Grant's Guide Dog, Nebraska
Our son, Grant, began losing his vision at age 7 (he is now 27) due to the retinal disease retinitis pigmentosa (RP). By age 13 Grant was legally blind.
Over the years Grant has excelled in all grades of Braille (including Nemeth for math and science), he gained proficiency in mobility with his cane and adapted well to the countless other accommodating devices and processes. But his greatest asset has been his guide, Nebraska.
During Grant's junior year in high school Guide Dogs for the Blind delivered a precious two year old black Labrador. Nebraska is now 12 years old and is the most well trained, kind hearted guide that we could ever have imagined for our son. Guide Dogs for the Blind covered the $50,000 price tag, two weeks of all-day training, regular check-ups, and ongoing advice and guidance. Thanks will never be enough for that incredible organization.
From the time Nebraska joined forces with Grant, she has never failed him. She:
- helped him navigate high school
- led him onto the football field as princess as Grant was crowned homecoming king
- walked the stage for high school graduation
- packed her toys and blankets and moved into a college dorm with him
- graduated with him from college
- chaperoned his dating life (including with his future wife Michelle)
- was a member of his wedding party and went on their honeymoon
- guided him through two masters degrees
- walked him to his very first job as a vision specialist
Grant is now 27 years old, married to the greatest life partner imaginable (Michelle), and the three of them continue to conquer life's challenges together.
Nebraska has been a faithful help through Grants' many challenges. She continues to look out for Grant and rarely steers him wrong (she does however regularly steer him through water puddles so that she doesn't get her feet wet), and will guide him through many more of life's milestones.
Over the years we have all caught Nebraska in some pretty great photos. Here you may find many of them and it is just a small way to show our appreciation for Guide Dogs for the Blind and their priceless gift, Nebraska.
Nebraska Over the Years
Wedding Day
Can You Find Me?
Can You Find Me?
"I'm exhausted", says Nebraska.
Can You Find Me?
Can You Find Me?
Can You Find Me?
NE is looking off to the right, can you find the white of her eyes?
The Grand Canyon
Can You Find Me?
The Grand Canyon
Grant has Michelle and NE to keep him from walking over the edge. Good team work.
Homecoming
Can You Find Me?
The Grand Canyon
Grant and Meghan, king and queen.... with princess Nebraska.
Homecoming
Hanging with Little Brother
Hanging with Little Brother
Grant and Meghan, king and queen.... with princess Nebraska.
Hanging with Little Brother
Hanging with Little Brother
Hanging with Little Brother
She definitely enjoys time with brother Ross, especially if it includes a nap.
Down Time
Hanging with Little Brother
The Family
Grant and NE taking it easy on the couch.
The Family
Hanging with Little Brother
The Family
She's not a big fan of photos, but is always a good sport... so long is she is near Ross.
The Siblings
A Williams Family Hike
A Williams Family Hike
They are all pretty close.
A Williams Family Hike
A Williams Family Hike
A Williams Family Hike
This hike is up North of Scottsdale, AZ. NE was all through the river. A bit out of character for her, really.
Her Birthday
A Williams Family Hike
Her Birthday
Every February 13 she can expect a party.
Day Dreaming
A Williams Family Hike
Her Birthday
She is so chill. Just looking out the window.
Northern AZ Hiking
Northern AZ Hiking
Northern AZ Hiking
Wearing high-end Vibram hiking shoes with the family checking out old indian ruins.
Front Seat?
Northern AZ Hiking
Northern AZ Hiking
Against the rules! But, she is getting old and prefers to look around. She earned it.
College
Northern AZ Hiking
Off Duty
A very familiar sight. NE guiding Grant to class on time.
Off Duty
Northern AZ Hiking
Off Duty
They work hard, and they rest hard.
Another Family Photo?
Friends from the Start
Another Family Photo?
Following orders as usual. No family photo would be complete without her.
Working
Friends from the Start
Another Family Photo?
At attention. She does not miss a command.
Friends from the Start
Friends from the Start
Friends from the Start
These two? Buddies.
Party!
Friends from the Start
Friends from the Start
Probably not enjoying this...
Their First Home
Lounging at the Pool
Lounging at the Pool
These three are a perfect family, Glendale, Arizona.
Lounging at the Pool
Lounging at the Pool
Lounging at the Pool
Taking it easy with a little refreshment and reading a book by the pool.
115 Degrees
Lounging at the Pool
Cottonwood, AZ
Although NE is not a swimmer (at all), she does enjoy just standing in the water.
Cottonwood, AZ
Lounging at the Pool
Cottonwood, AZ
Look how dark... and young.
The Family
Emma's Wedding
Always Ready
Truly the perfect fit.
Always Ready
Emma's Wedding
Always Ready
Nice break from the harness, but ready to go anytime.
Emma's Wedding
Emma's Wedding
Emma's Wedding
She was in the wedding party as she is a part of every major event in our lives since 2015.
Engauged
Emma's Wedding
Emma's Wedding
NE, you are not losing Grant, you are gaining Michelle.
Never Struggle Alone
Never Struggle Alone
Never Struggle Alone
These two are quite a team.
Christmas
Never Struggle Alone
Never Struggle Alone
She always has presents to open.
A Profile
Never Struggle Alone
The CA Beach
She seems to favor a farm type setting. Maybe it's the freedom.
The CA Beach
Never Struggle Alone
The CA Beach
Just like Grant, not a big fan of the sand. They are both very particular and dislike getting sand everywhere.
Family Photo #Alot
Family Photo #Alot
Family Photo #Alot
You can tell how much she loves being held. Not really.
FFB Vision Walk
Family Photo #Alot
Family Photo #Alot
She has missed very few of these Phoenix fund raisers.
Ohio Farm Land
Family Photo #Alot
The Sayler Farm
She ran forever! From one farm to the next.
The Sayler Farm
Family Photo #Alot
The Sayler Farm
Pretty great sounds, sites and smells. She soaked it all in.
Staged
4- Hour Flight!
Afternoon Tea
No... she never traveled like this. Just for the photo.
Afternoon Tea
4- Hour Flight!
Afternoon Tea
For years NE has been drinking out of a tea cup and saucer.
Telluride CO
4- Hour Flight!
4- Hour Flight!
This was her first time really enjoying snow. And she did.
4- Hour Flight!
4- Hour Flight!
4- Hour Flight!
Airline attendants didn't even know she was there.
Nap Time
Working from Home
Working from Home
Ross, Anna and NE. She does keep her distance though. She's not a cuddler.
Working from Home
Working from Home
Working from Home
Espresso and an ipad. Busy, busy, busy. She keeps up with the Guide Dogs for the Blind website.
Out Front
Working from Home
Very Typical
Just checking out the hood.
Very Typical
Working from Home
Very Typical
Always with us at the pool, but seldom in the pool.
Familiar Scene
A Christmas Rest
Familiar Scene
Michelle and NE talking about Grant, no doubt.
Close Up
A Christmas Rest
Familiar Scene
So peaceful.
A Christmas Rest
A Christmas Rest
A Christmas Rest
Lots of people, "when will they go home?", she wonders.
1977 Cadillac
A Christmas Rest
A Christmas Rest
Cruising with Ross in his old ride. Love the huge bench seat.
Under the Weather
Under the Weather
Under the Weather
But she keeps working. Nothing a tissue and Vicks can't handle.
Hiding
Under the Weather
Under the Weather
Grant cant see her anyway.
Together
Under the Weather
Together
That's Sarah's feet. Probably is not very comfortable for Sarah.
A Pose
Under the Weather
Together
Just thinking.
So Common
Too Much Walking
Too Much Walking
These two do everything together.
Too Much Walking
Too Much Walking
Too Much Walking
At an event for Foundation Fighting Blindness in downtown Phoenix.
No One Nose
Too Much Walking
No One Nose
Sort of hiding, watching the front door for Grant to come home.
Please!
Too Much Walking
No One Nose
NE got absolutely nothing from him! Jerk.
Special Bond
All By Herself
All By Herself
They both get so excited when they see one another.
All By Herself
All By Herself
All By Herself
Sometimes she just needs alone time.
Shhh
All By Herself
What a Face
Stack of pillows, quiet house and a little dreaming about working for Grant.
What a Face
All By Herself
What a Face
Just want to hug her and thank her for all her guidance.
Gargoyle
Need a Ride?
Emma's Room
The neighborhood is safer when she is perched.
Emma's Room
Need a Ride?
Emma's Room
But.. Emma moved out. Now it's NE's.
Need a Ride?
Need a Ride?
Need a Ride?
Waiting to be picked up. NE can only do so much.
Can't Wait!
Need a Ride?
Need a Ride?
Officially the first one in our pool.
These Two
Pretty Please?
My Favorite
Ross claims to not be a big fan. Liar.
My Favorite
Pretty Please?
My Favorite
Love this photo. Walking from the car to college classes.
Christmas
Pretty Please?
Pretty Please?
All we want... is time together.
Pretty Please?
Pretty Please?
Pretty Please?
And since it was Grandpa Robb, the answer was a resounding "Yes!" We split the bowl evenly.