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Incredible
journey for one woman and her dog
Everyone
has heard of one man and his dog but one remarkable woman and
her dog are planning to embark on a very remarkable journey
in May. Barbara Teasedale will be walking 250 miles across Cumbria
with her pet dog Oliver, a black labrador. An achievement in
itself, but even more incredible because she will be walking
wearing callipers and using crutches.
Barbara has Brucellosis, a rare progressive, degenerate bone
disease, contracted when she was a cattle farmer in Northumberland.
She then moved to Cumbria to farm sheep, so is no stranger to
wild and untamed countryside. She is now resident in Chichester,
West Sussex.
Barbara, who is often in great pain, will begin her epic walk
in Penrith on 18 May and expects to take thirty days to reach
her final destination of Carlisle. She and Oliver, who was re-homed
with Barbara from the Dogs’ Home, Battersea, will be walking
cross-country and following the old Packhorse Routes, the intention
being to visit every lake in Cumbria.
Although I am disabled, it doesn’t mean I am unable to
face other challenges. The Cumbrian community has suffered a
great deal because of the Foot and Mouth epidemic. I hope that
by walking across the region, I can promote what a wonderful
place it is to visit as well as raise money for Canine Partners
for Independence.
Canine Partners for Independence is a charity which aims to
transform the lives of people with a disability by partnering
them with dogs which enable them to live more independently.
Anyone wishing to sponsor Barbara or make a donation to Canine
Partners should contact them on 01730-894830.
Barbara
Teasedale and her dog Oliver.
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