I started going blind at the age of 33, and after a long time of testing, it was determined that there was no specific diagnosis. For the sake of medical benefits, however, I was diagnosed with Retinal Degeneration. I lived with the knowledge for years that not only could they not determine what the actual diagnosis was and is, but that also meant they could not trace the genetics involved. Only recently, through genetic testing, the doctor diagnosed it as Stargardt Macular Degeneration, an extreme form that strikes the eyes at a much younger age. It was also determined that I had three legs of this disease, which meant it was bad. How do I feel about that? The information brought closure to the issue, and I still believe that in His time and way, God will heal me as His Word promises. In the meantime, here is the background leading up to Jesus’s Christmas present to me—Freedom.
Freedom is my Seeing-Eye Dog, trained by The Seeing Eye Foundation in Morristown, New Jersey. My journey started with that school three years ago, and here is how it began. When I first found out I was going blind, it was stated that the choices for mobility would be that of a white cane or a guide dog. I am such an animal lover that I immediately knew which to choose. It was up to me to choose the school I would use to train a dog, but first things first. I had to have mobility training using the white cane before qualifying to use a guide dog. Eventually, I chose Guide Dogs for the Blind in San Rafael, CA. The application process is a long one. One must have a doctor’s report validating that one is safe to have a dog and is prepared to take care of it, most often followed by a psychological checkup and references, a home evaluation, and a mobility test. After one passes all the above and the committee feels good about the applicant, the date is chosen for training, and the school pays all the expenses, including travel. I must say, once you have gotten that far, they treat you like royalty.
My first experience was with a dog, Francesca, whom I had for six years before giving her up as I suddenly got sick with allergies and had to retire her early. Later, I found out from the people who took her in as a pet that she had to be put down because of out-of-control cancer. Then, after being treated for allergies, I was able to go to the brand-new sister school in Boring, Oregon, and receive Brandon, a male black lab. I had him for eight years and retired him right on schedule (seeing-eye dogs are generally retired within eight to ten years). I then received Nevi, a yellow female lab who looked much like Francesca and behaved like her, which was a compliment! Things were going well for a time, until I fell on my kitchen floor and broke my ankle in a peculiar spot.
I could not care for my dog as I had 16 steps to descend from my house. I was bound to my living room. The school found someone who could watch my dog while I healed, but it took over six months before I got her back. I had to learn how to use her all over again. Then, while things were going well, she got out of control one night at church and went flying across the room for what appeared to be no reason. Because I had the leash on my arm for steadiness and control while sitting, she took me with her, and I fell flat on the floor, extending my arm straight; I ended up breaking my shoulder joint and arm. Once again, I could not care for her, so the school took her and placed her safely with a family while I healed.
It took almost a year for this process, and this time, the prognosis was against me for using a guide dog ever again. It was with much determination, working with my therapist, that I finally got cleared to have her back. We were companions for some time until I knew it was time to retire her. Because she had been out of harness for a long time and knew both ways of life at this point, she slowed down too much while in harness. I assumed I could retire her and repeat the process. Boy, was I wrong! Because, during the gap between separation and reuniting, some medical conditions–not having anything to do with my arm–surfaced. It was determined that I would require medication for the rest of my life to maintain this condition at a positive level.
While I did not have a problem with that, those looking at the whole pattern of dogs with me determined it unsafe for me to receive and maintain a guide dog. So, after retiring Nevi, I was informed that even after an appeal of this decision, I would not be able to receive a dog from Guide Dogs for the Blind. Could I go to another school? Yes, I could try, but it was a significant emotional adjustment I was unprepared to tackle then. Plus, this would mean learning different commands for the dog and the appropriate use for them in a short amount of time; that seemed impossible to me. So, I lived without a dog or the promise of ever receiving one for a year. In fact, as a dog lover, I lived without the promise of that kind of love permanently.
It was after some encouragement from friends that I tried again, simply because everyone, including my doctors, said my walking had become unstable with the cane. I talked with my doctor, who agreed to stand with me applying for another company. He said that the original company’s decision was untrue and, quite frankly, unfounded by the facts they had. So began the process all over again. It took about six months to apply, but I had many people behind the scenes praying for God’s will to be done. After all, a guide dog isn’t just that; they are also emotional support, and those who knew me saw a difference in me that was not a good direction.
The Seeing Eye Foundation was aware of Guide Dogs for the Blind’s denial and wanted to ensure their decision would suit them and me. It took a lot of explaining and documenting, but praise God, I finally got a call from them. The day I got the call, the woman on the other end said, “How is your day going?” and I replied, “It will be a lot better when I know the results of this call.” Of course, she understood that and hesitated no further. They had decided while Guide Dogs for the Blind had good reasons for hesitation, this school felt that they were looking at the pattern too much and not listening to my medical team and my references, who made it clear that although the years had been bumpy, everything was now
under control and would be for the foreseeable future. I was approved! I screamed yes so loud that my neighbors heard it! Though I was approved, this only meant that I was on a waiting list and would still have to wait until they had a dog for me. The wait for a new dog could take as long as a year. During all of this, I was also a student at Seattle Bible College. I was only a part-time student then, but during the fall quarter, I decided to change that and take 17 credits, which is not only full-time but also a lot of work. I was, however, comfortable with that decision, and so was Dr. Kathy, our Dean.
In October, I got a call from the dog training school asking if I could join an October class taking effect in two weeks. My thought? Bummer! Here I was, facing a hectic quarter, but if I said no, the dog they had in mind for me would go to the next-best candidate. I said yes but discussed my dilemma with Dr. Kathy, who agreed I could not say no to this opportunity because, after all, who knew how long it would take until the next opportunity? She granted an extension for my SBC homework assignments that had December deadlines, and with her blessing, I was soon on my way to meet my new companion.
I kept up with school the best I could while in training. The first thing they asked me, of course, was what kind of dog I wanted, and while I said a female German Shepherd would be a good change, the main criteria were low obedience and maintenance–meaning I wanted a dog to be uninterrupted in his/her work. In other words, one who was consistent in their job. Three days into training, I was told they had my perfect dog. When it came time to meet my new companion, I got Freedom! (Freedom came to me with that name, but I couldn’t have named him better as I truly found freedom through this gift.) Freedom is a male yellow lab, and though I requested a female, I would not trade him for anything! We connected so well that the trainer informed me we could go home with the returning students at 2 1/2 weeks, even though training for a new student generally takes 3-1/2 weeks.
Freedom and I came home together to start our new lives on November 10, 2022, and we celebrated his second birthday on November 13. Freedom is the most beautiful yellow lab anyone could ever ask for, and smart? He has not failed me yet with his intelligence. And he still doesn’t get out of control even after two years of being on the job. Usually, by now, the dog is picking up bad habits, and once they do, one cannot break the bad habit. Freedom is still the dog I came home with.
Since this magazine edition is specifically about Christmas, I must give a shout-out for my Christmas present from Jesus two years ago, which for a while looked like it was never going to happen again. Through the process, I also learned how to trust God in a way I had taken for granted before that approval occurred. But you see, I had to go through all that and get connected with another company to get the best dog anyone could ask for. God knows what He is doing.
Merry Christmas to all from Freedom and me.
Jenny Andersons is a natural born Seattleite and has lived in Washington all her life. She has faced many years of struggles including losing her sight to Stargardt Macular Degeneration. Trusting in God is a daily priority. Jenny has two grown boys, Daniel 43 and Robert 41, and a six-year-old granddaughter Noel. Jenny is seeking her bachelor’s degree in Practical Theiology from Seattle Bible College. Jenny’s favorite hobbies are concerts, time with family and friends, boating, and traveling.
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