by Ruth Rusby
Ana was born in Bucharest in February 1989, in the house she still lives in now with her mum and dad. She has two elder brothers who both live abroad, in England and Germany.
In 2011 she suffered from a brain tumour, and the subsequent operation to remove it left her with partial atrophy of the optic nerve. Vision from her right eye is mostly black, with a little bit of sight in the corner, while with her left eye she can see a few indistinct spots, shadows and silhouettes, but no colours.
Ana was studying at the law faculty when she became ill. Unfortunately, although she tried to finish her degree after the operation, the University was of no help. She had been working in retail at Vodafone whilst studying for her degree, both of which she had to give up after losing her sight.
Ana now works part-time at UPA Solutions in recruitment and data management. She also often meets with Alexandra Marin and Guide Dog Bonnie who live close by.
Ana first heard of Light into Europe through her friend who operates a website selling equipment to the blind.
In late July – early August last summer (2017) Ana first came to the Light into Europe Centre [Str. Clăbucet 35] in order to meet Bramble and start bonding with her. After this, the training continued near her home, where she started to learn new routes.
“The first route we learned was to my friend’s house and to Alex and GD Bonnie!” explains Ana. “Then the second route was to the Cosmetic Salon where my friends work. There is a pet shop next door where Bramble gets groomed, her nails cut and we buy snacks, toys, and biscuits.”
Next, Ana and GD Bramble learnt the routes to Titan Park.
“We spent about a month bonding and learning the first three routes,” explains Ana.
After a few months, Ana was able to start work, and spent a couple of days learning the fourth route to her work.
“I have to learn not to be afraid,” says Ana, “to be by myself and not be afraid of other people. I have to cross my own limits. I have to take the tram to work and I don’t have acoustic traffic lights to tell me when to cross. It’s difficult to stay still and listen to the traffic – some of the drivers are too impatient to wait for me!”
One of the routes she tried to learn had to be cancelled as it was simply too dangerous.
When Ana first lost her sight, she was very upset and became depressed, staying at home. All her friends forgot about her and left her. She lost the will to live and stayed in one room like a prisoner.
“After Bramble came, my life became beautiful!” exclaims Ana. “It was a thousand times better than before! Bramble is everything for me now, my eyes, and my angel, like a miracle! Bramble is very quiet, kind, patient, and playful!”
Bramble loves to help Ana and likes to be petted, though some people are afraid of her.
“Sometimes I lose a tram because the driver doesn’t wait until I get on,” says Ana. “They just close the door and leave! I’ve got used to it now, but it can be very frustrating! The drivers see Bramble in a harness and know I’m blind.”
“I find the people more scary than the trams and the street!” says Ana. “The people don’t care. We walk quite fast – I like speed, if I had a car I would be a speedy driver! Bramble is my car now!”
Since getting Bramble, Ana has made lots of friends. She even says hello to her neighbours, though after not having seen her outside for six years they don’t know how to act with her and Bramble.
“I go for a walk with Bramble to relieve stress,” says Ana. “I come back feeling happier. I love Bramble. Through her I have recovered my independence, earn my own living and manage to work four hours every day!”
Ana would love to travel abroad one day with Bramble. In December she received a coach-trip trip to Greece to visit a monastery with her mum. She didn’t take Bramble with her because she thought the dog wouldn’t be allowed in the church.
“When I got there we saw a puppy in the church!” says Ana. “In the Romanian Orthodox Church we are not allowed to bring in Guide Dogs.”
“Bramble has already travelled a lot,” explains Ana. “She originally came from Ireland. I’d love to take her to the beach one day if I can persuade my friends to come!”
Ana found her first Caledonian Ball (in November 2017) very interesting. She met Irina and Silvia Paun, Magda and GD Heidi, Adi and Veronica with GD Max, Cristi and Ramona with GD Hamish and Marta with GD Breehan.
“It was very useful,” explains Ana, “we could advise each other and find out new things – we all have the same problems. I have become much less shy.”
Ana believes more could be done to make public transport more accessible, like having announcements for the next station when on the tram.
“It’s hard to count the stations,” says Ana. “Sometimes the doors don’t open, or we stop at traffic lights or other stops.”
She hopes to learn how to use the metro with Bramble in the future – either Piata Muncii or Titan are near her house.
Ana also thinks the government could do more to recognize the existence of blind people in society and make them feel less invisible.
“I don’t want mercy from other people,” she says, “I just want people to be aware of me and respect me.”
“There is a lack of accessibility in buildings,” says Ana. “We need acoustic traffic lights and special bumpy paving stones near intersections. There are just two acoustic traffic lights in Bucharest that I know of, near the Blind School.”
Ana’s advice to other blind people considering getting a guide dog is that it will totally change their life.
“They won’t feel alone any more,” says Ana, “and they will have a good friend they can rely on any time. Guide dogs are beings that will love you unconditionally, and they have a wonderful soul! Bramble loves the snow outside – she loves to play in it and roll over!”
Initially Ana’s parents were a bit wary of Bramble, but now they love her.
“They are surprised at how Bramble can guide me,” says Ana, “to avoid obstacles, stop at each kerb and find each junction! They are also surprised at how independent I am with her.”
“Every day Bramble and I take care of each other,” says Ana. “I’m very proud of her and I’m not afraid to talk to strangers. I have started to recover!”
