A bus ride into town

 

A bus ride into town

 

Public transport is provided to help people to travel from one place to another and it is mainly the buses that help disabled people  especially those who are blind or partially-sighted to live independent lives.  People who are blind or partially-sighted may  worry because they are not sure that they are on the right bus or may have lost track of whereabouts they are on the journey  or even be aware when their stop is due.

Guide Dogs is campaigning for a change in the law to make audio and visual information – including audible announcements of the current stop, next stop and final destination to be available on board bus and coach services across the UK. This will enable blind and partially-sighted people to use buses with confidence, and improve the experience of bus travel for all passengers.

Ishka loves travelling on buses. It is only a short run into town but even then, I can easily lose track of our whereabouts especially when going through housing estates. 



Cowslips

Cowslips

 

Cowslip flowers are traditionally used for making cowslip wine, cowslip mead and salads .I have got an unopened bottle of "Cowslip Flavoured Wine" that belonged to my great grandfather , William Elliott who was the landlord of the "Elm Tree" that is popularly known as ‘the bottom pub’ at Scarcliffe in Derbyshire.  When my great grandfather died in the early 1930's, his son-in-law took over as landlord and when my great aunt and uncle retired a few years later they took the bottle with them.

The cowsip is actually a delicate wild flower and I love to see them out in the open grassland.



Going out when it is dark

Walking around outside in dull or dark conditions can be very challenging however; there are some precautions that I can take to help me. When leaving a brightly lit place at night, it is advisable for me to give my eyes time to adjust to the new conditions. When I am out with my guide dog at night, I wear my fluorescent jacket that was provided by ‘Guide Dogs’, as it is essential that road users and pedestrians can see me. I have got some fluorescent arm bands and belts similar to those that are worn by cyclists but I rarely use them preferring to use my jacket instead.

My guide dog, Ishka

Since I qualified as a guide dog owner and Ishka as a guide dog on the 26th June 2012, a whole new world  has opened up for me — Ishka goes  everywhere with me , we explore the environment, go shopping, visit friends and relatives and go for leisurely walks ─ she loves going to Holmebrook Valley Country Park. We travel on the public transport but I have not been on a train with her yet but will do one day. Ishka has given me the freedom to go out to different places on my own and she has given me back my confidence, dignity and zest for life. My life with Ishka is so much better now because I have only had one fall since we have been together and that was my fault.