Clare Whelan (55) was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP), a vision degenerative disease, 20 years ago. She lives in Belclare Park, Ballymun with her 19 year-old son Alex and her golden retriever guide dog Jagger.

“I’m not a great sleeper, I don’t know why really. Maybe it’s because there are so many things going around in my head so I’m usually up and about at 8am each morning.
I don’t have the house adjusted to suit my disability, it’s a plain old one-up one-down one, so I’ve had a few falls and accidents but I manage fine generally.
Jagger (he’s named after Mick) sleeps downstairs so I meet him down there when I’m making my breakfast. That can be a little bit   tricky as I have to remember exactly where I put things down.
After that I usually do a bit of tidying, whatever I can manage. I don’t have home help but sometimes my niece comes up and does a few jobs around the house for some pocket money.
I try to have as normal a life as possible so I pop out every day. Having Jagger is a great incentive, as he has to be walked. I normally go down town or into the city to do a bit of shopping. I’m involved in the local Community Forum so I go to a few meetings during the month for that.
I’m also with the Irish Guide Dogs so I sometimes give talks as well. It’s great because it keeps me busy and hopefully I can create awareness of the needs of those with disabilities.
I find walking around a bit of challenge. Little things like footpaths, kerbs and a lack of pedestrian crossings pose great difficulties for not just the blind but for those in wheelchairs as well.
I was knocked down over two and a half years ago while crossing Balbutcher Lane. I was with Jagger and he brought me to the safest place to cross but I didn’t make it over in time and the car came around the bend too quickly. It was pretty terrifying and I suffered from rib, head and leg injuries.
I’ve had Jagger for three years. At first it was hard to get used to him and I took a while to build up a close bond with him. It can be hard with him sometimes as dogs go for one another and he can retaliate or get distracted.
I don’t know what it is about guide dogs but people are more inclined to come up to rub him than any other dog on the street. I find kids great because they usually ask first before they pet him. I know that Jagger can get distracted when people rub him. Some people forget that he’s working and sometimes I have to be firm with them about that. When he gets distracted it puts the user at risk and they become more vulnerable.
I guess you could say I’m partially blind. I can see light but everything else is blurry. You have to have a sense of humour about it, there is no point being self-conscious or embarrassed. You just have to laugh at the silly things that can happen. I once mistook two bottles of 7up that were on a shelf as two people. Another time I fell into a hole in a field while I was out walking with a friend. She kept on walking without realising.
When I lost my sight, my hearing definitely improved. It was like a fine-tuning. I recognise people by their voices now, it might take a few seconds but I’ll get their name even if they’ve walked past me at that stage.
When I get home I start cooking my son’s dinner. My cooking is pretty bland. I’m able to peel potatoes and things like that but I get the odd burn here and there. The food goes everywhere when I’m cooking, I’m sure there is probably more food on the hob than in the pot but once food gets on the plate eventually, that’s all that matters.
In the evening I occasionally watch documentaries on TV because you can listen to the commentary.
I also listen to some talking books although I prefer to read Braille as it’s more challenging.
My day usually wraps up at around 11pm, like any mother I can only rest when I know my son is back home safely.”