Use Your Senses 5k Run for Guide Dogs at Sutton Park,

On Sunday 3rd December 2017 at Sutton Park, Sutton Coldfield I completed the Use Your Senses 5k Run for Guide Dogs. I did not believe I could have so much fun having never run before. 

I did the run in a time of 55 minutes, the course had a variety of terrain making it a challenge in parts. I signed up in September for the run after my younger brother who is fully sighted did a 5k run for Guide Dogs at Telford Park. He told me how much he enjoyed the run and I was inspired to do one myself despite having limited vision.

Signing up for the event was simple, all I had to do was go onto Guide Dogs website and find the next local 5k event. For myself this was in Sutton Coldfield, however, Guide Dogs are planning to do more over the country in 2018. Once I had signed up online, a few days later I recieved a training pack via email to help prepare myself for this new challenge. 

My sister also signed up to the event and she was my sighted guide. By having my sister it helped motivate each other as we both could have easily have given up especially in the cold, dark nights. The training plan was simple to follow but was challenging for those like me who had never run for the bus let alone 5k. 

On the day, the atmosphere was electric with music playing, the smell of food from the food

 vendors and people talking to one another. There was lots of guide dogs with their owners who also paricipated and guide dog puppies who were in training. My guide dog Flora, was at the start and finished line with my husband supporting me on my run. I think Flora was worried that she would have to run but realised that  I was running off into the distance without her. 

The run was all about using your senses as when you lose your sight you have to rely on other sense. This meant that throughout the course, there was check points the first was about sound. There was a local choir who sang as you went passed. The second check point was bubbles that were scented with mint; the third was taste, where we were given cinnamon snowflake biscuits; the fourth was running through powder paint representing sight and the final was touch where we had to run through foam. 

Running across the finish line I felt liberated and excited. I would highly recommend this event to challenge yourself. There was a variety of ages and abilities taking part. 

I would like to say a massive thank you to everyone who supported the event and Guide Dogs. 

Volunteer of the Year 2014

There is always something to strive for in life no matter what life throws at you

What do I find the most challenging aspect of my role?

On our way home

There are two main challenges; one comes from how I have to travel to meetings With all my equipment and my guide dog Flora I look like a manic hiker with my Rucksack and computer bag (I am now fitter and stronger than I have been in Such a long time)

The second challenge is; I have overcome a problem when delivering training by

Asking different volunteers to read from the Powerpoint presentation and I have

found that this keeps everyone alert.

These challenges have made me a much stronger person and prepared to have to have a go and not be afraid to ask for help.  I feel that volunteering in whatever form is a way of giving something back to the community but it has strengthened my own belief that I still have a lot to offer and I can do anything I put my mind to.

What do I enjoy about my role within St John Ambulance

SJA Fellowship Coffee morning Fund raising event

Being part of the SJA training team and that my role also helps volunteers develop within the organisation and gives them the opportunity to take on new roles within the organisation.  Also has part of this high level of training  is life changing.  The  first aid skills can be used at home, work or during leisure activities.  

The role of District Training Officer always with my guide dog Flora by my side,

Carol with her faithful and trusted guide dog 

Flora who is always on duty

The role of DTO has given me the opportunity to oversee all the units within my area to maintain standards and training for all volunteers. Alongside DTO  I have also continued to be a trainer, this in itself means that I can still take an active role within the units and that other volunteers can see that having any disability is not a barrier within the organisation.

Since taking on the role of the DTO has given me a much deeper involvement within the educational training programme.  I now have to be more involved at district and regional meetings. I link between the unit managers, area managers and the regional training team. The role of the DTO has given me the opportunity to oversee all the training requirements within my area to maintain training for all volunteers of all ages.

On taking on the DTO role it has kept me abreast of all new changes within the training programme and has not in any way stopped me from continuing as a trainer delivering a variety of modules to all age groups within the organisation. I would recommend taking on any new challenge whether it be in the educational team or providing first aid cover. I have also been invited onto the newly formed Learning forum, NHQ London, so watch this space.

Here are just a few reasons why I remain involved with St John Ambulance along with my guide dog Flora

Carol with Tess Daly for Volunteer of the Year, SJA

Since joining St John Ambulance in 1968 as a Cadet, I have provided hundreds of hours of first aid cover enter first aid and nursing competitions, helping out with school competitions and, having, taken over a struggling Badger and Cadet unit in 2000, relaunched Burntwood’s adult unit in 2008, building the total unit up to nearly 100 volunteers at its peak.

Despite suffering a serious loss of vision in early 2012, which means I now requires the assistance of my guide dog, Flora, and having to change my role, I have continued in my effort to ensure that more people know first aid. I have since taken on the role of District Training Officer (DTO) for the County of Staffordshire, and continue as a trainer, assists with the youth when requested and also a member of the Tamworth SJA Fellowship branch.

Back in 2012 my role as unit manager due to the circumstances had to change and I offered to become a DTO in Staffordshire.

About Carol and Flora

I am severely visually impaired (blind) and require the assistance of my guide dog or other mobility aid in order to make journeys independently. I have currently only 20% vision, to which I lost the greater part of my sight in early 2012. 

Despite being registered visually impaired (VIP) I still maintain and run my own business. In my spare time I undertake voluntary work for St John Ambulance in the role of District Training Officer in Staffordshire. I also go out to local schools and groups to give talks on Guide Dogs to help raise awareness for the organisation. 

In 2013 I wanted a challenge so I created along with my husband and daughter a self-help group, Burntwood Insight Group, to help other people in the local area with visual impairment. We have grown in size with a variety of ages and eye conditions to come together once a month to have a cup of tea and socialise. 

Whilst all of this had happened I received my first guide dog, Flora, following my assessment through Guide Dogs. Flora has given me such freedom and independence to carry on my everyday life from travelling down to London to even popping to the local supermarket. However, along this eventual journey I continually share with Flora the road of ups and downs has set different challenges. 

Through this blog I wish to share my journey with you all through the eyes of Flora and I.