Poppy Rushin, from Hamilton, is visually impaired and experiences sensory overload on a daily basis. Her family has devised an approach to improve her independence.
Poppy, who is now 16 years old, frequently relies on her mother to reassure her by holding her hand in public settings. Poppy's family contacted the community organisation Supporting Paws to help her gain confidence and accomplish her capabilities. The company specialises in training support dogs to accompany people with various disabilities or limitations.
Photography source: Twitter @PawsSupporting
Mother of teenager, Tess Rushin, is keen to find a suitable dog to help prepare Poppy to embrace her freedom for when she grows up and walks with confidence. "We took Poppy to Supporting Paws to see how she would get along with the trained dogs. Poppy was confident with the dog she met called Daisy, that's when I knew I would put down a deposit to find her very own," she said.
"I'd like Poppy to have her comfort when I'm not around; she gets nervous even at local stores. With a dog suited to her needs, she'll be able to go to the park, cross busy roads, make trips to the shops and be calm. Now that the deposit has been put down, we're waiting for the right dog."
In her spare time, Poppy takes dance lessons and enjoys playing music on her piano. When it comes to her going out in public, she finds that noises can become too much for her so her 'ear defenders' come as a guard. Poppy claims that she will gain "reassurance and help with her sensory issues" with a trained dog.
Poppy's family has already gathered more than £3000 of the required £9,500 through various methods, including the sale of old toys, social media appeals, and fundraising events. Poppy took part in the event that included a walking distance of 10,000 steps a week last summer on the theme of Marvel Heroes. Children's charity Tree Of Hope has also helped with fundraising and support. Any money donated brings the family closer with help from the local community behind them.
It goes to show that 850 new guide dogs are matched with visually impaired people in the UK each year.Organisations such as Supporting Paws make support many families like Poppy's to make a change and improve the quality of life.
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