[nabs] Guide Dogs in High School?

[Dornetta]

Bernedetta and all:
I am tickle pink to see us-ampped up about a situation that is passionate to 
us all-advocasy! Lol-OK I spelled that wrong but yall get the pic :-) I am 
inclined in one of my instructors sayings that she says to me 
constantly..."Lawd! don't get Netta started when she suspects that someone 
has been wronged! Tell me child, are all blind/visually impaired are as 
"passionate" as you?"  Lol This has been an enlightening thread to say the 
least.
Netta
"Just because you are blind, does not mean you lack vision"-Stevie Wonder
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bernadetta Pracon" <bernadetta_pracon at samobile.net>
To: <editor.acbstudents at gmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, November 23, 2010 11:57 PM
Subject: Re: [nabs] Guide Dogs in High School?


> Hi Dornetta and Caitlin, and everyone else
>
> An article? Sure. Why not. (*grin).
>
> I agree, it's outrageous that the school makes the aid follow this girl 
> around. Caitlin, is this a private or public school? I've seen private 
> schools make problems for blind students to this degree, but I, being the 
> product of a public school system myself, wasn't aware that such backwards 
> actions are still being taken. Obviously, there is still a great deal of 
> discrimination and ignorance about us, because if all was fine and dandy, 
> there would be no need for the ACB or NFB. lol. But to this degree, it's 
> shamefully rediculous.
> I also had an aid for my first two years of high school, the same one I 
> had since kindergarten as a matter of fact. But she was there mainly to 
> describe pictures to me and braille worksheets, etc. They even gave her an 
> office from which she worked. There was no way she ever followed me around 
> or brought me anywhere by the time I was in high school.
> That one was an exceptional woman. If she had involved herself in my daily 
> activities more, it probably might not have been too bad, because all the 
> students loved her. It's interesting-- She was the "cool" mother figure 
> none of us had, but sometimes dreamed of.:)  She was hired as my aid and 
> braillist, but she had kids from all walks of life filing in and out of 
> her tiny office, telling her of their problems and triumphs. She found an 
> old plastic-covered couch in some storage locker at the high school, and 
> coaxed one of the janiters to drag it into that closet-sized, windowless 
> room. Before long, the jocks, the "good girls", the nerds and the "bad 
> boys" alike made it a habit of seating themselves on that old couch to 
> pour their hearts out to her. She never judged them and never told their 
> secrets, just doled out some advice where needed.
>   She was actually my biggest advocate of independence; She refused to do 
> things for me or help me with tasks I could handle alone, even when it was 
> suggested by others that she should. I guess I was just lucky.
>
> Anyway, by the time I began working with Kipp, I no longer had an aid at 
> all, since I transfered to a magnet school in a different district. By 
> that time, I only had a TVI.
> My point is, Caitlin, your friend there will have to be very strong and 
> advocate for herself as much as she can, and enlist the help of others 
> such as those of us who have already been in similar situations. 
> Contacting either organization is a great idea, whichever she may prefer. 
> I strongly suspect that her school district is going to be giving her a 
> lot of trouble and will refuse cooperation regarding the dog, if she 
> chooses to get one.
>
> All Best,
>
> Bernadetta
>
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