Guide dog owner celebrates 90th birthday in Guide Dogs 90th Anniversary Year

Blodwen Phillips was born in 1931, the same year that Guide Dogs for the Blind Association UK was founded, now known as Guide Dogs. As we celebrate our 90th Anniversary, Blodwen reflects on how Guide Dogs has helped her, and she celebrates her 90th Birthday in style with her guide dog Faith.

Blodwen was born blind, over the years she has had 18 eye operations which did restore a little vision in one eye, but she has no vision in the other.?It wasn’t until 1996 at the age of 65 that Blodwen qualified with her first guide dog, Leon.?She then went on to have two further guide dogs Ufton, then Faith, with whom she is still partnered today. Blodwen said,

“I was so proud when I went out walking with Leon.?I felt ten feet tall.?I’ve enjoyed having all three of my dogs, it has meant so much to me.”

Having guide dogs allows Blodwen to go anywhere she wants and live a full and independent life. They have also given her lots of confidence. Blodwen became quite an adventurer and took on many challenges to raise money for Guide Dogs.?She has taken part in a blind drive, been on the back of a Harley-Davidson, helped stoke up and drive a steam train, took control over a plane flying above Liverpool, ridden around the skid pans in a police car and helped navigate the Seacat Ferry from Holyhead.

Blodwen said, “I like doing crazy things.?When I got into the duel-controlled car, I was told to put my foot on the pedal, and I had to ask where it was because I had no idea.?I was petrified on the plane, but it was wonderful. I was treated like royalty on the Seacat.?The 3 skid pans were described to me by the Police Officer, as the good, the bad and the ugly.?The ugly one really was ugly, but I enjoyed that so much we did that twice.”

Blodwen has been able to do so much walking since having her guide dogs.?It has kept her fit and active, she celebrated her 90th Birthday in Style with Faith with a party that the pair arrived at in a stretch limo.?This time Blodwen wasn’t driving.?She commented,

“I have so much to thank Guide Dogs for.?My dog’s companionship has been wonderful, especially when I lost my husband two years ago, Faith really looked after me then.?You make a lot of friends with a guide dog.”

Since the first guide dog partnerships began in Britain in 1931, over 36,000 partnerships have now been trained. Guide Dogs has grown to provide a range of different services. These include our world-renowned guide dog service, buddy dogs, companion dogs and sighted guides. Guide Dogs has also become the largest employer of specialists dedicated to helping children and young people with sight loss.?For more information visit www.guidedogs.org.uk