Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!cs.utexas.edu!yale!bunker!hcap!hnews!273!1.210!Dave.Tanner
From: Dave.Tanner@p210.f1.n273.z1.fidonet.org (Dave Tanner)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Guide dog Rumors
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Date: 20 Sep 90 15:59:32 GMT
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Index Number: 10516

[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

I loved your comments comparing a guidedog to access equipment in
price and reliability etc.

Being a new dog user I am sure I still have lots to learn, and a
lot of experiences to go through yet, but I wouldn't trade
traveling in a crowded metropolitan area with a dog for traveling
the same area with a cane now.  Apparently I and my dog have done
an unusually good job of bonding quickly, and there is little that
I would not trust her for at this point.  But, I have enough sense
to know what weakness still exist and am working on se.  But, my
cane still does nothing more than tell me that there is something
in front of me; it still won't survey the situation and take me
around a post, a group of people in the middle of a sidewalk, keep
me from stepping in front of a car, or greet me each morning with
the affection of a child so willing to do what you ask of them and
only for the thanks of your praise.  And, don't forget that many of
the dog guide schools get absolutely not one cent from many of
their students and they may even pay the student's transportation
to and from the school.

I'll never quit keeping my cane skills up, because the time will
come that they will be needed. But, I'll certainly not consider
sending my yellow lab back for a refund.  Don't knock it till you
try it is what I think you were saying and that is exactly how I
feel now too.

--
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