>>>>>>> thing I
>>>>>>>>>>> have to do".
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> What are your hobbies and are they comptible with a guide
>>>>>>>>>>> dog? You
>>>>>>>>> can
>>>>>>>>>>> always leave a cane, and a cane is easy to replace. Not true
>>>>>>>>>>> with a
>>>>>>>>> dog.
>>>>>>>>>>> I have had a couple access issues. I can tell you that when
>>>>>>>>>>> that
>>>>>>>>> happens,
>>>>>>>>>>> the very first thought that goes through your head is "This
>>>>>>>>>>> really
>>>>>>>>> f***s
>>>>>>>>>>> up my plans".
>>>>>>>>>>> I'll add that I like dogs. They are neat animals, and I
>>>>>>>>>>> think have
>>>>>>>>> much
>>>>>>>>>>> to teach us. At times I miss having one. On a day when the
>>>>>>>>>>> sun is
>>>>>>>>>>> shinging, and it's 65 degrees, I'd love to take a guide dog and
>>>>>>>>>>> walk
>>>>>>>>> on a
>>>>>>>>>>> bike path, as the feeling of you being in synch with a dog is
>>>>>>>>> amazing.
>>>>>>>>>>> Right now, I can't deal with the 24/7 nature of a guide dog. I
>>>>>>>> can't
>>>>>>>>> do
>>>>>>>>>>> it with a pet dog either.
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> You can bring a guide dog anywhere, but you also need to
>>>>>>>>>>> plan on
>>>>>>>> that
>>>>>>>>>>> with food, water, rest, appropriate supervision, things like
>>>>>>>>>>> that.
>>>>>>>>> It's
>>>>>>>>>>> difficult to "just stay a bit longer" when you didn't plan
>>>>>>>>>>> on it
>>>>>>>>>>> and
>>>>>>>>>>> don't have food for your dog.
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> So, the answer is that it really depends. I offer my
>>>>>>>>>>> perspective
>>>>>>>>> because
>>>>>>>>>>> this list is made up of people who are currently using dogs
>>>>>>>>>>> and who
>>>>>>>>> like
>>>>>>>>>>> doing it. It would be useful for you and others to have a
>>>>>>>>>>> different
>>>>>>>>>>> perspective.
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>>>>>>>> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>>>> [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>>>>>>>>>>> Behalf Of melissa padron
>>>>>>>>>>> Sent: Friday, January 27, 2012 10:35 PM
>>>>>>>>>>> To: nagdu at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>>>> Subject: [nagdu] Introduction and Questions
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> Hello,
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> I am new to this list so I though I would just start off
>>>>>>>>>>> with an
>>>>>>>>>>> introduction and then some questions.
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> Well, first of all, my name is Melissa and although I am not a
>>>>>>>>>>> guide
>>>>>>>>> dog
>>>>>>>>>>> user I am a cane user. I'm in college pursuing a degree in
>>>>>>>> psychology
>>>>>>>>> and
>>>>>>>>>>> I will be moving back to my hometown once I graduate. I'm
>>>>>>>>>>> considered
>>>>>>>>>>> legally blind, so I do have vision.
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> Because of the condition I have, I was not taught to use a cane
>>>>>>>> until
>>>>>>>>> my
>>>>>>>>>>> senior year of high school. I actually had to fight in order
>>>>>>>>>>> to get
>>>>>>>>> cane
>>>>>>>>>>> lessons, but since then, I just about take my cane
>>>>>>>>>>> everywhere with
>>>>>>>>> me. It
>>>>>>>>>>> helps a lot more than using my vision and stressing my eyes....
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> Now, some questions:
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> I am not considering getting a guide dog now but I do want
>>>>>>>>>>> to keep
>>>>>>>> it
>>>>>>>>> as
>>>>>>>>>>> an option if I decide that it would help me in my travels.
>>>>>>>>>>> So my
>>>>>>>>> question
>>>>>>>>>>> is, what was ultimately you deciding factor in getting a
>>>>>>>>>>> guide dog?
>>>>>>>>>>> What are some advantages and disadvantages in using a guide
>>>>>>>>>>> dog?
>>>>>>>>>>> For those of you who have vision, did you encounter problems
>>>>>>>>>>> with
>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>>>>> guide dog schools saying that a guide dog would not benefit you
>>>>>>>>> because
>>>>>>>>>>> you have "too much" vision?
>>>>>>>>>>> Ultimately, this is my greatest fear. I'm scared of
>>>>>>>>>>> encountering
>>>>>>>>>>> criticism by guide dog schools and "blindness professionals"
>>>>>>>>>>> about
>>>>>>>>>>> whether a guide dog would benefit me or not. A lot of people
>>>>>>>>>>> with
>>>>>>>>>>> my
>>>>>>>>>>> condition function well without a cane or a dog so would
>>>>>>>>>>> this be
>>>>>>>> used
>>>>>>>>>>> against me if I were to apply?
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> I am looking forward to hearing your responses and advice.
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> Melissa
>>>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>>>> nagdu mailing list
>>>>>>>>>>> nagdu at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account
>>>>>>>>>>> info
>>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>>>>>> nagdu:
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/rebecca.pickrell%40tasc.com
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This message and any attachments or
>>>>>>>>>>> files
>>>>>>>>>>> transmitted with it (collectively, the "Message") are
>>>>>>>>>>> intended only
>>>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>>>>>> the addressee and may contain information that is privileged,
>>>>>>>>> proprietary
>>>>>>>>>>> and/or prohibited from disclosure by law or contract. If you
>>>>>>>>>>> are
>>>>>>>>>>> not
>>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>>>>> intended recipient: (a) please do not read, copy or
>>>>>>>>>>> retransmit the
>>>>>>>>>>> Message; (b) permanently delete and/or destroy all
>>>>>>>>>>> electronic and
>>>>>>>>> hard
>>>>>>>>>>> copies of the Message; (c) notify us by return email; and
>>>>>>>>>>> (d) you
>>>>>>>> are
>>>>>>>>>>> hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or
>>>>>>>>>>> copying of
>>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>>>>> Message is strictly prohibited.
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>>>> nagdu mailing list
>>>>>>>>>>> nagdu at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account
>>>>>>>>>>> info
>>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>>>>>> nagdu:
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/fuzzylucky2021%40sbcglobal.net
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>>> nagdu mailing list
>>>>>>>>>> nagdu at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account
>>>>>>>>>> info
>>>>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>>>>> nagdu:
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/lkeeler%40comcast.net
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>> nagdu mailing list
>>>>>>>>> nagdu at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account
>>>>>>>>> info for
>>>>>>>>> nagdu:
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/harris.robert%40epamail.epa.gov
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>> nagdu mailing list
>>>>>>>>> nagdu at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account
>>>>>>>>> info for
>>>>>>>>> nagdu:
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/blind411%40verizon.net
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>> nagdu mailing list
>>>>>>>> nagdu at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account
>>>>>>>> info for
>>>>>>>> nagdu:
>>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/harris.robert%40epamail.epa.gov
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>> nagdu mailing list
>>>>>>>> nagdu at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account
>>>>>>>> info for
>>>>>>>> nagdu:
>>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/tamara.8024%40comcast.net
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>> nagdu mailing list
>>>>>>> nagdu at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account
>>>>>>> info for
>>>>>>> nagdu:
>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/bjnite%40windstream.net
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>> nagdu mailing list
>>>>>> nagdu at nfbnet.org
>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info
>>>>>> for
>>>>>> nagdu:
>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/rebecca.pickrell%40tasc.com
>>>>>>
>>>>>> CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This message and any attachments or files
>>>>>> transmitted with it (collectively, the "Message") are intended
>>>>>> only for
>>>>>> the addressee and may contain information that is privileged,
>>>>>> proprietary and/or prohibited from disclosure by law or contract.
>>>>>> If you
>>>>>> are not the intended recipient: (a) please do not read, copy or
>>>>>> retransmit the Message; (b) permanently delete and/or destroy all
>>>>>> electronic and hard copies of the Message; (c) notify us by return
>>>>>> email; and (d) you are hereby notified that any dissemination,
>>>>>> distribution or copying of the Message is strictly prohibited.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>> nagdu mailing list
>>>>>> nagdu at nfbnet.org
>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info
>>>>>> for
>>>>>> nagdu:
>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/julielj%40neb.rr.com
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> nagdu mailing list
>>>>> nagdu at nfbnet.org
>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>>> nagdu:
>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/rebecca.pickrell%40tasc.com
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> nagdu mailing list
>>>>> nagdu at nfbnet.org
>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>>> nagdu:
>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/carcione%40access.net
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> nagdu mailing list
>>>> nagdu at nfbnet.org
>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info
>>>> for nagdu:
>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/bjnite%40windstream.net
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> nagdu mailing list
>>> nagdu at nfbnet.org
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info
>>> for nagdu:
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/kramc11%40gmail.com
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> nagdu mailing list
>> nagdu at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> nagdu:
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/lkeeler%40comcast.net
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> nagdu mailing list
> nagdu at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> nagdu:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/bjnite%40windstream.net
>
>
>
More information about the NAGDU
mailing list