last book of June
Thunder Dog: The true story of a blind man, his guide dog & the Triumph of Trust at Ground Zero: Michael Hingson with Susy Flory
Michael Blizzard Hingson has been blind since birth - but it’s nearly impossible to tell, as he’s learned how to navigate in the world without needing to see … and sometimes, the lack of light is less of a hindrance for him that it is for his companions.
One of his companions less bothered by reduced (or lack of) lighting is Roselle - his Labrador guide dog. Roselle is more than a “seeing eye dog” that helps him avoid obstacles or guide Michael around town or in the human-filled Sky Lobby on the Twin Towers as he goes to his office at work. She is one of his cues that help him know if something is wrong.
When in the Guide Harness, Roselle is on duty, determined to do her job, which is lead her controller around obstacles he cannot detect. When out of the guide harness, Roselle is all play.
The morning of September 11 starts out like any other: get ready for work, take the train to the Twin Towers, help set up for presentations, or whatever else needs to be done prior to meetings. Greet the early arrivals and start the talks.
Then the office building shakes, tilts, and leans way too far.
Michael Hignson and Roselle lead the evacuation of the office, and head for the stairwell. One thousand four hundred sixty three stair steps down to the first floor, not knowing what is going on above them, completely cut off from the outside world while they slowly descend seventy-eight stories on foot.
It is a perilous journey, one that will change their lives forever.
Michael Blizzard Hingson has been blind since birth - but it’s nearly impossible to tell, as he’s learned how to navigate in the world without needing to see … and sometimes, the lack of light is less of a hindrance for him that it is for his companions.
One of his companions less bothered by reduced (or lack of) lighting is Roselle - his Labrador guide dog. Roselle is more than a “seeing eye dog” that helps him avoid obstacles or guide Michael around town or in the human-filled Sky Lobby on the Twin Towers as he goes to his office at work. She is one of his cues that help him know if something is wrong.
When in the Guide Harness, Roselle is on duty, determined to do her job, which is lead her controller around obstacles he cannot detect. When out of the guide harness, Roselle is all play.
The morning of September 11 starts out like any other: get ready for work, take the train to the Twin Towers, help set up for presentations, or whatever else needs to be done prior to meetings. Greet the early arrivals and start the talks.
Then the office building shakes, tilts, and leans way too far.
Michael Hignson and Roselle lead the evacuation of the office, and head for the stairwell. One thousand four hundred sixty three stair steps down to the first floor, not knowing what is going on above them, completely cut off from the outside world while they slowly descend seventy-eight stories on foot.
It is a perilous journey, one that will change their lives forever.