One of my favourite ‘experiences’ occurred back in Grade 11, when our class had a substitute teacher. I was ready to start a normal day, and my EA (Educational Assistant) was absent for a few moments. The substitute referred to the seating plan our teacher provided, which included a little sketch of a dog, representing Opal’s (my service dog) ‘seat.’ The substitute was handing out the notes for the day, but looked down confusedly at me and Opal. She asked innocently, “How are you going to read the note, if you can’t see?” That’s when I became confused. I had no idea what she was talking about. Then it clicked. I had to laugh, she thought Opal was a guide dog, and that I was blind. I told the story to my EA when she returned. “I must have pretty good driving skills for a blind girl.” Powerchairs are not easy to drive at the best of times, never mind with impaired vision. I wish she was there when this comical moment happened, as it was something that I remembered throughout my high school career, and still do to this day.
Opal and I have been through a lot, and she means the world to me. There are many different types of service dogs, not just guide dogs for the blind. Opal is a special skills dog; a dog that can perform many tasks to help people with mobility impairments. I wish people were more informed about service dogs. This would include NOT petting them while they are working. You would think that the harness on her that says quite clearly “Please, Don’t Pet Me” would be a good indicator, but apparently not. I guess I have to understand that no one can resist that beautiful face.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment