by BadgerBuddies » Fri Nov 01, 2024 2:57 pm
Username: BadgerBuddies
Name: Cass
Gender: DFAB
Prompt: While many of the traits Cass possesses are shared with a bat, one may not be quite so obvious. Although the phrase “blind as a bat” is an exaggeration, Cass can still relate. She has been diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, a degenerative eye disease that will slowly rob her of her vision as the years fly by. While her vision currently is mostly fine, she does struggle a bit more at night time, meaning the disease is already starting to take its toll.
Cass has worked hard to stay on top of things, and has already started to seek help to ensure that she can remain independent even as her vision continues to decline. While looking up resources at her local Lighthouse charity and beginning to consider orientation and mobility training with a white cane, Cass encountered something that would change her life forever, and captured her interest. At the Lighthouse charity that day were guide dogs in training, interacting with those with low/no vision, introducing them to a whole new option to help them navigate their vision loss. For Cass, who would still have normal vision (at least in the daytime) for at least a few more years, she wanted to be apart of this training team, helping as many people in need of a lifeline like this before she herself would find herself in need.
Little did she know, it isn’t easy to become a guide dog trainer! You have to start at the very bottom, doing all the dirty work - cleaning kennels, all that jazz. If you prove yourself here, you may be considered as an apprentice trainer, working for three long years to become certified. Through grit, perseverance, and determination, Cass is happy to share that she pushed through and was able to earn an apprenticeship! She is learning how to train dogs to navigate stress crossings, stop at obstacles the handler cannot see such as tripping hazards or low hanging branches, and even teaching the dogs how to stop for cars to keep their future handlers safe from being hit on accident. After periods of training, the trainers are given blindfolds while working dogs to test that the dogs can really do what they have been trained for safely. Cass is more prepared than the rest of the trainers for this; she’s already been practicing her skills for the day she does go blind.
While Cass knows this dream job of hers is only temporary, she is soaking in every minute of it while she still can. She feels immense amounts of pride knowing how many people just like her she’s been able to help. It’s rewarding to watching them gain back their independence. Once she loses her sight, she may not be able to hold on to this dream, but at least she will be on the receiving end of one of these miracle dogs who will keep her out of harms way - a legacy of all her hard work and dedication.
(500 words)
Last edited by
BadgerBuddies on Sat Nov 02, 2024 3:09 am, edited 1 time in total.