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Desiree Stan's story in an audio and visual slideshow
Slideshow Image #1 Desiree Stan reflects on her loss of sight
It happened a few days before Christmas 1995, and at first Desiree Stan thought just maybe she was getting the sight back in her left eye which she had lost seven years before. But her doctor had a different diagnosis: she was going totally blind. Within two days, she had no sight. Starting over, Desiree had to put her life back together, piece by piece -- re-learning everything from getting toothpaste on the toothbrush to making sure her shoes matched. She put her career on hold -- everything she did now was focused on learning how to be a blind person.
Image #2 Correspondent Dennis Murphy asks Desiree about using a cane
Through "mobility training" Desiree learned how to get out into the world and strive to be independent again. But the clock of her life was still stopped at that December day. Desiree knew she needed something more to get back to where she was before she lost her sight. She needed more than a cane.
Image #3 NBC Correspondent Dennis Murphy
Taking the advice of a friend, Desiree investigated guide dogs and in September, eight months after she lost her eyesight, Desiree found herself arriving at a guide dog school, "Guiding Eyes For The Blind." She would spend the next month in training.
Image #4 Close-up of a very cute dog
Guiding Eyes President William Badger says labradors exhibit the best combination of strength, friendliness and confidence for the job. Guide pups spend their first year in the care of foster puppy raisers until they are ready for intensive training.
Desiree's intended guide dog, Ruth, is drilled intensively by the trainers to navigate all the hazards and pitfalls her blind handler will face everyday. She is trained to move in harness confidently in response to a word or gesture.
Image #6 Desiree meets her dog Ruth
For the first time, Desiree meets Ruth, who will serve not only as her eyes, but of her very essence for the next eight-to-10 years. Desiree hopes for a bond that will hold them together.
Image #7 Correspondent Dennis Murphy and Desiree
On their first day out together, accompanied by a trainer from Guiding Eyes for The Blind, Desiree and Ruth have to find their comfortable pace together, like learning to dance with a new partner.
Image #8 Desiree tries to keep up with Ruth
For weeks, Desiree and Ruth train on suburban streets before taking on the "Everest" for guide dogs, Manhattan. The trip is successful.
Image #9 Correspondent Dennis Murphy and Ruth's former foster mom, Brenda Leivonen
For nearly a month now, Desiree has trained seven days a week, arising each morning at 6 a.m. Finally, graduation day has arrived. Families, friends and the foster families who raised the dogs as puppies all come together to celebrate a new beginning for the new partners. Ruth's foster mom, Brenda Leivonen is there, and Desiree has a chance to say thank you and share her new stories about Ruth with the former foster family.
Image #10 Desiree on getting Ruth accustomed to her new home
After graduation, Desiree and Ruth go home to Albany, N.Y. Away from school, without trainers as guardian angels only a few steps away, the new team tackles everyday life.
Image #11 Desiree on moving forward
A nagging worry is over. Ruth and Desiree have finally bonded. It was slow in coming, but Desiree says she feels that's made the ties between them even stronger. Desiree says she is back to where she was before she lost her sight, and she plans to continue to move forward.