"Watson is my real-life superhero"
Posted by Matt Sadler
Karen has recently celebrated the second anniversary of being partnered with the wonderful hearing dog Watson.
Karen reveals what life was like before Watson, and also how our handsome black Labrador helps her at home, in public places, and why he is top of the class at the primary school she works at.
This is Karen’s story:
I was born with no hearing in my left ear because of a hereditary condition, but I was 30 before I admitted I had a problem with my hearing. I also have 60% hearing loss in my right ear.
I live with my son Steven, who is 32. Sadly, my husband Rob died in 2015 after a long illness.
I was fitted with a hearing aid following an incident when Steven was five. I was picking him up from nursery and we went to cross a road. As I stepped out, he said, “No, car”, and pulled me back as a car went past. It was a shock because I hadn’t heard it until it was almost on top of me.
Looking back now, I can see that I relied on Steven and my husband much more than I realised. They would always tell me if someone was at the door, or if the phone was ringing.
If I went out shopping, I would bring my son or my friend so if anyone spoke to me and I didn’t hear them, they wouldn’t think I was being rude. If I had to go out on my own, I would go as early in the morning as possible so there were less people around.
For the last 22 years, I have worked in a primary school in Liverpool as a teaching assistant.
Once, the school fire alarm went off when I was on playground duty. The only way I knew was when the children started lining up!
Five years ago, I went to see my brother David, who has a hearing dog called Trooper. We went into the centre of London to Madame Tussauds. He took me on trains and buses, and it was great to see the confidence that Trooper gave him.
I decided to apply for my own hearing dog and Watson came to live with me on 19 December 2022 - the best Christmas present!
At home, Watson gives me the confidence to sleep through the night and not wake up thinking I’ve heard a noise or that someone is in the garden. He alerts me to the cooker timer and fire alarm, and will also tell me if there is someone at the door.
Watson also gives me the confidence to go out on my own. His burgundy jacket lets people know I have hearing loss, so they know to look at me when speaking or to let me know they are there if I haven’t heard them.
We have been to lots of different places – the seaside, country parks, and taken lots of trips on trains, coaches and ferries – something I would never have done before.
Watson’s so chilled, nothing fazes him - fireworks, the children being noisy, going to the theatre. He likes to sit on the train or bus and look out of the window.
He comes to school with me every day, and will alert me if the children need me in the classroom. The children will say 'Mrs Chambers' and then point to me. Watson will nudge me and I will look around to see who has their hand raised.
Since I’ve had him, the fire alarm has gone off twice at school. Both times Watson nudged me and laid down to indicate the danger signal.
He even checks the children’s work, using his eyebrows to let them know how good it is. He will also sit and listen to the children reading, and they sometimes tell him if they are worried about something whether it’s at home or in school. The headteacher said he is the best pupil in the school!
Since I’ve had him, the fire alarm has gone off twice at school. Both times Watson nudged me and laid down to indicate the danger signal.
Watson makes me feel so loved, looking at me, or licking me every so often to let me know he is still by my side.
We had a Superhero Day recently in memory of one of our pupils who sadly passed away. I went as Watson because he is my real-life superhero.
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