Saturday, April 6, 2013

Who needs and escort?

The people who work for the railway are very nice.  They have been taught that I am allowed on the train without a muzzle and always take time to ask Bracha where she is getting off and if she needs help.  Sometimes they find us at the station on the platform and ask if we need help getting on the train.  One of these people came up to Bracha and really wanted her to ask the station manager for help as soon as she came into the station every time she rides the train. 
Bracha was very polite to him and told him that a blind person with a guide dog is not like every other blind person.  She explained that we don't need help at all in the stations that we go to all the time because I know my way in and out, and I can also get on and off the train and find the door and stairs.  And all the time I just stood there feeling more and more happy and proud that Bracha trusted me so much and that I can help in the train stations. 
And then we got on the train and I settled down for a good sleep.  Now I guess I was feeling a little too smug because when we got off in Acco I led her out of the train station and outside, and we started walking down the sidewalk to the bus that would take us to Nahariya.  And I was going a bit too fast and was a bit too eager, and whoops!  Bracha ran into a pole.  She called me on my mistake and I looked back and felt very bad.  So with all my skills, I am still not perfect.  I make mistakes.  And I have to slow down a bit on a crowded sidewalk.  I'm sorry, Bracha.  I'll try not to do that again.   And, of course, when I curled up under the seat on the bus, filled with remorse, Bracha reached down and petted me and told me everything was OK, and that I needed to be more careful next time.  She forgave me.

No comments:

Post a Comment