Hope made it!

Hope is a hearing dog!

Hearing loss meant Michelle had a difficult start in life, but her first hearing dog Asta helped her reconnect with the world. Today, Hope continues Asta’s great work. Here’s Michelle’s story, in her words…

A difficult diagnosis

“From the age of seven, I started getting recurrent ear infections. Aged 14, I fell into a depression, and tried to end my life. So, we insisted on an ENT referral. This revealed that I had Bilateral Cholesteatoma – an invasive growth of tissue in both ears.

“Post-surgery, I was diagnosed with a blood disorder that attacked my cochleas, and further damaged my hearing. I was fitted with hearing aids but they only picked up nearby sounds. As a result, I didn’t have much of a social life. I lived in my own bubble.

“I was called ignorant because I couldn’t hear what people were saying. My school didn’t support me, so I never finished education.

“I took a job at a flat-pack furniture company, but struggled because I had to concentrate so hard on what people were saying.

“When I fell pregnant, I told my ENT specialist how terrified I was that I couldn’t look after my baby if I couldn't hear. Hearing Dogs was suggested – and along came Asta.”

Amazing Asta, Michell's first hearing dog

“Asta understood me. We were inseparable. Asta told me about sounds around me, flagged to people that I was deaf through her burgundy coat, and was my best mate.

“With Asta, I could be the mum I wanted to be, and got on with my life.

“After 14 years, Asta had a stroke, and I had to let her go. I wasn’t ready for another dog, but without one, I felt lost. Nights were scary when the hearing aids were out, because I wouldn’t know about burglars or smoke alarms. So, Hope arrived – and quite literally, Hearing Dogs gave me hope once more.”

“Hope has been my saviour. My job now, funnily enough, is a customer service advisor for an energy provider, working from home.

“I have my own specialised headset. I’m in a room by myself, no distractions, other than alerts from Hope. My employers know my situation, so all is well.

“Hope tells me about my mobile alarm, the door knock, cooker timer – all the sounds I need to know about.

“Also, come night time, I can actually sleep and feel safe. It’s a huge change.

“That’s how she helps me practically, but emotionally she’s amazing too. If I’m down, she’ll pick me up. She adores her cuddles. She is great with my family. She also loves carrying my slippers around for me!”

A smile every day

“To you, Hope’s sponsor, I’d like to say that you have done an amazing thing, and enabled this wonderful pup to help a vulnerable person.

“I can promise she is loved, and very happy keeping me and my family safe. I smile every day with Hope, just like I used to with Asta. Thank you.”

So, here ends Hope’s journey. It would be wonderful if you could consider sponsoring another puppy.

However you decide, from all of us at Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, from Michelle, and from Hope… thank you.