gebdev

Forever changed

Donna Elliott works a training route with Guiding Eyes dog Amosby graduate Donna Elliott

When I first came to Guiding Eyes, ย I was a small town, middle-aged wife, mother and grandmother, who had never been away from home before.ย  I worked from home and went few places alone unless I was walking in my neighborhood.ย  Anywhere else, I was accompanied by my husband or a good friend.ย  I was shy, scared, nervous and not really sure I would be able to travel independently with a guide dog.

Four months after returning home with Guiding Eyes Dixon, my husband had very serious medical issues and was put on a cardiac transplant waiting list.ย  Finally, he had to stay hospitalized in Boston.ย  I lived alone in Boston with my guide dog for four months. ย Together we learned a new city, making our way to and from the hospital each day and around town as needed. ย Joe received his new heart and we went back home, but I was forever changed.

Thanks to Dixon, I was now a strong, confident woman. ย With my first two guide dogs, I attended college and earned my social work degrees.ย  I became a social worker in long term care.ย  My third guide took me through moving, accepting retirement and becoming a first time great-grandmother.

Now Amos will guide me to all our family get-togethers and to my myriad of volunteer commitments. ย Meanwhile, he’ll be the loving companion who lays on my feet and wraps his front leg around my leg!

To everyone who supports Guiding Eyes, you have given me more than youโ€™ll ever know. ย Thank you.