Thunder Dog - Michael Hingson [66]
But on the other hand, are blind people more socially integrated into society than we were fifty, twenty, or even ten years ago? I think not. I will know that I am truly integrated into society when people are interested in me because of something I accomplish rather than some routine task that appears daunting just because I am blind. I will know that I’m a real first-class citizen when I can walk into restaurants with friends and the servers ask me for my order rather than asking my sighted colleagues, “What does he want?” I will know that I have arrived when I can go to meetings or conventions where all the materials given to sighted people are automatically available to me in Braille or another accessible form. True and full integration is not easy. It starts with desire, continues with education, and comes full circle grounded in trust.
On that fateful day ten years ago, I trusted Roselle. And Roselle trusted me. We survived through trust and teamwork.
Recently I flew to Amsterdam to speak at a guide dog school. The event planners splurged and booked me first class. When I boarded, I relaxed down into the comfortable, padded recliner. I leaned back and put up my feet. My new guide dog, Africa, was curled up under the seat in front. But when I reclined, she lifted her head. I knew what she wanted. I patted my knees. “Africa, come!” Quick as a flash she unfolded her long legs and emerged, then hopped up in my lap. All sixty-five pounds. I stroked her head. So much wisdom.
Guide Dog Wisdom
What I Learned from Roselle on 9/11
1. There’s a time to work and a time to play. Know the difference. When the harness goes on, it’s time to work. Work hard; others are depending on you.
2. Focus in and use all of your senses. Learn to tell the difference between a harmless thunderstorm and a true emergency. Don’t let your sight get in the way of your vision.
3. Sometimes the way is hard, but if you work together, someone will pass along a water bottle just when you need it.
4. Always, but always, kiss firefighters.
5. Ignore distractions. There’s more to life than playing fetch or chasing tennis balls.
6. Listen carefully to those who are wiser and more experienced than you. They’ll help you find the way.
7. Don’t stop until work is over. Sometimes being a hero is just doing your job.
8. The dust cloud won’t last forever. Keep going and look for the way out. It will come.
9. Shake off the dust and move on. Remember the first guide dog command? “Forward.”
10. When work is over, play hard with your friends. And don’t forget to share your Booda Bone.
14
IT’S ALL WORTH IT
God does not present insurmountable problems.
Instead, he gives us challenges, waits for
us to overcome them, and then rejoices.
MICHAEL HINGSON
There were several moments on September 11 when I didn’t know if I would survive. When the building tipped and I thought we were going to fall to the street, seventy-eight stories below, I didn’t think I was going to make it. When Tower 2 collapsed, I thought I was going to be crushed by flying debris or by the tower itself. And when the dust cloud swept over us, I felt sure I would drown. But I did not. Somewhere deep inside was a tiny fragment of faith that if Roselle and I worked together, we would be okay. And somehow we walked out of that cloud and survived. There are days I still can’t believe I’m alive.
I walked away from Ground Zero a much different man from the one who unlocked the office door that morning. I survived, and I’m okay, but I’ve changed. I don’t think there is one person who witnessed the events of 9/11 who wasn’t changed. There are those who have lost hope, who have grown bitter, angry, intolerant, and hateful. I am not one of those people. I still believe in dreams. I still think that if we work together, things will turn out all right. I still feel that if we each treat each other with kindness, dignity, and respect,