In June 2026, I qualified with my first guide dog, Lassie. She’s completely transformed my life.

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Our Lassie was named by the incredible blind academic, Professor Anica Zeyen, in honour of her very first guide dog, also called Lassie.

Through her fundraising, Anica has already given so much back to our community. I would love to carry that legacy forward by helping to give someone their very own Lassie!

The support I received from Guide Dogs was life changing long before Lassie was born.

For years, I lived with undiagnosed sight loss. I was nearly hit by cars several times and eventually became housebound through fear and lack of support.

Guide Dogs stepped in and provided the long cane training I desperately needed. I learnt how to navigate safely, rebuilt my confidence, and regained independence. Within a year, I went from isolation to travelling by train, gaining employment and rebuilding a future I thought I had lost forever.

I have Cerebral Visual Impairment (CVI), caused by damage or interruption to the brain’s visual pathways. It’s commonly caused by strokes or traumatic brain injury, premature birth, epilepsy and genetic conditions.

It affects an estimated 1 in 30 children in the UK, yet it’s thought fewer than 20% are diagnosed. Too often, people with CVI are dismissed, misunderstood, or told their difficulties are psychological rather than neurological.

CVI affects far more than just vision. Pain, fatigue, high stress, migraines and sensory overload are part of daily life, especially in busy environments. It impacts mobility and independence in ways that are often invisible.

Guide Dogs provides vital services for children and adults living with sight loss.

By supporting this fund, you’re helping people find independence, confidence, and the chance to live the life they choose without barriers.

Thank you ❤️

To learn more about CVI, please visit:

Perkins CVI Now (overview & lived experience stories)

CVI Scotland (more detailed scientific/medical)