Friday 29 March 2024

Transcriber in Parliament matched with guide dog

Pictured above: Brigitte Micallef with Luca Taliana, puppy raising supervisor with the puppy Jody, OM instructor Rita Criminale, Malta Guide Dogs Foundation Chairman Leone Sciberras with his guide dog Aval and MGDF Treasurer Elaine Cassar

This week the Malta Guide Dogs Foundation (MGDF) informed Brigitte Micallef, a transcriber who works at the House of Representatives, that she is the latest recipient of a guide dog.

For Ms Micallef, 46, of Swieqi, it is her first guide dog and it is the first time ever that she will be having a dog at home.

Speaking shortly after receiving the good news from MGDF Chairman Leone Sciberras, in the presence of Orientation and Mobility (OM) instructor Rita Criminale and puppy raising supervisor Luca Taliana, Ms Micallef said she was absolutely stunned.

“I will be gaining my independence,” she said. “My friends and work colleagues are just as eager as I am for me to receive a guide dog and I intend to go abroad with them and even go trekking.”

Ms Micallef first attended a three-week basic orientation and mobility techniques course, organised by the MGDF and sponsored by the Malta Community Chest Fund. It was conducted by two instructors from Provision Solutions, in April and May, 2012. She then attended individual OM training provided by the MGDF over several months.

She will now be travelling to Messina with Ms Criminale on 1 December for two weeks of bonding and training with her guide dog, which has been provided by the Helen Keller Regional Centre Guide Dog School of the Italian Blind Union. Mr Sciberras will also attend her graduation during which her guide dog will be officially handed over to her on 12 December.

The travelling expenses will be borne by the MGDF’s sponsors, the Sovereign Military Order of Malta (SMOM), while Borg Cardona & Co. Ltd will be providing food for the guide dog at a reduced price.

 

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