By Ken Steadman / Sun contributor
August 06, 2008 03:39 pm
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A lot has happened to Donna Taylor in the last six years of her life. The latest was an attack by a pit bull of Donna and her leader dog, Norman, right in their own backyard.
The first 40 years for Donna went very normal. She grew up in Michigan, graduated from high school, got married to her husband, Dan, gave birth to a son, Dustin, and a daughter, Candice (who are now teenagers), worked as a certified butcher/meat cutter and moved back to Crossville. All was going just fine and the future looked bright.
The last six years have been quite different. At age 40, she lost her eyesight in a matter of two weeks. After numerous tests and visits with doctors she learned the cause was multiple sclerosis (MS). She labored for five years learning about the world of blindness. Her major means of getting around was a white cane and the arm of family or friend.
Life took a turn for the better in 2006 when she met a member of the Fairfield Glade Lions Club. They talked about getting a Leader Dog for the Blind from Rochester, MI. Donna grew up a short distance from the Leader Dog School and visited there on occasion. She never thought she would ever return to be a student and receive a dog.
Her application was accepted and she was introduced to her new companion, Leader Dog Norman, in the fall of 2006. The first three days went very well. Norman and Donna were bonding well and the training was going good, but it was very tiring.
By the third day, Donna was exhausted. She started to lie down on her bed, but Norman started barking. Leader dogs are trained not to bark unless there is an emergency. Donna was confused. Each time she would lay down, Norman would bark. Soon, the leader dog staff came to check the situation. They looked at Donna and knew she needed to go to the hospital. Was it time for another setback?
Sure enough, the hospital discovered that Donna’s blood sugar was over 600 and she could have gone into a diabetic coma. Somehow Norman had saved her life with his barking. The bad news was that Donna would have to return to Crossville and get well. The good news was that the school would keep Norman for her return.
Donna completed her training and returned to Crossville with Norman in March 2007. Her life started to change with her new companion. She got her self-confidence and self esteem back. She choose to attend Cumberland County schools and help educate children about the world of blindness. To date, she and Norman have appeared in front of over 5,000 children and adults. What could possibly go wrong now?
Donna was home alone and was taking Norman out to go to the bathroom. When they got outside, a pit bull from the neighborhood attacked Donna and Norman.
Donna was trying to save Norman and Norman was trying to fight off the pit bull and save Donna. Donna was covered with scratches, cuts, and teeth marks and Norman had a huge chunk out of the top of his neck. Both went off to the hospital. Donna was treated and released, but Norman spent the night recovering in the veterinarian’s hospital.
Donna and Norman have returned to their normal lives. The attack hasn’t affected either of them for the long term, and both are healing very well. Life continues and, hopefully, Donna can avoid any more setbacks.
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