Paws for GDUI News You Can Use – VOL. I, NO. 6, June 2020

A Publication of Guide Dog Users, Inc.

President: Penny Reeder

Editor: Andrea Giudice

Guide Dog Users, Inc. (GDUI)

A special interest affiliate of the American Council of the Blind (ACB) since 1972

https://guidedogusersinc.org/

Toll-Free: 866.799.8436

A Message from Your President

We Can, and Must, Work for Change

As a tragic week of violence and turmoil and shared pain and anxiety comes to an end, as we grieve the death of a good man caused by the very police officers who should be saving, not taking lives, we are all feeling like just about every aspect of our lives is unstable and outside our control. Chaos seems to be the only ruling principle of these days and nights, and many of us are feeling alone and emotionally exhausted with nothing but enormous apprehension about what might come next. I wish I could pull just the right words out of a magical hat of reassurance. I know others have reminded us that one thing in all of this chaos and pain that we can count on is love, love for one another, and love and respect for shared humanity, and I can definitely agree with that. Mark A. Riccobono,, president of the NFB, wrote a beautiful encouraging letter to members of the Federation. Several GDUI members have shared the letter with me. I appreciate Mark’s letter, his desire to understand, to seek truth, to help, to search – along with everyone else – for justice and an end to suffering. I thank him for sharing these words of compassion and resolve. If you haven’t read the letter, I hope you will. We are all members of the blindness community, and despite some differences in our varying approaches to solving problems, we are united in our quest to live well despite blindness and in caring for and about other members in our joint community, and in caring for the larger community of Americans of which we are also all a part. . If there is a reliable plan for surviving this frightening pandemic and keeping all of the people we love and ourselves alive, and for finding ways to handle an economy in free fall, and, even more crucially imperative, for ridding our country of the systematic racism that takes innocent lives, makes people of color more vulnerable to the coronavirus and illness and early death, and more likely to experience poverty, lack of opportunity, unhealthy environments and life threatening prejudice and discrimination, I join everyone else who is trying to find elusive answers, and everyone else who feels completely done with trying to find those same elusive answers, over and over, and over again! City streets in every part of the country are erupting into violence fed by righteous rage, and fear, and desolation. All we can do, I think, is to listen, to empathize, to try to understand, and – despite so many failed promises to do these same over and over again, – to re-commit ourselves once again to justice for all, a brotherhood and sisterhood of all of us, and making the changes that we so desperately need to make in our personal lives and as citizens of the larger community, and the world.

We are unlikely – most of us – to join the demonstrators exercising their civil right to gather and express outrage at yet another injustice visited upon the community of Americans who are black and advocate for change, not because we don’t share that outrage, but for more practical considerations – such as the coronavirus’s still seeking out vulnerable victims in crowded situations, and the impracticality and danger of exposing our guide dogs and ourselves to possibly life-threatening situations that would spell danger for people who don’t see and who sometimes need help with orientation. This does not mean that we cannot march with protestors virtually. We can! We participate in virtual ways when we speak up, when we decry injustice, when we refuse to stay silent, and when we know how to listen, and learn from the personal stories we hear and accounts from respected journalists that we read.

Let us all lean on each other. Let us all hang onto any and every speck of hope that we can find amid the chaos and the suffering, let us seek understanding and empathy, let us do what we can to make the world a better place, to keep on nudging that long arc of history toward justice, to teach our children and our grandchildren the values that will sustain and improve all of our lives, and let us be the change we want to see in the world.

Sincerely,

Penny

We have a few news items to share with you and the first – in case you haven’t remembered – is that

Voting in the GDUI 2020 Election is Under Way! If you haven’t voted yet, please retrieve your unique Voting ID Number from the post card you received from VoteNow in your postal mailbox, and/or the e-mail you received in your E-Mail In Box. The e-mail arrived immediately before Midnight on Friday night/Saturday morning, and if you haven’t found it in your In Box, you can call Sarah Calhoun at our toll-free number, 866.799.8436. Sarah will help you get in touch with the folks at VoteNow, who will be pleased to assist! Voting is quick and easy – and essential!

Did you miss Our Second Candidates’ Forum, or would you like to listen again? We have had some wonderful Candidates Forums during my participation in GDUI elections, but the one held on May 21 was so outstanding as to be the best one I ever experienced! The forum lasted for two hours, and every minute was dedicated to thoughtful, motivating commentary from our candidates. If you’re still trying to make up your mind before casting your votes, you won’t go wrong by listening to our most recent Candidates’ Forum.

Topic: GDUI 2020 Candidate Forum 2

Start Time : May 21, 2020 07:50 PM

Meeting Recording:

https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/5u14CbDU-UxLTafG0EzTa-lxJJjceaa82yEYqPYKzEokfC4r_ulaS9b8dBI29vVq

Access Password: 3P=iZ+8z

If you would like to listen to our recent, May 23, board meeting, that recording is also available. Thanks to Maria Kristic, here is the link and the password you will need to access the recording:

Topic: GDUI Board Meeting

Start Time : May 23, 2020 12:39 PM

Meeting Recording:

https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/-vVbPbfcy2pLYKOd83ryZPZ6LoHVeaa81SkdqfQFnU77pYQqRWMX3lVkjZZQu1l6

Access Password: 5o!SF2FK

Leader Dogs to Resume Operations, Opening in Phases. Here’s an encouraging message from David Locklin, Director of Programs at Leader Dogs.

I am very excited to inform you that under the most recent executive order signed by Governor Whitmer, Leader Dogs for the Blind is cleared to resume full operations! We have confirmed with legal counsel that our services are included in the latest wave of businesses permitted to resume operations.

We have developed a Return to Work plan that provides for our operations on campus to resume in phases. The phases of this plan were developed to ensure a safe return for the team, clients and volunteers. Please know that the health and well-being of every foot (and paw!) on campus remains our top priority. All clients, team members and volunteers will be required to complete a virtual training prior to coming to campus.

For those of you who have been accepted into training and are awaiting class placement, we will reach out to you in the coming weeks with more detailed information on what training will look like and what safety measures will be in place.

Some of you may be wondering about the status of field visits and deliveries. Please know that we are continuing to review/operate by CDC guidelines and the extension of the Stay Home, Stay Safe executive order in Michigan as it relates to travel and field visits. We will have more information for you soon, but for now, all field visits and deliveries remain suspended at this time.

We continue to accept applications and reapplications for all of our programs!

Thank you for your ongoing support and words of encouragement, especially over the past two and a half months.

We all look forward to the day we welcome clients back to campus for training!

More News from Leader Dogs! Leader Dogs for the Blind Virtual Summer Experience Camp 2020

Camp dates: Sunday, June 21–Friday, June 26, 2020
Application deadline: Friday, June 5, 2020

This free camp experience gives teens 14–17 years old in the U.S. and Canada an awesome lineup of virtual activities to build their independence! Participants will explore mobility options like guide dog travel, build leadership skills and make lasting relationships with peers. Using Zoom video conferencing, we will lead two 30-minute virtual sessions each day at 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. Teens can look forward to a Q&A session with a guide dog mobility instructor, a game session, a private Facebook group to keep the fun going through the week and lots more! Presenters include Leader Dog O&M Instructors, Leader Dog guide dog mobility instructors and some special surprise guests! Participants will receive a free LDB Virtual Summer Experience Camp t-shirt and a chance to win other prizes including a Humanware Victor Reader Trek.

To confirm your commitment for this week of fun, please complete the online application by Friday, June 5. You’ll need to check your email regularly after applying for updates and more information!

Karen grabs a blind guy and learns how to fly.

[From https://www.reddit.com/r/EntitledKarens/comments/gpk53w/karen_grabs_a_blind_guy_and_learns_how_to_fly/] [Editor’s Note! Thanks to the Disability Grapevine online newspaper, http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DisabilityGrapeVine/, for sharing this entertaining article!]

{Karen: Entitled white woman, blond bob haircut, who demands her way and demands to speak to the manager. Male Karens exist.}
I was having interesting conversation with a blind guy (I will call Dave) today while standing in line waiting to get into grocery store.

Line moved forward I let Dave know, when all of a sudden a lady (let’s call her Karen) with out making a sound just grabs him and tries dragging him forward.

I shout stop….. and that is as far as I got.

Dave just drops his cane, grabs her back and judo throws Karen over his shoulder though the air and onto the ground. calls out to me to help him get away from the person who is attacking him.

I grab his cane offer my arm and we move out of line and quickly go up to the security guards at front doors.

Karen is lying on ground screaming assault etc.

One guard goes to check on Karen while me and Dave talk to other guard. Dave explains he is blind and thought he was being attacked when he heard me shout stop so defended himself.

Guard one says he will call police and store manager and not to worry and moves us into store while he sorts everything out.

Second guard brings Karen up to first guard they talk we can hear Karen screaming how she was just being a good Samaritan helping a disabled person and was attacked for no reason etc. I ask Dave if he
wants to talk to her or wait for police. Dave says he will wait.Me and Dave just chat about how blind technology has improved over the last 40 years as my dad is blind and how as a kid I would act as
his guide kid (dog) and the new computer technology available now.

Police arrive about 30 minutes later the entire time Karen’s still going off at poor guards and store manager.

Cop one talks to me and Dave and gets store manager to find camera footage.

Cop two is dealing with Karen (poor guy)

We all get taken to managers office to watch footage (well except dave) cops ask Dave if he wants to press charges and they will arrest Karen for assault.

Dave says let her go as he is not going to file a complaint as long as Karen understands you never grab a blind person and to ask first if they need assistance.

Karen grumbling about he attacked her and she was just trying to be a good Samaritan etc.

I look at Karen and say your lucky dave stopped after just throwing you my dad is blind and was trained to do a lot worse count yourself lucky dave didn’t break your arm or choke you out like my dad is
trained to do.

Cops let Karen leave and store manager said she could still shop if she wanted to but had to go stand in line again but we could just go shop to separate us from her.

I helped Dave shop and we got $50 each voucher off store manager. I gave mine to Dave and offered him a lift home if he needed it instead of getting a cab.

Dave said he was fine we had a laugh and plan to meet next week for grocery shopping.

On way out security guards stopped us. Said when I bring blind people to shop just walk to front doors they will let us jump the cue as they don’t want anymore flying Karen’s and thanks for making
their day.

I looked at them said, Dude I was just chatting to Dave in line, I’m not his guide dog. Dave started laughing offered to get me a doggie treat next week when we meet up to shop.

All I could say was woof laugh with him and the guards and say catch you next time

Sorry no arrested Karen; everyone did not all stand up cheer and clap. Just a stupid Karen, found out the hard way don’t grab blind people without asking first.

And I’m looking forward to some smacko dog treats next week, lol

A Kentucky school surprised a little girl by including a photo of her service dog in the yearbook

By Alaa Elassar, CNN
Updated 5:00 AM ET, Sat May 23, 2020
(CNN) An elementary school in Kentucky saved a special spot in its yearbook for one very good girl — Ariel, a service dog.
[From: https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/23/us/louisville-service-dog-yearbook-photo-kentucky-trnd/index.html]

St. Patrick Catholic School in Louisville surprised 7-year-old Hadley
Jo Lange by including a photo of the Labradoodle among its kindergarten
class. Hadley Jo suffers from epilepsy, a neurological disorder that causes seizures.

Without Ariel, Hadley Jo might not be alive. “This dog has really saved my daughter’s life,” her mom, Heather Lange, told CNN. “I don’t know how I could ever thank Ariel as a mother. She goes with her everywhere, to school, rides the bus with her, goes to her dance classes and soccer practice. She always has her
eyes on my little girl. It’s a huge sense of security.”

At school, Ariel watches over Hadley Jo constantly. The 4-year-old pooch,
who bonded with Hadley Jo when she was just a puppy, is able to recognize
when the up-and-coming first grader is having an
episode.

Ariel and Hadley Jo at school. When these episodes happen at school, Ariel alerts teachers that something is wrong by barking. During seizures, the dog also lies down next to Hadley Jo and moves her body under the child to
cushion her fall.

“It’s important for us to do all we can to foster our relationship
with families and do what we can to support students,” Nathan Sturtzel,
principal of St. Patrick Catholic School, told CNN. “We love Ariel. She’s part of Hadley Jo’s family so she’s a part of our family too. Finding a place for her in our yearbook was an easy decision and it was a lot of fun to include her. We loved it.”

Ariel is also special for reasons beyond the love and protection she
provides Hadley Jo. The Labradoodle is the only service dog in the
archdiocese of Louisville, according to Lange. A victory for children with epilepsy.

To many, Ariel’s inclusion in the yearbook is just a sweet story about
a little girl and her adorable dog. But to Lange — and other parents of
children with epilepsy — it’s a story of victory. “When I got the yearbook and saw that they included our service dog, that was one of the most touching moments of my life. The inclusiveness meant so much,” Lange said.

“It proved that we may not all look the same, we may not all learn the
same, we have differences but it’s OK. We can still be kind and inclusive
and accept each other. This yearbook is a huge reflection of that.” What is epilepsy? Here’s what you need to know about the seizure-causing spectrum of disorders.

Hadley Jo had her first seizure when she was only 17 months old. It
came on suddenly while the family was dining at a restaurant. “She was on my lap while I was eating, and out of nowhere my baby fell into my arms and her eyes rolled back into her head and she was jerking,” Lange said. “She was having a seizure right before my eyes, it was terrifying. She stopped breathing, and there I was, a mother who thought she was about to lose her child.”

Since then, seizures have become a normal part of Hadley Jo’s life.
But with her puppy by her side, she hasn’t let it affect her happy nature
and kind spirit. The Lange family knows how lucky they are to have Ariel.

Service dogs can cost anywhere between $20,000 to $60,000. They were able to afford Ariel through community fund raising, but not all families have the same opportunity. That’s why Lange partnered up with the Epilepsy Foundation of Kentuckian to launch Hope for Hadley Jo, a non-profit organization that provides funding for families whose children need service
dogs.

Ariel and Hadley Jo as they graduate from kindergarten.
Lange has also become a strong advocate for children with epilepsy,
encouraging other schools to be welcoming and accommodating to them.
“It’s very comforting knowing my daughter has a home at her school
where she is loved and accepted, even though she may not look like everyone
else,” Lange said. “St. Patrick made a choice to accept my child and her service dog. The acceptance and inclusion is a true sign of kindness and compassion.”

As the night comes to an end around midnight and we prepare to go to press, city streets across the country are, once again, erupting into chaos despite curfews and admonishments and increased presence of police officers and the national guard.

Neither our outrage nor our dedication to seeking justice have come to an end – nor has our sadness or our frustration or our crushing anxiety. Many of us remain in quarantine, wishing for the touch of a friend or a hug from a giggly grandchild, lots of us have found new ways to shop for necessities and to connect with friends and organizations and causes we support. Our guide dogs still take us to a harness that, they hope, will connect them to the work that they love, and we praise their enthusiasm and make promises about better days to come and longer trips to take. We describe this new and confusing lifestyle as “The After,” and speak of “The Before” with nostalgia and rueful shakes of our heads. We are so glad to count on all of you for the friendship and support that will carry us all through, hopefully – and we have to believe this – to a better “After!”

Soon we will be coming to you with good news from our GDUI elections! Remember to vote before the end of the day on Sunday, June 7!

Please also remember to wash your hands, pet your dog instead of touching your face, be well, and stay safe! Thank you for your support and friendship.

Thank you for reading and sharing our Paws for GDUI News You Can Use! We welcome your feedback and your involvement in our organization. Thank you for your friendship and support.

Penny Reeder, President

Guide Dog Users, Inc.

Andrea Giudice, Editor