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From: William.Wilson@p0.f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org (William Wilson)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: escalators
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Date: 2 Oct 90 01:13:49 GMT
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Index Number: 10743

[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

 DS> Agreed.  Butt at the same time, the guide dog isn't supposed to 
 DS> become a limitation for the blind person.  If it is a 
 DS> limitation they shouldn't even be used.

Darrell,
     Sorry, but this sounds like the typical argument a guide dog user
gets from those of you who choose not to use a guide dog!  That is, not
using a guide dog cause you can't go up escalators, or choose not to
risk going up escalators, sounds pretty much the same to me as when I've
heard, "I don't have to take my cane to the vet, or feed it, or take it
out to do it's thing"!
     There are so many variables involved in how well someone is able to
travel with a cane, as there are with a dog, that I don't think a
simplification like "It shouldn't be used if it limits..." is fair.
Somewhere along the line one has to balance limitations with benefits
with both the use of a dog or a cane!  If you'll pardon me stroking my
own goat, I was, prior to getting Strider, what most cane travelers
would consider a pretty good cane user.  I honestly believe that I was
better, as a matter of fact, than most of the people from whom I've
heard the old limitations of guide dog use stories I described above.
     Since using a dog, however, I can honestly say that any
"limitations" I endure by doing so are outweighed by the benefits that I
can't imagine going on using the cane, as I am now, and not getting a
new pooch!  Remember, I will actually have twice the responsibilities of
most guide dog users, having old Strider to take care of, and those of
my new worker, but not only do I find this a small price to pay for the
benefits of a guide dog, I think I owe it to Strider for what he's done
for me to do these things for him as well!

      Yeah, yeah, I know that for many people the cane is all the
mobility tool they want or need, but then there are a lot of us who can
use either method and just KNOW that the mutt is the only way for us!
Not because we HAVE to, but because we LIKE to!
                                        Willie
     

... BlinkTalk, Dr. Deb and Silver in Pittsburgh!

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