I have no vision and recently trained and qualified with a new guide dog, Lewis, a 22 month old retriever Labrador.
In 2013 I had an unfortunate mismatch with a replacement guide dog, which didn’t work out. During the interim of about 16 months, for the right dog to be found for me, and for the sake of my constitution and to maintain a good level of fitness, I had to revert to using a long white cane to get around.
In that period I became acutely aware of the hazards and obstacles in the streets in Falmouth and how intimidating it must be for anyone with impaired vision to go out alone. May I say that during that period I had nothing but assistance, consideration, and concern for my well being from my neighbours and the residents of Falmouth, and since owning a new guide dog how heart warming it has been to meet many of those people who’ve said how pleased they are to see me with a ‘companion’ again.
The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association rely only on legacies, grants, and donations, with no government subsidies at all. It is you, the public, who afford people like me the freedom that a dog provides.
Our local fund raising group, the GDBA in general, and myself, are very appreciative of the unparalleled generosity of the Cornish people for all their support in our activities.
John Warner,
Messack Close,
Falmouth
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