Living Alone With Parkinson's
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I WAS Blind ?

NOW,
I Can See !!!

"There are None so Blind as Those Who Will Not See"
 

(This information is directed toward people with Parkinson's
Much of it may also apply to other folks)

Stories
This is a special place for stories, both yours and mine!
Some will be inspirational, some will be someone's experience,
and others that are extremely useful.
Please feel free to contribute.
(There is a separate section for humor).

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I use a dog for mobility

My Dog, George is a Lab and we trained him ourselves (more on that later) George is a very laid-back lab with a wonderful desire to help in any way that he can. He assists me in getting up or sitting down.

He helps me up and down stairs one step at a time, and when walking on the rough terrain of our ranch, he gives me needed stability and balance. He has almost straightened out my gait, but best of all he can detect freezing episodes and break them. I have trained him to pick up anything that I drop and "hand" it to me (including a
credit card, keys, plates, change, or even a hammer or other tools that I drop).

He will also bring me objects that I place a laser pointer light on including full 2 liter bottles of pop (soda, for you easterners). He goes everywhere that I do including commercial airliners, VA hospital, etc., etc.
( no one can deny him access to any place that I go).

George responds to hand signals, verbal commands, and he neck reins like a roping horse for the days when I have trouble telling him to halt, back-up, etc. Most of the time
he carries small back packs with my meds, inhalers, and a hand held 2 way FM radio etc. but he can also manage quite a load of groceries (with the handles of the plastic sacks tied together he parades proudly out to the parking lot like a pack horse). At the big WalMart he can take me to where we have parked the truck. We are still working on the H/C door opener buttons and helping me to pull jacket sleeves and pants off. George is only 3 and has been working in public since he was a year old.

We breed large labs that are laid-back and have the correct temperament for this type of work and even do some pre training. George uses a support harness that came from Trainer's Choice (approx. $60) Training is relatively easy using the guidelines in 2 books from Top Dog (total cost of about $32). They train people with disabilities to train their own service animals. Included is a crash course on dog psychology, and scenarios for most situations including those who are
wheelchair bound so that they can train their own dog.

You cannot use them to pull a wheel chair until after age 2 as their backs are not fully developed and solidified yet.

I hope that this has been the info that you need, but I would be happy to provide more info on the dogs, training, etc. of list if you would like.

Rob

The above story "Training A Dog To Help", was given to me through the courtesy of Rob at: Meadow Creek Ranch, with my thanks.

 

  
 
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The above information "Works4Me". It is not intended as medical advice and is in no way to replace the advice of your physician.