Western suburbs resident Danielle describes her dog Lacey as a “life saver”.
Yet Danielle regularly confronts resistance to the presence of her official assistance dog and companion.
In 2005, Danielle survived a hit-and-run after another motorist ran into her vehicle on Punt Road.
The driver of the other car, which was stolen and unregistered, was never found by police.
As a result of the accident, Danielle has been dealing with spinal injuries and Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Type 1 (CRPS), a degenerative neurological condition that can cause severe pain throughout the body.
Since 2014, she has also been diagnosed with lupus, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome and complex post traumatic stress disorder.
Danielle says many people do not believe that Lacey, a 12-year-old zuchon, is her official assistance dog.
Although she has letters from her doctor stating Lacey is an assistance animal who can accompany Danielle anywhere under the Commonwealth Disability Discrimination Act (except for planes, without certification), she has found that some people are openly
hostile.
Danielle recently received a settlement through the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission after a shopping centre store would not let her take Lacey inside.
Danielle said that a week later a staff member and customer at a Werribee cafe confronted her about Lacey and “her legitimacy in being with me”.
“I have come to realise, through conversations with other individuals diagnosed with CRPS and similar conditions, that the public scrutiny and judgment I have received is not an isolated incident,” Danielle said.
She said that she and two friends were establishing the CRPS Foundation Australia to help raise awareness and education of their condition and help people suffering from it.
“There needs to be a spotlight on harm reduction and positive communication from the wider public and awareness about the ripple effect their words and actions can have,” she said.
