Back in the Game

“I was an athlete before I lost my vision and blindness takes that away from you. I didn’t like using a cane and I told myself that as soon as I get enough mobility training, I’m going for a guide dog, and I did.” Four guide dogs later, including Fidelco’s “Isley” and eight year-old “Xaida,” Deborah Keating had not slowed down much until a hip replacement sidelined her for three months.

Deborah grew up in a family where visual disability is a way of life. She has Stickler’s syndrome, a disease that also affects her mother and brother. But even as her vision faded, as did her ability to participate in traditional sports activities, her competitive spirit lived on. Today, she is an avid sailor (J-22s and Marblehead Sonars, both fast boats) and despite her hip problem, which caused her to miss evening sails on Boston Harbor and regattas in Newport, Rhode Island, Deborah says optimistically, “Sailing starts in June.”

Her winter sport of snowshoeing had to be set aside as well, but she’s looking forward to renewing her trips as the snow season begins. One of the things she missed most while being out of action was working with Xaida; whom she refers to as tall but petite. “She’s pretty spunky after three months of just hanging out and not really doing anything,” said Deborah. “She’s just happy to be back to work.”

Deborah is back to work too as a central office service technician for Verizon. And she is, once again, active in the community as an advocate for Fidelco and for guide dogs in general. “I go into the schools and talk to children about guide dogs and how important they are,” she said. “I want to educate as many people as I can.” That includes the public at large who, Deborah says, needs to know more about guide dogs; especially how to behave around them. “I swore I’d never do it but I finally got a sign for Xaida’s harness that reads, ‘Ignore me, I’m a working guide dog.’”

As a seasoned guide dog user, (she received her first guide dog in 1980) Deborah had a great many friends who were teamed with Fidelco guide dogs. When she moved to the Boston area, she found that a lot of Fidelco clients lived nearby. “They always said great things about Fidelco, especially their German Shepherds. I fell in love with them too,” she said. “They always want to work. They always want to please you. They’re so smart.”

As Deborah resumes her 12 hour-a-day schedule, she is grateful to be back on her feet with Xaida guiding her. “It’s so great getting to walk again at my fast pace and feeling safe.”

Deborah, and others who are visually impaired, rely on their Fidelco guide dogs to maintain their independence. These trusted partners enable our clients to be active with their families, successful in their workplaces, and to give back to their communities. Your donation to Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation will ensure that we will be there for our clients when they need us. Please make your donation today and mail to the Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation, 103 Old Iron Ore Rd., Bloomfield, CT 06002 or make your gift online at www.fidelco.org.