Overview

• Alison Wallace became profoundly deaf at 13 due to a rare autoimmune inner ear condition, with her hearing permanently vanishing in 2020.
• She faced significant mental health struggles, social isolation, and public discrimination, including being spat on for using British Sign Language in 2018.
• In April 2019, Alison was paired with Damson, a hearing dog trained by Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, who alerts her to crucial sounds like smoke alarms and doorbells.
• Damson's presence has significantly improved Alison's mental well-being, enabling her to pass her driving test, move in with her partner Maciej Filipiak, and prepare for the arrival of their first child.
• Alison now works as a youth development lead, communicates primarily in British Sign Language, and credits Damson for her renewed sense of safety, autonomy, and hope.