Blind woman credits guide dog for confidence to complete football club’s circuit training

A guide dog can change your life in so many ways! Izzy James of Swansea credits labradoodle, Souly for giving her the confidence to get active, lose weight and gain fitness.

She is the first blind person to complete Fit Jacks, a 12-week programme of circuit training run Swansea City Football Academy.

Izzy told us: “The training sessions are aimed at people over 35 and consist of circuit training. Being blind and having no vision, I found this prospect very daunting but wanted to make a positive change in my health and fitness.

“Fit Jacks have been so inclusive in enabling a blind person to participate in the programme. They have provided one-to-one support to enable me to access all the activities, with verbal information and hands-on demonstrations when required.

“They also provided a classroom-based exercise to learn about nutrition and, although the booklet was not provided in an accessible format, the people running the group ensured that they read out the relevant information when needed so I could fully engage in the conversations.”

Izzy gets to and from sessions with the help of guide dog Souly, who sits quietly on his blanket while she works out. “I never thought I’d be able to do circuit training but I’ve lost two stones in weight. Souly’s not only given me my independence, he’s also created a new-found confidence I never had before.”

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