Fiercely Independent Pam

Tag: service dog

  • Help Wanted: Wet Noses Only- Dreaming of My Service Dog!

    Earlier this year, I began the process of applying for a mobility service dog. I tried several national organizations, but either I was in the wrong season, or they weren’t taking any new applications. Disappointed, I continue my searches and found PAALS (Palmetto Animal Assisted Life Services), right here in South Carolina. I was intrigued by their mission to provide service dogs for various needs.

    I instantly knew this organization was for me. I believed in their mission, loved their fundraising ideas, and the size seemed perfect. Attaining a trained service dog, wasn’t going to be easy, but not only worth the wait, but I found a new non-profit to support.

    I began filling out the lengthy application online, I believe it took me close to 12 hours to complete. Then I gathered letters and forms of support from friends and medical providers. All was complete and I confirmed receipt with PAALS. I began following aka staking their facebook page and spreading the word about PAALS as well as my (hopeful) future as a service dog handler (DOG MOM).

    When I decide to do something, all of me is invested. I decided that I was going to manifest a service dog into my life. It became the major topic of conversation at meals and with friends. My saved Facebook ads required their own folder, “Service Dog Stuff.” This folder ranged from crocs for dogs to fun toys and tracking collars. I love dog stuff.

    Around the same time, I met new friends here at my community, who have a service dog. She is wonderfully sweet and semi-retired. I learned more about legal issues around service animals and the commitment to having a service dog. I knew this was a sign that in the not so far future I would be a Dog Mom again. My family thinks I’m crazy and worries about taking care of the dog when I am sick, but I have provisions for that.

    Now, fast forward to recent times. My dreams are filled with images of a fluffy dogs with wet noses living in my spaces. I look forward to sharing my bed with a giant lab who will leave “glitter” all over the place. I am ready to share my life with a wet nose, funny antics, and lots of toys!

    My goal is to publish the process of team training and bringing my Service Dog home. I know he/she will steal the show. For now, I will continue to show restraint and not call/email PAALS to bug them for an update. My heart and mind are ready to welcome a dog that will 100% change my life. Stay tuned…

  • 35 Years of ADA: What This Means to Me!

    It boggles my mind when things are actually younger than me. ADA was passed 35 years ago today. A landmarking case that literally changed the course of life quality for people with disabilities. I remember learning much of my knowledge of ADA from my special education courses in college and graduate school. Never in my wildest dreams, would I think that I would need the protection of this act myself.

    I am now an ambulatory wheelchair user. I have a wonderful, but huge, fully equipped power wheelchair. I love it and the special touches I have added to it. It is my main mode of transportation allowing me to go to the grocery store, nail salon, and out to eat (all nearby). I take it on the community bus and it allows me to conserve energy so that I can do everything that I want to do (usually). It came with a learning curve to drive it as well as the huge learning curve of fending for myself in the “wild.”

    I knew, even with the protection of ADA, there were challenges for wheelchair users. I never expected, however how hard it was to get around or even finding a proper handicap assessible bathroom. Curbs and sidewalks can be especially tricky to navigate at times, particularly one I use almost daily that requires me to have to go in the street. Sometimes assessable bathrooms are too small, things are out of reach, or they are used as storage rooms, making them unusable.

    I have a “new set of eyes” when I am out traveling about. I see things that can either be helpful or make things impossible. I now naturally look to find hinderances. It’s hard to not think about this now.

    ADA is about so much more than curb cuts, bathrooms and elevators. It is about empowering people with disabilities to live lives as independent as possible. I enjoy educating others about disability rights, and know this will be even more important when I finally get a service dog and we are out an about. Discrimination is high against service dogs access in some places. I know my patience will be tested.

    Anyway, I am grateful for what ADA has accomplished, but we need to remember this is not the finish line for people with disabilities. More work needs to be done to truly create a more assessable country and hopefully in doing that we will see even more changes around the world.

    As a special education teacher, I chose to fight for my students and make sure they were receiving anything they were entitled to. I no longer work in the field, but will never stop fighting for what is right for people with disabilities- I just never thought I would be fighting for myself.