Hey everyone :)

Posted by msk5 on 10/29/2012 at 1:48 PM

hello everyone! haven't been on in a while, I am Jillian and am 21, I have ROP (Retinopathy of prematurity) in both eyes. i have had 12 eye surgeries, I was going to college, but then took this past semsster off to go to a blind rehabilitation center in austin, (i live in texas) i just graduated! woohoo! November 25th i go to california to get my first guide dog, and then in January i will go back to college. if anyone wants to chat about anything or ask anything about blindness feel free to post!
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There are currently 6 replies

Re: Hey everyone :)

So glad you posted! You have been extremely busy, how was Criss Cole? Fill us in on life and such.

I am psyched for you, this must have been a great experience, I bet your skills are top notch after training there. I know some of the staff there.

I know we all look forward to hearing about your experiences.

All the best!

Sincerely,
Joe S.
AFB Staff

Re: Hey everyone :)

Hi! What guide dog school are you going to?

Sarah and Wizard

Re: Hey everyone :)

How was your experience with getting your guide dog? I live in North Carolina. The only guide dog schools around here are up in New York which I refuse to go. To many people. The others are down in Florida which I've been told to stay away from. I've heard rumors that Mira was supposed to set up an opperation in North Carolina but I haven't found anything on it.

Re: Hey everyone :)

Criss Cole was an experience, it was very helpful with the blindfolded training. I have loads of stories! I am going to Guide dogs for the blind in San Rafeal, California

Re: Hey everyone :)

There is Pilot Dogs in Columbus, OH and Leader Dogs in Kalamazoo, Mich. Just providing a few outside the NY area for conversation. All of the schools have positives, and the more people you meet, the more you will hear positives and negative stories -- there are a lot of great programs. I haven't heard about one in NC yet, but it wouldn't surprise me. There is one program that will come to your home area, can't remember which program that is though.

I am sure you can find a lot of people on here that have been to the different programs. You can contact them to find out mroe though.

Can you give us a top ten list of the skills, advice or tips you learned during your training. I love hearing about the programs. I know how pumped we all come out of programs, ready to make things happen.

Thank you so much for sharing! Enjoy dog guide school! You will be a start student, no doubt!

Sincerely,
Joe S.
AFB staff

Re: Hey everyone :)

My experience was very hard the first 4 days. I was sick and vomiting I wanted to quit so bad. But I'm glad I didn't quit. The training {as hard and intense but well worth it.