Life has thrown challenge after challenge at Lisa Halley, but with her best friend Jumble by her side there is little she feels she cannot do.
The 25-year-old has just returned from a “magical” Grand Canyon trek and has whitewater rafting, a skydive and a half marathon still to do.
Along the way she hopes to raise thousands of pounds for charity but the challenge will not be easy as Lisa was born deaf and is now losing her sight due to rare and incurable Usher syndrome.
Jumble, the two-year-old labrador cross retriever who became Lisa’s guide dog at the beginning of February, will play a key role in the challenges on the brave Dundonian’s “blind list”.
They have already formed a close bond and though the pairing was too new for the guide dog to accompany her to the USA, they will be inseparable in the coming months and years.
Lisa, who has admitted to being “terrified” by the thought of losing her sight completely, was part of a 12-strong team who trekked up the Grand Canyon to raise funds for Deafblind Scotland.
Home after conquering both the Arizona landscape and her fears and even leaping from waterfalls Lisa said: “It was such a special feeling when I finished.
“I was told that I would never be able to do this but that made me even more determined to go for it.
“It was hard with my Ushers as I was unable to see all the loose rocks and when we trekked in the dark I was fully blind.
“I’m actually still a little shocked that I did it, but it shows no matter who you are or what disabilities you have, you just have to follow your dream and heart and never let anyone say you can’t do it.”
Lisa beat her £5,000 fundraising target and said her family and friends and supporters at Morrisons and the Dolphin Community Centre in Tayport were due special thanks.
Lisa described Jumble as “an amazing gift”.
She said: “Sadly she couldn’t come with me on the trek as we had only just passed our guide dog training and it would have been too much and too hot for her.
“It was hard to leave her behind but knowing I was doing the trek so more people could have their lives changed by an incredible dog like Jumble really helped.
“We have a really close bond and my confidence has grown so much I am so grateful to Guide and Hearing dogs for giving her to me. I can’t imagine my life without her.”
Lisa added: “I’m determined to live my life to the fullest and determined I’m going to complete my blind list, do more amazing challenge and just have fun.”
Lisa is fundraising at www.justgiving.com.