Enid Burnett, aged 64, is inseparable from Echo, her assistance dog trained by Canine Partners. Thanks to him Enid leads an independent life in her own home in Lockeridge and manages the many challenges Multiple Sclerosis poses.
Enid uses her wheelchair both indoors and outside and has difficulties bending and reaching things. Echo is at her side helping out day and night. In the morning he fetches the post, Enid’s slippers and dressing gown. As the day goes by Echo is always there and if Enid drops anything, he picks it up. He opens drawers and cupboards and fetches Enid whatever she needs, even the washing out of the machine. If she falls, Echo gets the phone for Enid so she can ring for help – or else he opens the door and fetches the neighbours. After going out to the shops, Echo helps pull off Enid’s gloves, hat, trousers, scarf and coat.
On two occasions he saved Enid from serious injury. When her wheelchair slid into a ditch along the side of the path Enid managed to crawl out from under it, but couldn’t get the chair out of the ditch. Echo helped drag it out and also helped Enid to clamber back into the chair. On another occasion Enid was staying in a hotel when a fire alarm went off. Thinking it must be a false alarm, Enid stayed in bed, but Echo ran and got her slippers and kept barking at Enid until she got up and left the room. It turned out that another block of the hotel was on fire, which easily could have spread.
Enid says: ‘Echo makes me feel safe and he allows me to live a life that’s full, independent and fun. If I ever feel down, he gives me a good reason to get up in the morning. He helps me mentally and physically. He is not just my helper, but my companion, my security, my best friend and mate.’
Due to Multiple Sclerosis, Enid, a trained nurse, now has to live on benefits which cover the basics but leave no room for Echo or the extra costs of disability equipment.
Enid says: ‘Since I first applied six years ago, Elizabeth Finn Care has given me much needed extra support. I’ve received help towards the cost of a specialized bed and a powered wheelchair, which enables me to leave the house and get around. Elizabeth Finn also enables me to pay for Echo’s upkeep. Without him I’d loose my independence, my home, a very good friend, and with it simply everything that makes life dear. ’
Enid has managed to apply successfully for charitable help from Elizabeth Finn Care and other charities thanks to the CAB’s information and advice service.
