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Darlington mum says getting guide dog was a gamechanger
Overview
A registered blind mother from Darlington has described getting her guide dog, Yarren, as a life-changing experience that has provided her with newfound confidence and independence. Lorna Davies, 36, initially struggled to accept that she needed a guide dog and felt anxious about the process, leading her husband to submit the application on her behalf. Since being partnered with Yarren in 2020, she has been able to travel independently with her children and overcome the shyness she previously felt regarding her sight loss.
Key points
- Lorna Davies, a 36-year-old registered blind woman from Darlington, says her guide dog Yarren has transformed her life.
- Davies was born with nystagmus and optic atrophy, with her sight deteriorating further during pregnancy and continuing to decline.
- Her husband applied for the guide dog on her behalf because she was anxious and struggled to accept she needed one.
- Davies was partnered with Yarren in 2020 and now feels fully confident and trusted in navigating with the dog compared to using a cane.
- The guide dog has allowed her to gain independence and take her children out by herself.