Posted by Callie on July 26, 2000 at 06:59:02:
I am 49 and experienced sudden loss of vision a year ago in my left eye and subsequently was diagnosed with wet form md. I was diagnosed with early onset md, dry form in the right eye. I now have a canine companion, not to be confused with a guide dog, who has been a lifesaver for me. I am still able to drive but not at low light periods. I am having a difficult time coping with comments from people who do not know of or understand this disorder. My dog, assists me in going on walks and at night. I have recently been threatened with eviction from my apartment because my dog is not a certified guide dog. I am not able to qualify for a guide dog at this time, though I will be able to as my disorder progresses. I don't know what to do anymore.... I am feeling so depressed and don't know where to turn.
Posted by LYNN on August 08, 2000 at 21:46:23:

In Reply to: How do I make others understand my disorder posted by Callie on July 26, 2000 at 06:59:02:
: I am 49 and experienced sudden loss of vision a year ago in my left eye and subsequently was diagnosed with wet form md. I was diagnosed with early onset md, dry form in the right eye. I now have a canine companion, not to be confused with a guide dog, who has been a lifesaver for me. I am still able to drive but not at low light periods. I am having a difficult time coping with comments from people who do not know of or understand this disorder. My dog, assists me in going on walks and at night. I have recently been threatened with eviction from my apartment because my dog is not a certified guide dog. I am not able to qualify for a guide dog at this time, though I will be able to as my disorder progresses. I don't know what to do anymore.... I am feeling so depressed and don't know where to turn.
Callie--What you have is called an assistance dog; it is vitally necessary for you to have him with you in order to function normally. Legally your landlord CANNOT EVICT you because your dog is not a pet. Assistance animals do not have to be trained by an outside individual or group, nor do they have to wear any special kind of identification tags or vests. What you may present to your landlord is a simple letter from your physician in which he states that the dog is necessary for your medical condition. AT NO TIME MAY THE LANDLORD QUESTION YOU ABOUT ANY REASON FOR THE NECESSITY...it would be a VIOLATION of the ADA laws!!!
May I suggest that you contact DELTA SOCIETY SERVICE DOG CENTER (see deltasociety.org) and have them send you information you can show to your landlord. They should also be able to tell you who is a Service Animal Access Specialist in your area---these are people who are trained to answer questions and clarify the legal implications of service animals. I am the specialist for Wisconsin. There is an entire article in the spring edition of the Delta magazine which deals with landlords and rental issues. IT IS CRITICAL THAT YOU CONTACT DELTA SOCIETY IMMEDIATELY for the information. They are an extremely accomodating nonprofit organization, and if you explain your situation to them, they will rush the materials to you...if you have specific questions for them after you receive the materials, you may want to call the head of the Service Animal division.... Susan Duncan, RN. Susan speaks about these very issues to organzations and governments around the world.
If anyone else has any issues concerning assistance animals, I urge you to contact Delta. Their phone numbers are on the web page.
And Callie, my husband also was recently diagnosed with wet occultMD (see my plea on July 6 for help on this web page...all kinds of wonderful people answered!).
Posted by Sally G. on July 26, 2000 at 09:03:45:

In Reply to: How do I make others understand my disorder posted by Callie on July 26, 2000 at 06:59:02:
: I am 49 and experienced sudden loss of vision a year ago in my left eye and subsequently was diagnosed with wet form md. I was diagnosed with early onset md, dry form in the right eye. I now have a canine companion, not to be confused with a guide dog, who has been a lifesaver for me. I am still able to drive but not at low light periods. I am having a difficult time coping with comments from people who do not know of or understand this disorder. My dog, assists me in going on walks and at night. I have recently been threatened with eviction from my apartment because my dog is not a certified guide dog. I am not able to qualify for a guide dog at this time, though I will be able to as my disorder progresses. I don't know what to do anymore.... I am feeling so depressed and don't know where to turn.
It is natural to feel depressed after learning you have macular degeneration and some of your sight is going. That is probably the most common first reaction. Polls have shown that losing one's sight is the sense that most people want to lose the least. But try not to give up hope. Work is being done. Many good researchers are trying to find treatments and, hopefully, a cure. It is important to stay as positive as possible. Reasonable people and people who love you will understand. Don't worry about others. It is a disease. Nothing you did caused it. You just need to cope with it. I hope you have good friends and close family members who can support you. That would be a big help. My father nad older sister both have macular degeneration. I try to be there for them. I also read whatever I can about macular degeneration. This web site is one terrific source. Read as much of it as you can. Again, try to stay positive. A recent AMDF newsletter, Winter 1999/2000 had an article on a seeing-eye dog from Fidelco in Bloomfield, CT. It made very interesting reading. Best of luck to you. Your friend, Sally G.