Edinburgh guide dog training: Day 6

Posted on May 29, 2012 by

Day 6 started with visitors.  One of the other people on class had a chance meeting with a gentleman staying in the hotel who was doing the marathon to raise money for Guide Dogs. We agreed that it would be good for him to meet us and our dogs so we asked him to pop down to the student lounge.  It turns out he had run 4 marathons this week and had done lots of fundraising for Guide Dogs.  He had a chat to us all and had his photo taken with us and our dogs to put up on his fundraising page.  It’s really nice to be able to say thank you to the people who raise lots of money and I am sure it was nice for him to see where the money he raises goes.

After that Paula the manager for the north came to watch us working and say hello. The others hadn’t met Paula but I had already as she qualified Connie and I. She worked with us on Northumberland Street and she also came out to withdraw Connie and do the paperwork to put me back on the list.  We did the walk in the opposite direction to what we had done previously.  Annie was quite distracted by dogs, the beach and the park.  There was also one point where she indicated the kerb and I thought she needed a busy but it was actually a bin that was in the way.  She worked well and I feel that I am getting better at giving her corrections.  It feels a bit wierd after not doing them for so long because Connie was very sensitive and hated being told off.  I also think that my turns feel a bit more natural than they were doing.  There is still a lot to remember and work on.

In the afternoon we did a short walk from the hotel with some off kerb obstacles.  She was much less distracted and did well at indicating except for one obstacle that she tried to go under.  We also did some obedience on the grass practicing her sit and wait, then down and stay, and also bringing her to heal by my side.  I think I need to practice a bit because I am so out of practice.

Before tea I went to the gym (I am training for a 10km run at the end of July) and then I practiced my Rock Choir songs.  Annie didn’t even move and was fast asleep throughout so I think she will be fine on Wednesday when we go to practice.  At tea we have had a running joke about the cheesecake of the day which has been apple since we arrived.  Today the cheesecake was ginger and white chocolate, we all ordered the cheesecake and waited with anticipation only to be told it had sold out.  I can’t wait to see what the cheesecake of the day is tonight.

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Sarah’s introduction

Posted on May 28, 2012 by

Sarah successfully stood for election to be an Aniridia Network UK trustee in 2012/13. She couldn’t be at the annual general meeting in person. This is the nomination statement she provided instead.

I have aniridia. Over the years I have benefited from the support group by sharing experiences and information with other members of Aniridia Network UK.

In this spirit I feel it is time for me to ‘give something back’ – by being a trustee. I believe that I can fulfil the role because I am organised and have previously acted as secretary to a parochial church council. Also for some time I have worked with members of trustee bodies as part of my job. I have worked as a communications consultant and believe that the skills I gained through that role would benefit Aniridia Network UK.

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Edinburgh guide dog training: Days 4 and 5

Posted on May 27, 2012 by

I have been overly excited about big busies, little busies and meal times. On day 4 Anne had two big busies, some little busies and ate most of her breakfast but only a quarter of her tea. On day 5 she ate none of her breakfast but has just eaten all of her tea and after 24 hours did a little busy and a big busy. She gets lots of praise when she goes in the run but they key is not to get wound up about it. The more stressed out you get the more they seem to sense it. I have had spending issues with Sandie and Connie so I am very at ease with it and just go with the flow.

Day 4 started with me grooming Annie and getting half a dog off her again. She looked so shiny afterwards though. Then we went for a walk in the same area that we went yesterday but it was busier because it was Saturday and a bit later on in the morning. I felt more confident with the commands but I am still having to think about what I am doing a lot when doing them. Annie worked well although she did try to look at going to the beach on a few occassions. We also came accross to parked cars where there wasn’t enough room to go through so she had to do a turn and work her way around the back of the cars and on to the pavement.

Before lunch we went to Asda, without the dogs, and I bought a new top. It was a toss up between a vest top with crowns on it and a t shirt that said ‘Keep Calm and have a cupcake’. It was nice to get out of the hotel too, although the room is nice and I have things to do I am not used to being stuck somewhere.

In the afternoon we walked along the promenade where there wer lots of people and dogs about. We worked on slowing down and I had to be on my toes because Annie kept trying to go to every entrance to the beach. Considering the temptation I think she did very well.

At just after 6 I made my way to reception where I met Connie and Jane who was Connie’s puppy walker and has taken Connie back to live with her. Connie went crazy when she saw me and was jumping and crying. I was pleased that she had put on all the weight she lost when she was poorly. We took her down the beach where I was pleased to see she got up to mischief stealing other dogs balls and trying to run off with my long cane. After the walk I went and got a bowl and Annie and we sat outside the front of the hotel. Both girls were pleased to meet each other but Annie was very good and listened to me when I told her to sit down. They laid down nicely together on the floor. During the visit Connie kept remembering I was there and getting really excited again. It was lovely to see her so happy and I can’t wait until I can free run them both together so they can have a play.

Today we only did a half day, we did some off kerb obstacles using the roadworks round the corner from the hotel. I found it relatively easy when the obstacles were on my right and road on my left but it was more difficult in the opposite direction. I need to concentrate on keeping her pace very slow and really notice where my body is in relation to her. We went to Pets At Home and I bought a raised feeding station, a tug toy and a platted cow soft toy. We have only had the tug toy out so far but that went down well. I went to the gym and had a coffee in the bar and now Annie is sleeping on her bed.

I’m really starting to see signs that Annie is beginning to bond. Every time I come in the room she grabs a toy and parades round and her whole body wags. She has also laid on her back so I can stroke her belly and has come to sit next to me to be stroked if I sit on the floor.

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Andrew’s introduction

Posted on May 27, 2012 by

Andrew successfully stood for election to be an Aniridia Network UK trustee in 2012/13. He couldn’t be at the annual general meeting in person because he was busy “in the process of making homemade bread and cakes with a bunch of endlessly energetic teenagers all with a visual impairment, who make Saturday’s ‘never a dull moment’.” This is the nomination statement he provided instead.

Photo of AndrewI was born partially sighted and with familial aniridia in sunny east Sussex near Brighton.  I have a younger brother who also has aniridia along with my mother, so there are 3 of us with the same condition in one family.

I spent most of my school life at the long gone, but not forgotten Blatchington Court school in Seaford, where I had the best possible start in life in my opinion. There I had the chance to try everything and anything from being in the swimming team, learning the piano to doing my Duke of Edinburgh Award. That period in my life planted a seed in my brain that there was every chance of me achieving what I wanted out of life.

At this time I decided that I wanted to become a famous chef after watching the great Keith Floyd on TV. I studied at college and was thrust into the crazy world of kitchens, spending nearly 20 years working up the ladder to head chef position in 5 star and country house hotels and high end restaurants.  I had the fortunate opportunity to work for Raymond Blanc for nearly 3 years in a 2 Michelin star establishment. I’ve also had the absolute honour of cooking for the queen on several occasions and taking part in the 1st Great British Menu series 6 years ago.

In all this time I was aware that I was slightly different with regards to my sight, but was determined to not let that be an issue up until 4 years ago when I was made redundant on health and safety grounds due to a major blip in my sight.

At this point I had to make the decision that I needed to do something else with my life and I ended up volunteering for the Royal London Society for the Blind (RLSB) as a sighted guide and mentor for young people and adults with sight loss. I then became their volunteer co-ordinator and used my management skills to set up a working volunteer management programme from scratch.

Doing this still has given me the chance to meet and make a difference to some amazing people who have all had wildly different levels of sight loss, but with understanding and help through social groups it gives them the chance to feel part of society and to break the chains of isolation, depression and a feeling of having no self worth in society. I use my background now as a consultant chef running cooking clubs and projects for the RLSB teaching people with a visual impairment how to cook, or just to gain the confidence to cook again.

I now feel that I have reached the stage in my life where I can use my life experience to challenge peoples perception of sight loss and what people with a visual impairment can actually do with the right support and guidance.  This is where I would like to get involved with the Aniridia network as a trustee, who in my short time knowing about the network do a huge amount of hard work to bring aniridia to the forefront and to offer importantly support, advice and invaluable information  to people and families getting used to and living with aniridia and the many challenges it can through at us through our lives. Thank you for taking the time to read my story and hopefully you will allow me the chance to fly the flag for Aniridia Network UK.

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Edinburgh Guide Dog training: Day 3

Posted on May 27, 2012 by
Annie the guide dog laying on the floor

Annie chilling before work starts on day 3 of training

I had a very restless night with Annie who was pacing a lot. I took her for a busy in the middle of the night because she hadn’t been since I had got her at 2pm. She appears to have a bladder of steel because she didn’t do a little busy after that until 2pm today. Giving her lots of opportunity to use the run has given us a chance to really practice our obedience. Annie has to sit at each door and wait until I tell her to come. She also has to walk nicely along the corridors without pulling.

Our first walk was by the sea in the mist. It was a good long straight stretch with not many crossings. It felt amazing just to be striding out confidently again rather than walking slowly and clumsily with my cane. Annie feels different in harness to how Connie felt. I can feel all of Annie’s body movement rather than just the front like I did with Connie.

After the walk we had a grooming lesson, the only new thing for me was using our fingers to get out some of the dead hair before you start with the zoom groom. I know a few other people who do this including Jenny and Jaynie. Annie was a big fur ball and I swear I could have knitted a scarf with the amount that came out.

I took Annie down to the bistro at lunch time, this was the first time one of us had brought a dog to the table. She was very well behaved and just lay there quietly.

Our 2nd walk was in the opposite direction to the first but this time it was bright sunshine. We practiced turns and also varying Annie’s speed. Slower for busier conditions and faster on the open pavement. I got well into the walk before realising I had been so worried about doing brand new routes and I had been striding along confidently. Doing new routes means that I am unable to give Annie any clues about what is coming up. We did a good long walk for about 45 minutes. When we got back I tried to play with Annie but she was worn out so when I threw her toy she ran over picked it up and then lay it between her paws with her head on it.

I went to the gym while Annie was resting, it’s quite a well equiped gym and it was quite quiet. Then it was tea time for Annie who ate most of her tea after the long walk. She also managed a busy before bed so that was a relief.

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Edinburgh guide dog training: Day 2

Posted on May 26, 2012 by

Annie is in the building! As I type this she is laid on the floor next to me chilling out.

This morning started off with breakfast after a broken nights sleep. I think the excitement had got to me. After gathering together for a chat in the lounge we had a look at our kit and put it together.

I like the new ‘Do Not Distract Me’ sign I think it is easier to read. We also got a little kong and a nylabone for the dogs to play with. I was not very happy about finding a ‘Sam Brown’ fluorescent sash belt but thank goodness I can wear something on my wrist instead. I know being seen by drivers is very important but I want something flourescent, trendy and pink!

Next on the agenda was taking my imaginary dog for a walk round the building which felt very odd but it was useful to see the best way to do things while you don’t have the actual dog to think about too. An example is the fire door to the dog run where there is a rope you need to hook round to ensure you don’t get stuck outside. Holding the dog in one hand and the door open with your back it is a bit of a juggling act. I have found that I am improving the more I practice. We also practiced turns and did short handle walks to practice tension and turns. A short handle walk is where the instructor pretends to be the dog and you have to follow them holding the harness handle. It’s something I managed to avoid when I trained with Connie and Sandie but not this time. I found it quite useful to go over the commands because some of them are slightly different to what I have been doing. I’m sure I am still going to get a little confused for a while until the new stuff sinks in.

Annie arrived after lunch and promptly went to investigate the toys I had laid out for her. I brought with me a kong wubba and a cuddly dinosaur whose tegs make different sounds. She also has two toys that she came with one is a pink and green tug rope and the other is a pinky purple platipus that has been very much loved. We played a bit of tug and I threw the toys for her and she let me stroke her.

The final bit of the day was to go with the dog from our room to the dog run and back making sure that the dog sits and waits at each door and doesn’t stand up unless it is told. Annie is very keen and so I have to keep an eye out for her trying to pre empt what I am going to say. She also likes to speed along (like I do) so we have to practice going slow and steady in the corridors.

I managed to use the FaceTime app on my phone with my mum and my husband Graham so that they could see Annie playing which was lovely. It’s so nice to have the technology to be able to do that so they don’t have to wait until we get home to see how she plays and what she looks like.

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Nigel’s introduction

Posted on May 26, 2012 by

Nigel successfully stood for election to be an Aniridia Network UK trustee in 2012/13. He couldn’t be at the annual general meeting in person. This is the nomination statement he provided instead.

Photo of NigelI have aniridia and grew up when aniridia wasn’t that well known about, especially the genetics’ and before the cosmetic implantation of the aniridic kens.  I went to a visually impaired school and followed a career in recruitment, programming and now accountancy, where as a part qualified accountant I run my own business in recruitment and business consultancy, covering a wide spectrum of accountancy from payroll to management accounts, budgeting/forecasting to final accounts.

With such a diverse career, I’ve been able to adapt to the obstacles of both career and personal life as a matter of challenge rather than defeat and have been in a position where I can recognize the needs and aspirations of the visually impaired person, as such am able to be pro-active and utilise my experience in the support of the needs and requirements of a visually impaired person, having been though the challenges already.

Not to sound too much like a resume, I have a wide and diverse experience of working with/alongside ethnic, disabled, special needs & social class individuals / groups of one disability or another,  within either employment (recruitment) to charitable organisations such as Canterbury Lions Club, Brighton Society for the Blind, East Sussex Association for the Blind, and Lark In The Park (special needs charity) being pro-active in the programmes/events, fundraising/fundraising events to administration, treasury and computer systems development and client user training.

For those who are still awake, my interest / willingness to became a member of the committee, is to continue my support in helping others who are generally disadvantaged to mainstream life and promote the principle of ‘ability not disability’.  In addition, I am able to pass on first-hand the university of life as an person with aniridia and the understanding of others with the same condition.  In relation to being part of the charity, with my business acumen help ensure that its, core principles are fulfilled and to the highest standard.

I thank you for listening and look forward to working and meeting you.

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Edinburgh guide dog training: Day 1

Posted on May 23, 2012 by

Yesterday,walking to work, I was so glad that it will be the last time I have to do that route with a cane for a long while.  The sun was shining and I had left my sunglasses at work the day before so I had one eye open slightly.  The route is downhill and the paving slabs are really uneven and my cane gets caught up every couple of steps.  It is very frustrating having to stop and start all the time.

I got up early to finish packing and had trouble zipping up my case (I don’t even have enough clothes to last the full time so I will need to do some washing).  Everyone was really helpful on my journey even at the train station,where I hadn’t booked any assistance to get on my train.  I got a cheap first class ticket so I made use of the wifi and the free food and drink.

Once we got to the hotel I got unpacked and met the others who are training at the same time and had lunch.  Then we did the routes round the building and practiced them.  I am now very tired.  I think I always under estimate how much being in a new place tires me out physically. I’m having to remember exactly what direction to go in and what things I need to find to orientate yourself.

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Lois’s poem

Posted on May 22, 2012 by

Lois was inspired to write this poem during the Aniridia Network UK Conference 2012.

What we see,
is just the trunk of the tree.
Competent and confident,
in our own little way.
No different from the king of Norway.
Whether you come from Birmingham or Lewisham
We are special,
because we have aniridia.

Please send us any poems or other writings you have done about aniridia and we’ll publish them.

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Four days until guide dog number 4

Posted on May 19, 2012 by

It’s four days until I travel to Edinburgh to train with guide dog Annie. I can’t believe she will be dog number 4 for me in 9 years. People always ask ‘What happened?’. It’s always easy to say Berry had a career change because she didn’t like being a guide dog. I have had to come to terms with the fact that because she went to Dogs For The Disabled I will probably never get to know when she passes away. She will be 10 in September. Sandie has arthritis in her elbows and hips and considering her heavy workload did well to work until her 8th birthday. She lives with my mum and I see her often.

Connie is number 3 and I think will always be the hardest to talk about and explain. Usually I stick to ‘She was very poorly and can’t work any more.’. It’s not only that she worked for 13 months but also because our first walk could have been our qualifying work, we just clicked. It was horrible to watch her be so poorly, leaving her for emergency surgery not knowing if she would survive and then nursing her back to health. I know ultimately it was the best decision for both of us and with time it will get easier.

For the past 6 weeks we haven’t had a dog in the house. It’s been very quiet indeed. 4 weeks ago I received the most unexpected call to say they had a match for me. I expected to wait months because I had been so lucky and only waited 2 weeks for Sandie and 4 weeks for Connie. 5 days later they brought Annie to meet me.

The matching visit

Each matching visit with my dogs has always been exciting and nerve wracking. My strongest memory is of Sandie bouncing on two feet like Tigger on her matching visit and I was wondering what kind of a crazy dog they had brought me.

So on to the arrival of Annie…… First of all the Guide Dog Mobility Instructor (GDMI) always comes in and talks a bit about the dog. It’s always difficult to remember that bit because you are thinking ‘Hurry up! Get the dog out if the car!’

When Annie came in she was a typical shepherd and ignored me. She did a big busy in the garden. Feeling her she was like a golden retriever in size, body and ears. Her face, markings and personality are very much German shepherd. I immediately thought she was dinky she is in between the size of Sandie (27kg) and Connie (32kg).

We chatted some more and then I put the harness on. I immediately found out she sits at doors, stairs and kerbs. Quite a change for me. Berry and Connie stood and Sandie sat for about 1 week when they decided she hated it.

We set off at a very good speed which I am not sure the GDMI thought I would keep up. I did keep up thanks to my running with my personal assistants keeping me fit. That’s the thing with a cane you are really limited speed wise and so it can take a while to build up fitness again when you get a new dog.

The walk was good although I learnt I am using old commands so I need to brush up on my skills during training.

When we returned to the house Annie had some water then helped herself to a kong wubba and chilled out in the dog bed. She even licked my face which apparently means I am very honoured. It seemed like she was quite happy to stay. I took some photos to help me through until training and then they left.

So here I am with four full days until Wednesday. It will be my longest training so far and my first time in a hotel. I will write more about that another day.

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