Convention is Hard!

Hi Friend!

I've been guiding my mom throughout the American Council of the Blind convention this week. Conventions are really hard! My mom is constantly going somewhere new, and there are so many people and dogs here!

We arrived on Thursday. It was a nice flight. I was at my mom's feet the whole time. Then we went to the hotel, which is super strange. There are lights flashing everywhere. My mom said that's what Reno is like, but I have no clue why. We have a HUGE room in the hotel with lots of space for me to scratch my face on the carpet and leap to play with my lamb chop toy. My mom was more excited about the Jacuzzi. I don't know why. I hate baths.

On Friday, we sat for hours in a board meeting. My mom is the youngest person to ever be elected to the national board of ACB. I think that's pretty cool. I mostly slept during that meeting though, so I can't say what they talked about. We also started helping in the communications center on Friday. It's the place where people put Braille papers together for the people at the conference. We helped there every day this week!

On Saturday, mom and I did a walk. It's a fundraiser for ACB. We won First Place! I was so fast. It was really fun. We also went to a mixer for people with low vision. I don't really know what "low vision" means, but my mom says it's people who don't see super well. Mixers aren't my favorite. I got stepped on a lot, because there wasn't much space. My mom said she wouldn't make me go to another mixer again, and I was glad. I think my mom had fun though. She talked to everyone for a really long time. I was bored. After the mixer, we went to General Session. It's where the whole convention gets together each day to meet. I slept through that one, too.

On Sunday, my mom got me up really early. I wasn't sure why. All we were doing was going to General Session. But instead of sitting in the audience seats, we went on the stage! My mom sat at a keyboard and played and sang before the session started. I enjoyed the music, but I couldn't keep my eyes open any longer. After the session, my mom and I went to the Exhibit Hall. I don't like mixers, but I hate exhibits. I got hit with white canes and was run over by two walkers. It was just too crowded in there! My mom said she wouldn't take me to exhibits anymore either. Phew!

But my mom did try out a really cool pair of glasses. They have a camera on them and link to her iPhone. When she's wearing the glasses, she calls someone from the company. The person can see through the camera and tell her what's around. They told her what colors matched with clothing, what people looked like around her, and where to go around the room. My mom asked them if I made a mess, would the person be able to help her know what to clean up. I was super embarrassed, but the guy on the phone said they could help her with that. He also said they could help with things like grocery shopping, going for a walk, and going to a new place. It was seriously cool!

After exhibits, my mom put me back in the room. I wasn't working well. I kept stopping every few steps. I was exhausted and was feeling bad about getting hit and stepped on so much. I was so glad she gave me a break! Mom went to Olive Garden with friends, and I napped.

On Monday, we had a really busy day. We went on stage at General Session again. This time, instead of singing, my mom talked. She did the opening prayer for the day. It was really cool. After the session, mom and I took a nap. We were both so tired! Then my mom taught a session about advocacy for a bunch of people. I napped during that, too. In the evening, my mom described auction items for the big ACB auction. I napped even more.

I'm tired, but I do like convention. My mom and I do really cool things. I love meeting new people and going new places. I don't really like the heat in Nevada, but mom cools me down by taking me to air conditioned spots after going out. I'm such a happy dog and am excited about the rest of the convention!

Love and Kisses,
Renee, the Seeing Eye Dog