Story
TEXT TO DONATE
Simply text BENZ56 (amount) to 70070. Thank you.
Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.
Mercedes-Benz of Derby has announced that they are my official sponsors.
I would be so grateful if you could donate in aid of Guide Dogs Charity to help
me reach my goal and raise funds in the London 2017Marathon.
Guide Dogs do not receive any government funding, and relies on donations.
'It is the most amazing thing to do'
My
story
My name is Jeanette Stevens aged 49; I am happily married to Fred. I have four grown up sons, and four fantastic grandchildren.
I lost my sight suddenly in November 2000 after suffering retinal detachments, glaucoma. My life changed overnight and for a long time hardly left the house.
Things got better when I was given my first guide dog, Beattie, a golden retriever in 2001. With her help, I got my confidence back.
"Before I had her I was terrified, I had got quite depressed but she made such a difference to my life."
Beattie worked until she was retired aged eleven and remained with me until she died last year. I now have another guide dog, Zola, a black Labrador retriever.
I thought my running days were over when I went blind but now in training for my first marathon.
I am 49, and have taken part in 5k parkruns and 10k run with My Guide Sheena, who acts as my eyes.
We run together holding a guide rope, with Sheena telling me when to turn right or left and warning of any hazards.
We plan to do Silverstone half-marathon on Sunday 13th March 2016. Followed by ultimate goal –the London Marathon in 2017.
"Before I lost my sight I used to love running and thought that would be the one thing I would never be able to do again. So it is such a wonderful feeling to find I can do it.
It has been made possible through My Guide, which is run by Guide Dogs Charity. The scheme trains volunteers in sight-loss awareness and guiding techniques and then matches them with a Visually Impaired service user.
Pamela Stringer My Guide ambassador covering the Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and South Yorkshire area, helped me to start my fitness training earlier this year by helping with equipment, guiding me and accompanying me to the gym and pool.
That gave me the taste for more and so another My Guide volunteer was found to help me work on my fitness. This is when I have been matched with Sheena to help me run.
My Guide service helps those who feel isolated because of their sight loss.
"The service is about getting people out and about and giving them independence, doing things they thought were lost to them, the volunteers and service users can do a huge range of things, it is all about what their aspirations and goals are."
The charity is looking for more volunteers. More information is available from Mrs Stringer at pamela-stringer@guidedogs.org.uk or by calling 08453727424
My Guide
http://www.guidedogs.org.uk/services/my-guide/
Blind runner's amazing journey to her first marathon
http://newarkadvertiser.co.uk/articles/news/6HSSQWFwFfvuNRUKfxo5JMbIO5hGWHrWomTxSBGcGUM95
Sunday 23rd August 2015 Mansfield 10k.
Sunday 6th September 2015 Wilne 10k
Saturday 12th September 2015 Marathon du Medoc France
My guide runner Sheena Parry will be doing this without
me, Good luck Sheena, Go girl go,
Sunday 20th September 2015 Golden Gates Gallop
Sunday 27th September 2015 Robin Hood Half Marathon
Sunday 15th November 2015 Donnington Park Half Marathon
Sunday 6th December 2015 Santa Run Rushcliffe
Sunday 13th December 2015 Bolsover 10k
Sunday 20th December 2015 TDR Buddies Run Half Marathon
Saturday 6th February 2016 X-Runner Winter Warrior
https://www.mudstacle.com/2016/02/heres-why-you-have-no-excuse-not-to-do-an-obstacle-race.html
Sunday 13th March 2016 adidas Silverstone Half Marathon
Sunday 20th March 2016 Ashby 20 (Sheena Only)
Sunday 17th April 2016 Brighton Marathon (Sheena Only)
Sunday 5th June 2016 Ramathon Half Marathon
Saturday 18th June 2016 Walk Up Snowdon
Sunday 26th June 2016 Round Sheffield Run
Saturday 2nd July2016 Pretty Muddy race For Life
Sunday 3rd July2016
Morning 5k Race For Life
Afternoon 10k Race for Life
Sunday 10th July 2016 Notfast 10k with paul
Saturday 16th July 2016 Race To The Stones 55k (Sheena Only)
Sunday 14th August 2016 Newark Half Marathon With Paul
Sunday 11th September 2016 Great North Run
Sunday 16th October 2016 Birmingham Half Marathon
Sunday 30th October 2016 Worksop Half Marathon with Paul
Sunday 18th December 2016 TDR Buddies Run Half Marathon