Follow Mike Brace and his guide dog Izzy - by phonecast
17 Aug 2010
Former Chairman of the British Paralympic Association Mike Brace - blinded in a firework accident at the age of 10 - met his first ever guide dog Izzy on Tuesday August 17th and he’s keeping us all updated on the internet.
Mike, who is also Chief Executive of Vision 2020 UK, is currently broadcasting directly onto www.ipadio.com
Mike met Labrador-retriever Izzy on August 17th for the first time to see if they make a good partnership and will be telling us how it goes - and if they go on towards training he will let us all know how that progresses as well at ipadio - one man and his dog, episode 1.
Mike explained how he was encouraged when at school to become very proficient in the use of his cane and always considered getting a guide dog as a “bridge too far.”
Now though Mike has found that there are routes he would like to undertake, such as to a gym and through the park, that he might like to have a guide dog for - so he has applied and been accepted for a guide dog for the first time.
Mike lives in Hornchurch, Essex. He has never let his disability get in the way of his passion for sport and over the last 40 years he has taken part in more than 50 different sports, ranging from surfing to sailing and skiing to cricket.
His many sporting achievements including completing two London Marathons, two ski marathons and the 125-mile Devizes to Westminster Canoe Marathon.
He first represented Great Britain at cross-country skiing in the first Winter Paralympic Games in 1976, and he then went on to represent his country at three World Championships, six Paralympic Games and two European Championships.
