My guide dog and I

I’ve had my guide dog for a couple of months now and getting him was one of the best decisions I ever made.

Jet is a wonderful black labrador, two years old at the end of next month. Not only is he good at his job, enjoying his work, he also has a lovely temperament, is very social and is absolutely no trouble whatsoever. He fits into my life perfectly. This is testament to the brilliant work by the guide dogs Association, their trainers and their puppy walkers.

Guide dogs is a wonderful organisation. The dedication, training, advice and help that the charity gives is superb and can't be faulted.

The process started with a visit from a member of the team who came to my home to discuss whether getting a dog would be right for me. We talked about my condition, my lifestyle and how the guide dog might benefit my life. Once the decision was taken that a dog would be good for me, it was arranged that I would have some test walks to see what kind of dog would suit.

The first walk was around my local area within member of the team holding a harness, no dog involved. This was test my mobility, how I got around with my white cane, speed etc. This was followed a few weeks later with another walk, this time with the kind of dog they thought would suit me. All the time I was being assessed so they can actually with a suitable dog.

Then I was put on the waiting list. As I had not specified the type, breed or sex of dog the process of finding the right dog from me would probably be quicker. Some people are quite particular about the kind of dog they want. The charity has a set of criteria so people are matched to the right dog. People have different needs, such as how much exercise the dog will need, it's size overspeed it walks for example.

Once they found an animal that they thought was right for me it was time for my training. Training can take place residentially at a number of hotels around the country or within the home. As I am quite active and used to dogs, my training was from home. So for three weeks Jet moved in and everyday we went out with a trainer learning all the commands, techniques and everything I needed to know about working with a guide dog. A health visitor also came to see me to talk about the care and welfare for jet.

Once been given a lot of information and qualifying, I was handed over the reins and for a nominal fee of 50p, Jet became mine. The backup support by the organisation is brilliant, any problems I have with jet, they are only at the end of the phone. Regular visits to see how he is getting along mean he will always be in good condition. As well as his training, vets bills and after-care, they even offered to pay for his food, which I declined as they had done so much already.

Guide dog ownership is wonderful. It has made so much difference getting around. It has helped my confidence moving around in a visual world with sight loss. As well as a working dog he's also become a great buddy. He's got a great temperament, he so well-behaved (most of the time!) And makes me laugh every day. Guide dogs answer everybody but personally it's been fantastic.

If you would like more information on guide dogs like to donate please visit this link:

http://www.guidedogs.org.uk/?gclid=COH_gtvN_68CFWwntAodJzWIEA

RNIB Charity Skydive

Ever thought about jumping out an aeroplane from about 2 miles up?  How about doing it to raise money for the UK's leading charity for blind and visually impaired people?

The RNIB is holding a Skydiving event on Saturday 4 June 2011 in Peterborough.  To experience the adrenaline rush of a lifetime participants only need to pay a £50 registration fee and raise at least £300 for the RNIB.  The jump will be in tadam with an instructor so no experience is needed and training will be given on the day.  A thrilling freefall for 5000 feet at nearly 120 miles per hour is followed by a peaceful 5 to 7 minute ride once the canopy is opened, where you can enjoy thre amazing scenary.  The experience of a lifetime.

Why the RNIB?:

Every day 100 people in the UK start losing their sight. RNIB gives people who have lost their sight vital support to help them find their lives again. Right now RNIB can only reach one in three of the people who need our help the most. Join Team RNIB and help us reach them all.

Quote from the RNIB  website

For full details and conditions visit the RNIB web site by clicking here.

Not your thing? You can get involved in one of the RNIB's other fundraising events by clicking here.

Guide Dog of the Year 2010 nominations

The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association UK are taking nominations for 2010's Guide Dog of the Year awards.

There are three catagories to find the dog which has helped their blind owner avoid danger in a heroic manner, changed their owners life for the better or has adapted outstandingly to new and unusual situations.  One dog from these winners will be named Guide Dog of the Year 2010.

Beyond the Call of Duty – for dogs that have performed a heroic act, or helped their owner avoid a dangerous situation.

Life Changing – for dogs who have given their owners the mobility and confidence to take on a new challenge; e.g. going to work, trying a new hobby…or something completely different.

Outstanding Work – for dogs whose work is exceptional; e.g. adapting to a new environment or circumstances, or mastering complex skills.

Quote for the Guide Dogs web site
 
For details on how to nominate a dog visit the Guide Dogs web sight by clicking here. 
 
Nominations must be in by 23 June.  Winners will be announced on Wednesday 8 September at a ceremony at the Museum of London, Docklands, London.

RNIB - in their own words

Following an invitation by VisionWebSight to contribute to this blog and outline what the Royal National Institute for Blind People (RNIB) do as an organisation, this is their response:

1. What we do

RNIB is a charity and we have three clear priorities: stopping people losing their sight unnecessarily, supporting blind and partially sighted people to live independently and creating an inclusive society.

We listen, campaign, work energetically with others and show what can be achieved. Our work includes:

• Campaigning to ensure proven treatments for sight-threatening conditions are available on the NHS.
• Offering emotional and practical support, products to make life easier and advice about money, eye health and local services.
• Improving educational opportunities for blind and partially sighted children and adults, including those with complex needs.
• Enabling people with sight loss to retain and gain jobs.
• Working with transport operators, retailers and banks to enable more people with sight loss to travel, shop and run their own finances.
• Influencing partners across the world to make computers, television, mobile phones and satellite navigation systems easier to use
• for people with sight loss.

2. Our Helpline

If you, someone you know, or someone you support has a sight problem, RNIB can help.

Our helpline is your direct line to the support, advice and products you
need to remain independent. We're there to:

• give you free information about your eye condition and availabletreatments
• direct you to support available in your local area and beyond,
• from RNIB and other organisations including Action for Blind People
• let you know about any financial benefits and discounts that you could be entitled to
• recommend everyday products that can help make life easier,
• available from RNIB and other centres
• suggest ways you can continue to enjoy your hobbies and leisure time
• help you join and use our library service of over 40,000 titles in braille, moon, giant print and audio
• let you know about employment, training and education opportunities
• advise on housing options, whether staying in your own home or moving elsewhere
• provide access to emotional support and counselling services
• or simply to offer a listening ear.

 Our specialist advice workers will spend time with you over the phone, making sure the support they give is right for you. We'll call you back a few weeks later to find out how you're getting on and what else we can do to help.

RNIB Helpline
Telephone: 0303 123 9999
Email: helpline@rnib.org.uk
Website: rnib.org.uk

What would you lose from your life if you lost your sight? RNIB helps people who have lost their sight to find their lives again. Right now we can only reach one in three of those who need our help the most. You can help us reach everyone. Visit rnib.org.uk/lost

Many thanks to Justin Butler afrom the RNIB Information Resource team.

The RNIB is a registered charity, if you would like to donate visit their web site by clicking here.

Devon County Association for the Blind (DCAB)

The Devon County Association for the Blind is an independent charity for the people of Devon.

"The Association was first established as a charity in 1925 and moved to its current premises at Station House in 1997. The Association has moved on considerably since the early days of "home teachers" for "blind people" who taught canework and knitting. We are now pleased to be able to offer a range of high tech equipment as well as IT lessons.
Sue, Rod and Pat look forward to welcoming you to Station House and helping you with any query or problem you may have. We are based in Station House in Topsham near Exeter."

Quote from the DCAB web site

Contact:

DCAB
Station House
Holman Way
Topsham
Exeter
EX3 0EN

Telephone:
01392 876666

Email:
contact@devonblind.org.uk

http://www.devonblind.org.uk/

Action for Blind People

Action for Blind People is a national charity which provides  support for blind and visually impaired people in all aspects of their lives.

Action for Blind People (part of the RNIB group) have been invaluable source of help and guidance since I was first diagnosed as Visually Impaired.  They are my first port of call when I have any questions and provide help and support with adapting to sight loss.

The staff from my local branch are always willing to help and answer any questions I have.  They have visted me on a numerous occations, advising me on my rights as a VI person, helping me fill in forms and even helping me secure funding and a grant from the Elizebeth Finn Care trust.  They're always willing to talk on the phone or get back to my calls an emails very quickly.

They helped me get the right amount of Disability Living Allowance by helping me fill in the forms.  DLA is notoriousy difficult to get what you are entitled to but as they have so much experience in applications they were able to give me the advise to successfully get the maximum I could for my condition.

They also offered support and advice on employment possiblities.  They offered to talk to any potential employers and even come to interviews to help explain what assistance could be given to companies employing blind or VI people.

Visit their web site or give them a call details below).  They are an amazing charity and will no doubt be able to help you in many ways.

"Action for Blind People is one of the largest charities in the UK providing free and confidential support for blind and partially sighted people in all aspects of their lives.
We are dynamic and have a reputation for talking less and doing more.

Driven by the needs of visually impaired people, we deliver what people say they need, not just what we think they need.

Our mission is to inspire change and create opportunities to enable people with sight loss to have equal voice and equal choice.

Action for Blind People is more than just a name - it is what we do."

Quote from Action for Blind people website

Contact

 Action for Blind People
14-16 Verney Road
London
SE16 3DZ

Head Office phonr number:
020 7635 4800

Helpline (for the use of blind and partially sighted people and their families):
0800 915 4666

http://www.actionforblindpeople.org.uk/

The Low Vision event - RNIB fund-raising and awareness in Peterborough

This is a free event, at Peterborough Regional College, Park Crescent, Peterborough in Cambridgeshire on Thursday 8 April 2010, from 10.30am til 3.30pm.

There will be 35 stands and 12 seminars on subjects as diverse as personal budgets, sailing, music and the digital TV switch over.

For more information visit the RNIB web site by clicking here.

FROM leisure activities to gadgets to help make a cup of tea, there are a world of resources out there if you have low levels of vision – but, unfortunately, many people don’t realise it.
Claire McDonald-Rose, from the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) believes it is quite common – particularly among elderly people – not to access services or information available to them.

Quote from Peterborough Evening Telegraph

There will be a free mini-bus service operating from the city centre out to the venue.