A woman was told her labrador couldn't be a guide dog because he is black.
A visually impaired woman was screamed at by a fellow passenger who told her she had to get her guide dog, Rowley, off the bus.
The incident occurred on Megan Taylor's first bus journey accompanied by her guide dog and has left the young woman feeling anxious and insecure about using public transportation.
"Why is there a f****** dog on the bus? Get it off".
Anonymous bus passenger.
ABUSED OVER A GUIDE DOG
Taylor, 22, was verbally abused by a female passenger who demanded that she remove her dog from the bus.
The woman refused to believe that Rowley is an assistance dog, telling Taylor that guide dogs are always 'yellow' labradors.
BLACK IS THE WRONG COLOUR
Taylor, who suffers from episodic blindness since she had a serious head injury when she was 15-years-old, explained to the woman that Rowley is a trained guide dog.
The woman told her she was a liar because "Guide dogs are yellow Labradors and your dog is black".
Dealing with the incomprehension and ignorance of some members of the general public has added to Taylor's difficulties.
A FRIGHTENING DISABILITY
Taylor suffered from multiple skull fractures which left her with hearing loss, impaired balance, frequent fainting attacks, vertigo, and episodic blindness.
"I can temporarily lose my sight without warning at any time, which is truly terrifying. Even when I can see I become so dizzy and disoriented when walking that I bump into obstacles and trip over things."
For her, Rowley is an absolute necessity, since she can be left blind and helpless anywhere, anytime, without a warning.
Source: Twitter/ Daily Mirror
Source: Twitter/ Daily Mirror
"YOU DON'T LOOK DISABLED"
This is not the first time Taylor has had to deal with recalcitrant fellow passengers on public transportation.
"Due to my poor balance and unpredictable fainting attacks it isn't safe for me to stand on the bus or train, but on many occasions, I have asked to sit in the priority seats only to be told no, because I don't 'look disabled'."
Dealing with the incomprehension and ignorance of some members of the general public has added to Taylor's difficulties.
Her greatest support is Rowley, who helps Taylor retrieve dropped items, empty the washing machine, get undressed and untie her shoes, and will even phone for help if she loses consciousness.
A BLIND DOG WITH A SERVICE-DOG ALL HIS OWN
It is common to see a visually impaired person accompanied by a guide dog, but it is less common is to see a blind dog with a guide dog.
10-year-old Kimchi is blind, and he was found abandoned and starving on the streets of Quezon City, in the Philippines.
Luckily, the cocker spaniel was adopted by a family who offered him a home despite his disabilities.
But Kimchi's life was to become even better. His adoptive family already had a pet - a Golden Retriever mix called Ginger - and that pup took Kimchi under his wing.
Ginger took on the task of guiding Kimchi, just as he would a visually impaired human, and the two pups are now inseparable.
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