'How my Guide Dog helped me overcome isolation'

TO mark World Mental Health Day, Nutt’s Corner woman Dawn Hopper is encouraging others affected by sight loss to open up about how it impacts their emotional wellbeing and to seek support where they can.

“Sight loss can make people feel very isolated. They can make people have low confidence.

“It’s very hard to make plans when you’re visually impaired because you have to work out how you’re going to get somewhere first” Dawn explains.

“So I think it’s really a case of just being aware that this person has more than just the physical impacts of sight loss.

“There’s also the emotional side of sight loss, and perhaps we could just be a wee bit more open in terms of how you’re feeling.”

After being matched with her first guide dog, Micky, three years ago, Dawn says she experienced a huge difference, not just in her mobility, but in her mental health and confidence too.

“Really, one of the biggest things that has helped my own mental health is getting a guide dog. I’m blessed that three years ago, I got my first guide dog, Micky, and compared to being a white cane user, the difference between that and the dog is something that you just can’t put into words to be honest.

“Micky enables me to get out more, to exercise and to travel. I can be a lot more independent. Sometimes as a white cane user you can feel a little bit vulnerable, but when I’m out with Micky, he gives you that sense of confidence, because he’s a lot more reactive than the cane.

“He also makes me feel a lot safer when he’s around me as well, and that can reduce anxiety and depression in its own way.

“And I was prepared for how much of a fabulous guide dog he is but there’s also the pet element of it. There’s also the social element of having him in my life, just as a regular dog I suppose!”

Dawn believes conversations are vital in breaking down the stigma around mental health and sight loss and hopes sharing her experience will encourage others to talk more openly.

“Let’s just be a little bit more open and a little bit more aware. Anxiety with sight loss is a big thing because you have to stay very present in the moment and try not to think too far ahead into the future, but also future proof yourself.

“93% of people who are visually impaired can see something, and everyone is aware of the impracticalities of sight loss.

“But there’s also a lot of emotional and psychological and sort of mental obstacles and barriers that you have to work through.

“So it is really a great opportunity just to talk about it a little bit more and to say to people - there is help. Please speak out!

“If you yourself are struggling, speak out. Or if you know that a friend of yours is struggling, just ask them to talk, be more open. I think the biggest thing is just to be there for people and listen!”