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Clare Opie’s journey to being matched with Seeing Eye Dog was a long one, but now she’s making the most of Mabel, the highly trained Labrador at her side.
Clare was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa at 24-years-old, but the degenerative condition took some time to drastically impact her vision.
“It wasn’t until I was 32 that I noticed a big decline in my vision, and I needed to give up my work. I was diagnosed as legally blind and it was very confronting,” Clare said.
In early 2020, Clare noticed another deterioration in her vision, and it was then she decided to explore how a Seeing Eye Dog could support her.
Despite recognising she needed some assistance, Clare admitted asking for that support was difficult.
“It was difficult taking that first step and asking for help,” she said.
“I had no idea of the process.”
Seeing Eye Dog handlers are required to have strong orientation and mobility skills before entering the program to ensure they can safely work alongside their Seeing Eye Dog. As Clare hadn’t used a mobility aid prior to applying for a Seeing Eye Dog, the first step in her journey was learning to use a white cane.
“The team at Vision Australia told me I needed mobility assistance. I thought I was getting a Seeing Eye Dog when in fact I had to start with a cane.”
After developing her white cane skills, Clare began the formal process to be matched with a Seeing Eye Dog, which involved working closely with a Seeing Eye Dogs instructor to understand what dog would match Clare best.
“The Seeing Eye Dogs instructor came to my home in regional Victoria to assess my needs - my walking speed, my personality, and how I liked to get out and about around town - all components of a thorough check to match the right dog with my lifestyle.”
Clare was matched with Mabel in May 2023, and after two weeks of intensive training the pair have been working together ever since.
Mabel’s arrival came at the right time for Clare who, like many, had faced challenges during COVID lockdowns.
“With the impact of COVID and being stuck at home, my eyesight deteriorated further. I lost my nerve for getting out. It was really tricky but also a turning point.”
Mabel has proved to be that turning point, with Clare now taking a more positive approach to any opportunity that comes before her.
“I told myself, if I get this Seeing Eye Dog, I’m not going to say no anymore. Since I was matched with Mabel, I have been saying yes to everything! She has made a huge impact in my life.”
Caption: Clare, right, with Mabel and Victorian Minister for Disability, The Hon. Lizzie Blandthorn.
With Mabel by her side, Clare’s travelled from regional Victoria to Sydney and the Gold Coast by plane. Her new approach to opportunities also led her taking a standup comedy course.
That course inspired Clare to share her story, and she’s now taken to Instagram try and educate more people about what it means to live with blindness or low vision.
"I thought I had a lot of funny stories and started sharing about my own adventures which people seemed to enjoy. This led me to becoming active on Instagram, a turn of events that wasn’t expected when I first started.
“My main purpose behind it was that I didn’t have any knowledge of other people who are blind or have low vision when I was first diagnosed. I love educating people but also wanted to share with my family what it is like to be blind.
“When I started, I didn’t know what I would do with what I learned. Now I am really enjoying it. I make my videos fun and educational to show that even when you are blind you can have a really fulfilled life.”