“Playing Life on Hard Mode”: Laura’s Journey with Guide Dog Ryder

When Laura first started to lose her sight, her world became a frightening place. “You feel so lost and vulnerable,” she shares. The loss of confidence was overwhelming, and even leaving the house became a source of anxiety.

Finding a Path Forward

Laura’s story is one we hear often. When she came to us at Blind Low Vision NZ, our goal was simple: to help her reclaim her life. For Laura, that meant being able to do everyday things again, like taking her children to school and using technology to connect with the world.

A key part of her journey was being matched with Ryder, her guide dog. Laura lovingly describes him as a “big goofy baby” when he’s relaxing at home. But the moment his working harness goes on, he transforms into a focused, dedicated guide.

With Ryder by her side, Laura found more than just a way to get around. She found a constant companion and a renewed sense of freedom. “The independence, the company, the speed—it’s just amazing,” she says. Today, Laura sees her vision loss not as a tragedy, but as “playing life on hard mode.”

You Can Make a Difference

It’s this change in perspective, this return to confidence, that we strive to achieve for every New Zealander who is blind, deafblind, or has low vision. Stories like Laura’s are made possible through the generous support of our community. You can help us train more incredible guide dogs like Ryder and provide life-changing support to more Kiwis by donating today.