Supporting
Muscular Dystrophy UK and Dog A.I.D.UK
A collection of artistic images and words
curated by Ann Blake.
Buying this lovely book will help two specific causes.
Through the collective talent and wisdom of artists from around the world, I am publishing this book to fulfil my mission to raise awareness for the two charities that have helped me throughout my journey. I want it to bring joy and love, and at the same time, contribute to Dog A.I.D. (Assistance in Disability) and Muscular Dystrophy UK. Together we can make a difference, because all profits from this book will be donated to these charities.
I have included blank pages for you to include your own gratitudes and reflections and carry them with you. As they say in Hawaii – Aloha mana’o
(Love and wisdom).
Ann Blake
Muscular Dystrophy UK
Supports people with muscle wasting and weakening conditions through every stage of their life. From the point of diagnosis to living the best life possible, They are there to help you with information and advice, practical support, a network of local groups, and an online community.
Dog A.I.D. UK
Dog A.I.D. changes lives by enabling physically disabled people across the U.K. to train their own pet dog to become an accredited Assistance Dog, supported by a team of dedicated and experienced volunteer dog trainers. A Dog A.I.D. trained Assistance Dog increases independence by helping with practical tasks, builds confidence, reduces isolation and the need for care.
Why I am doing this?
In 2018 my world fell apart! I was diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy, a muscle wasting disease, and my future looked bleak. Then, I received the heartbreaking news that my son was diagnosed with the same disease. Unable to emotionally grasp all of this, somehow I knew I still had purpose. Finding strength, support and love from my family and friends, I was determined to be a positive, shining example of how to live my best life, survive and thrive, and cope with this disease with grace and dignity. I wanted to focus my time and energy on joy, creativity and gratitude.
In the time that I have available I have a target to raise awareness of the causes outlined above, and garner as much support as I can in sponsorships, donations and the sale of this book.
Help is at hand
From lockdown to lickdown – the story of an Assistance Dog
During lockdown, I had a dream about owning a dog again, we had buried our dog five years previously. I didn’t think it would be possible to have another dog as I was losing the ability to walk and dogs do like to walk. I came up on the idea of having an assistance dog, but didn’t know how to go about the process. I applied to several organizations and got told they were closed due to Covid but please apply later. We took the plunge and started looking for dogs.
I phoned Gary in Bristol and had a long conversation with him. All his puppies were sold, but we just hit it off. He said, ‘I do have one woman who’s driving me mad, she keeps sending pages of questions, and if she keeps on, I will phone you and offer you the last puppy.’ Well you know what happened next? We got offered the last puppy. How do we now venture up to Bristol, in the middle of lockdown, to get a puppy when we’re not allowed to go out – unless we are collecting food or medical supplies? We had a friend with a black van that looked like a mortuary vehicle. He offered to go and collect him, and he didn’t get stopped.
I contacted a local dog trainer who was honest in saying she had never carried out any training for the disabled, but she thought she knew enough to help. Her name is Lisa Tonks at Paws 4 Reward. She taught us lots of tricks in the six months we were waiting for the charity to open up and accept us. Dog Aid accepted us and we started our six months initial training period to see if we were able to put the work in, and if our dog was suitable.
The bond between us grew. he seemed to sense what I needed, if I tell you that getting out of bed and finding a reason to get out of bed before I had him was difficult to put it mildly. Now I’m out every morning by 7am on the forest and again in the afternoon on my mobility scooter.
There are three exams to take in order to qualfy as an assistance dog, and we sat the very first exam in December.
The first exam is about basic obedience, and at the same time we were doing the bronze and silver kennel club exams at the Three Legged Cross Dog Club, who decided at the time to make Dog Aid UK one of the charities they support, which was very kind of them to do. They gave me the confidence to use my chair with Snoopy.
Waiting for commands
Snoopy ready for the off
Me and Snoopy out for a walk
My amazing Dog Aid trainer is called Carole Tindall, she is a volunteer and after she got us through the first exam, she started working with me on task work. This is work that I need Snoopy to do for me. It includes emptying the washing machine, fetching the telephone, taking my socks off and collecting named items. Carole would come once a week and give me homework. I would have to make videos and send them to her to show my progress
Snoopy was starting to think outside the box, which wasn’t always helpful. One Mother’s Day we went to a restaurant, and a couple asked if I would send Snoopy over, they wanted to say hello and to stroke him. This I did. He started emptying the contents of the lady’s handbag and bringing it back to me. ‘I don’t think this is on the task list,’ I said, ‘but if you can find any purses or credit cards, that might be handy !!’
We had a friend staying with us, who collapsed in our garden, and at the time we were completely unaware this had happened. Snoopy was still a puppy, but he came in and looked at us rather like Lassie, and we spoke to him rather like they did on the TV – ‘What’s up Snoopy?’ He moved his head from us towards the door as if signalling for us to follow him. He took us to the gentleman lying on the lawn, who was crying, saying, ‘Your dog has saved my life.’
We then took Snoopy into the hospital ward at Salisbury to visit him. We cleared the whole ward of doctors and nurses who came to make a fuss of Snoopy. They said, ‘We should have these on the NHS!’
What this charity offers is life changing, and I can understand why Dog is God spelled backwards.
I can’t thank you enough for your help, buying this book and supporting these charities.
Ooops!
Caught in the act. I am trained to do this, but sometimes I do this to other people I really like. I can do double knots as well!
MDUK – So much support in so many areas.
First Contact
I struggled to make the first call to MDUK as I wasn’t able to talk without breaking down. My whole life was about to change and not for the better I felt.
Peer support
Sometimes you just want to speak to someone who knows exactly what you’re going through. Someone who has personal experience of living with a muscle wasting or weakening condition and who will listen without judgement.
Information days
I attended an in-person Information Day where I met others, I got expert information and advice, and found out more about the services and support that they offer.
I remember a young lad sharing that he was just diagnosed with muscular dystrophy. He had watched his granddad decline and knew what was going to happen to him. At that moment. I knew I had to be a positive example to my son who had also just been diagnosed.Webinars
They hold free webinars to offer the opportunity to hear from expert speakers, share your experience and ask questions.
Employability Service
MDUK’s Employability Service will help get people into employment that works for them. They can provide advice and support to help you continue working in a way that is safe and sustainable.
I have worked for the same college for 20 years, I wanted to keep on working, and they were keen for me to carry on. I accessed this service so that I knew what all the options were.