So much to be thankful for

November 25, 2011 • Posted in blindness, guide dogs, Mike Knezovich, Seeing Eye dogs, travel, Uncategorized by

My Friend watches over me at this corner.

Every morning my Seeing Eye dog and I pass the same homeless man in front of the 7-Eleven store. “StreetWise today!” he calls out. “Can you give a little hepp today?” StreetWise is a newspaper sold by homeless people in Chicago. The concept is that by selling StreetWise, people down on their luck might get back on their feet.

For years I’d always nodded and smiled the vendor’s way as we passed. Since I can’t see to read, though, I never bought one of his papers. Until one cold day three years ago, that is. I left Hanni at home that day to go Christmas shopping with a friend — crowds can be so fixated on shopping that they step on the unexpected dog at their feet. I cabbed home on my own afterwards, and when I fumbled with my white cane at the curb I heard a familiar voice call out to me. “Want some hepp?”

The pronunciation of the word “help” was my clue. It was the Streetwise vendor. I grabbed his arm, and from the way my hand pumped up and down as we plodded together to my doorway I could tell he had a very bad limp. When we finally arrived, I held out a bill that had one corner folded and asked for a copy of StreetWise. “They only cost two dollars,” my helper said. “You’re giving me a five.”

“I meant to give you a five,” I said, showing him how I fold money to keep track of the denominations. “Thanks for the help,” I told him. “Merry Christmas!” He gave me a heartfelt thanks, then limped back to his crate.

A story in Disability Scoop says more than 40 percent of the homeless population in the U.S. are people with disabilities. The story quotes a report from the Department of Housing and Urban Development that points out that people with disabilities face additional difficulties — more than those who are poor — when it comes to accessing permanent housing. The HUD report suggests that people with disabilities “may have difficulties searching for a unit or finding a landlord willing to rent to them.”

The StreetWise vendor and I never exchanged names, but we have been friends ever since he helped me to the door that night. . He refers to me as “Mizz Lady. I call him My Friend.” On days he’s late to his crate he’ll call out, “Hello Mizz Lady – I’s likely to miss you this mornin’!” I always respond with a laugh, and a, “Hello, My Friend!” On days my dog and I go a different way and don’t pass My Friend, he notices. “I didn’t see you earlier,” he’ll say. “I was worried.”

Over the past year My Friend especially worried about Harper. “He’s havin’ a hard time, isn’t he?” he’d say. “Is he okay?” When I finally had to tell My Friend that Harper would be retiring, My Friend told me he was sorry.

It’s been three weeks since Harper retired, and people in our neighborhood have been generously taking time away from their schedules to walk me places I need to go. I am grateful for the assistance, but I’m afraid my face betrays a sense that I’ve gone backward. I need too much help. My Friend lifts my spirits with his comments. Whenever my escort happens to be a man, for example, he assures me he won’t tell Mike. “I’m not tellin’ anyone, Mizz Lady,” he says. “It’ll be our secret.” I respond with a laugh. “Thank you, My Friend!”

Thanksgiving yesterday gave me an opportunity to reflect once again on just how fortunate I am. Friends, family members, teachers, employers, donors, volunteers, book publishers, and, especially my husband Mike Knezovich, all put their faith in me after I lost my sight. They kept me on my feet, and quite literally kept me off the street.

I also feel fortunate for the Federal disability benefits I received when I first lost my sight, and over the years countless non-profit agencies have helped me find my way. Tomorrow I leave for one of those priceless non-profit agencies. The Seeing Eye breeds and trains guide dogs. And one of those dogs will be my fourth Seeing Eye dog. I am looking forward to the independence that will come with this new match.

On Wednesday, Mike escorted me downtown to teach my final “Me, Myself and I” memoir-writing class for this year, and we stopped for a minute in front of the 7-Eleven. “I’m leaving for a few weeks,” I told My Friend, explaining that it takes a while to train with a new dog. As we walked away, he called out to Mike. “I’m glad she’ll be coming back home with a dog again,” he said. “She’ll be happier.”

I will be, but no more thankful than I am now.

Do North On November 25, 2011 at 3:46 pm

What a beautiful story Beth. I think sometimes we rush through life and forget to be thankful for the wonderful people that cross our paths each day.

bethfinke On November 27, 2011 at 2:11 pm

Agree — I need to remind myself to slow down and appreciate once in a while, was so thankful to have Thanksgiving (hmm, is that redundant?) to take time to be grateful.

Hava On November 25, 2011 at 3:48 pm

Good luck to you and hope that you have a nice stay at TSE. Its a lovely place and I know I always enjoy at visit there. The staff really know how to make you feel special.

I can’t wait to hear about your new partner!

bethfinke On November 27, 2011 at 3:52 pm

Hava, am writing today from my room at the Seeing Eye. You are so right, the staff here really does know how to make a person feel special. And like you, I am very eager to find out who my new partner (in addition to mike, that is) will be. We find out tomorrow afternoon, stay tuned!

Jean Swartz On November 26, 2011 at 4:50 am

Good luck from The Seeing Eye puppy raisers in Juniata County, Pennsylvania! Look forward to progress reports. Sorry to say we have no dogs that were raised in our club ready to matched at this time. We just sent Demitri and Fannie back for training November 22.

bethfinke On November 27, 2011 at 3:55 pm

Rats! I would have *loved* a dog named Demitri or Fannie. Oh, well.
I should tell you that in our lecture today the trainer manager lauded the efforts of the puppy raisers, he said thta without your generous volunteer work none of this would be possible. I so agree — THANK YOU so much.

Ray Vegter On November 26, 2011 at 9:34 am

Good luck in getting a new companion Beth.
There is a bearded homeless man on the ramp by Western Ave. and the Kennedy. I was hauling from a job near there and had the opportunity to see him everyday. He never came up to the truck for a handout but always smiled at me. One day I thought “why not me”? He probably figured a truck driver has no interest in helping a guy who is down on his luck. Or maybe he thought I might not be that well off to help him out (he might have more insight than I thought). I waved him over and gave him a couple of dollars and he just replied with his ragged beard covering his sparsely toothed smile with a “Thank you and God bless you”. He never asked me again when I passed by him, but he would wave and smile and that was all I needed to make my day.
This is the time of year we should reflect on what we have been given, how we treat others, and how we can improve ourselves. The Streetwise vendor is better just for knowing you as are all of us.

bethfinke On November 27, 2011 at 4:04 pm

What a thoughtful, beautiful (and flattering!) comment. You are such a terrific writer, Ray – you should start a blog!
Thanks for the good wishes –

Ray Vegter On November 27, 2011 at 5:02 pm

I do have a blog and my Son and you were my inspiration. I am no where near as prolific as you but here it is.
http://minusonefstop.wordpress.com/

Pick On November 26, 2011 at 10:56 am

That’s a nice story Beth. Good luck with the new dog. Eager to find out what breed and the name. Will be thinking of you.

bethfinke On November 27, 2011 at 4:05 pm

I’m like you –*very* eager to find out what breed and the name. Mike will be posting all the news here tomorrow –stay tuned!

Patricia Hruby Powell On November 26, 2011 at 11:43 am

Thanks, Beth, for another thought provoking, informative, important, warmth-filled post.

bethfinke On November 27, 2011 at 4:06 pm

Aw, shucks. Thanks for reading!

karen On November 27, 2011 at 2:32 pm

that is a wonderful story. There is a man who sits along a wall on a street I walk down to catch a bus. I don’t give money but I do buy him coffee on the really cold and frigid days.

Beth, I think about you often as you go through this journey and i wish you nothing but the best. I miss having a few beers with you in the common lounge and your company. Gordon sends good wishes and best of luck with your new new partner.

Karen

bethfinke On November 27, 2011 at 4:10 pm

Oh, Karen, you can only imagine how much I am thinking of you, Gordon and that entire Seeing Eye class from last year — something very special about that time. I miss meeting you for beers in the common lounge, too, but so glad you are Safe & Sound at home with Gordon —

Gretchen On November 27, 2011 at 2:41 pm

Have a productive trip Beth–I know it will go well for you and I look forward to meeting the new dog. Your post is a great reminder of how to appreciate the Thanksgiving holiday.

becky On November 27, 2011 at 5:31 pm

Oh this touched me on so many levels. Thank you for sharing your beautiful writing, your heart, your journey, and your love with your readers and those you come in contact like your friend. We are wishing you well.

Colleen On November 27, 2011 at 7:45 pm

Good luck, Beth. I’ll be thinking of you.
I loved this story.

Jeff Flodin On November 28, 2011 at 6:42 am

Thank you so much, Beth, for reminding me of my blessings. And thank you for your kindness to your friend. Kindness and understanding and respect transcend intolerance and create our mutual gift.

penn nelson On December 5, 2011 at 4:05 pm

Thank you Beth, hope your Thanksgiving was wonderful!

Penn

Mondays with Mike: My morning commute | Safe & Sound blog On April 21, 2014 at 10:05 am

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