From days in bed to a life worth living
Allison and Luna
28/11/2022
Story
Following an accident at work, former primary school teacher Allison found her career cut short in 2001.
"I was told originally that my injury was just soft tissue damage," explains Allison. "But it never got better and further investigation revealed a malformation at the bottom of my spine which had been made worse by the accident. The pain I was experiencing meant that I was forced to retire and as a young woman of 40, I found it very difficult to comprehend."
As well as not being ready to retire, Allison also had to manage the disappointment of not being able to embark upon a two year sabbatical to Canada – something she’d planned and looked forward to for a very long time. "I was bitterly disappointed but had to face facts – my injury was now a disability and my life had changed."
One year later, Allison was diagnosed with breast cancer and because the lump and treatment affected a lymph gland, Allison ended up with Lymphedema in her left arm, restricting its range of motion as well as adding in more pain.
As Allison’s spinal injury worsened, she made the decision to start using a wheelchair out and about. However, the Lymphedema made using a manual chair almost impossible.
"It just felt like one thing impacted negatively on the other and I was running out of things I could do," she explains. "My disabilities meant that everyday things like getting dressed, grocery shopping and doing the laundry really took it out of me in terms of 'available' energy and I was exhausted. I had very little energy left to go out and do the things I loved doing; being out in nature, socialising etc. As a result, I became very insular; sometimes not going out for a week or so and spending more and more time in my pyjamas. I’d quite often spend the afternoon in bed."
"I realised that if I was lucky enough to get matched with a dog, I could start to do things independently and, as much as I love my mum, I could do things without her having to be there to assist me all the time."
After meeting someone with an assistance dog and then seeing someone else with an assistance dog at her local supermarket, Allison started doing some research which led her to Dogs for Good. After reading more about the life-changing differences a bond with our dogs can make to people with disabilities, she decided to fill in an application form.
"I went with my mum [to a Dogs for Good Information Day] and the day was brilliant. I realised that if I was lucky enough to get matched with a dog, I could start to do things independently and, as much as I love my mum, I could do things without her having to be there to assist me all the time."
Fast forward a few months and Allison found herself getting very excited in preparation for a visit from a four-legged life changer! Beautiful yellow labrador, Luna, trotted into her potential new home, curled up on footstool beside Allison and settled down for a snooze – the human-dog bond was almost instantaneous.
"[Luna has] extended my day. I now have the energy to do the fun, good stuff and we’re inseparable. We go out every day and because of that, I’ve met so many new friends."
"She so lovely and charming… I couldn’t stop stroking her on that day and nothing’s really changed!" laughs Allison. After a clearly very successful visit, Luna and her Dogs for Good instructor started getting ready to leave and Luna made it clear, in her own way that she’d be back. "She didn’t want to get into the car," remembers Allison. "She just sat there looking back at me. And when she left, she took a bit of my heart with her. I knew we were right for each other."
Dogs for Good agreed and the match was set. Within a few weeks, Luna was making another journey to Allison’s home – and this time she was staying for good.
Because Luna helps Allison with so many day to day tasks, Allison’s now got the energy (and confidence) to go out more. "I used to feel self-conscious in my wheelchair because people used to stare – they now stare at my beautiful Luna and that’s fine with me!"
Luna is also a very clever girl. Allison explains that without any prompting, one day Luna picked up some dirty clothes and gently dropped them into the laundry hamper. "She’d obviously seen me do it and decided that she could do that for me," she laughs. "She’s done the same with the post, too, so I wouldn’t be surprised if one day, she joins in with me when I’m playing the piano!"
Most of all though, Luna brightens Allison’s mood. "She makes me laugh every day and I am seeing her cheeky side emerge… She’s a real character!" says Allison. "She’s brought my confidence out of its hiding place and from spending days indoors in my pyjamas, I’m now planning days out for the pair of us."
Dogs like Luna open doors, they connect people, they keep families together, they help make life possible in so many ways.
Your support will enable more people to benefit from our dogs.
Bringing the whole family together
Holly is a very busy mum of five, fostering children that are neurodiverse as well as children with complex needs, emotional trauma and physical disabilities.
Accessing the future with confidence
When Victoria’s daughter, Amelie, told her she ‘wished she wasn’t herself’ anymore, it was time to rethink everything.
Opening up the possibilities to thrive
Style Acre provides person-centred services for 288 adults with learning disabilities and autism across Oxfordshire. The Dogs for Good community dog team supports people there to build life skills for themselves, helping them feel independent, confident and more connected to the world.