Create a future where people with low vision or blindness can move freely, without limits.
When Sacha was growing up, her doctor told her something that stayed with her for years: a Guide Dog would never be an option for her. Not because she didn’t need support, but because, on paper, her vision was considered “too good.”
For a long time, Sacha believed that a Guide Dog was reserved for people whose vision fit into a very narrow definition of what is considered low vision or blindness. Because she has Oculocutaneous Albinism, her vision fluctuates significantly depending on her environment and level of fatigue. After a full day of work, commuting, hours at a computer and exposure to bright lights, her functional vision deteriorates to well below the previously required threshold.
Like so many people with low vision, Sacha quietly learned to push through. She navigated a world that was often exhausting, overwhelming and unsafe, never believing that a mobility aid like a Guide Dog was meant for her.
With your support, Guide Dogs was able to take a holistic approach to assessment, and the life‑changing shift of searching for the right dog became possible because of people like you.
When Sacha was finally matched with her Guide Dog, Lorraine, the real work began. Together, they undertook three weeks of intensive Guide Dog Mobility training where both Sacha and Lorraine adapted to undergoing Sacha’s routine together. Although she felt a connection with Lorraine straight away, true trust is built through repetition, expert instruction and careful guidance, particularly in busy and unpredictable environments.
Please donate today. Help fund the next partnership between a Handler and their Guide Dog and ensure that when someone is ready, their future Guide Dog is ready too.
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