The day came, which was today, this afternoon. I was a little anxious but not as much as I expected. I knew it was a low key, informal, flexible type thing so that’s probably why I wasn’t a blob of anxiety ridden jello. They introduced me and my mum, and Ellie of course and I got started.
Ty the local PAT (Pets As Therapy) dog was also there with his owner also called Pat, and we know them and the dogs like each other, they basically slept through the whole thing, till the tea and biscuits were served that is.

I started off by saying that if someone had told me 10 years ago, that today I would have a guide dog and be living fairly independently I would have laughed and not believed them. But I am living proof and it’s ten years later. Ten years ago I was at school sitting in a classroom with a careers advisor, then as now I am completely obsessed with History and love visiting National Trust and English Heritage homes. My dream job was to be one of those people who do tours around the houses, rolling of dates, names and places. I have a pretty good memory, either by having to remember things, or just being me, I have no idea. But I do and this was perfect for me. I just needed a dog or cane to help me get around the houses so I wouldn’t bump into anything and make a fool of myself. I was at a mainstream school at that time and used a symbol cane. The careers lady laughed cruelly and said. If my sight was that bad, I should stop focusing so high and be happy with a call center job where I wasn’t on show, also that I’d never be eligible for a guide dog. I left the room almost in tears and never contemplated a guide dog or a job ever again.

Around 2 years ago I was assigned a ROVI Rehabilitation Officer for Visually Impaired people and they thought me staying at home and not leaving the house unless I was with someone wasn’t healthy for me and I needed to get out and learn independence. I was given a long white cane and a month of training – my life was changed forever, and it prepared me for a guide dog and independence. My dream job is no longer a National Trust tour guide, although that would be pretty awesome and I’d jump at the chance. But having lived through transition, been at rock bottom and come up from it, where I am now, is the best place I’ve ever been and I want to give something back, to help those who are now in transition and being patronized by ill advised careers people. My goal is to be an advocate and a Braille Tutor.

I passed around my Symbol Cane, White Cane, and talked them through the guide dog training and white cane training I did, talked about the harness, the Sam Browne (Sash), my Guide Dogs Owner passport and the Braillepen.

It lasted about 20 minutes and I had amazing feedback from everyone. I’d love to do it again, and they’ve suggested getting on the local speakers circuit and doing local groups, including the WI!!!. I think I have a calling to help others out there and to just bring awareness.
It’s something I feel really strongly about and I’m thankful I had this out of the blue opportunity.