Eileen Hobson

Eileen is an amazing person. In 1983, when she was a Warrant Officer in the army, she was diagnosed with a rare condition called Stiffman's Syndrome and spent the next 20 years in hospital. When she eventually came out she was confined to a wheelchair and needed constant care. In 2005, however, she received her assistance dog Sailor from Canine Partners, and she hasn't looked back since. She promotes the charity by raising awareness; has been filmed several times; she is also a Deanery Synod representative for her church; she compiles their weekly mass booklets and is in the choir. Sailor helps her out with all of these activities! Eileen is also a member of the Parochial Church Council. Eileen and Sailor are well known in their area of London, and really do their bit to help other disabled people. She is an inspiration as she has overcome 20 years of lying flat on her back with this condition, to being a pillar of her local community.