People with Disabilities & SD Awareness

Mobility also known as Brace Animals are trained to assist those with Parkinson, Muscular Dystrophy, Multiple Sclerosis, Cerebral Palsy, Congenital Abnormalities, or any person with a balance issue to increase ones independent living skills. Whether be using a wheelchair, crutches, canes or a walker.

The work of such animals may include pulling, carrying objects either by backpacks or carting, picking up dropped items, opening doors, turning on or off lights, stabilizing a person either from a seated position or standing. This also includes preventing a fall or assisting in recovering from such.

Resources:
www.paralysis.org
www.christopherreeve.org

Here is a video:

Mobility service dogs aren't just for those who can't walk at all. I have a wonderful mobility service dog, Emmy, who helps me be more active. I have fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis. I also have some problems with vertigo, balance and weakness in my legs. My back is affected by the arthritis, so I can't bend. I can't walk far, and can't be very active at all. Emmy helps by picking things up for me, "handing" me laundry articles to go in the washer, moving articles from the washer to the dryer and removing things from the dryer. She turns lights on and off at wall switches (standard flip-switch type). But the main thing is, I'll never be "stranded" in a big lobby again, with a dropped cane and no way to pick it up until someone comes along to do it for me! I'm looking to get a motorized scooter to help me go places like museums and the local shopping mall. Emmy helps me get in and out of chairs, on and off toilets, and braces me when I get dizzy. I had a vertigo attack at the top of the stairs, and she pulled me back from the edge so I wouldn't fall.

So there are many ways mobility service dogs help people who are still somewhat mobile. I will probably get a walker and a motorized scooter chair at some point, but right now, Emmy is all I need!

Thanks Turtlemom for that addition and your experience. As this gives people a better understanding about our service animals. You should also write about fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis in the Chat About Disabilities in General as I am sure not many people understands these two disabilities! I'm learning a bit about fibromyalgia but know all too well about RA.

Again Thank you!