#pmak personal

[pmak2002]

Without Morris Frank and Buddy there would be no Harper. Service animals would not exist today if Morris Frank never reached out to Dorothy Euthis of Switzerland

This Day In History April 25 1928 Buddy, a German Shepherd, becomes 1st guide dog for a US citizen Morris Frank

Morris Frank became the first American to benefit from the help of a Seeing Eye dog. Frank lost the use of one eye in a childhood accident and the other in a boxing match as a teen and before his soon to be companion Buddy came into his life, Frank received assistance from a human guide.

Morris Frank was a blind man from Nashville. His father read him an article by Dorothy Eustis, a woman living in Switzerland who had seen shepherds training dogs to lead blind people get around. Excited by the idea, Frank wrote a letter to Eustis and received a response letter 30 days later inviting him to come see for himself. Frank then took a ship to Europe and trained extensively with a dog that had been bred specifically to lead a blind person. The training was hard, but after weeks with the dog, Frank could get around the nearby Swiss village holding tightly to a harness to which Buddy was strapped.

Morris Frank returned to America. From the day he got off the ship, he was successful. At one point, in front of a group of dumbfounded reporters, Buddy led Frank safely across a busy New York street. “I shall never forget the next three minutes, Ten-ton trucks rocketing past, cabs blowing their horns in our ears, drivers shouting at us . . . When we finally got to the other side and I realized what a really magnificent job she had done” Frank later wrote.

When Frank returned to Nashville, people were amazed at the sight of the blind man and his dog successfully navigating busy sidewalks and couldn’t believe that it was the same blind boy they had so recently taken pity on. What amazed people the most was that Buddy had an ability best known as “intelligent disobedience,” which meant that he would obey Morris except when executing that command would result in harm to his master. If there was a low hanging branch ahead on the sidewalk, for instance, Buddy knew how to navigate around it to the point where Morris wouldn’t hurt his head on it.

About this time, Frank, Eustis and several others cofounded The Seeing Eye, an institution set up to train guide dogs and their blind masters. Today, the organization reports that it has, in its 80 year history, trained 14,000 dogs. Buddy is considered the first. In 1978, on the 50th anniversary of the founding of the school, the U.S. issued a commemorative stamp in honor of The Seeing Eye.

Frank worked with Buddy until her death on May 23, 1938; he named her replacement Buddy, as he would all his subsequent guide dogs.

Thanks to Buddy service dogs in the US became a possibility!

The Seeing Eye is located in Morristown NJ

Morris continued to fight for Guide dogs rights in public places until his death in 1980 way before the ADA was finally passed July 26th 1990 by George H.W Bush. (Who later benefited from this Act in his older age)

Thank you Morris

Thank you Dorothy

Thank you Buddy

[pmak2002]

I hope

That someday

My life will matter to someone who isn’t just family

I hope that my existence will have meaning

And that I will find my place

Somewhere in the universe

[pmak2002]

Well I was going to try to be more active with writing on vacation.

But my best friend got into a bad car accident and I’m a complete wreck she’s fine but broke her pelvis and both hips. Driver T boned the car so it’s done for.

Idk when I’ll get a new fic up at this point this was supposed to be a nice summer and a good vacation but life has a way of getting in the way and wrecking not just your friends but you too.

[pmak2002]

Living has become tiresome

Dad has moved

Mom’s boyfriend is an alcoholic 

I’m trying but I’m tired.

Grandpa is dead

I’m making enough money only to have to waste it on getting to work

The dog will get spayed so she can finally come to school with me but of course I worry and panic for no reason other than she is my lifeline and one of my few reasons to stay alive in the midst of my life being tossed around.

I’m tired

Oh so tired

Work on yourself so you can care for others they say

I can’t

I don’t know how

I do.

But I also don’t

I want to

But I don’t

I have to be strong and get over it

Cuz I’m an adult and life has changes

But why must they come all at once?

I’m tired

I kble what I want my future to be as a disabled young woman but my parents say it’s not possible

I’m trying

I’m tired

I do my best

I stay quiet

I work hard

When will it be enough

It won’t be

But I wish

I wish

I wish

I’m tired

Life has become tiring

I wish I could enjoy my existence

But once again life is throwing me around like a ragdoll

What have I become

I’m numb

I’m trying

I’m tired

I exist in a world built around men normal non disabled white men

The world isn’t built for women, POC or anyone different from a white man

I’m tired 

I exist in a world not built for disabled people

I’m trying

I’m tired

Mentally and physically exhausted

I’m trying

I’m tired

I’m strong yet weak

I’m smart yet dumb

I’m tired

I try

But I’m tired

Oh so tired

Take care of yourself to take care of others

How can I find the time when my life’s in shambles?

I’m tired