My battle with glaucoma has come around with a blow to my face. Glaucoma is unrelated to my RP. I was not expecting this to happen but it did.
I was experiencing paiin in my eye at the beginning of February. I dismissed this as eye strain which is typical for RP. But it would wax and wane and get worse. And wat was even worse was that I was getting really bad headaches, nausea and abdominal pains (classic symptoms of angle closure glaucoma). So I thought I had better get checked out.
So I called on Feb 9th to see if my opthalmologist was in and if there was an opening. Unfortunately, he was not there, and they decided to send me to the Triage Clinic which is a 'walk in" where they send patients if their own doctor was not available. So I went in and saw the doctor there. He informed me that there were two conditions that would cause pain like I had. One of them was narrow angle or angle closure, I had forgotten what the other was but he didn't see anything pointint to this anyway. He did noticed that I had narrow angles and that likely was the problem. He immediately set me up with the glaucoma specialist there at the clinic for the next day.
So the next day came and while I was waiting in the lobby for my appt, my ophthalmologist walks out of the clinic. He looked at me and I at him but he didn't come and talk to me. I was a bit surprised but then realized he probably had something he had to get to (you have to understand that my opthalmologist is an FFB Researcher, a Professor of Ophthalmology and in the Leadership of this facility where I go, so he's hard to reach in the clinic most of the time). So I went in to see the glaucoma specialist who did confirm that my angles were closed and that I had a very serious case.
He first recommended to have Peripherial Iredectomy, wish is a laser surgery that burns a hole into the iris to allow the fluid to exchange and drain. I also had an ultrasound done on my eyes. Now that was interesting!
When I got home late that afternoon, I sent an e-mail to my ophthalmologist (the one who ewlked out of the clinic) and told him what was up. I DID NOT want to do anythign without his involvement. I informed him what the glaucoma specialist stated, what he recommended and that I did not want to do anythign without him knowing what was going on.
A few hours later I recieved a reply from Dr. B. He told me he saw me and wanted to chat but was an hour late for anotehr meeting. He indicated that narrow angle (glaucoma) was serious and that laser surgery was indeed the first step. He indicated that cataract surgery is also sometimes done if laser does not correct the problem and since I was interested in cataract surgery that this may be where we could look into and head after the laser surgery. He also would talk to the glaucoma specialist the next day about my case as the two were in surgery together.
Well, The next day (the day before the laser surgery) I received an email from the glaucoma specialist. He indicated that the two of them discussed my case and decided against the laswer surgery and proceed with the cataracts urgery and another procedure that would lift the iris off the meshwork that is causing the glaucoma to happen. He warned that if this didn't work, that I would probably have to go into traditional glaucoma surgery. But was unsure.
So I eventually had the left eye done on Feb 20th which was the worse eye. That day I was so nervous. My BP was sky high! Even though many friends tell me this is a breeze (yea right!), I was still freaked out! I remember sitting in the bed (laying actually) and prior to wheeling me into OR that my body was shaking so bad! I coudln't help how nervous and frightened I was. Finally Mike, my anesthesiologist came along and gave me a dose of Versed and BOY was I relaxed! My wife told me that I said "Ah..that's better!" LOL.
I remember being wheeled into the OR, beign hooked up to the monitors, the BP cuff was put on me. They had an oxygen tube in my nostrils because later I foundmyself with some paper thing over my face with jsut a hoel that allowed access to my left eye. So the oxygen probably was to make breathing easier. Oh and I had an oximeter on too.
So I was looking at this light and I could "see" shadows of the tool working on my left eye. I didn't feel anything because the doped me up with numbing eye drops so I wasn't too worried, besides I was RELAXED with Versed! At the end, I swear I was there for only 10 minutes and this was suppose to be 20 to 30 minutes and i was freaking out "Somethine is wrong! This possibly can't be done!) but sure enough, I was in there the whole 30 minutes! I had forgotten that Versed makes you lose track of time. So that makes it feel like the procedure goes faster.
I was in and out in 2 hours and came home to rest, then putting my antibiotic eye drops in every 2 hrs while I was awake. I started eye drops 2 days before surgery, 3x a day. And still do it 3x a day until the drops are used up. I started the right eye on Sunday and so now both my eyes are getting drops in them!
So now, my right eye will be done tomorrow morning. I hope I'm not too freaked out this time as I've been through this.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Crazy Events!
Sunday was a pretty much laid back day. Most of the students did their laundry. Fortunately, I did mine earlier that week. One of the nice things about the Special Needs Program is that we get all our work done (routes and lectures) before the general class does. So i can often get to the laundry room and get going. I just did my laundry again this evening.
Sunday, a volunteer who knows ASL came to visit. She was really nice. her parents are from my home area! It was such a nice surprise to meet someone who knows the home area. We talked about alot of things about home and living in NY.
Monday, we headed to the house to do our work. We did two routes working the left turn. I think I did pretty well.
I was chatting with the other DB person here last night. At about 9PM I made the comment that I wanted to shower but our conversation continued. It was almost time to park the dogs so I said I'll wait until after we park to shower. Well, after that, Archer wanted to play. So I didn't get to shower. Then all of a sudden, my doorbell was ringing! Lke a panic. I went to answer it but no one was there. It was dark in the hallway due to the lights being shut off but I soon discovered that the fire alarm was going off (I saw the strob lights flashing in the hall). So I ran to get Archer and out the park door and meet at our designated spot. The first thing that came to my mind was that it was the unannounced drill. Then I saw all the emergency vehicles pull in! I was thinking, what in the world?
It turned ou to be a false alarm. We think some dust might have triggered the alarm someplace. It was a good thing I didn't get into the shower or the female instructor that was left for the night would have seen me..well..you know.
Today we drove over to the house to work. We were a bit delayed arriving but that was okay. We worked with Archer on distractions and he did well. When we got to the house we were ready to leave for the route but it was almos ttime to park Archer. So we took him to water and park. Well, he wouldn't go! That was surprising. He acted like he had to go but he wouldn't. So we waited for nearly 30 minutes before we decided to bag it and take our chance if he would go on our route. Needless to say, he did not. We made it home. Although he was panting really hard. It was quite hot and humid for us. But that was only on the last leg of the blog.
Then this afternoon, we were told we were having a "relay" walk, meaning each student will go one at a time alone! But there would be instructors scattered along the pathway, so you were never out of sight of one of the instructors. The first student to go, went really quick so we asked what he did? He said, he took the cab!
So while we were taiting turns we were talking about this and that. And I all of a sudden had an idea! Earlier, we were joking about the reflectors on the harness. There are two in the chest strap. I mentioned, oh, those are headlights! Then I noticed there were some on the sides. Then I said "Oh! These must be the blinkers!" On th ehandle there are two colors. And my instructor said, and yes, these are the police lights! (they were silver and blue reflectors on the handle). So today, I was thinking about that and for the DB to go about, I was teasing my instructor that we should get some music to play. You know, the type of music on the ice cream trucks that go through in the summertime. Later, I declared" No! We shoul get sirens! That would get everyone to stop!" Then one of the other studenst said, "No, just a bike horn!" LOL.
So it came my turn. I got up and told the group, "See ya, I'm going in the Archermobile." We all had a god laught at that.
I did well. Archer did well but had a few corrections. He came up to a big curb a little off so I had to correct him. No treat reward for him on this one.But he did well from there on out. He was really tired on the last leg again. So I slowed down for him knowing I was almost done and in no hurry. But the Class Supervisor came up to me and said I did very well and was impressed.
So I got in the van and we came back to the dorm. I started some laundry and now, I have free time for the rest of the evening. The other students want to talk with me so I had better go.
Sunday, a volunteer who knows ASL came to visit. She was really nice. her parents are from my home area! It was such a nice surprise to meet someone who knows the home area. We talked about alot of things about home and living in NY.
Monday, we headed to the house to do our work. We did two routes working the left turn. I think I did pretty well.
I was chatting with the other DB person here last night. At about 9PM I made the comment that I wanted to shower but our conversation continued. It was almost time to park the dogs so I said I'll wait until after we park to shower. Well, after that, Archer wanted to play. So I didn't get to shower. Then all of a sudden, my doorbell was ringing! Lke a panic. I went to answer it but no one was there. It was dark in the hallway due to the lights being shut off but I soon discovered that the fire alarm was going off (I saw the strob lights flashing in the hall). So I ran to get Archer and out the park door and meet at our designated spot. The first thing that came to my mind was that it was the unannounced drill. Then I saw all the emergency vehicles pull in! I was thinking, what in the world?
It turned ou to be a false alarm. We think some dust might have triggered the alarm someplace. It was a good thing I didn't get into the shower or the female instructor that was left for the night would have seen me..well..you know.
Today we drove over to the house to work. We were a bit delayed arriving but that was okay. We worked with Archer on distractions and he did well. When we got to the house we were ready to leave for the route but it was almos ttime to park Archer. So we took him to water and park. Well, he wouldn't go! That was surprising. He acted like he had to go but he wouldn't. So we waited for nearly 30 minutes before we decided to bag it and take our chance if he would go on our route. Needless to say, he did not. We made it home. Although he was panting really hard. It was quite hot and humid for us. But that was only on the last leg of the blog.
Then this afternoon, we were told we were having a "relay" walk, meaning each student will go one at a time alone! But there would be instructors scattered along the pathway, so you were never out of sight of one of the instructors. The first student to go, went really quick so we asked what he did? He said, he took the cab!
So while we were taiting turns we were talking about this and that. And I all of a sudden had an idea! Earlier, we were joking about the reflectors on the harness. There are two in the chest strap. I mentioned, oh, those are headlights! Then I noticed there were some on the sides. Then I said "Oh! These must be the blinkers!" On th ehandle there are two colors. And my instructor said, and yes, these are the police lights! (they were silver and blue reflectors on the handle). So today, I was thinking about that and for the DB to go about, I was teasing my instructor that we should get some music to play. You know, the type of music on the ice cream trucks that go through in the summertime. Later, I declared" No! We shoul get sirens! That would get everyone to stop!" Then one of the other studenst said, "No, just a bike horn!" LOL.
So it came my turn. I got up and told the group, "See ya, I'm going in the Archermobile." We all had a god laught at that.
I did well. Archer did well but had a few corrections. He came up to a big curb a little off so I had to correct him. No treat reward for him on this one.But he did well from there on out. He was really tired on the last leg again. So I slowed down for him knowing I was almost done and in no hurry. But the Class Supervisor came up to me and said I did very well and was impressed.
So I got in the van and we came back to the dorm. I started some laundry and now, I have free time for the rest of the evening. The other students want to talk with me so I had better go.
Saturday, August 2, 2008
One Week down, two more to go
I didn't get a chance to update regarding my adventure yesterday. The events for today and yesterday were pretty much identical.
We arrived to the house in White Plains where we work in the city district there. We worked the "Left" command going around a huge block. Besides, it took us to a much busier area of the city where there were people all over the sidewalk. Archer did a great job navigating through this as well as identifying the narrow paths where he stops and I need to check to see the clearance before proceeding. he did a great job. Then the afternoon we worked the "Right" command where we went the opposite direction.
Today, we worked only the "Left" command with positive reinforcement when he arrived to the curb he is suppose to stop and he does. However, today was an omnious day due to thunderstorms! Fortunately, I got my morning route done without any rain. However, the afternoon route is where most people got soaked but I still was able to get through it without getting too wet. So I lucked out with going out in between the storms.
I have learned that Archer is quite picky on his parking spots. In other words, he must have LOTS of area to go relieve himself. Otherwise, he won't. So that sort of messed up his parking schedule today. When we finally did our morning route, we parked him before we left but he didn't do much. But down the street he eventually found a nice place to poop and I didn't know that was going on. But that was okay.That is what doggie clean up bags are for! :)
We then got back to the dorms in which I was able to play with Archer in the big room with the door shuts. It was the first time I took off his leash since I have received him. He loves to play. Part of this work out was to use the "Come" or "here" command when calling after Archer if he is in the distance. He had no problem with me. We did soem reinforcements with treats a couple of times. I also wore him out by playing with the toys he had.
So I am pretty much done for this week. Tomorrow is a break for all of us so it's more of a slow day hanging out at the dorm kind of thing. There will be a volunteer that knows ASL that will be here as my instructor and the other Special needs Program Instructor that works with the other DB student here will have half day but break it up so that one of them is only here at a time.
So that is what my last two days have been like.
Archer this morning woke up wanting to play before park time. he got up on the bed with his frotn paws! But he quickly got "off" when I commanded him to. But he does really good.
Oh, one other thing I forgot. Last night we got shoes for Archer. Ont thing we picked up is the sidewalks are hot and his paws may have been hurting. So we got shoes to try on him. He didn't want anything to do with them! We put one on at a time and walked around the big room. With only 1 or 2 shoes on, I can't remember how many, but we were trying to get him to lay down. But that was not successful. We were, however, successful with getting him to sit. But we ran out of time for getting him to sit with shoes on. I made a mistake by continually pulling downward on his collar and he got frightened. I felt so bad as I thought I scared the living daylights out of him! But he quickly forgave me and on we went. But again, we ran out of time and were not able to work more on this.
But he was quite playful today, brining me his toy directly to my hand when i place it out and he wants to play "tug o' war" with the toys! I will tell him to "Drop it" and he will immediately and I'll throw it across the room. he will gladly fetch it.
One thing I saw take place this morning in the dorm while we were playing with his toy bone is that I attempted to throw it across the room and he jumped and caught it in mid air.
Well, I am going to sign off and take a break. There is not much else going on at this moment.
We arrived to the house in White Plains where we work in the city district there. We worked the "Left" command going around a huge block. Besides, it took us to a much busier area of the city where there were people all over the sidewalk. Archer did a great job navigating through this as well as identifying the narrow paths where he stops and I need to check to see the clearance before proceeding. he did a great job. Then the afternoon we worked the "Right" command where we went the opposite direction.
Today, we worked only the "Left" command with positive reinforcement when he arrived to the curb he is suppose to stop and he does. However, today was an omnious day due to thunderstorms! Fortunately, I got my morning route done without any rain. However, the afternoon route is where most people got soaked but I still was able to get through it without getting too wet. So I lucked out with going out in between the storms.
I have learned that Archer is quite picky on his parking spots. In other words, he must have LOTS of area to go relieve himself. Otherwise, he won't. So that sort of messed up his parking schedule today. When we finally did our morning route, we parked him before we left but he didn't do much. But down the street he eventually found a nice place to poop and I didn't know that was going on. But that was okay.That is what doggie clean up bags are for! :)
We then got back to the dorms in which I was able to play with Archer in the big room with the door shuts. It was the first time I took off his leash since I have received him. He loves to play. Part of this work out was to use the "Come" or "here" command when calling after Archer if he is in the distance. He had no problem with me. We did soem reinforcements with treats a couple of times. I also wore him out by playing with the toys he had.
So I am pretty much done for this week. Tomorrow is a break for all of us so it's more of a slow day hanging out at the dorm kind of thing. There will be a volunteer that knows ASL that will be here as my instructor and the other Special needs Program Instructor that works with the other DB student here will have half day but break it up so that one of them is only here at a time.
So that is what my last two days have been like.
Archer this morning woke up wanting to play before park time. he got up on the bed with his frotn paws! But he quickly got "off" when I commanded him to. But he does really good.
Oh, one other thing I forgot. Last night we got shoes for Archer. Ont thing we picked up is the sidewalks are hot and his paws may have been hurting. So we got shoes to try on him. He didn't want anything to do with them! We put one on at a time and walked around the big room. With only 1 or 2 shoes on, I can't remember how many, but we were trying to get him to lay down. But that was not successful. We were, however, successful with getting him to sit. But we ran out of time for getting him to sit with shoes on. I made a mistake by continually pulling downward on his collar and he got frightened. I felt so bad as I thought I scared the living daylights out of him! But he quickly forgave me and on we went. But again, we ran out of time and were not able to work more on this.
But he was quite playful today, brining me his toy directly to my hand when i place it out and he wants to play "tug o' war" with the toys! I will tell him to "Drop it" and he will immediately and I'll throw it across the room. he will gladly fetch it.
One thing I saw take place this morning in the dorm while we were playing with his toy bone is that I attempted to throw it across the room and he jumped and caught it in mid air.
Well, I am going to sign off and take a break. There is not much else going on at this moment.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
FINALLY! My new DOG!
Hello!
WHEW! Finally I have access to a computer and can update you all on my adventure!
I departed home a midnight Sunday and took the "redeye" straight to NYC. It was a full plane but I was the first one boarded. I did not sleep much as it was very uncomfortable sitting or even reclining back. There was nothing to support my neck. Needless to say, I have had a bad headache until Tuesday morning when i finally took something.
I did depart about an hour later than scheduled due to the plane arriving late. There was a storm Sunday night. However, we touched down in NYC at our arrival time so we did not arrive late. It took us about 15 minutes to get to the gate and deplaned. The captain of that llight escorted me up to the gate in which my Instructor was waiting for me. So we walked to the baggage to get my stuff. There was to be another DB person arriving an hour after me but her plane got canceled. (She did arrive late that night with another flight though).
I crashed about 8pm Monday night as I have been awake since 730AM Sunday. I did get get up Tuesday normal time and started the day.
Tuesday we went to other building in White Plains where we worked on some "Juno" walks. ("Juno" is where the instructor mimics a dog guide around a short block.) The morning we wroked on "Left" commands and in the afternoon we worked on "Right" commands going the opposite direction.
In between we had a few lectures.
The nice thing about the Special Needs Program is that the two of us that are DB, have one to one instructions. The general class have about 3-4 students per instructor so they have to wait time to get through. So my Instructor and I often get all of our walks and lectures done before dinner time that I will have free time from that point forward. Good thing I brought my Hadley books so I can keep going on Braille!
Wednesday morning we did some "Juno" walk around the dorms and some lectures. Then in the afternoon we were to meet the school President but he did not show up. So the instructors went on ahead and announced our dogs (telling us the sex, breed and name). I recieved Archer, a male Yellow Lab. So about 2:45PM my Instructor brought Archer to my dorm room so we could bond. He did great. He was happy to see me giving me "Puppy Kisses!" But he is, in my opinion very well grounded. Once he settled down he was really good.
One thing I should note is that the Special Needs Program dogs are trained longer than the general students so they are generally more settled down and less hyper. The first night went very well.
One thing I noticed was at 6AM when we get up to "park" our dogs, I was putting on my shoes to take him out on the end of the bed. He was tied down still at the head of the bed. But he was in a sitting position with his head rested on the bed looking at me.
I have found that my dog "parks" quite well and quickly compared to the other dogs. I noticed that my dog goes rather quickly and we have been the first to complete the "parking".
If you don't know what "park" means, it basically means you take your dog out to relieve himself. I couldn't understand why they used the term "park" when the command used is Break. So I asked my instructor during dinner time why this was the case. She indicated to me that if you reverse the work "park", what does it say? For all you other guide dog users, it's not "break" but really "park!":)
Archer is currently on three medications for an ear infection and yeast infection. Two oral medications and one ear drop. All but one medication will be over with by the time I come home.
Today was the first day that I actually felt how a dog guide feels. I have never felt that before. Basically, today, we did the same as we did on Tuesday, worked a few blocks around the building in the morning working the "left" commands. In the afternoon, we walked the same route but using "right" command going the opposite direction. We headed back to the dorms where the IT Department finally permitted access to the computer for me. Otherwise, i would have updated you all sooner. unfortunately, that wasn't the case until tonight.
I think I am doing well. I'm comfortable with the guide and happy. But I miss my family terribly. But I know I am doing the right thing and my separation from my family is only temporary. I'm looking forward to going home!
Well, that is about it for tonight. I did some laundry since we finished for the night and the other students often have lectures after dinner so I can take advantage of doing laundry! So I had better go get the rest of my laundry!
WHEW! Finally I have access to a computer and can update you all on my adventure!
I departed home a midnight Sunday and took the "redeye" straight to NYC. It was a full plane but I was the first one boarded. I did not sleep much as it was very uncomfortable sitting or even reclining back. There was nothing to support my neck. Needless to say, I have had a bad headache until Tuesday morning when i finally took something.
I did depart about an hour later than scheduled due to the plane arriving late. There was a storm Sunday night. However, we touched down in NYC at our arrival time so we did not arrive late. It took us about 15 minutes to get to the gate and deplaned. The captain of that llight escorted me up to the gate in which my Instructor was waiting for me. So we walked to the baggage to get my stuff. There was to be another DB person arriving an hour after me but her plane got canceled. (She did arrive late that night with another flight though).
I crashed about 8pm Monday night as I have been awake since 730AM Sunday. I did get get up Tuesday normal time and started the day.
Tuesday we went to other building in White Plains where we worked on some "Juno" walks. ("Juno" is where the instructor mimics a dog guide around a short block.) The morning we wroked on "Left" commands and in the afternoon we worked on "Right" commands going the opposite direction.
In between we had a few lectures.
The nice thing about the Special Needs Program is that the two of us that are DB, have one to one instructions. The general class have about 3-4 students per instructor so they have to wait time to get through. So my Instructor and I often get all of our walks and lectures done before dinner time that I will have free time from that point forward. Good thing I brought my Hadley books so I can keep going on Braille!
Wednesday morning we did some "Juno" walk around the dorms and some lectures. Then in the afternoon we were to meet the school President but he did not show up. So the instructors went on ahead and announced our dogs (telling us the sex, breed and name). I recieved Archer, a male Yellow Lab. So about 2:45PM my Instructor brought Archer to my dorm room so we could bond. He did great. He was happy to see me giving me "Puppy Kisses!" But he is, in my opinion very well grounded. Once he settled down he was really good.
One thing I should note is that the Special Needs Program dogs are trained longer than the general students so they are generally more settled down and less hyper. The first night went very well.
One thing I noticed was at 6AM when we get up to "park" our dogs, I was putting on my shoes to take him out on the end of the bed. He was tied down still at the head of the bed. But he was in a sitting position with his head rested on the bed looking at me.
I have found that my dog "parks" quite well and quickly compared to the other dogs. I noticed that my dog goes rather quickly and we have been the first to complete the "parking".
If you don't know what "park" means, it basically means you take your dog out to relieve himself. I couldn't understand why they used the term "park" when the command used is Break. So I asked my instructor during dinner time why this was the case. She indicated to me that if you reverse the work "park", what does it say? For all you other guide dog users, it's not "break" but really "park!":)
Archer is currently on three medications for an ear infection and yeast infection. Two oral medications and one ear drop. All but one medication will be over with by the time I come home.
Today was the first day that I actually felt how a dog guide feels. I have never felt that before. Basically, today, we did the same as we did on Tuesday, worked a few blocks around the building in the morning working the "left" commands. In the afternoon, we walked the same route but using "right" command going the opposite direction. We headed back to the dorms where the IT Department finally permitted access to the computer for me. Otherwise, i would have updated you all sooner. unfortunately, that wasn't the case until tonight.
I think I am doing well. I'm comfortable with the guide and happy. But I miss my family terribly. But I know I am doing the right thing and my separation from my family is only temporary. I'm looking forward to going home!
Well, that is about it for tonight. I did some laundry since we finished for the night and the other students often have lectures after dinner so I can take advantage of doing laundry! So I had better go get the rest of my laundry!
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
A new challenge
I have a new challenge: I NO LONGER CAN SEE THE CAPTIONS ON TV.
It's crazy! I have grown used to being dependant upon the captioning for all my life. I used to watch the news channels (MSNBC, CNN, FOX) but those have slowly faded out. I continued to watch some TV over the past few years such as Star Trek, Smallville to name just the two most frequently DVR'ed (is that a word?) shows. But even now, I no longer can read the captions.
At a 10 degree visual field and seeing only 20/400 with correction, it sure makes seeing anything in print very difficult, including CC.
What do I do? Grow bored and become a vegetable? I hope not!
The challenge here is my kids love watching movies. I no longer can enjoy them like I used to.
But at least the internet is accessible to me so I can atleast read the news online.
It's crazy! I have grown used to being dependant upon the captioning for all my life. I used to watch the news channels (MSNBC, CNN, FOX) but those have slowly faded out. I continued to watch some TV over the past few years such as Star Trek, Smallville to name just the two most frequently DVR'ed (is that a word?) shows. But even now, I no longer can read the captions.
At a 10 degree visual field and seeing only 20/400 with correction, it sure makes seeing anything in print very difficult, including CC.
What do I do? Grow bored and become a vegetable? I hope not!
The challenge here is my kids love watching movies. I no longer can enjoy them like I used to.
But at least the internet is accessible to me so I can atleast read the news online.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Getting a Guide Dog
Well, it's official! Guiding Eyes for the Blind has accepted me in their Special Needs Program. This program is geared towards those who have additional disabilities to blindness. There are only two schools that work primaril with those who are deaf-blind: GEB and Leader Dogs.
I picked GEB because I found the staff there very upfront and direct to the point in answering many of my questions. Leader Dogs, on the other hand, were very vague and would not answer my questions. For example, one of the questions I asked both the schools was finding out when thei have classes in ASL. GEB told me any of their classes can accomodate with ASL instruction. Leader Dogs, on the other hand, had only two classes per year and they would not tell me which months they were in! They just salld "spring" and "fall" but nothing more and those were the only two months they had ASL instruction!
The waiting period for GEB was two years. I had applied in May 2007 and here I am, just over a year later, I'm heading to GEB! I was not expecting this to come this quickly. I am excited though.
I have met other guide dog users who have gone to GEB as well. They all had positive things to say about the school.
I should be heading out at the end of the month. But this depends upon dog availability and if they find a good match for me. They are confident one of the dogs in the pool will match.
You see, they match dogs to your lifestyle and needs, not match you with a dog and just go your way. They try hard to match a guide that walks your pace, fits your family lifestyle, fits your daily activities, and everything else.
My three children love dogs! It will be an adjustment to have a dog in our family, especially a service animal. We will have to be sure that when the harness is on, that it is "DO NOT TOUCH THE DOG!" But when the harness is off, the dog can be playful and the kids can playwith him/her.
I picked GEB because I found the staff there very upfront and direct to the point in answering many of my questions. Leader Dogs, on the other hand, were very vague and would not answer my questions. For example, one of the questions I asked both the schools was finding out when thei have classes in ASL. GEB told me any of their classes can accomodate with ASL instruction. Leader Dogs, on the other hand, had only two classes per year and they would not tell me which months they were in! They just salld "spring" and "fall" but nothing more and those were the only two months they had ASL instruction!
The waiting period for GEB was two years. I had applied in May 2007 and here I am, just over a year later, I'm heading to GEB! I was not expecting this to come this quickly. I am excited though.
I have met other guide dog users who have gone to GEB as well. They all had positive things to say about the school.
I should be heading out at the end of the month. But this depends upon dog availability and if they find a good match for me. They are confident one of the dogs in the pool will match.
You see, they match dogs to your lifestyle and needs, not match you with a dog and just go your way. They try hard to match a guide that walks your pace, fits your family lifestyle, fits your daily activities, and everything else.
My three children love dogs! It will be an adjustment to have a dog in our family, especially a service animal. We will have to be sure that when the harness is on, that it is "DO NOT TOUCH THE DOG!" But when the harness is off, the dog can be playful and the kids can playwith him/her.
Friday, March 21, 2008
The Dreaded Moment
Well, it has come and gone, my annual trek to the ophthalmologist. I really set myself up for a disappointment this time around.
The appointment went well overall. I just was hoping that my cataracts were ripening and that they were the cause of such drastic VA drop (I see 20/400 with correction). But NOOOOOPE! The cataracts didn't change at all. That then translates that the RP is progressing. I was really really hoping it was the cataracts. I hear so much about improvements with the VA when cataracts are removed. But the doctor was very doubtful I would obtain any benefit. He left it up to me though. But I trust his expertise on this. So, after being there for an hour (or a little longer, perhaps but not more than 1.25 hrs) feeling very very depressed. My lovely wife could tell I was really disappointed.
I was hoping for the best but yet, the worse came. What do I do now? Prepare for "total blindness" or even "light perception"? That's how it feels right now, especially when I attempt to watch TV. I see that the TV is on, but I cannot see any figures or what is going on. I can't even read the CC (closed-captioning). This is such a drastic movement for me.
All the things I used to be able to do are now slowly fading away. I guess I better get moving on the Braille and start some new hobbies.
I am going to have to figure out HOW I will purchase any needed equipment I need to keep some form of sanity. Equipment I need are like Braille Displays for accessing the computer (ZoomText isn't cutting it for me these days), Braille Embosser (printer), scanner so I can scan documents and software to operate all this with. These are not cheap items. I could easily spend close to $50,000 just for the basic necessities to be independant.
As a deaf-blind individual, communication with others is a big factor. The device that Humanware is creating called the DB Communicator (DBC) will cost roughly $8,000 alone! This isn't cheap and that's only the tip of the iceberg of all items I need.
The appointment went well overall. I just was hoping that my cataracts were ripening and that they were the cause of such drastic VA drop (I see 20/400 with correction). But NOOOOOPE! The cataracts didn't change at all. That then translates that the RP is progressing. I was really really hoping it was the cataracts. I hear so much about improvements with the VA when cataracts are removed. But the doctor was very doubtful I would obtain any benefit. He left it up to me though. But I trust his expertise on this. So, after being there for an hour (or a little longer, perhaps but not more than 1.25 hrs) feeling very very depressed. My lovely wife could tell I was really disappointed.
I was hoping for the best but yet, the worse came. What do I do now? Prepare for "total blindness" or even "light perception"? That's how it feels right now, especially when I attempt to watch TV. I see that the TV is on, but I cannot see any figures or what is going on. I can't even read the CC (closed-captioning). This is such a drastic movement for me.
All the things I used to be able to do are now slowly fading away. I guess I better get moving on the Braille and start some new hobbies.
I am going to have to figure out HOW I will purchase any needed equipment I need to keep some form of sanity. Equipment I need are like Braille Displays for accessing the computer (ZoomText isn't cutting it for me these days), Braille Embosser (printer), scanner so I can scan documents and software to operate all this with. These are not cheap items. I could easily spend close to $50,000 just for the basic necessities to be independant.
As a deaf-blind individual, communication with others is a big factor. The device that Humanware is creating called the DB Communicator (DBC) will cost roughly $8,000 alone! This isn't cheap and that's only the tip of the iceberg of all items I need.
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