GUIDE DOG HELPED MUM GET LIFE BACK
Inspirational Louise shortlisted for award
L OUISE Jenkins’ life was turned upside-down when she lost her sight 14 years ago. By her own admission she felt like her “world had ended”.
But now she is in the running for a major award and will see her inspiring story told to millions of viewers of ITV’s This Morning after she was named one of the finalists in the Inspirational Guide Dog Owners of the Year Awards.
Louise, 51, was the busy mother of teenage daughters Michelle and Alison when a spinal cord infection permanently damaged her sight, causing blindness in one eye and tunnel vision in the other.
“Our family life completely changed,” said Louise. “Suddenly I couldn’t do anything on my own.
“For the first 12 to 18 months I was feeling very low and was very depressed, I felt like my world had ended.
“One day I got up and I actually trashed my garage – throwing and kicking stuff around.
“I knew things had to change else I would spend the rest of my life sitting – my life had become nothing.
“It was hard because my eldest daughter had just got her A-levels and was going off to university in Manchester.
“She didn’t know how I would cope because she was my taxi.”
Louise applied for a guide dog and was paired with Labrador Retriever Opal.
She quickly returned to her independent and confident self and was able to take back control of her life, retraining with the Open University.
“I could go out and do anything I wanted on my own again,” said Louise.
“I used to walk a part of the Pembrokeshire coastal path once a week. When people asked me why I did it I said: ‘Because I can.’”
When Louise’s second guide dog Quinta retired early last year after an accident it was a huge setback. For six months Louise felt helpless again.
“I was on the bus and a lorry came past and it smashed the window of the bus.
“Quinta wasn’t hurt but from then on was terrified to go on public transport and would shake while waiting for the bus.
“She was only five and I have still got her – I couldn’t get rid of her, she is part of the family.”
When she was partnered with her third dog, Trinity, last June, she was even more determined to live life to the full.
She has recently taken part in a blind drive and taken a flight on the world’s longest zipline.
“You get to drive round a race track in a blind drive,” said Louise.
“There are dual controls like in a learner car but you can really put your foot down.
“One of the things I miss most is driving and the freedom you have.
“If I need a pint of milk I have to get a bus to the next town and wait an hour for one back. Before I could just jump in the car.
“I also did the longest zipwire in the world in North Wales and that was an amazing experience.
“For years I’d had to hold a lead or someone’s arms, or a long cane, but this was me on my own, flying down a mountain. I would love to do it again.
“My new challenge is that I am running – I have started doing it with people from work, doing a 5k, and a colleague will act as a guide runner.”
Louise has certainly come a long way in the past 14 years. From having to be driven around by her daughter she now acts as a carer for her parents and husband.
She said: “Last year my mum had breast cancer and she is my dad’s main care giver after he had a stroke.
“I had them both down to stay with me after my mum had an operation so I could look after them.”
Despite the fact they live in Warrington, 160 miles away, with Trinity’s help Louise is able to take a train alone to be at their side and help care for them.
As well as working full-time, Louise provides home care for her husband of 32 years, Adrian, who was recently diagnosed with vascular disease in the brain.
“We care for each other,” she said. “Sometimes Adrian holds the magnifying glass and directs me with the screwdriver.”
Louise was nominated for the award by colleagues at Camfan mental health drop-in centre in Lampeter, where she is manager.
Alongside two other guide dog users she will be featured on This Morning from tomorrow until Wednesday, after which viewers will be able to vote for their favourite.