My 
mother has a disabled badge and it is always a scramble to find a blue badge parking spot when I take
her to Asda in Wisbech. However, I was reminded how easy it is to jump to conclusions when seeing a young and fit looking driver behind the wheel and parked in a disabled bay.
That was the case last week when I loaded up our shopping, and the pretty young woman parked next to me in a large vehicle waited patiently for me to close my car door. The reason soon became clear – she needed to get her wheelchair out, as well as her new best friend, a Canine Partner called Lex, who has been specially trained to assist her with different chores as she is disabled.
Susi suffered a terrible tragic accident, she had been an extremely fit woman before then; she was serving in the Royal Navy and broke her back while training. She smiled as she told me her story with no hint of self-pity, and I marvelled at her optimism and high spirits. I found Susi and Lex both truly inspirational.
Prince Harry visited the Canine Partners charity recently and watched these miracle workers perform their fantastic skills; they can also pull off bedclothes off, hand over a purse at a checkout and open doors.
I wonder where we would we be without “man’s best friend” – there is a very reason why they are regarded as such. And I truly applaud the wonderful trainers who can teach these dogs to be such great helpers for people like Susi.
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