A lot has happened to Donna Taylor in the last six years of her life. The latest was an attack by a pit bull of Donna and her leader dog, Norman, right in their own backyard.
The first 40 years for Donna went very normal. She grew up in Michigan, graduated from high school, got married to her husband, Dan, gave birth to a son, Dustin, and a daughter, Candice (who are now teenagers), worked as a certified butcher/meat cutter and moved back to Crossville. All was going just fine and the future looked bright.
The last six years have been quite different. At age 40, she lost her eyesight in a matter of two weeks. After numerous tests and visits with doctors she learned the cause was multiple sclerosis (MS). She labored for five years learning about the world of blindness. Her major means of getting around was a white cane and the arm of family or friend.
Life took a turn for the better in 2006 when she met a member of the Fairfield Glade Lions Club. They talked about getting a Leader Dog for the Blind from Rochester, MI. Donna grew up a short distance from the Leader Dog School and visited there on occasion. She never thought she would ever return to be a student and receive a dog.
Her application was accepted and she was introduced to her new companion, Leader Dog Norman, in the fall of 2006. The first three days went very well. Norman and Donna were bonding well and the training was going good, but it was very tiring.
By the third day, Donna was exhausted. She started to lie down on her bed, but Norman started barking. Leader dogs are trained not to bark unless there is an emergency. Donna was confused. Each time she would lay down, Norman would bark. Soon, the leader dog staff came to check the situation. They looked at Donna and knew she needed to go to the hospital. Was it time for another setback?
Sure enough, the hospital discovered that Donna’s blood sugar was over 600 and she could have gone into a diabetic coma. Somehow Norman had saved her life with his barking. The bad news was that Donna would have to return to Crossville and get well. The good news was that the school would keep Norman for her return.
Donna completed her training and returned to Crossville with Norman in March 2007. Her life started to change with her new companion. She got her self-confidence and self esteem back. She choose to attend Cumberland County schools and help educate children about the world of blindness. To date, she and Norman have appeared in front of over 5,000 children and adults. What could possibly go wrong now?
Donna was home alone and was taking Norman out to go to the bathroom. When they got outside, a pit bull from the neighborhood attacked Donna and Norman.
Donna was trying to save Norman and Norman was trying to fight off the pit bull and save Donna. Donna was covered with scratches, cuts, and teeth marks and Norman had a huge chunk out of the top of his neck. Both went off to the hospital. Donna was treated and released, but Norman spent the night recovering in the veterinarian’s hospital.
Donna and Norman have returned to their normal lives. The attack hasn’t affected either of them for the long term, and both are healing very well. Life continues and, hopefully, Donna can avoid any more setbacks.
Glade Sun
Taylor and her leader dog attacked by pit bull
- Glade Sun
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FG First Baptist Church all smiles as their 'ship comes in'
Fairfield Glade First Baptist Church was right in the path of the right-of-way for the new widening project for Peavine Road. With a new site selected and the new church building well under way, on Feb. 6, TDOT officially presented Fairfield Glade First Baptist Church a check for $1,435,550 for their property.
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SMHS Rocket Club visits FG Rotary
Fairfield Glade Rotary Club warmly welcomed eight accomplished Stone Memorial High School students. The members of the SMHS Rocket Club team presented a detailed account of their most recent competition in the Team America Rocketry Challenge National Finals in Washington D.C.
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Dr. Smith to speak Feb. 15 on women's health
William E. Smith, MD, will speak on women’s health on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., at a free Community Seminar, in the conference room at the Cumberland Medical Center Wellness Complex in Crossville, at 130 Woodmere Mall, on Hwy. 127. Non members of the facility are welcome.
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Lake Tansi resident wins Holiday Challenge drawing
Betty Smith of Lake Tansi won a six-month membership for the Cumberland Medical Center Wellness Complex at Crossville because she successfully completed a Holiday Challenge to maintain or lose weight from Nov. 24 through Jan. 4.
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Read the latest edition of "The Bulletin"
The Crossville Chronicle-Glade Sun also publishes a newsletter called "The Bulletin" in which you'll find a schedule of Glade activities and events, a restaurant and dining guide, golf information, and even tour schedules. Click here for the latest PDF edition of "The Bulletin."
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Playhouse favorite Daniel Black to appear this Sunday at the Southern Stars Concert
The Southern Stars Symphonic Brass will be presenting their second concert in the Crossville Music Series on Sunday, Feb. 12, at 3:30 p.m. in the beautiful auditorium at Stone Memorial High School.
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Iles is Lions Student of the Month for January
Cumberland County High School senior Dimi Iles has been honored by the Fairfield Glade Lions Club as January “Student of the Month.” She was selected by Guidance Counselor Robin Hull to be so honored by the Lions Club.
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Three musicians join Big Band Sound
Two talented Tennessee Technological University students and a veteran drummer have joined the ranks of the Big Band Sound. They are Kurt Snider, Brant Poindexter and Sarah Ransom.
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Avalon Center asks you to "Let Your Heart Rule" in February
In 2010 Congress began dedicating the entire month of February to Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month, a national effort to raise awareness about abuse in youth relationships and promote programs intended to help youth with teen dating violence issues. Throughout February, individuals and many organizations nationwide highlight the need to educate young people about healthy relationships, teach healthy relationship skills and prevent the devastating cycle of abuse.
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ENJOYING NATURE: How ‘fur’ would you go to get a great coat?
I saw in one of the magazines, that I sometimes read, that the Tennessee Fur Harvesters Association was having a fur sale in Crossville. “Fur harvesters” is another word for trappers. Trappers try to catch fur bearing animals like coyote, mink, and beaver for fun and profit. I talked Gary into going with me to see what we could learn.
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