Fireworks put fear into assistance dogs, please think of the consequences of letting them off in urban areas this new year.
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Monday 31 December 2007
Wednesday 26 December 2007
Muslims break taboo to allow guide dog into mosque -Times Online
Interesting article about Guide Dogs for the Blind in the UK planning to place a guide dog with a Muslim teenager. Many different angles here as to what might be right and what might not be so good for the dog, certainly an interesting development.
read more | digg story
read more | digg story
Saturday 22 December 2007
The loss of a great man.
A light, a shining star in the world of assistance dog advocacy has gone out. It was with great sadness that we learned of the untimely and sudden passing of Michael Osborn, a guide dog partner and leading player in the world of advocacy, earlier this month.
Michael was key to the breakthrough in legislation that led to assistance dogs being allowed to travel in the airline cabin from North America to the UK; something which we, as a partnership have benefited directly from.
When I won the IAADP scholarship in January 2006, Michael arranged my flights and that's how I got to know him and gained the courage to travel to California and back with just my assistance dog Caesar as my companion.
At the IAADP conference in San Diego, I was asked to deliver the keynote speech, and to my horror and embarrassment, named Michael as Michael Hastings (the name of his guide dog) instead of Michael Osborn, I need not have worried, I was told afterwards Michael was highly amused and flattered by my faux pas!
It was with great trepidation that I accepted co-option onto the IAADP Board at that conference to fill the space left by Michaels' resignation follwoing his taking up other committments.
Hastings loved the pheasant Caesar had brought him from the UK!
A message from Ed Eames the President of IAADP:
To honor the memory of Michael Osborn, whose advocacy effortsmade it possible for assistance dog partners to travel to theUnited Kingdom accompanied by their guide, hearing and service dogs in the airplane cabin, the International Association of Assistance Dog Partners (IAADP) will be dedicating its 2008 conference in his name. Michael, a former IAADP Board member, anticipated with relish attending the conference on June 25 at the Renaissance Hotel at Heathrow Airport, London. Those of us travelling from North America to the UK are deeply indebted toMichael for all of his efforts on his and our behalf. His tenacity and persuasiveness paved the way for all of us desiring to travel internationally with our canine assistants. The conference luncheon will provide an opportunity to celebrate his life and achievements. For conference details, check http://www.iaadp.org/.
Michael was key to the breakthrough in legislation that led to assistance dogs being allowed to travel in the airline cabin from North America to the UK; something which we, as a partnership have benefited directly from.
When I won the IAADP scholarship in January 2006, Michael arranged my flights and that's how I got to know him and gained the courage to travel to California and back with just my assistance dog Caesar as my companion.
At the IAADP conference in San Diego, I was asked to deliver the keynote speech, and to my horror and embarrassment, named Michael as Michael Hastings (the name of his guide dog) instead of Michael Osborn, I need not have worried, I was told afterwards Michael was highly amused and flattered by my faux pas!
It was with great trepidation that I accepted co-option onto the IAADP Board at that conference to fill the space left by Michaels' resignation follwoing his taking up other committments.
Hastings loved the pheasant Caesar had brought him from the UK!
A message from Ed Eames the President of IAADP:
To honor the memory of Michael Osborn, whose advocacy effortsmade it possible for assistance dog partners to travel to theUnited Kingdom accompanied by their guide, hearing and service dogs in the airplane cabin, the International Association of Assistance Dog Partners (IAADP) will be dedicating its 2008 conference in his name. Michael, a former IAADP Board member, anticipated with relish attending the conference on June 25 at the Renaissance Hotel at Heathrow Airport, London. Those of us travelling from North America to the UK are deeply indebted toMichael for all of his efforts on his and our behalf. His tenacity and persuasiveness paved the way for all of us desiring to travel internationally with our canine assistants. The conference luncheon will provide an opportunity to celebrate his life and achievements. For conference details, check http://www.iaadp.org/.
Imagine the reactions I get ...
... when I phone up a hotel and ask where the nearest grass is! "What sort of grass ma'am"? "Well, the lawn type of grass, it's usually green, or a bush or some shingle or other soft surface ..."
The conversation usually degenerates into laughter when the person on the other end of the phone realises I need somewhere for my assistance dog to relieve himself! During the day it doesn't really matter as I am quite resourceful in finidng a park or somewhere else for him to have a run, but first thing in the morning and last thing at night we need somewhere close.
It surprises me how often the person on the end of the phone can't immediately think of what grass is nearby! I often find myself asking something like, "I can see from Google Earth you have some greenery on the far side of the hotel car park, can you tell me if that is accessible or fenced off please"?
Coincidentally, assistance dog relieving areas came up in at least two of my meetings recently, the whole thing isn't as simple as one might think, soft surface, wheelchair accessible (for pick up), safe so the dog can releieve off lead and so on ...
I suspect increasingly, under the new Disability Equality Duty we shall see dog relieving areas at major venues. Which will only be a good thing :o)
The conversation usually degenerates into laughter when the person on the other end of the phone realises I need somewhere for my assistance dog to relieve himself! During the day it doesn't really matter as I am quite resourceful in finidng a park or somewhere else for him to have a run, but first thing in the morning and last thing at night we need somewhere close.
It surprises me how often the person on the end of the phone can't immediately think of what grass is nearby! I often find myself asking something like, "I can see from Google Earth you have some greenery on the far side of the hotel car park, can you tell me if that is accessible or fenced off please"?
Coincidentally, assistance dog relieving areas came up in at least two of my meetings recently, the whole thing isn't as simple as one might think, soft surface, wheelchair accessible (for pick up), safe so the dog can releieve off lead and so on ...
I suspect increasingly, under the new Disability Equality Duty we shall see dog relieving areas at major venues. Which will only be a good thing :o)
More hotels, more taxis, more problems!
A couple of weeks ago I had a very hectic schedule, four meetings in four days in London, and three separate hotels were booked on my behalf.
First hotel, the bed in the accessible room was against the wall, no recognition that a person needing an accessible room might only be able to transfer to and from the bed one way. Second hotel, wow an electric door opener, saved a lot of faffing around entering and leaving the room, but alas it made such an awful elctronic buzz all night it kept me awake ... shower next morning, something wrong with the accessible shower and it flooded the whole bathroom! Last hotel of the week was the best, even had electric sockets reachable from the bed and access wise was top of the list. Sadly all three had at least one emergency alarm cord tied up "out of the way".
I really do wonder who advises all these places as somehow something goes wrong between having a great idea and it being practical for everday use by people with mobility disabilities.
While on the subject of hotels, what is it that makes folk think that people who need an accessible room wouldn't like a view? Having had the need to use hotels across the UK, Europe and USA I have frequently asked for an accessible room with a view, even at Niagara Falls, this was impossible. The third hotel listed above has rooms overlooking the River Thames and at the back the main rail line into London Waterloo, yes, you've guessed it, their accessible rooms back onto the railway line! One has to then make the decision, a lower floor accessible room for easier evacuation in an emergency but more railway noise, or a higher room, take your chances with evacuation but a quieter environment! A bit of a no brainer really!
By far the biggest disappointment of the week was the number of times I was refused a ride in a London taxi! Grrrrrr, people with disabilities need to get to work as well you know! One morning, I was trying to get a cab for almost half an hour on a main road in Kensington, numerous taxis with their lights on to declare they are for hire, but I guess sitting on the pavement in my wheelchair with my assistance dog beside me makes me invisible! Several taxis literally turned around, turned their lights off or took someone else after I had hailed them. The prize has to go to the two taxis that refused to pick my up right outside the Dept for Transport ... it really is time the Carriage Office got out and about and did some spot checks and filming of such disgraceful behaviour.
Of course there is the option to take the number on the taxi and report them, which I have done on several occasions now, but unless there is clear committment from the legal department of the Carriage Office to prosecute, there is little point, disabled people will remain at the bottom of the heap when it comes to hailing cabs in the street in London.
Just this morning I received notification that a complaint following such an incident late at night in London is not to be taken forward for prosecution, I had a witness and the driver even admitted he was there ... what more does it take to prove discrimination?
It really is tempting to undertake a filming project to prove this point as so many people don't appreciate the problems involved unless they witness it first hand.
It is such a shame as it reflects on all the cabs, and probably 90% are run by decent helpful people.
First hotel, the bed in the accessible room was against the wall, no recognition that a person needing an accessible room might only be able to transfer to and from the bed one way. Second hotel, wow an electric door opener, saved a lot of faffing around entering and leaving the room, but alas it made such an awful elctronic buzz all night it kept me awake ... shower next morning, something wrong with the accessible shower and it flooded the whole bathroom! Last hotel of the week was the best, even had electric sockets reachable from the bed and access wise was top of the list. Sadly all three had at least one emergency alarm cord tied up "out of the way".
I really do wonder who advises all these places as somehow something goes wrong between having a great idea and it being practical for everday use by people with mobility disabilities.
While on the subject of hotels, what is it that makes folk think that people who need an accessible room wouldn't like a view? Having had the need to use hotels across the UK, Europe and USA I have frequently asked for an accessible room with a view, even at Niagara Falls, this was impossible. The third hotel listed above has rooms overlooking the River Thames and at the back the main rail line into London Waterloo, yes, you've guessed it, their accessible rooms back onto the railway line! One has to then make the decision, a lower floor accessible room for easier evacuation in an emergency but more railway noise, or a higher room, take your chances with evacuation but a quieter environment! A bit of a no brainer really!
By far the biggest disappointment of the week was the number of times I was refused a ride in a London taxi! Grrrrrr, people with disabilities need to get to work as well you know! One morning, I was trying to get a cab for almost half an hour on a main road in Kensington, numerous taxis with their lights on to declare they are for hire, but I guess sitting on the pavement in my wheelchair with my assistance dog beside me makes me invisible! Several taxis literally turned around, turned their lights off or took someone else after I had hailed them. The prize has to go to the two taxis that refused to pick my up right outside the Dept for Transport ... it really is time the Carriage Office got out and about and did some spot checks and filming of such disgraceful behaviour.
Of course there is the option to take the number on the taxi and report them, which I have done on several occasions now, but unless there is clear committment from the legal department of the Carriage Office to prosecute, there is little point, disabled people will remain at the bottom of the heap when it comes to hailing cabs in the street in London.
Just this morning I received notification that a complaint following such an incident late at night in London is not to be taken forward for prosecution, I had a witness and the driver even admitted he was there ... what more does it take to prove discrimination?
It really is tempting to undertake a filming project to prove this point as so many people don't appreciate the problems involved unless they witness it first hand.
It is such a shame as it reflects on all the cabs, and probably 90% are run by decent helpful people.
Friday 7 December 2007
Our 7th Anniversary!
Today, Caesar and I are celebrating our 7th anniversary together as a partnership ... it doesn't seem like half that time at all!
When I look back now at how we both were the day we met, we've both come a looooooong way!
This afternoon I made dog biscuits and Caesar enjoyed eating them. I tried one, it's still repeating on me now, hours later!
We've had seven fantastic years together and I hope we'll have many, many more.
When I look back now at how we both were the day we met, we've both come a looooooong way!
This afternoon I made dog biscuits and Caesar enjoyed eating them. I tried one, it's still repeating on me now, hours later!
We've had seven fantastic years together and I hope we'll have many, many more.
The Circle of Life
Quite frequently, people stoip me and ask how old Caesar is, and often they'll go on to ask how long will he work for, who will have him when he retires and so on. Sometimes the more blunt ask: "Exactly how long do Golden Retrievers live for"?
Well, in spite of good healthcare, preventative medicine and a good diet, there is no exact science about how long a dog will live, or even work.
This is something that all assistance dog partnerships live and wrestle with. On the one hand so grateful for the new lease of life partnership with their dog has given them, while all the time knowing that anything can happen and that oneday, even the best partnerships will come to an end.
One day this week I was online early in the morning, and saw an online pal who lives in New York, some five hours behind me timewise was already online. Up late or up early, I enquired. Cyndy replied up all night, today was the day her new guide dog was due to arrive and she was so excited ... my mind immediately raced back to the day Caesar was new ... ooooh exciting! Almost two years since her last guide dog had retired, so it was a big day. Cyndy and I spent some time chatting and then parted company to get on with our days on either side of the pond.
Then the postman came, I was delighted to see a Christmas card with a tiny puppy, it was one of Millys', Caesars' niece who is a Brood Bitch for Guide Dogs. News inside said all 11 puppies, born in the summer are now in training to become guide or assistance dogs. Fantastic news. Great Uncle Caesar ... whatever next!
Well, in spite of good healthcare, preventative medicine and a good diet, there is no exact science about how long a dog will live, or even work.
This is something that all assistance dog partnerships live and wrestle with. On the one hand so grateful for the new lease of life partnership with their dog has given them, while all the time knowing that anything can happen and that oneday, even the best partnerships will come to an end.
One day this week I was online early in the morning, and saw an online pal who lives in New York, some five hours behind me timewise was already online. Up late or up early, I enquired. Cyndy replied up all night, today was the day her new guide dog was due to arrive and she was so excited ... my mind immediately raced back to the day Caesar was new ... ooooh exciting! Almost two years since her last guide dog had retired, so it was a big day. Cyndy and I spent some time chatting and then parted company to get on with our days on either side of the pond.
Then the postman came, I was delighted to see a Christmas card with a tiny puppy, it was one of Millys', Caesars' niece who is a Brood Bitch for Guide Dogs. News inside said all 11 puppies, born in the summer are now in training to become guide or assistance dogs. Fantastic news. Great Uncle Caesar ... whatever next!
There are actually three and a half pups in this picture, the black ones almost blend in!
Just after lunch on the same day, I opened an email from a fellow Dogs for the Disabled partner. Devastating news, her beloved Golden had passed away ... they were such a perfectly matched couple it seemed so unfair.
And so there it was the circle of life in a day, certainly focussed my mind onto the joys and sadnesses of partnership with an assistance dog. The joy of partnership, the new found freedom and eventually the sadness at the parting.
In my mind, the most fitting tribute anyone can pay to their assistance dog is to cherish the good times and continue with the freedom gained rejoicing in what was gained, but it certainly isn't easy. My big Golden boy absorbed more than a few tears that day :o(
Thursday 6 December 2007
I am trying to decide what I think about days!
November 14th was World Diabetes Day, December 1st was World Aids Day and December 3rd was the UN International Day of Disabled Persons. The first two days were covered very well in the news and it is easy to see how the causes can benefit from the coverage, and really raise awareness, but with the IDDP not many people knew about it ... I didn't see any mention on the news and only when I googled it I learned about events taking place, mostly seminars and so on.
This year for World Diabetes Day, monuments all round the world were lit up in the blue colour associated with the organisation, I was lucky enough to be in London and see the London Eye lit in blue for the event and also to see the awareness messages projected onto The Shell Centre on The South Bank. In my hobby of geocaching there was even a special Diabetes awareness geocoin minted and distributed to geocachers to travel with the message all around the world.
On World Aids Day many performers and celebrities on television wore the red ribbons associated with the aids awareness campaign too.
It seems there were quite a number of events worldwide for IDDP, which was set up by the UN in 1992 to raise awareness of the rights of people with disabilities at both national and international levels. Handicap International give a good resume of what the day is all about. It's a sobering thought that The World Health Organisation have stated that about 10% of the worlds population are disabled and of them 80% live in developing countries.
This year for World Diabetes Day, monuments all round the world were lit up in the blue colour associated with the organisation, I was lucky enough to be in London and see the London Eye lit in blue for the event and also to see the awareness messages projected onto The Shell Centre on The South Bank. In my hobby of geocaching there was even a special Diabetes awareness geocoin minted and distributed to geocachers to travel with the message all around the world.
On World Aids Day many performers and celebrities on television wore the red ribbons associated with the aids awareness campaign too.
It seems there were quite a number of events worldwide for IDDP, which was set up by the UN in 1992 to raise awareness of the rights of people with disabilities at both national and international levels. Handicap International give a good resume of what the day is all about. It's a sobering thought that The World Health Organisation have stated that about 10% of the worlds population are disabled and of them 80% live in developing countries.
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