Post by Paul on Dec 26, 2004 16:48:40 GMT 9.5
KARREN & RIPPLE
Karen McKennariey was sight impaired from birth but that didn't stop her from doing all the things that children usually do. Then one day in December 1980 at the age of twelve, it seemed that Karen's world came to an end.
For it seems no apparent reason, Karen's life changed almost instantly from one of light and movement to that of total darkness due to a detached retina. It happened without warning while Karen was roller skating with friends, I can think of better circumstances in which to lose your sight than to be mobile on roller skates..
Karen had mixed feelings, not wanting to tell anyone what had happened but finally confided in a friend who told Karen's teacher. Confident that her sight would come back, she finally learned in February 1981 that her sight was gone for good and that a whole new way of life had to be learned.
It's hard enough for an adult to lose their sight but for a child of twelve it would have been absolutely devastating, however, with stoic determination Karen began to rearrange her life. Remaining at the same school she commenced to learn Braille and very reluctantly began to use the long cane. Karen hated that cane because it advertised her as being different from other people and it took her a long time to come to terms with what she considered to be a dreadful instrument.
When Karen left school she quickly realized that her independence would benefit from the use of a guide dog and accordingly applied to the Royal Guide Dogs Association. After assessment Karen was loaned a Therapy Dog for two weeks to get used to the idea of having a dog around her and to learn about the responsibility for dog ownership. Twelve months later Karen was on her way to the training school at Melbourne.
Karen was excited to meet Ripple her new friend, the dog that was to become her eyes and constant companion but she was a full week into training before an incident indicated that Ripple really was her dog. After crossing a road with Ripple she walked onto a gravel footpath, missed her footing and fell full length on her face letting Ripple go in the process. Lying stunned from the fall on the footpath, Ripple returned to her and licked her face as much to say, "C'mon girl up you get".
So a partnership which has now continued for eight years got underway but it hasn't been without occasional embarrassment for Karen. Walking through TAFE one day she had instructed Ripple to take her to the stairs. Passing an area designed for seating Ripple stopped for no apparent reason and repeated efforts by Karen to get her moving had no effect. Eventually a voice said, "I think she wants my pie".
Ripple had been trained well and that episode was her one lapse of concentration. It seems that the pie smelled so good Ripple could not resist drooling over it much to the amusement of the pie eater and the embarrassment of Karen.
Ripple has done wonders for Karen's confidence, this self assured young woman maintains a pristine home and engages in many interest and hobbies, even would you believe, cycling. Karen regularly travels a tandem with her husband around the streets of Adelaide.
I asked Karen if she had ever been refused entry to any premises because of Ripple and was gratified only one restaurant was ignorant of their legal obligation regarding Guide and Hearing Dogs. Karen also advised me that the public were very good when Ripple was working, nearly all respecting a working dog and children eager to pat such a beautiful animal were corrected by their parents. In eight years only one person has physically interfered with Ripple when Karen was boarding a bus. For those of you who have not yet got the message, never interfere with a Guide Dog when it's working, if its owner requires help or assistance, you will be asked for it.
Ripple is now beginning to show her age and has a little bit of trouble climbing up the step of a bus, life however is a two way street and as Ripple assists Karen, Karen can return the compliment by assisting Ripple. Ripple has about another year to go before retirement and Karen hates the thought that their working partnership is coming to a close.
©Paul Springthorpe, Media Production Services. Extracted from ‘It’s a Dog’s Life’ 1990. All rights reserved.
Karen McKennariey was sight impaired from birth but that didn't stop her from doing all the things that children usually do. Then one day in December 1980 at the age of twelve, it seemed that Karen's world came to an end.
For it seems no apparent reason, Karen's life changed almost instantly from one of light and movement to that of total darkness due to a detached retina. It happened without warning while Karen was roller skating with friends, I can think of better circumstances in which to lose your sight than to be mobile on roller skates..
Karen had mixed feelings, not wanting to tell anyone what had happened but finally confided in a friend who told Karen's teacher. Confident that her sight would come back, she finally learned in February 1981 that her sight was gone for good and that a whole new way of life had to be learned.
It's hard enough for an adult to lose their sight but for a child of twelve it would have been absolutely devastating, however, with stoic determination Karen began to rearrange her life. Remaining at the same school she commenced to learn Braille and very reluctantly began to use the long cane. Karen hated that cane because it advertised her as being different from other people and it took her a long time to come to terms with what she considered to be a dreadful instrument.
When Karen left school she quickly realized that her independence would benefit from the use of a guide dog and accordingly applied to the Royal Guide Dogs Association. After assessment Karen was loaned a Therapy Dog for two weeks to get used to the idea of having a dog around her and to learn about the responsibility for dog ownership. Twelve months later Karen was on her way to the training school at Melbourne.
Karen was excited to meet Ripple her new friend, the dog that was to become her eyes and constant companion but she was a full week into training before an incident indicated that Ripple really was her dog. After crossing a road with Ripple she walked onto a gravel footpath, missed her footing and fell full length on her face letting Ripple go in the process. Lying stunned from the fall on the footpath, Ripple returned to her and licked her face as much to say, "C'mon girl up you get".
So a partnership which has now continued for eight years got underway but it hasn't been without occasional embarrassment for Karen. Walking through TAFE one day she had instructed Ripple to take her to the stairs. Passing an area designed for seating Ripple stopped for no apparent reason and repeated efforts by Karen to get her moving had no effect. Eventually a voice said, "I think she wants my pie".
Ripple had been trained well and that episode was her one lapse of concentration. It seems that the pie smelled so good Ripple could not resist drooling over it much to the amusement of the pie eater and the embarrassment of Karen.
Ripple has done wonders for Karen's confidence, this self assured young woman maintains a pristine home and engages in many interest and hobbies, even would you believe, cycling. Karen regularly travels a tandem with her husband around the streets of Adelaide.
I asked Karen if she had ever been refused entry to any premises because of Ripple and was gratified only one restaurant was ignorant of their legal obligation regarding Guide and Hearing Dogs. Karen also advised me that the public were very good when Ripple was working, nearly all respecting a working dog and children eager to pat such a beautiful animal were corrected by their parents. In eight years only one person has physically interfered with Ripple when Karen was boarding a bus. For those of you who have not yet got the message, never interfere with a Guide Dog when it's working, if its owner requires help or assistance, you will be asked for it.
Ripple is now beginning to show her age and has a little bit of trouble climbing up the step of a bus, life however is a two way street and as Ripple assists Karen, Karen can return the compliment by assisting Ripple. Ripple has about another year to go before retirement and Karen hates the thought that their working partnership is coming to a close.
©Paul Springthorpe, Media Production Services. Extracted from ‘It’s a Dog’s Life’ 1990. All rights reserved.
