tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10315000069805030542024-02-20T05:08:15.923-08:00Life's JourneyJessica Woodshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05436087528061537457noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1031500006980503054.post-30617419099307287472015-01-05T13:09:00.000-08:002015-01-05T13:09:19.305-08:00The Journey continues: My last semester of graduate school
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Tomorrow begins my final semester as a Master’s of Social
Work student. It is hard to believe I’ve been in the program for a year and a
half. It has gone by so fast.</div>
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It has been an exciting year and a half. I have had
opportunities to do things that I did not know I was capable of doing. I know
my learning is far from over. This final semester will be an exciting one for
me.</div>
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I will be taking four classes to further my knowledge of the
field of social work. My internship will continue to be a valuable source of
knowledge for me. I am learning so much at the Division of Blind Services.
Being able to help others who have vision problems is very rewarding. It is
nice to help others who struggle with many of the same things I do.</div>
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This semester I will begin an exciting new program for the
Division of Blind Services. I have researched and developed a job skills
training program for the clients of DBS who are seeking employment.</div>
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With the guidance of my task supervisor, I will begin
teaching the first class next week. I am excited, and a little nervous, about
beginning this exciting journey. It will be interesting to monitor the progress
of the clients and evaluate and modify the program as needed.</div>
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So here’s to an exciting final semester of graduate school!</div>
Jessica Woodshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05436087528061537457noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1031500006980503054.post-14100126402368531352015-01-01T09:34:00.001-08:002015-01-01T11:56:46.458-08:00Happy New YearHappy New Year!<br />
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As another year begins, I am reflecting back on 2014. A lot happened
during 2014. I am still in the social work master’s program. I completed my first
four-month internship in May 2014 and began my second internship at the Division
of Blind Services (DBS) in September 2014. I am enjoying the work that I am doing there.<br />
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There have been some sad events over the year. My guide dog Diesel
began having problems with arthritis and bone spurs. Due to his sometimes limited
mobility, I have made the heart-breaking decision to retire him in May after I graduate.
I do not want to retire him, but I have to do what is best for both of us.</div>
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I am excited about what the year 2015 will bring. I also have
some trepidation. I will be entering a new chapter in my life where I will not be
a student anymore. </div>
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Even though I am saddened about Diesel’s impending retirement,
I am excited to begin the journey of working with a third guide dog. I will be going
to a month long training program at a guide dog school to train with the new dog.
Once home, the dog and I will continue to grow as a team.<br />
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I will use this blog to chronicle my journey over the next year.
I want to document the wonderful experiences I will have as I expand my horizons.</div>
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<br />Jessica Woodshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05436087528061537457noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1031500006980503054.post-39708438598710847212014-08-12T15:12:00.000-07:002014-08-12T15:12:20.529-07:00A Very Special Day
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Today is the third anniversary of when I flew home with Diesel.
That day was one of rejoicing and of new beginnings.</div>
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Diesel and I have grown so much over the last three years. When
he first came home, he was a very high energy dog. He was only nineteen months old.
He is now four years old and much calmer.</div>
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Walking alongside Diesel has been an adventure. There have been
moments of laughter and tears. But regardless of the emotions, it has been a wonderful
three years.</div>
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Diesel and I have done so much together. He helped guide me through
the remainder of my undergraduate studies. He is now helping me navigate the exciting
world of a Master’s program in social work. </div>
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Our bond is strong. We now work well as a team. Experience has
helped Diesel become a wonderful guide dog. His skills are superb. Add in his hilarious
personality and it is a journey to remember.</div>
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I hope to have many more adventures with my lovable and goofy
guide dog!</div>
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Today is special to me for another reason. Diesel’s homecoming
fell on my best friend Jill’s birthday. This is significant to me because she believed
that I would have a guide dog by her birthday. I did not think that was possible.
Not only was it true, but I flew home with him on her birthday. So happy birthday
Jill. Thank you for bringing me hope when I thought there was none!</div>
Jessica Woodshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05436087528061537457noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1031500006980503054.post-57166536823456880042014-07-16T07:55:00.000-07:002014-07-16T08:32:13.820-07:00Bristol's Legacy<br />
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It is difficult to believe that it has been three years ago
today that my beloved first guide dog <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bristol</st1:place></st1:city>
died from cancer. That time in my life was one of the hardest. Upon reflection,
there were also a lot of good moments.</div>
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<st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bristol touched</st1:place></st1:city> the lives of almost everyone he encountered. It was only after his death
that I truly understood the magnitude of <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bristol</st1:place></st1:city>’s
presence in the lives of everyone he met. Everyone loved <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bristol</st1:place></st1:city>. <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bristol</st1:place></st1:city> helped give my sister the inspiration
to get her guide dog Beacon. He comforted people by simply walking into a room.
His goofy facial expressions and personality made almost everyone he met smile.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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I am calling this post “<st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bristol</st1:place></st1:city>’s Legacy”. <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bristol</st1:place></st1:city>’s work continues three years later.
He gave me my first experience of freedom in April of 2006. Through <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bristol</st1:place></st1:city>, I learned that I
could navigate the world independently. He taught me to trust. He was
everything to me.</div>
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I was devastated when I found out he was dying. He died with
dignity. During the last month of his life, he was able to do many of the
things he loved most. He was able to be a guide dog. He visited many of his
countless friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the last day of
his life, he played fetch with my dad. Playing with a tennis ball was one of
his favorite things to do.</div>
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<st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bristol</st1:place></st1:city>
gave me so much during our five years together. Even in his death, he gave me a
remarkable gift. It was through his death that I got to know my best friend
Jill. I credit <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bristol</st1:place></st1:city>
with how quickly we became such close friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Bristol</st1:city></st1:place>’s
final gift to me is still an integral part of my life today.</div>
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<st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bristol</st1:place></st1:city>
brought my family together. My family banded together to cope with <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bristol</st1:place></st1:city>’s cancer and eventual
death. </div>
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As many people know, <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bristol</st1:place></st1:city>
was an awesome dog. I want to thank everyone who helped train him over the
years. The trainers at Southeastern Guide dog did a wonderful job with him. I
want to thank his puppy raisers, Carolyn and John. They dedicated two years of
their lives to raising him from a puppy to a confident two-year-old guide dog to
be. Without their hard work, the trainers would not have been able to hand me a
wonderfully behaved and superb guide dog.</div>
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I still miss Bristol. I will always miss him. He was my first
guide dog. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was through my wonderful experience
with <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bristol</st1:place></st1:city> that
I had the courage to get my second guide dog Diesel. <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bristol</st1:place></st1:city>’s legacy is Diesel. Diesel continues what
<st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bristol</st1:place></st1:city> began. Diesel
and I have a great working relationship thanks to all that <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bristol</st1:place></st1:city> taught me over the five years I had him.</div>
<br />Jessica Woodshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05436087528061537457noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1031500006980503054.post-58920534130374232932014-06-25T11:31:00.001-07:002014-06-25T11:31:34.380-07:00Interactions with guide dogs
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Over the years, people have had various reactions when
seeing my guide dog. I want to take the time to tell readers about the best
ways to interact with a guide dog handler.</div>
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Guide dogs are not in public places to entertain people.
They have a special mission. The guide dog helps a blind or visually impaired
person navigate independently. How the public responds to a guide dog team can
either help or hinder them.</div>
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Guide dogs are supposed to be ignored when they are working.
This is not to be mean to people, or the dog. It is for the safety for both the
handler and the dog. If a guide dog is distracted by another person, he or she
may lose focus and the handler and/or dog could be injured. People may ask if
they can pet the dog. Each guide dog handler responds differently. Some are
strict while others are more lenient. Please do not be offended if you are told
that it is better if you do not pet the dog. The decision has nothing to do with
you.</div>
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As for me, it depends on the situation I am in if I allow my
guide dog to interact with people. I do allow people to pet my dog in some situations.
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Another thing that frequently happens to me is that people
will address the dog before speaking to me. Some people do not even acknowledge
my presence. Keep in mind, the dog would not be in front of you if the handler
was not there. So please acknowledge the owner and ignore the dog. As already
stated above, if asked the owner may allow you to pet his or her dog. Please do
not assume that it is okay to address the dog by name or reach down and pat the
dog on the head. </div>
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Many guide dogs are affectionate. My guide dog is very loving.
He receives plenty of attention while out of harness. While in harness, the dog
still receives attention and praise from the owner. The dog loves to help the handler
so please be courteous and help the dog successfully guide the owner.</div>
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In upcoming posts, I will write about other questions that I receive about working with a guide dog. If you have a question about guide dogs, feel free to comment on this post, or any future posts.</div>
Jessica Woodshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05436087528061537457noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1031500006980503054.post-58490050972967526542014-06-23T07:30:00.000-07:002014-06-23T07:30:07.559-07:00Two Years Later<br />
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Wow! Has it been nearly two years since I last wrote on my blog.
A lot has happened in those two years. My relationship with Diesel continues to
improve. He is now a wonderful guide dog and comical companion.</div>
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In May of 2013, I graduated with my Bachelor’s degree in philosophy.
In the fall of 2013, I entered the Master’s program in social work (MSW). I am currently
a year into a two year program. </div>
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I will use this blog to tell stories about my journey with
Diesel. I will also share my experiences in the master’s program and any other interesting
life experiences.</div>
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</div>
Jessica Woodshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05436087528061537457noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1031500006980503054.post-16250657416936756212012-08-12T08:37:00.000-07:002012-08-12T08:37:25.122-07:00Diesel: The Dog Who Continues My Independence<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
A year ago today, I flew home with Diesel, my new and very
energetic second guide dog. At that time Diesel and I were still trying to
figure each other out. One thing I knew for certain was that life with Diesel
was not going to be dull. And I have been right about that.</div>
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Diesel was only eighteen months when I received him from
Pilot Dogs. When he was first given to me, he was very difficult to handle. He
did not know who I was and as a result acted like a wild animal. Thankfully, a
lot of his out of control behavior diminished some after a few days of being
together.</div>
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Once we got home last summer, we immediately had to begin
working on my college campus. A new dog and a difficult path to a class meant
that I had a difficult and interesting few weeks.</div>
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The biggest challenge however, was not the new school year,
but adjusting to Diesel. He is so different than my first guide dog. <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bristol</st1:place></st1:city> was so calm.
Diesel has a lot more energy and has a tendency to get over-excited. But with
time, some of that over exuberant behavior has calmed down.</div>
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A year later I am beginning to enjoy working with him. The
bond was slow to come this time. I know that part of that stems from losing <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bristol</st1:place></st1:city> so suddenly. I
didn’t have time to grieve before I had to begin training with Diesel. My heart
was not in it at first.</div>
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In fact, I questioned last summer whether I was ready for
another dog. But I knew that without a dog, my life would be more difficult. A
guide dog gives me so much more freedom than a cane does. My friend Jill has
helped me to understand that I have to think of the positive aspects. Yes, I
will inevitably have to go through another devastating loss. I hope that that
is years from now. The reward of having a guide dog is stronger than the
painful loss though. I know that throughout my life, I will have many dogs to
keep my life interesting and fun. </div>
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So how has Diesel changed in the last year? As I’ve already
said, he is calmer. When I first came home with him, I couldn’t touch him
without him going crazy with excitement. Today I am able to sit down beside him
and pet him without being jumped on. He has also become more loving. At first
his excitement level prevented much affection between us. Now I can reach down
and hug him.</div>
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One thing that has not changed, and I’m glad it hasn’t, is
his fun personality. Ever heard of the class clown? That is Diesel wherever he
goes! </div>
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The last year with Diesel has certainly been a fun one. We
both have changed in so many ways. I hope to have many more anniversaries with
Diesel on August twelfth.</div>Jessica Woodshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05436087528061537457noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1031500006980503054.post-27696667802279430742012-08-01T10:25:00.000-07:002012-08-01T16:08:17.698-07:00Life After Bristol<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
This time a year ago, I was in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Columbus</st1:city>, <st1:state w:st="on">Ohio</st1:state></st1:place>
receiving my second guide dog. I was still reeling from the sudden death of <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bristol</st1:place></st1:city> from cancer. But
as I quickly had to realize, life had to go on.</div>
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Even in the midst of grief, I was happy to have a new guide dog.
Last summer, I wasn’t even sure if I would have a dog in time to start school
again. I had a lot of feelings of hopelessness last summer as I waited for news
about a new dog. My friend Jill insisted that I would know that I had a dog by
her birthday which is on August twelfth. She was more than right.</div>
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I not only had a dog by her birthday, but I was flying home
with him to begin our lives together. My guide dog’s name is Diesel. He is an
energetic black Labrador Retriever. Life with Diesel is certainly been
interesting so far.</div>
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It has been a year since I last posted to my blog. A lot has
happened since then. I will be sharing with you all that has happened since the
loss of <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bristol.</st1:place></st1:city> I still miss him. The pain is still very much at the
surface, but I also have a lot of things that bring me happiness.</div>
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In his final days, <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bristol</st1:place></st1:city>
gave me a gift. It was through his illness that I gained an incredible friend.
Jill and I knew each other before his cancer diagnosis, but it was as I struggled
to cope with the diagnosis and the inevitable loss of <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bristol</st1:place></st1:city> that Jill became more than a friend
to me. Jill was with me through all of last summer and is still one of my
closest friends. She is more than a friend to me. She is like a second mother to me.
I have a connection with Jill that I do not have with anyone else. She will be
mentioned frequently as I recount all of the events that have occurred in the
last year.</div>Jessica Woodshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05436087528061537457noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1031500006980503054.post-42240226162505948122011-07-27T07:17:00.000-07:002011-07-27T07:17:42.362-07:00The loss of Bristol<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">On July sixteenth, 2011, I had to say goodbye to my beloved guide dog and faithful companion <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Bristol</place></city>. After his cancer diagnosis in early June, his health rapidly declined. His vet had told us that the cancer was aggressive and he was in the advanced stages of the cancer. His nose bleeds kept getting worse and more frequent. We had to make the difficult decision to let him go on July fifteenth when we could not get the bleeding to stop. The next morning I had to hug my best friend for the last time as I told him goodbye and that I loved him. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">We were not sure how much time we had left with him. I enjoyed every moment I had with him during his last month of life. He was well enough at first to visit his many friends. In five years, <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Bristol</place></city> made many friends. He will be dearly missed by all of them.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Even at the end of his life, he continued to do what he did best. That is he touched everyone that he came in contact with. For instance, he made a new friend when my mother and I started going to a gym. One of the staff members got to know and love <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Bristol</place></city>. He almost instantly won Jenny’s heart. Everytime he walked into the gym, his tail would start wagging and he would drag me over to see her. In a way, she kept him going in his last few weeks of life. Going to visit her was one of the highlights of his day! Thank you Jenny for being a part of his final weeks and making his last weeks fun!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">As much as I miss <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Bristol</place></city>, it is time for me to move on to my new adventure with a new guide dog. I leave this Sunday to meet my new guide dog.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I will always love <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Bristol</place></city>. He will always hold a special place in my heart. He was my first guide dog. <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Bristol</place></city> showed me that I can have a full and active life even though I can’t see. I will always be grateful to him for the gift of independence that he gave me.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Bristol</place></city>: 12/29/03 to 7/16/11</div>Jessica Woodshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05436087528061537457noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1031500006980503054.post-10106441386819545152011-06-23T08:06:00.000-07:002011-06-23T08:06:40.790-07:00Sad News About Bristol<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I have known for quite some time now that <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Bristol</place></city> would soon be retiring. However, I wish it did not have to happen the way it did. <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Bristol</place></city> is now in a medical retirement.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">A few weeks ago, <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Bristol</place></city> got a nose bleed. Neither my parents nor I could figure out what caused it. I took him to the vet and on his x-rays, there appeared to be what looked like a small metallic object in his nasal cavities. The vet scoped his nasal cavities and on a second x-ray, there was nothing there.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I wish I could say that this is the end of the story, but sadly it is not. The vet sent off tissues taken from the scoping to be tested to be sure that nothing else was going on. A week later, I got some devastating news. <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Bristol</place></city> has cancer.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">He has spindle Cell sarcoma which is a connective tissue cancer. He also has osteo sarcoma which is a bone cancer. At this stage in the cancer, there is not much we can do. Radiation is an option, but it would not cure him.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">So I have made the decision to allow <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Bristol</place></city> to live out the remainder of his life as comfortable as possible. He is now living with my parents.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Even though it is not the retirement for <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Bristol</place></city> that any of us wanted, we are trying to enjoy him. I am taking him to have fun with all of his many friends to have fun. Everyone who knows him is having fun spoiling him.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">We are taking it day by day with <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Bristol</place></city>. We do not know how long he has left. The vet said it could be tomorrow or it could be a year. It really depends on how he is doing. For now, he is still doing okay. We have to keep him cool and calm to prevent nose bleeds. We have medication that we can give him to help with the nose bleeds.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I am trying to cope with his cancer diagnosis and with not having a new guide dog. I am back to using the cane which is a constant struggle for me. I feel as though I have lost most of my independence. I am not sure when I will get a new dog. I am hoping to have a new dog by the beginning of my fall semester. If I don’t, I’m not sure what is going to happen. </div>Jessica Woodshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05436087528061537457noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1031500006980503054.post-26818151180112670892011-05-29T19:09:00.000-07:002011-05-29T19:09:21.530-07:00Waiting For a New Guide Dog<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I have been on summer break for a few weeks now. Unfortunately what I thought was going to happen at the beginning of my summer is not happening. I was hoping to be training with my new guide dog during the month of June.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">However, this is not going to happen; at least not yet. Southeastern Guide dog is still trying to find a good match for me. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I am hoping to be matched with a dog in time to be in the July training class. If it does not happen then, a home placement will probably have to be how it is done. I would rather go down to the school to get the training with the new dog, but I will do what I have to do.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Now I am doing the hard part of waiting. My patience is truly being tested. <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Bristol</place></city> is not making this any easier by the way he is behaving. He does not want to work anymore. All he wants to do is play and socialize with anyone he comes in contact with. More and more often, he doesn’t want to work at all. He is not focusing on his job of safely guiding me at all. He get’s distracted by the slightest thing, whether it is another animal, person, or anything else that catches his attention. That is a dangerous behavior. If he and I aren’t careful, we could both get seriously hurt. When walking with him, I can’t rely on him like I use to be able too. The stress of that is not good for either myself or <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Bristol</place></city> and needs to come to an end soon.</div>Jessica Woodshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05436087528061537457noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1031500006980503054.post-62692509964818015132011-04-17T09:07:00.000-07:002011-04-17T09:07:13.277-07:00The dog who Changed It All<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I have known since I was a young child that I wanted to one day get a guide dog. At that young age, I still could not truly grasp what a guide dog could do for me, but I knew that it would immensely help me move independently. After I graduated from high school in 2005, I started preparing for the time when I could finally get my first guide dog. After nearly a year of preparation and waiting, the big day finally arrived.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">On April 17, 2006, I began the incredible journey of getting my guide dog <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Bristol</place></city>. This was a huge step for me in many ways. On that day, five years ago, my mother and grandmother had to leave me eight hours away at Southeastern Guide dog. I was terrified to have my family leave me, but I knew it was something I had to do.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">My fear was quickly replaced by joy when I met my new dog. I still remember that moment so vividly. The trainers brought <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Bristol</place></city> into my room and the next thing I knew, I had a seventy pound dog in my lap. And that is when the fun began!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Bristol</place></city> and I have had our ups and downs over the last five years. Walking with him the first time was both invigorating and terrifying at the same time. I had to surrender my life to this dog with whom I barely knew, much less trusted. Learning to trust <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Bristol</place></city> has been one of my biggest challenges. Both <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Bristol</place></city> and I have had to learn to put our trust in each other. It took time, but I finally came to the point of being able to trust him and allowing him to guide me. Those first few weeks was spent in intense training. <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Bristol</place></city> and I were put into many different situations that we might face together during our time as a guide dog team. The trainers taught me how to respond and work with <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Bristol</place></city> in these various life situations. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Thinking back over the last five years is something I have been doing a lot lately. With his upcoming retirement at the end of this month, I can’t help but think back on all that we have gone through together. <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Bristol</place></city> has taken me to college, on road trips, and much more. <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Bristol</place></city> has even saved my life on a few occasions while crossing streets. He has been my constant companion since that first day. He has been with me through the good times and the bad times. He has been with me during my greatest triumphs and when I have been at my lowest point. He has stayed by my side during the laughter and the tears; through the times when I felt so weak both physically and emotionally that I could barely get up to do anything. He has been with me when I have felt like no one else understood me and I felt so alone and confused.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Bristol</place></city> has shown me so much over the last five years. Before I got him, I did not truly understand what walking independently meant. Up until then I had to rely on other people to help me. With <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Bristol</place></city>’s assistance, I have been able to navigate the last five years with less support from other people. This newfound independence has been one of the greatest things to happen in my life.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Although I am deeply saddened by his upcoming retirement, I know that it is what is best for both of us. <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Bristol</place></city> has been the best first time guide dog that I could ever ask for. <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Bristol</place></city> has been telling me in his own way over the last year that it is time to let him go. It is time to retire him and let him spend the remainder of his life with my parents. He may struggle with his retirement at first, but I know in time he will adapt to being with my parents instead of me. I too will have an adjustment. I have got to go through the grief of surrendering him to my parents and then starting a new adventure with a new and younger guide dog. I have so many mixed emotions at this point. I’m looking forward to working with the new dog, but I’m also dreading leaving <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Bristol</place></city>. Even though I know deep down that I’m making the right decision, I still have to sometimes wonder if I’m doing the right thing. I’ve had to deal with a lot of guilt over the last months about retiring him, but I am getting past it. I am now trying to enjoy the last few weeks we have together as a guide dog team.</div>Jessica Woodshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05436087528061537457noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1031500006980503054.post-69364382393385822152011-03-02T17:02:00.000-08:002011-03-02T17:02:11.717-08:00Life Story Part Three<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">When I left off at the end of the last post, I had just finished the fifth grade. At that time, I was in a deep depression. I will now continue with what happened throughout the rest of my schooling up until my graduation from high school.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Over the summer between my fifth and sixth grade years, I started pulling my life back together. I wish I could say that my troubles with school ended here, but that did not happen. I would have to continue to fight to receive my education all the way until I graduated from high school.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">During my middle school years, I spent a lot of time catching up academically. My math skills were very limited because no one had taken the time to teach me basic math skills. I was quite advanced in other academic areas. I was reading at a twelfth grade level by the time I was in the seventh grade. That was a shock to me because I was told that I was stupid and unteachable. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">As I was trying to improve academically, I was also emerging from the depression that I was in. There is a lot about this time in my life that I don’t remember well. I do remember immersing myself in my schoolwork. I was determined to prove all of the people who had given up on me that I could make it. As a result of this, I was a very good student.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I carried this determination into my high school years. Most of my high school memories are not good ones. I was mistreated by my fellow students and once again, I was not given the opportunity to prove that I could make it academically.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">For much of my middle school years and the first two years of high school, I was placed in special education classes. In middle school, I could understand why that was done. My emotional instability alone was enough to cause me to be in special education classes. Add in the academic challenges I had and I probably wouldn’t have made it in a regular classroom. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, this did not make sense once I got to high school. I still remember being so bored in the special education classes. I was not challenged at all in the classes and grew bored quickly. I asked to be put into regular classes and was met with resistance from the people in charge of the special education department. They did not think I could handle the work in a regular classroom.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">This time I did not accept that answer. With the help of my mother and one teacher in the special education department who saw my potential, I won that battle. My junior and senior years were my best academically. I was finally in regular classes full time. Unfortunately it was still not easy for me. I wanted to graduate with a standard diploma. I could not do that because I could not complete all of the course work in a two year time period. I wanted to do extra course work so that I could finish all of the required courses, but I was not allowed to do that by the administration. The school wanted me to go another year, but I refused to do that. By the time I got into my senior year, I just wanted out. By then, I did not care. I was so frustrated with all of the people who were against me. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Even though much of my high school years was a struggle, there were a few good parts. My best memory is of being in the choir. My last two years were the best. I had actually given up on music after my sophomore year because of the current choir director. I felt like I was wasting my time. I wanted to quit, but my mom convinced me to try one more year. I am so glad I did. A new choir director started working at my high school at this time in my life. With her encouragement, I regained my love for music. I felt like she was one of a few people who gave me a chance to prove that I could do something. Jamie, the choir director, helped give me back the confidence that I had lost in myself. I will be forever grateful to Jamie for what she did for me during those two years. During my last year of high school, that was all I cared about. Nothing else seemed important to me. I new by then that I would be graduating with a special education diploma. I continued to do well in all of my other classes, but there was no enjoyment in them.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the end of my senior year, I did not know what I wanted to do with my life. While everyone around me was preparing for college, I was left lost and confused as to what to do next. I ended up taking two years off between high school and college. However, these two years were not a total waste. In the next post I will share with you what I did during those two years. </div>Jessica Woodshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05436087528061537457noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1031500006980503054.post-12524323516576295482011-02-13T17:22:00.000-08:002011-02-13T17:22:17.804-08:00Life Story Part Two<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">In the previous post, I started my life story by describing the struggle I had to go through to survive past my infancy. After the open-heart surgery to save my life, my health improved and I began to grow. I was a little behind developmentally, but I caught up in time.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I will now jump ahead to the time when I started elementary school. The first few years seemed uneventful to me. But as I advanced in school, problems began to arise. When I entered school, I was placed in special education classes. This was fine until I was in around fourth grade. But I’m getting ahead of myself. I need to backtrack a few years to maybe my second grade year when my eyesight was getting progressively worse. At this time, my teachers started teaching me Braille to prepare me for the eventual loss of my sight. I will admit, I resisted the need to use Braille. I can still remember the times that I strained my eyes because I didn’t want to use the Braille. I guess that was my way of fighting against my increasing eye problems. But at age eight, this struggle came to a halt by the detachment of my retina in my right eye. A surgery was performed to fix this problem, but it was not successful. A second surgery was done that gave me some of my sight back, but it was not nearly what I had had before all of this occurred. I was then left to cope with my new reality of near blindness.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">The best that I can remember, this is when all of my school problems started. A new teacher came into my classroom during my third grade year. That first year was not really a problem because she did not have much control over my education. However, this changed at the beginning of my fourth grade year. She had total control over my education then. It did not go well. At first, she was giving me assignments that were far above my academic level for that time. When I failed at these assignments, it seems as though she gave up on me. To her, I was a stupid kid who could not be taught. To this day, I am still haunted by the words, “you are unteachable.” At age ten, I believed her and gave up on myself. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">These events set off a chain reaction of events that would forever change me. After a while, the class I was in was eliminated and I was placed in a classroom with students that were below my age level and my grade level of fifth grade. My fellow classmates were placed in a fifthgrade classroom. I was placed in the other class because the teachers didn’t think I was ready for a fifth grade classroom. The part I struggle with most about this is that I was not given a chance to prove that I could make it. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Because of all of these events, I fell into a deep depression. A few years before this I had been diagnosed with seizures. During all of this turmoil in my life, the seizures became uncontrollable. A lot of my fifth grade year is a vague blur to me because of of the depression and seizures. The combination of the two had a devastating effect on my emotional state. The one thing I remember most clearly is the feeling that everyone, except my parents, had given up on me. I felt as though I had just been shoved into a classroom because no one wanted to take the time to teach me. I wasn’t worth their time or energy. I was a problem that just needed to go away. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">After many meetings and disagreements with the administration and teachers, I finished the fifth grade. The school wanted to hold me back another year, but my parents wouldn’t let them. All my parents wanted was to get me out of that situation and into middle school where I might be able to pull my life back together. I spent months trying to pull myself out of the deep depression that I was in. It took me years to catch up with my peers academically. The emotional damage has been harder to handle over the years than that of my academic difficulties. Even now, I’m dealing with the emotions from that dark time in my life.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">In the next post, I will continue with what happened next. I will explain more how I recovered from what happened to me in elementary school and what I did with my life in the years that followed.</div>Jessica Woodshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05436087528061537457noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1031500006980503054.post-56270491929179534882011-02-04T19:38:00.000-08:002011-02-04T19:38:14.967-08:00Life Story Part One<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">In the next few posts, I will go back in my past and tell my life story up to this point. Some of what I am going to say is a secondhand account. Either I have know memory of some of the events or I have blocked some of it from my memory.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">My parents had been married for four years when my twin sister, Jennifer, and I were born. Both my sister and I were declared healthy at birth and were sent home. However, I was not healthy at all. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">My first few months of life was spent in and out of hospitals. My mom took me back to the hospital because of an irregular heartbeat after being home for a few days. At a month old, doctors finally figured out that I had a hole in my heart that did not close on its own as it should have. Doctors wanted to wait until I was a few years old before doing surgery to repair the hole. This did not happen though.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">At three months of age, I had a scary incident that alerted my mom that I was seriously ill. One day, I threw blood up all over her and stopped breathing. She rushed me to the hospital at which time a procedure was done that determined that not only did I have a large hole in my heart, I also had a blockage in my heart. In short, I was in heart failure. Without immediate surgery, I would soon die. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">The odds for my survival were very slim. The doctors only gave me a ten percent chance of living through the surgery. But as my mom has told me many times, if she and my dad did not consent to the surgery, I would have died anyway.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I can’t even imagine how my parents felt when they signed those consent forms and when I was wheeled away into surgery. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I did have complications on the operating table in which the doctors lost all of my vital signs and they had to bring me back to life. During the surgery, the surgeons patched the hole in my heart, and were able to remove the blockage.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">My medical complications did not end there. As a result of being on a feeding tube for such a long period of time, the passage to my stomach closed off. For a while, I was only able to be fed in small amounts. I had to be taught how to eat again at three months old.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I went home at four months of age. My parents have had to watch me closely for much of my life. I have had to see cardiologists often in my short life to make sure that everything is still fine with my heart. Now at age twenty-four, I have no further complications. The fact that I am alive today is a miracle. To this day my mom calls me her “walking miracle.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Now you might be asking how my vision impairment comes in to all of this. My mom could tell by looking at me when I was born that something was wrong with my eyes. The doctors told my parents that I just had a lazy eye. It wasn’t until I was nine months old that they learned that it was something else. Finally at eighteen months, doctors were finally able to tell that I had a severe case of a disease called Coloboma. Coloboma is a disease that causes deformities in the eye. My retina is misshapen and my octave nerve is damaged.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I am going to end this post here. All of what I have written above has had a huge impact on my life. There is more to my medical history that I will get to as I tell more of my life’s journey in the next post.</div>Jessica Woodshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05436087528061537457noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1031500006980503054.post-89650480627806132122011-01-31T18:43:00.000-08:002011-01-31T18:43:24.153-08:00Bristol's Bad Day<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">It is days like today that helps to remind me that retiring <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Bristol</place></city> is the right thing for both of us. He has had a really bad day in which he has barely been able to be a guide dog for me. Instead of relying on <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Bristol</place></city> to get me back to the dorm safely after a class today, I had to rely on someone else. I did not feel comfortable enough allowing <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Bristol</place></city> to do it alone. I needed the added security of another person.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Usually my lack of trust in <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Bristol</place></city> is not this bad. But on these rare days when he can not seem to focus at all, it is better to ask others for help. Forcing him to work while he is having such a bad day can be more harmful than good. All it does is add unnecessary stress to him which does not help either one of us. If anything, it put’s us both in danger. Our day did not end here. A few hours after this occurred, I walked over to the campus cafeteria to get something to eat. <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Bristol</place></city> had other plans for us. He took a few detours while going there and on our way back to the dorm. Even though I was alone with him, I never felt unsafe. It was just a frustrating situation for me because I could not get him to take the path that we usually take. We did make it to the cafeteria and back to the dorm, but it took a lot of patience on my part. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Being stressed is one reason why <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Bristol</place></city> is retiring in May. Another reason is that he is becoming more skittish around some things, living and nonliving, that use to not phase him at all. His severe thunderstorm fear is another factor in the decision to retire him. At times, his fear is so strong that he can not do his job of being a guide dog for me. All he wants to do is either climb in my lap or hide under the bed.</div>Jessica Woodshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05436087528061537457noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1031500006980503054.post-65179463072286934982011-01-29T15:42:00.000-08:002011-01-29T15:42:16.100-08:00Journeying through lifeIn the last few weeks, I have been encouraged to tell my story. I am totally blind and am in college. In this blog, I hope to tell how I got to this point in my life. It has not been an easy journey so far, but those hardships have shaped the person I am today. I am looking forward to the future and will also be sharing that in this blog.<br />
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I am now in an exciting time in my life. I have overcome a lot to get to where I am at now. In the next few months a big change will occur in my life. I have a guide dog named Bristol. He has been my faithful companion for nearly five years. It is time to retire him and to start a new and exciting journey with a new one. I am looking forward to getting the new one, but at the same time I am dreading the day I have to walk away from Bristol. I feel like I'm in some way betraying Bristol's trust by retiring him and replacing him with another dog that will be with me constantly. At first, Bristol will struggle with the presence of the new dog. I am not looking forward to that part. Even though Bristol will be spending the rest of his life with my parents who adore him, it will not be the same for him. For me,no dog will ever take over the spot in my heart that I have for him. He was my first guide dog. Bristol gave me the greatest gift of independence. Through Bristol, I have discovered that there are many things that I can do that I thought was out of my reach. I am able to walk independently without holding on to another person. My next dog will be a continuation of that freedom, but it was Bristol who first showed me that it is possible to live independently.Jessica Woodshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05436087528061537457noreply@blogger.com2