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From: Vixen.*@f11.n203.z1.fidonet.org (Vixen *)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: THE GUIDE DOG SCHOOL IN SAN RAFAEL
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Date: 4 Feb 90 14:12:28 GMT
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Index Number: 6604

Hi Laurie,

Well there are a couple of reasons that I am concerned about my
hearing impairment keeping me out of the guide dog school in San
Rafael.

First of all, I was informed, that the application had a front page
where they talked about their concerns regarding applicants who
have a more than ten per cent hearing loss. Well, even with my
better ear, my loss is considerable more than ten per cent and it
is progressive and apparently a little more complex than first
thought.

Also, the hearing impaired they are most concerned about, are those
whose loss is such that they have poor speech discrimination.
Apparently, this is also the same type of hearing that those of us
who are blind or V.I. use to "listen" to the flow of traffic at
intersections.

As you probably know, Speech discrimination is my biggest problem
(at least, unaided) and I cannot really tell the flow of traffic by
listening to it. Although, I thought, my useable vision might make
up for that.

Also, after they sent a trainer out to visit with me, he said that
I did pretty well, other than like other blind with some useable
vision, I had a tendency to walk too much beside the dog, although,
I corrected.

The guy said, he wanted to have another session, either with him or
another person after I get my new aids and then practice around
here again.

Also, it's been a few weeks since my MD sent in my physical report
and they have had all of my other needed papers for a long long
time and I haven't heard anything from the school yet.

I agree with you though, I do not see why my hearing impairment
should keep me out! There must be other low vision / hearing
impaired out there with dog guides! Of course, I have just recently
heard that the school may be becoming really paranoid about
applicants with multiple disabilities. I guess I will just have to
wait and see what happens.

Keepin' the  faith!

.                           Vixen

... Remember! Only forest fires can prevent bears!

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