Anyone around this morning?

JD · 03-04-2009, 06:49 AM

Hi all!

I'm in a bit of a dilemma and I think I'm going to need to give some good answers or offer alternative suggestions before 1 pm today.

Last weekend I went to a training course with the Boy Scouts of America. Adult advanced training called Woodbadge (long history stemming from Lord Baden Powell.)

Anyway, prior to the course, the paid staffers tried to convince me why I did NOT need my service dog. They gave me all the regular excuses, which I told them WERE the normal excuses yet were not viable "under the ADA." Now, the BSA is a membership organization and not required to conform to ADA requirements (Title III, they do on the other.) They generally do accommodate though. He insisted that my group members could do everything for me the dog does. (I won't elaborate, you all understand how that doesn't happen.)

Well, what would be the odds that of all the groupings they made, they put a lady with a terrible phobia (from a dog attack she says) in the same group as me with the dog!?!?

I am having lunch with the director of the course at 1 pm!!!!!!! I do truly believe she is going to ask me to NOT bring the dog with me to the second camping weekend in 3 weeks.

IMPORTANT BACKGROUND: I have already taken this course, well it's predecessor. I am only taking this updated one because you have to take it to be on staff for it later. I have already been told that I will never be on staff because of my physical limitations. BUT I decided to go ahead and take the course for 3 reasons: to show good faith (I can do it and then I can be on staff sometime in the future) to have fun and to find new friends and fellowship of Scouters.

So I want to hear some feedback... usable feedback.

I have thought of two things:

Since the 2nd weekend requires a hike, for which they were going to drive me instead, and since I need so much gear to survive in the overnight camping.... I could ask them to compensate me by not having me camp overnight. I can leave the dog home during the day (though I won't have him hearing sirens for me on the travel to and from the campsite. It should be fine.)

OR they could just give me credit for the second weekend altogether and not require I be there at all. (not as good for anyone, imo. I'm thinking maybe shortened days, since I have to drive an hour each way each day that others do not. Also, they are doing a conservation project with which I can't help physically...that first day... so maybe skip the early part of the first day also?)

The course director had already talked with me (we're long time scouters together) and had said I could drive down the day before and the staff would set my camp up for me... so she was already in the accommodation mode. But then the dog phobia melt down occurred.

I would just like your input if anyone is there this morning. Thanks!

JD · 03-04-2009, 06:52 AM

It IS a full weekend course, so I will have to drive back and forth 3 roundtrips. And dog will have long days to hold it at home.

BUT also that makes another point: (sorry, I'm still fatigued from last weekend, been sleeping umpteen hours a day and still fuzzy)
They will say I KNOW THEY WILL that I go other places without my service dog, I don't take him with me everytime, everywhere... what are your good responses to that? I have my own... they don't understand is what is the issue, but not sure I want to try and educated them at this point. My dog is one of the tools I use. I have menierre's and at times / days I CAN hear pretty well and don't need that tool of the dog.

JD · 03-05-2009, 09:24 AM

Ok. I am working things out on this. I went with several options (not all good) and the director was pleased that I was willing to make concessions. We agreed on a plan.

It seems the other person isn't willing to concede anything, and might be asked to not finish the course. The staff is questioning her with regards to many things she's stated, to begin with....

thanks anyway! It helped to post it up with hopes of someone replying.

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