By Kelly Ganfield
Kelly and Archie
I could never have been the athlete I am without my two-year-old guide dog Archie, a cream Labrador cross Retriever. He spurs me on to win medals and he knows when I’m not on top form.
I was always a sporty girl. I’ve enjoyed running about and playing football from as early as I can remember. At the age of 10, I wanted to join the British Army. I wanted a sporty job and one I could be proud of and so I signed up for the Army as soon as I could - just five days after my 18th birthday. I loved the job. The training suited my personality - running for miles with a backpack, assault courses, practising ambushes… bliss.
But then, at the age of 23, my dream job came to an abrupt end. I developed a blood disorder, had two strokes and lost part of my vision. I had to be discharged from the Army.
I was inconsolable. Not only could I not think of what else I wanted to do with my life, but I was suddenly unable to do many of the things that I’d simply taken for granted. My sight loss was significant - it was as if I had turned binoculars the wrong way round and was looking through the pin holes. I had no peripheral vision whatsoever. I remember feeling desperately unhappy that, at 23, my mum had to shave my legs for me because I couldn’t see well enough to take care of myself.
I resisted having a guide dog for a long time. But, once I was married and had my daughter, I thought about it again. By then I’d won a silver medal in the 100m relay at the Invictus Games and had run several marathons. I was the first visually impaired athlete to compete and win a medal in the 100m relay. I was on a mission to prove that you can be a top athlete with a vision impairment. I thought of all the things I’d be able to do if I had a guide dog.
Archie joined our family this year. He’s by my side all the time. I’m training to join the Armed Forces ski team and three times a week he navigates the complex three-hour trip to my training ground at Bath University. He takes me to the gym three times a week and waits patiently while I do my exercises.
He may be a two-year-old puppy, but he’s been essential in helping me achieve my goals as an athlete. He’s always there spurring me on when I’m tired and leading me to my next training session. He’s infectiously positive and he won’t let me rest for a minute. Archie gives me the confidence to get out and about, especially in busier places.
He helps to achieve my goals by making the journey easier and getting where I need to be.
Because of him, I’ve shown myself that I’m not afraid of anything and that my vision impairment will never hold me back.
For more information about Guide Dogs, please visit: www.guidedogs.org.uk/appeal