Sheila Hocken

Amazing book and an easy choice for me to put it in my shelf for 'best' dog books. Sheila was blind and talked about all the difficulties she faced. Rather than being in a complaining way, she just describes things as they were. Then she gets a chocolate-colored Labrador and:

'So that was it. We had made it. The sense of freedom was overwhelming. I got over my awful feelings of guilt, because I sensed that Emma understood and forgave. That afternoon I walked with her down the busy main road show more in Leamington, crowded with shoppers. I walked with a great smile on my face, weaving in and out of all those people, thinking, I don't care if you can see I'm blind. I can see too. I've got Emma, and she's all I need.'

I have read other books on people who are blind and then got guide dogs, and this one is the best. But then the book goes way further when she receives an operation that restores her sight. Wow. I would love to include quotes on how well that is described and that experience but want to leave it to those who read the book.

Sharing her experience of her getting her sight makes the book amazing, but there are also different ways the dog saves the day or knows what to do that easily make it fit into a best 'dog' book. show less

Amazing book and an easy choice for me to put it in my shelf for 'best' dog books. Sheila was blind and talked about all the difficulties she faced. Rather than being in a complaining way, she just describes things as they were. Then she gets a chocolate-colored Labrador and:

'So that was it. We had made it. The sense of freedom was overwhelming. I got over my awful feelings of guilt, because I sensed that Emma understood and forgave. That afternoon I walked with her down the busy main road show more in Leamington, crowded with shoppers. I walked with a great smile on my face, weaving in and out of all those people, thinking, I don't care if you can see I'm blind. I can see too. I've got Emma, and she's all I need.'

I have read other books on people who are blind and then got guide dogs, and this one is the best. But then the book goes way further when she receives an operation that restores her sight. Wow. I would love to include quotes on how well that is described and that experience but want to leave it to those who read the book.

Sharing her experience of her getting her sight makes the book amazing, but there are also different ways the dog saves the day or knows what to do that easily make it fit into a best 'dog' book. show less

This takes you on an emotional journey where a young girl finds herself going blind. That doesn't stop her from being as independent as possible and trying to be like others her age. There are times of frustration and anger, sadness and a feeling of wanting to give up, yet she keeps moving forward with the help of others.
When the darkness becomes total just before she reaches 18, her feqr nearly overwhelms her as reality becomes known. It is when the guide dog Emma is given to her that a show more sense of freedom and independence is felt.
This was a truly amasing book and packed a punch about how someone so young dealt with what was such a huge life changing event. Instead of allowing it to make her bitter, she got stronger and lead a great life despite the issues and down times. For someone like me who has disabilities, it is inspiring. I highly recommend this book. show less

Review: Emma & I by Sheila Hocken. 06/23/2017

This was a relaxing read and I enlightened by the story of a child being born with a rare disease that caused her to be blind. She had light blurred vision but as she got older she went blind. It is such an inspiring story, well written, and Shiela will take you through her childhood to the adult she became never feeling sorry for herself and greatly appreciates the gifts she is given which includes Emma, a Labrador Retriever who is a guide show more dog.

As the reader it was emotional journey to the end. The book relates Shiela’s inner thoughts, feelings, insight on how she viewed, people, life challenges, and yes, her frustrations with mostly herself if she couldn’t understand an issue or situation quick enough. Shiela’s shares an amazing insight to others about being blind, how she was capable of caring for a guide dog and knowing the value of having one, and the miracle that came to her one day as an adult.

Shiela’s words are clear and honest. There was hardly anything she couldn’t manage on her own. She later found out as an adult that there was a doctor who specialized with more modern technology when it came to eye care. Shiela went through surgery for her eyes and her healing progress was also emotional. The day the doctor took the bandages off her eyes Shiela described her experience of blurred vision like what she had as a small child. However, as each day passed she described colors and shapes and seeing a persons image for the first time but most of all she was overjoyed to a high pleasure of delight when she seen Emma for the first time. show less