Hi! I’m Kate, and I’m legally blind due to an eye condition called optic nerve hypoplasia. In 2019, I was matched with Bernard, my guide dog from Guiding Eyes for the Blind, and he changed my life in ways I never could have imagined.

I’m proud to be participating in WAGATHON with Guiding Eyes for the Blind, an organization that changed my life in 2019 when I was matched with my guide dog, Bernard.

Bernard has given me more than help getting from one place to another. He has given me confidence, independence, and a freedom I never knew was possible.

But our story starts long before Bernard came into my life. It starts with a fall, a question from a family friend, and a decision to see whether a guide dog could change what life looked like for me.

Want to know the story behind why I’m walking? I shared it here:

How My Guide Dog Changed My Life: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/posts/kate-a-franklin_guidedogs-accessibility-inclusion-activity-7435344251196026880-UHEE?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_ios&rcm=ACoAAC-GhpkBm4NOZsmE3UJ-b48O1usu_lUWjbU

My 2026 WAGATHON Challenge:

In 2025, I raised $396 and intentionally walked 40.25 miles. This year, I’m challenging myself to double both: $800 raised and 80.5 miles.

Only miles intentionally set aside for WAGATHON count toward my mileage goal. Everyday steps or extra mileage throughout the day do not count.

One unexpected question led me to Bernard. Now, I’m walking to help make that kind of life-changing connection possible for someone else.

MORE INFORMATION:
• About Guiding Eyes: https://www.guidingeyes.org/who-we-are/
• The Impact of a Guide Dog: https://www.guidingeyes.org/your-impact/
• Guide Dogs 101: https://www.guidingeyes.org/guide-dogs-101/
• About the WAGATHON: https://give.guidingeyes.org/wagathon-2026?_gl=1*1gdibuk*_ga*MTY4MDU1ODM1Ni4xNzg0MjA1NTU1*_ga_JTRC2MHPJT*czE3ODg0NTI2MDckbzckZzEkdDE3ODg0NTI3NjQkajEwJGwwJGgw
• July 2019 Graduating Class: https://www.guidingeyes.org/july-2019-graduating-class/
• July 2019 Graduation Slideshow: https://youtu.be/FzfYAHzc0KQ?is=oECPWF2MiTZ3JZXN