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Show 6A Lakeside Review North, Wednesday, Dec. 7, 1983 Dg Cm Help Ntr This Is drir' Srt part I a twa-pa- ri arttda cancarntna a bund Rav waman and har autda doa and ttwlr adluttmant ta aach athar. TM waak't artlda daali with bar wait ta aat tha do.) SHELLEY KANCITIS Review Correspondent ROY When one hears Terry Lifsey say, Ive had my suitcase packed for a month and I can hardly wait to show off the newest member of our family, it sounds like diapers, baby bottles and booties are on the agenda. But in Ms. Lifseys case, the new family member will require a leash and dog food. Before long, Ms. Lifsey, who has been blind from birth, will fly to San Rafael, Calif., for four weeks of training at Guide Dogs for the Blind, Inc. When she returns to her husband and two children in Roy, she will be escorted by the newest member of the Lifsey family - a guide dog. The dog represents one more step in Lifseys lifelong effort to break down barriers imposed by her blindness and the responses of society to handicapped people. When I was little, some visi- tors from the School for the Blind came to our house. They wanted to talk to me and asked my parents where I was. When my parents said I was outside riding my tricycle, they were amazed, said Ms. Lifsey. Twenty years ago when Ms. Lifsey was a toddler, it was not unusual for blind children to be kept in the house. Fortunately my parents werent overprotec tive. I had the run of the block, she said. Having two sighted sisters helped her gain acceptance among neighborhood children. So did her fathers philosophy about handicaps and life in general. My dad always said I could do almost anything other people could do. He said I might have to figure out ways to get around my blindness and work harder to do some things, but I would eventually be able to succeed. When I ran into problems he tried to find ways to help me, but he never discouraged me from trying. Because of parental encouragement and her fiercely independent spirit, Ms. Lifsey welcomes challenges as opportunities for personal growth. During the years she spent at the Utah School for the Blind in Ogden, the school environment was designed to encourage self sufficiency and feelings of acceptance. But in 1971, when she was chosen to transfer to Ben Lomond High School as part of a new program to mainstream handicapped students, she faced a variety of challenges, both physical and emotional. . . , 4 ft 0 I li'i 4a m Bllmdl V. and the dog. I want a dog because I like to to go to public school, but it was a bad deal to be on the go. It should give me put a whole bunch of blind stu- more freedom, said Ms. Lifsey. As a blind female, she is also dents into Ben Lomond all at once. A lot of kids acted like concerned about personal safety. I used to feel safe all the time they were afraid of us, said Ms. since its always dark to me. Lifsey. When I was younger it never She started a one woman campaign to correct misconceptions bothered me to walk around at about blind people. The kids assumed we didnt lie, smoke, goof-of- f or sluff classes. I had to do a few things to show we I wanted arent all straight just because cant see. B 0) night. Now Ive been conditioned by the media to be more afraid. Hopefully having a dog will give me reassurance. Although Ms. Lifsey has had cane training, she thinks it will be valuable to experience using a guide dog. Cane people think a dog just causes extra work, they say you dont have to feed a cane or take it to the vet but you can say that about anything. Kids take extra work too." And even Ms. Lifseys dog will learn he has an independent mistress. I dont expect the dog to do things for me. I have to do for myself. What I want is teamwork. Well take care of each other. we After establishing herself as a normal teenager, Lifsey went on to graduate from high school. She then got a job as a typist at McKay Dee Hospital. Marriage, parenting and a move to the outskirts of Roy nibbled away at her independence. Along with the expected increase in confinement caused by having young children, Ms. Lifsey also faced the isolation of a semi-rurlocation with no bus route. A self described troublemaker, she adopted another piece of advice from her father. He said you should always get your two cents in. With the help of petitions, letters and a newspaper article, Ms. Lifsey convinced Utah Transit authorities that her part of town needed bus service. Its supposed to start in January, she said who is now dependent on her husband and friends for transportation. Ms. Lifseys energy is currently focused on preparing for life with a guide dog. Ive read about people who have dogs. Ive talked to people who have them. Why shouldnt I try having one so I can find out for myself what its like? Unfortunately Ms. Lifsey cannot experience some of her fantasies like being in a demolition derby. But owning a guide dog is possible due to fund raising efforts by the Eagles Lodge which pays for transportation, training Cuts: built-i-n style changes fixes for flyaway hair al What's wanted now: A HAIRCUT WITH REAL STYLE! & FC1AN .1 f,1PACJY 3AAEI3 27 PROFESSIONALS TO SERVE YOU OPEN 6 DAYS A WEEK UNTIL 8:00 P.M. PERMS ON SALE NOW. LAYTON 546-212- 1 CLEARFIELD KAYSVILLE 825-721- 2 546-060- 3 uoauBMm through her CB, Terry Lifsey works at breaking down barriers she and other handicapped people face. COMMUNICATING Switch To Albertsons Pharmacy In Layton 2076 nj.lain $ FREE. PRESCRIPT I1 ID1 nd Beat the cold this winter! Our exclusive Kentfield label parka with a 50 down50 feather fill is a dynamite UTAH value, with its neavy gauge nylon shell and concealed nood. 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