Dixie Land's President, Nancy Moore, helps kick off our new "Paws To Educate" initiative! Nancy and her guide, Giza; Audrey Gunter and her guide, Zack and Laurel Jean, with her long, white cane, "Slim" team together to offer our very first program at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in North Charleston.
There were kids of all ages present at the Vacation Bible School's special presentation and each learned something about blindness, guide dogs and long, white canes. Afterwards all harnesses were removed and everyone was given the opportunity to visit with our guides and us.
Our next program was requested by the Charleston Animal Humane Society, where we met and talked with about 20 teenagers. Although the theme was supposed to be about guide dogs, these kids were more interested in our blindness and how we cope with living without sight. We found this group to be especially intriguing and were appreciative to share various stressful situations with them. Although the motor vehicle laws in SC protect blind pedestrians, few of these young drivers even knew that a long, white cane and guide dog in harness were symbolic of the blindness community.
Dixie Land promotes education for the sighted and blindness communities in our effort to improve the community at large. If you are in the state of South Carolina and would like to learn how our “Paws To Educate” Initiative can help you, your church, community, school, business or civic organization, be sure to give us a call. We look forward to hearing from you!
Oh I LOVE to see Jesse and Audrey together! Surely this is God at work making this fine partnership. We miss Jesse but know he is the best hand possible, doing the job he was born for (and probably enjoying it as much as he can). Hugs to them both.
ReplyDeleteTeresa Pool