Hearing Dogs change lives

My name is Sue Churchyard and I live in Burgess Hill. This is Jasmine, my cockapoo Hearing dog. And this is our story.

I was a single mum, with two young sons, who knew with instinct their Mummy couldn't hear, they pointed to the phone before they could walk, talked to people on the phone, when I struggled to understand, they would poke me and say 'Mum that person is talking to you', all that stopped when they went off to school, leaving me alone and isolated in this very quiet world. I felt myself getting lower and lower.

Mornings started out very stressful, as my alarm would be doing its thing, totally unaware to me, literally lying a foot away from it, one of the boys would have to wake me up, so they were grumpy, as they had been disturbed before they needed to be.

I went to a building society and had a pushchair pushed into my legs, while queing, for some reason I said 'sorry I didn't hear you' then walked home in floods of tears.

I then stumbled upon the Hearing Dog website, and was amazed when I read how these lovely 4 legged creatures helped their deaf receipients, I knew there and then that I could benefit tremendously from one.

I applied and started the long wait, while my children came home from school, and threw tennis balls up at the window to get my attention, as I was unable to hear the doorbell, I often had notes put threw the door to say someone had been round, and cards from delivery people, who had called with a package, while I had been in, so a car trip to the local depot was called for, all because I didn't know someone had called. waiting in for the gas man, with the long appointments, meant I had to sit and watch the door, even afraid to make a visit to the toilet, very very frustrating, I missed loads of telephone calls, and was constantly pressing 1471, life was very stressful.

Enter Jasmine in February 2010, and my life suddenly felt so complete, no longer were the tennis balls thrown up at the window, Jasmine welcomed the boys come with open paws! I could get on with the housework, while waiting for the gasman, Jasmine was telling the world I had a hearing problem, while in public places, so no more pushchairs pushed into my legs. Mornings were wonderful, Jasmine leaps onto my bed, as soon as the alarm goes off, so the boys get the beauty sleep, that these teenagers require! and Jas gets a massive cuddle, she even likes to try and get under the covers if she can!

Jasmine is very much two different dogs, she is so full of life in the fields, and loves to run and run, yet get her home and out in public, and she is so calm and quiet, I do gardening for people, and Jas loves coming, she gets a good runaround the garden, and a BIG fuss from my lovely ladies, she alerts me when they bring out a cup of tea for me.

I feel so proud with Jasmine by my side, representing Hearing dogs, we now have the confidence to do a few talks, and have met so many lovely people, Tesco's weekly shop, takes double the time now, as Jas does like to stop and chat.

My parents say I am so much happier and confident. I feel like a piece of the puzzle has been replaced, Jasmine is my best friend and loyal partner, and has also freed up my two children,

Thank you Hearing Dogs for giving me my life back.

www.hearingdogs.org.uk