Author Barbie Robinson, artist Sara Phemister and human rights and disability advocate Annette Holden with her dog Maple. Photo: Sally Hopman.
For most of her working life, Annette Holden dealt with words. As a journalist and communications specialist, in the private and public sector, she knew a good story.
But what happens when a crucial part of that pursuit – your sight – gradually starts to fade?
Some may give up. Not Annette Holden.
Born with cerebral palsy, and later living with other health challenges, Annette now has only two per cent sight, describing the loss as “traumatic”.
“I thought my life was over,” she said. “But I was wrong. There was a message in it, a message that’s in this book.
“There’s always hope.”
The “book” is Molly and Maple: The Guide Dogs who changed Nettie’s world, written by Canberra’s Barbie Robinson and illustrated by Yass artist Sara Phemister.
The independently published book is based on the experiences of former Canberran Annette, now a prominent Adelaide-based human rights and disability advocate, and two remarkable black labradors who helped bring her to this place – Molly and Maple.
Molly was Annette’s first guide dog, the two becoming almost one as they adjusted to life with each other.
With Molly’s support, Annette could live the life she wanted – from visiting family and friends across the country (Molly had her own seat in the plane but mostly chose to lie at Annette’s feet) to the theatre where Molly was dressed for the occasion in a sparkly vest or the footy where she donned the colours of Annette’s favourite team.
Barbie said she hoped the book would also help educate people who discriminated against those living with blindness – and the dogs that helped them.
Sara brings the dogs to life in the book with her whimsical illustrations, using her own dog named Beppo, also a black labrador, as her muse.
Sara said it was like a gift when Barbie approached her to illustrate the book after seeing her work on exhibition in Yass’s Tyger Gallery.
“Barbie asked me to do it the day after I lost my job at the Green Shed,” Sara said.
“She told me about Annette and the dogs and the discrimination they faced. For me, it was such an important story to tell – and I also have a penchant for black labradors.”
Barbie Robinson’s new book about disability advocate Annette Holden features the whimsical art of Sara Phemister.
Molly and Annette worked together for eight years. But when it came time for her to retire, along came Maple who cares for Annette today. Molly continues to live with Annette.
Barbie writes about these two dogs and their life with Annette, but it’s part of a bigger story.
“Losing her sight wasn’t the worst thing for Nettie,” the book begins. “The worst thing was that people started to think differently about her. Some people even seemed to think less of her.”
Barbie said the picture book was the perfect literary genre to deliver a story like Annette’s.
“Picture books are necessarily concise and accessible. The illustrator’s paintings tell their own visual story, both linked to the text and independently,” she said.
“As picture books are usually shared reading with adults, writers can use advanced vocabulary and create a learning experience that encompasses both language and messaging.
“We learn to be good people from the beginning and where better to convey messages of human kindness and respect than in early reading?”
More information about Molly and Maple: The Guide Dogs who changed Nettie’s World is available on Barbie Robinson’s wesbite Writing With Light.
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