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Wednesdsay September 15, 1999 THE OAKVILLE BEAVER By Howard Mozel OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF For Marianne Kanold, losing her sight has been a crushing blow, but with guide dog Libby in harness at her side, life is now filled with fresh possibilities. "She's given me my sight back. She's given me my life back," says Kanold, 30. "She opens the world up to me again." Following their successful training at the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides in Oakville, Kanold and Libby have been together for almost a year and are growing even closer as time progresses. "She is an extension of myself, 24 hours a day," said Kanold. "I don't go anywhere without her. She's a part of me." Kanold's world was a considerably more bit­ ter place just two years ago when, in the spring of 1997, she began losing her sight. A sales representative for the Toronto Sun, Kanold's vision was so blurred with what looked to her like floating black oil that she could no longer drive. The black turned out to be blood and Kanold was diag­ nosed with diabetic retinopa­ thy. She underwent laser surgery every week for a year to try and seal the leaking blood vessels, but new bleeds kept occurring. Further procedures to suction out all the fluid likewise met with failure. Today, Kanold has no vision in her left eye and can distinguish only shadows with her right. She has been legally blind since March 1998. "It's been tough to deal with," she said. "I went from very independent to not being able to go to the store. It's devastating." Although Kanold grew up in Oakville, and casually glimpsed guide dogs being training around town, she never owned a dog and did not know how to care for one. She applied to the Lions Foundation anyway. "It's an awesome responsibility," she says. "It's like having a child." School staff first sized up Kanold's tempera­ ment and lifestyle to pick a dog tailored to her needs. Even such details as her walking speed were taken into account. The results paid off. "Libby is a smaller version of myself," said Kanold. "The trainers saw all the nuances." During her 26 days at the school, Kanold said she ran the gamut of emotions. "It's hard to put your trust in an animal, espe­ cially if you've never had one," she said. "You have to trust them completely or it won't work. My first solo walk was pretty scary but the train­ ers are amazing. They're patient, they're under­ standing and they know what you're going through." Graduation night, says Kanold, is an emo­ tional affair with everyone from the puppies' foster families (who keep the dogs for a year then return them to the school) to the sponsors all on hand. "So much has to happen for you to get your dog, so many people along the chain from clerical staff to trainers," says Kanold. "They all have every right to be proud." On her own and coping on the street, however, has sometimes been a handful. Most people don't realize that 80% of all those classified legally blind possess some sight and Kanold says some people assume she's training Libby because she still wears glasses. "'You don't look blind,' they say," said Kanold, who explained that some people even talk louder to her. "It's like you lost your brain when you're blind." Unlike children, who usually ask first if they can pet Libby, Kanold says many adults touch her dog while she's in harness - a definite taboo. "If you were driving, how would you like it if I grabbed the steering wheel?" said Kanold. Kanold has been discriminated against while in stores and has had to call the police on three occasions to drum her rights into the propri­ etors' heads. (Guide dogs are allowed anywhere under the Charter of Human Rights. The only exception is a hospital intensive care unit, where entry is up to the staff.) "It'S hard to pu t your trust in an animal, especially if you've never had one. You have to trust them completely or it won't work." -Marianne Kanold When side effects of diabetes caused Marianne Kanold to lose her sight, she had never owned a dog but with 'Libby's' help, Kanold is hoping to return to the workplace Marianne & Libby inseparable Pho to by B arrie E rskine Marianne Kanold and 'Libby': like two old friends after one year together, On a happier note, Kanold, who is current­ ly on disability, has plans to go back to work. She cannot return to the road so the Sun may create a position especially for her. The news­ paper - which to date has paid all Libby's expenses - may also outfit Kanold with a talk­ ing computer. "It's a really good company," she said. "They are very very supportive." Traveling by GO train and subway into Toronto to work will pose new challenges, but Kanold says that with Libby's help she'll be able to tackle anything. "We've been out of class for year," said Kanold, "We're like old friends and still learn­ ing." Christie Festival of K A R T &C R A FTS • Spectacular F a ll Show ! Juried artisans from across Ontario selling high quality hand made crafts and original art. • Be entertained! Live music, children's entertainment, demon­ strations by talented artists • Enjoy! The park's natural beauty, picnic areas, trails, lakeside pavilion...Mini farmer's market...excellent food service. September 25 & 26 Under huge festival tents / 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. daily Adm ission $5.00 / Free parking on site C h ild ren 12 and under free N o pets please Christie Conservation Area Dundas, Ontario Hwy 5, nine km west o f Hwy 6 Easy access from QEW and 403 Information 1-800-667-0619 in your own community! 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On Saturday September 25th, these 10 winning contestants will pick their prizes from our apple tree during our Applefest Celebration. Details and ballots available at participating stores. No purchase necessary. http://www.hopedalemall.on.ca -Marianne Kanold • Spectacular Fall Show! Juried artisans from across Ontario selling high quality hand made crafts and original art. • Be entertained! Live music, children's entertainment, demon¬ strations by talented artists • Enjoy! The park's natural beauty, picnic areas, trails, lakeside pavilion...Mini farmer's market...excellent food service. Hwy 5, nine km west of Hwy 6 Easy access from QEW and 403 Neighbourhood Applefest Money Does GtowonTrees atHopedale. Hopedale Mail Apples are Prize Fruit