[nagdu] My concerns about getting a guide dog.....

[Ann Edie]

Hi, Pauline,

If you realize that you need a cane to travel safely, then I think you could
benefit from the use of a guide dog.  During the application process for a
guide dog, they will ask you for information about your visual functioning
as well as gathering information about your visual diagnosis and prognosis
from your eye doctor.  This information will help them determine whether you
are a good candidate for a guide dog.  Even if one school turns you down,
there may be others who are willing to consider your application.  So don't
be afraid to apply to more than one school.  In general, the programs are
more welcoming of people with partial vision nowadays than they were years
ago.  You will have opportunities to discuss with the admissions staff and
with the trainers how the guide dog can help a person who has some usable
vision , and how you can use your remaining vision without compromising the
work of the dog.  Some of the guide dog schools might permit or encourage
you to do part of your training under blindfold, so that you can learn to
depend on the skills of the dog guide and read the signals the dog gives
you, without feeling the need to fall back on your unreliable vision.  This
is very helpful, because it gives you the confidence that you need to travel
even in those situations where your own vision is not useful or might lead
you astray or into danger.  I think a lot depends on how much you really
want a guide dog.  I wouldn't go into it because others think it will be
good for you.  But if you yourself sincerely want to enjoy the increased
ease of movement and confidence that a guide dog can give you, and if you
have the time, energy, and love to give a living creature with needs of its
own, then by all means, go ahead and give the lifestyle of the guide dog
handler a try.  You never know the opportunities and vistas of life you may
have been missing until you take the plunge!

Best,
Ann

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Pauline Berger
Sent: Thursday, September 06, 2012 3:00 PM
To: nagdu at nfbnet.org
Subject: [nagdu] My concerns about getting a guide dog.....

Hello everyone,

I just found this list last night and I am hoping to chat with someone who
might be in the same situation that I am in.  I am legally blind but just
barely.  I have a lot of functional vision left and for the most part people
around me do not even realize that I have vision problems.
 Especially if I am in a familiar area, my visual handicaps could not even
be noticed.  Lighting is what makes the difference in me.  Either too much
or not enough can really blind me.  I have trouble with any printed text
unless it is blown up to about 6 or 7x.

So my concern is this:  I do have enough functional vision that may get in
the way of training a dog to see for me.  Sometimes I do see the cracks in a
sidewalk or sometimes I don't.  I have walked off a set of stairs twice in
my life that I did not see.  So, my hubby and daughter would like me to get
a dog for my own protection.  It is not just them, I would love one too.
What I am afraid of is that the people at the guide dog training place will
wonder if I am faking...I know.... you may think this is silly, but I do
wonder if they will be able to work with me since I do have the ability to
see more than others that need a dog.  I would be able to go around town on
the bus and such with him and to go to my volunteer job at the hospital with
him and not feel vulnerable like I do with my cane which advertises to
everyone that I am visually impaired.

Any thoughts for me???

Thanks

--
When you are at the edge of a cliff........*a step back* is progress!
.....heard at Pacific Coast Camp

*Knowledge* is knowing that a tomato is classified as a fruit....
*Wisdom* is knowing not to put it into a fruit salad!
.....author unknown

Two things in life you should never scrimp on.......
*Mattresses* and *shoes*.......you will spend your lifetime in one or the
other!
author unknown

Talk to yourself.......you will be guaranteed at least *ONE* listener!
by Pauline Berger
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