On The Street With Barry – Jacksonville, NC

Day one

My shopper referred to as me yesterday to ask me if I used to be nonetheless coming to Jacksonville. I advised him that I used to be, and to not fear. “Are you positive?” he requested. I advised him I used to be very positive that I already had automotive, airplane and resort reservations. I used to be positive.

He then advised me concerning the worldwide laptop glitch that had the airline business all bolloxed up, so he had good cause for concern. It’s been stated of me that I’ve Pollyanna syndrome (a time period I needed to search for). I’m an incurable optimist, however I believe Pollyanna is pushing it a bit a lot. With that stated, I headed to Houston with no hesitation. I’m positive my flight will probably be simply superb. Nicely, lengthy story brief, it wasn’t.

Beginning about two hours earlier than takeoff, I obtained a delayed flight discover nearly each hour till about 5:30 within the afternoon. Then it was canceled outright. I used to be then in line, like everybody else, attempting to get to my vacation spot in any means attainable. And, earlier than you ask, no, it wasn’t the “lesser airline” this time. I even have a flight with the “lesser airline” tomorrow morning. Due to the plethora of canceled flights right this moment, there’s a mad scramble for resort rooms within the space. I used to be blessed sufficient to seek out one shut sufficient, ordered a pizza and referred to as it a day.

Day two

I used to be up very early for a flight on the “lesser airline”. I held my breath each time the telephone dinged with a notification, however every thing went off as deliberate. I’m flying into Charlotte, North Carolina then driving about 4 hours east to Jacksonville to see my shopper.

I’m doing this in order that in a few days I can choose up two colleagues on the Charlotte airport. We’re all attending a convention later this week. It was going to be a shorter educational journey than typical anyway, however lacking a day as a result of journey points is admittedly pushing issues.

I get to Jacksonville, house of Camp LeJune, simply earlier than darkish, so Richard and I resolve to get a recent begin within the morning. I don’t argue with him because it’s already been an extended journey. I go searching for a neighborhood restaurant however cease wanting after I discover a Publix close by. For those who’ve learn this weblog, you understand I like Publix for many causes. I stocked up on my favorites and settled in for an early evening.

Day three

It’s my fault for being such a creature of behavior, however the “free, scorching breakfast” at my typical resort is beginning to look eerily much like the final time I used to be on the highway. And the final time. And the final time. I’m positive if I switched issues up, “free and scorching” would tackle a brand new face, however I dealt this hand to myself… whereas clearly wanting on the playing cards. I’m positive I gained’t starve.

It’s not cool in North Carolina in July; in case you have been questioning. I begin sweating upon stepping outdoors. I’ve obtained a few 15-minute drive to Richard’s house, which ought to give me sufficient time to dry out earlier than stepping out into the humidity as soon as once more.

Richard lives not too removed from one of many major gates to Camp LeJune, the east coast headquarters of the USA Marine Corps. A Marine aviation base can be close by, as evidenced by helicopters of various sizes and styles crisscrossing the horizon on my drive.

Richard has been in North Carolina for some time, however he’s a local of Connecticut. A diesel mechanic by commerce, he misplaced his imaginative and prescient as a result of glaucoma, which often takes away your central imaginative and prescient first, all of the whereas making every thing else cloudy. Richard doesn’t have a lot imaginative and prescient left, however he has made the most effective of his state of affairs, like most people with whom I get the privilege of working.

Richard has had a minimal quantity of coaching from the state of North Carolina. He was issued a cane and taught easy methods to use it. Very briefly. Staff of state companies for the blind are, throughout the board, overworked and underpaid and the system is underfunded. I’ve not met one worker of any state who doesn’t have both a humongous caseload, a humongous space to cowl or each. I’m not knocking the way in which issues are run in state companies (though possibly I ought to), however that’s simply the way in which issues are lately.

The data shared with Richard was good. What he didn’t get was the flexibility to follow the implementation of that info with somebody who might guarantee his security. Or sufficient time to get steerage on new or modified strategies which will work higher in sure conditions.

We made a plan that morning to hit as many areas of journey within the time we had and be taught stuff alongside the way in which. Earlier than setting out, we took a stroll across the neighborhood, a route Richard walks along with his canines within the morning. There are not any sidewalks on this route so we take to the highway.

Richard’s been strolling on the proper facet of the highway, which lots of people do, however pedestrian security legal guidelines state that we’re imagined to be on the left facet, dealing with oncoming visitors. It appears counter-intuitive, however it makes the traveler with a visible impairment extra seen to oncoming visitors as a result of their cane is seen. For those who’re on the proper, vehicles developing from behind you possibly can’t see the cane.

That a part of his route is well modified. Maintaining along with his canines is one other subject. Douggie (Doug) is what Chief Dog would name a career-changed dog that Richard adopted from the Border Patrol.

Tiny is a Chihuahua that’s a bit of grey across the muzzle, however just about guidelines the roost. Upon returning house, we spent a while attempting to idiot the canines into considering we have been nonetheless in the home, however you understand that by no means works. Pondering we succeeded, we headed out to an space Richard frequents for his AA assembly.

It’s a beautiful space near downtown Jacksonville, near the courthouse, and alongside the New River that flows eastward towards the Atlantic Ocean. The world is paved with beautiful bricks, which look nice however are an actual ache to somebody utilizing a cane. No two bricks are ever degree with one another, and it makes for a bone-jarring stroll for those who’re not cautious. The best cane tip (I counsel a jumbo curler ball on this occasion) could be very useful. That and a really gentle contact.

Quickly after, we retreated from the oppressive humidity to a café that Richard frequents. As quickly as we walked in, our waitress, Liz, requested him the place his canines have been. Liz has an important smile and a reasonably important limp as a result of a reduce on the underside of her foot from what she thinks was the sting of a shell. She by no means discovered the perpetrator from this weekend, however it didn’t gradual her down from serving us effectively. I like her immediately, as she doesn’t hearken to any of Richard’s gruff discuss and throws all of it again at him. Once we left, she stated, “Richard, you understand I like you, however don’t ever come again right here with out your canines!”

Day 4

Richard and I head out this morning with Douggie lamenting and mendacity beside the again door, which is strictly the place Richard discovered him yesterday afternoon. And we thought we have been so good. Douggie knew Richard was nowhere in the home and waited for him all day. Discover a human being with that a lot devotion. I dare you.

We began again on the courthouse and practiced stair method till Richard felt good about doing them. He’s shocked by two issues in his coaching to date. First, studying that the truncated domes positioned on the corners of intersections are there for him and others utilizing a cane. The second is simply what number of vehicles will cease for him whereas he’s ready to cross the road. I preserve telling him that the extra seen his cane is on the nook, the extra individuals pays consideration and cease. It’s not 100%, not even shut, however most people, in the event that they see it, will at the very least decelerate.

The largest drawback I see out right here within the imply streets is individuals utilizing their telephones whereas driving. It’s scary, people. For those who do it, please cease! And please draw consideration to it wherever you go. It’s a pox upon humanity. There’s no means on earth that you just or anybody else can take note of the telephone and the highway on the identical time. NO WAY.

OK, I’m completed ranting. For now. We practiced a path to Richard’s AA assembly from the courthouse, then we headed over to a shopping mall the place we completed yesterday.

We’re planning a route that features crossing at a light-controlled intersection and throughout a parking zone to Lowe’s. The house enchancment retailer, not the theatre. We’re working towards this as a result of it’s a route he can journey, and will probably be an important path to movie his eventual information dog software.

The O&M program we offer is not only for information dog candidates, however lots of people are at the very least dog-curious. To be a profitable information dog person you’ve obtained to have sufficient routes and purposeful work for the dog to journey. Exercising whereas strolling across the block is nice for a dog, however it’s not what we might name purposeful. The dog must go to particular locations, cross streets, make selections and discover particular targets. This route will enable for all that with a dog if Richard chooses to use.

We ate at a Mexican restaurant within the purchasing heart and a downpour got here whereas we have been inside. The delay means just one factor: extra chips and salsa for us! Goodbye low-carb weight loss program, howdy infinite pleasure!

After the thunderstorm, we do some Juno work so Richard understands the method by which a dog information can/will information him.

You’ll discover that there are not any photos for this weblog in any respect. I centered on getting as a lot instruction completed as attainable since we missed a day. Richard stated that I ought to inform everybody that he’s within the Witness Safety Program, so photos weren’t allowed 🙂 We’ll go along with that!

Day 5 via eight

I spent the subsequent 4 days in Charlotte on the Affiliation for Schooling and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (AER) Worldwide Convention. This can be a convention for professionals within the discipline of blind rehabilitation that occurs each two years. And apparently, we don’t need to schedule it anyplace north of the Mason-Dixon line the place heaven forbids it may be cool and never humid. Two years in the past it was held in St. Louis and Orlando earlier than that. Neither is understood for a scarcity of humidity or warmth. I suggest Fairbanks or Juneau, Alaska, however I don’t suppose anybody took me severely.

The convention was good. Erica Ihrke, Meredith Bryde and I exhibited, offered and represented Chief. We additionally attended each session we might. So the times have been crammed. It was enjoyable and informational and we made loads of good connections. I noticed loads of previous mates and former college students, however I used to be able to go house when it was over.

I’ll be on campus at Chief to start my subsequent journey, then I’m off to Des Moines and Dubuque, Iowa. My buddy and Chief GDMI (Information Dog Mobility Teacher) Kate has given me all types of consuming recommendation, particularly in Iowa Metropolis.

She’s additionally fairly the baker herself and for those who’re fortunate sufficient to observe her on social, she posts probably the most beautiful images of her work. Deluxe Cake and Pastries is only some blocks from her people’ house in Iowa Metropolis and is considered one of her favorites, so I’m planning on hitting them up for all types of goodies on my means via city. Thanks, Kate!