Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!cs.utexas.edu!yale!bunker!hcap!hnews!130!10!Henry.Kasten
From: Henry.Kasten@f10.n130.z1.fidonet.org (Henry Kasten)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: escalators
Message-ID: <14604@bunker.UUCP>
Date: 2 Oct 90 13:17:18 GMT
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Reply-To: Henry.Kasten@f10.n130.z1.fidonet.org
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Index Number: 10772

[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

I can't believe I am quoting this from you, "the guide dog isn't
supposed to become a limitation for the blind person.  If it is a 
limitation they shouldn't even be used."
Hold on Darryll! You are way off base on this one.  You have heard the
saying "There is a place and time for everything"  Well that holds true
for Blinks too.  I used a cane before getting a dog, I did not get a dog
because I couldn't use a cane .  Quite the contrary, I was a very good
cane traveler judging from the messages i've seen in Blink Talk.  I
chose to get a dog for only one reason, and it had nothing to do with
mobility.  I had a perception of how I would be received as a cane user
and another perception as a dog user.  I visualized people clearing a
path for me and backing away when I used my cane, on the other hand I
visualized people moving closer and being friendlier because of the
beautiful dog I was walking with.  Both perceptions were mine and mine
alone.  No body told me this would or would not happen.  However I found
this to be the case for me.  My work is very much in the eye of the
public, I found Falcon was a great ice breaker at parties and gatherings
as well as public meetings.  
 But does Falcon have any limitations?  Your Darn Tootin!  He probably
has more limitations than carter has little liver pills.  So what do we
do?  We adapt!  Falcon can walk in the rain or through a puddle all day,
but forget it if their is a water sprinkler misting the side walk,  It
would take a tractor to pull him across that path.  so, we go into the
street around the water.  I love to go to the movie, concerts, ball
games, amusement parks, all sorts of places I choose not to take Falcon. 
I either go sighted guide or take my cane.  
If all you have is a cane , then you are limited by that cane, are you
going to throw it out?  If you have a dog, you are only limited by your
lack of imagination.  
Mobile in Texas, Henry

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