Tenth Month Home
The Month of May started off with Eve and I having to navigate through the nationwide college campus protests as a result of the events happening in Iran. This protest did bring some challenges to Eve and I leaving campus, but nothing that we had not encountered during the previous semester.
Later in the week, Eve and I talked to a local high school student about the responsibilities and the benefits of having a guide dog. I have to thank one of the teachers of the visually impaired that I had in middle school for setting this up, as it not only gave me the ability to educate this student about guide dogs, but I got to ask her questions about the field that I will be joining really soon.
Lindsay and Eve standing outside of one of the oldest high schools in Long Beach after talking to a student about the guide dog lifestyle.
Lindsay, Eve, and Mrs. Yacoubian standing outside one of the oldest high schools in Long Beach.
During the middle part of this week, I was asked by another local teacher of the visually impaired to demo the Monarch and explain the benefits that I see the Monarch having on students. This was a great experience to demo the Monarch while also allowing Eve to play with this teachers guide dog once we were done for the day.
At the end of this week, I had my last Disney trip before my pass expired. This trip was especially special because one of my former classmates joined me on this trip. Not only did this classmate join me on this trip but I also ran into one of the teachers that I had in high school, who showed me that I could do whatever I set my mind to.
A group of people standing together next to Cinderella’s Castle.
Eve laying in the grass in Toon Town.
The second week in May consisted of me presenting to one of my classes on the importance of parent participation in the Individual Education Program (IEP) process of students with disabilities. In addition to this presentation, I wrote my Masters Research proposal. Not only was I completing my end of the semester projects, but I was also assisting with finals at work in between finishing my own final projects. In helping with finals, I quickly learned that I must have some sort of bone with me to keep Eve occupied, while we sit in the same spot for several hours. At the end of finals week, I celebrated in the graduation celebration of the students that I helped support through my department over the years that they were our students.
Eve looking at the camera while her bone is between her front paws.
Parent Participation presentation
During the third week of May I started my summer work schedule, which consisted of me working from home two days a week. In addition to working from home, through my local National Federation of the Blind’s (NFB) chapter I got the opportunity to ride in a Waymo car through the streets of Santa Monica.
Lindsay, Sam, and Eve sitting in the back of a Waymo car.
At the end of this week I came to support my brother as his band @therobjohnsonband was playing at The House of Blues. Unfortunately, due to the volume of music being played at this venue, I decided to leave Eve home with my mom, as I knew she would enjoy sleeping more. I share this because although guide dogs can go into all spaces that the public can go does not mean that they should.
Lexxi, Lindsay, and Leslie sitting a=in a booth before The Rob Johnson Band went on.
