WATCH: Sunningdale resident walks to raise funds for guide dog association
The annual walkathon challenges participants to 100 000 steps, by any means possible for South African Guide-Dogs Association for the Blind.
FOR the past week Sunningdale resident, Jo Garrett and her guide dog, Enid, have put their best foot forward in order to raise funds for the South African Guide-Dogs Association for the Blind.
Garrett, diagnosed with the eye-disorder retinitis pigmentosa that causes progressive vision loss, is one of thousands of South Africans participating in the Step Up for Guide-Dogs Walkathon.
The annual event challenges participants to 100 000 steps, by any means possible.
The 60-year-old has already raised more than R2 000 on her own GivenGain page and has challenged other residents to support and donate toward the association, to help the visually impaired.
“I was diagnosed at the age of 30 and over time my eyesight has deteriorated rapidly to the point where I am now legally blind. In my case it’s a hereditary disorder, my late father was blind, my brother is blind and I will soon lose my eyesight completely. At the time of my diagnosis, both my ophthalmologist and optometrist suggested I get a guide dog, but I was hesitant and I procrastinated. It wasn’t until a particularly bad fall that I felt I needed to contact the association for help,” she explained.
Garrett said Enid, her four-year-old Labrador cross, has been a life changer.
“The process of applying was really easy. I just Googled how to apply and the association was in contact soon after. As an active walker, Enid has changed my life. Before her, I would be nervous about going out but now I’m not afraid to go anywhere or do anything. She suits my character unbelievably well and words can’t really express how the guide dog association and Enid has changed my life,” Garrett said
If you would like to support the fundraiser, visit www.givengain.com/e/step-up-for-guidedogs-walkathon-2022/.
