I live in NC, although, I did undergo guide dog training as well as tests and lectures in order to match me with the best guide dog possible at a guide dog school on Long Island; hwr, the furthest I went was NYC for my flight in & back home from Laguardia & I had training sessions in Flushing/Queens, Port Jefferson, & a few other little cities on Long Island but didn't make it to New Jersey. Back then it was easier because I was able to get out more. I was walking anywhere from a half-mile to 2 miles; hwr, when I began losing more than just my peripheral vision and the loss of central vision became an issue along with spinal pain, pain in the joints, muscle pain, fatigue to the point of exhaustion along with other problems, I had to go back to a multitude of specialists all over again only these didn't deal strictly with my eyes. These were autoimmune disease specialists, orthopedic specialists, neurologists, rheumatologists, physical therapy, trigger-point therapy, & even acupuncture when I could afford it since Medicare doesn't cover acupuncture despite the fact it works, that's when I learned the vision loss wasn't limited to the genetic disorder alone, which caused my sight loss to a slower paced. The autoimmune diseases damage my retinas along with my corneas. It also caused me to be sick all the time. This is why I finally made the switch to E-Cigs and other than the occasional bout with upper respiratory infections, which are far and few between.
I haven't had the first case of chronic bronchitis since early June 2009, and I began vaping 100% without looking back on July 7th, 2009. This past July 7th, 2015, was my 6th-Year Analog-Free Anniversary. My plan was to buy a new e-cig because the ACE mod I've had for a number of years is quitting on me. I hoped to buy a Kanger Subox Mini, only purchasing coils since I can't see well enough to build them. I even hoped I might find someone local who builds them but so far that is a bust. The only thing I don't like is the floating pin, reports of bad leaking problems in the Sub-Ohms. & the expensive e-liquid. It's my hope maybe I can work up a system to make my own e-liquid but sadly they don't make blind-friendly chemist kits or measuring buzzers that hang over the side of a cup of coffee or tea so I won't pour too much in the cup. (nifty gadget for coffee, hot tea, and hot chocolate for my daughter; even at 18yrs old, she still loves the hot chocolate I make. LOL!)
I am not sure if you or anyone else here can help, but with all the kindness and courteous conversations I receive in my email from this site, I felt if anyone might be able to help, this was the place to ask - even if it isn't possible. If it's not, that's okay too since I won't know unless I ask.
My guide is not capable of adapting to a wheelchair (esp powered one) so I'm trying to wait him out & ensure my daughter doesn't freak to the point where she'll think it's her place to give up her college education (and the grants w/a few scholarships she earned to attend this university) in order to take care of me. I pushed her too hard for her to give up now. I pushed really hard until sometime in the middle school grades she began pushing herself harder than I ever could. It allowed her to graduate in the top 1% of her graduating class w/honors, high honors, & the 50th editor-in-chief of the yearbook staff as it was her high school's Golden Anniversary. Plus, she graduated with a 4.13 GPA! She can't give up her education; especially not for me. I gave up a lot b/c of these autoimmune diseases & the genetic retinal condition (recessive gene, not dominant thank goodness) but I swore I'd hold onto at least one vice & that's e-cigs along my fave flavors in Cinnamon Roll/etc..., Marshmallow, and clone version of the Milk/Honey flavor put out by Suicide Bunny brand.
As for my current guide dog, I want to be with him when it comes his time to cross The Rainbow Bridge. He's helped me through some difficult times along with some extremely painful ones. This is the least I can do for him.