Guided Through Life
Drue Collins, a Western Kentucky University graduate student from Bowling Green, Kentucky, has had optic nerve hypoplasia all her life. Despite the condition worsening her vision, she continues to push through life accompanied by her guide dog, Tweed.
Collins walks alongside Tweed on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, outside WKU’s Downing Student Union in Bowling Green, Ky. Collins said her condition of optic nerve hypoplasia makes her experience bad lower peripheral vision, not being able to see more than 10 feet in front of her and not having control over her eyes’ movement. “She [Tweed] makes sure that I know when we’re at a curb and when we’re at the steps,” Collins said. “She helps with that. Like, let me know, ‘Hey, we’re right here at some stairs.’”
Collins holds her phone close to her face on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, at WKU’s Downing Student Union in Bowling Green, Ky. Collins said she prefers Apple products, due to its zooming feature. “If I don’t hold it, I’m not really able to see anything basically—if I don’t hold it close,” Collins said.
Collins pets Tweed on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, at WKU’s Downing Student Union in Bowling Green, Ky. Collins said she has had Tweed for almost five years and that Tweed is emotionally supportive for her. “She makes me feel not as alone, which is nice,” Collins said. “And people tend to try to talk to me just a little bit more because I have her so that’s a good plus too.”
Collins checks somebody into WKU’s Minton Hall on Saturday, April 13, 2024, in Bowling Green, Ky. Collins said she has been a WKU Housing & Residence Life desk assistant since August 2023 and mainly does desk assistant shifts at Rodes-Harlin Hall, Gilbert Hall and McCormack Hall. “I was afraid I would not get the job,” Collins said.
Collins grabs food from WKU’s P.O.D. Market on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, in Bowling Green, Ky. Collins said that despite heightened senses being a misconception, she does feel that her sense of hearing is increased. “I didn’t know that I could hear things sometimes that other people couldn’t, growing up,” Collins said.
Collins waits in the WKU Subway line on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, in Bowling Green, Ky. Collins said that she’s been told that one thing that is beneficial about her condition is that she doesn’t judge people on their looks as much as someone who is not visually impaired.
Tweed sits on the ground as Collins sits behind her on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, at WKU’s Downing Student Union in Bowling Green, Ky. Collins said that Tweed, a 6-year-old female yellow labrador, was trained at Guide Dogs for the Blind.
Collins fixes her hair as Tweed watches on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, at her apartment in Bowling Green, Ky. Collins said that she feels that her condition will oftentimes make her feel more determined. “Having a disability can kind of actually make you more motivated to do things; defy the odds and stuff like that,” Collins said.
Collins twirls the baton as Tweed watches on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, at her apartment in Bowling Green, Ky. Collins said she has been twirling the baton since 3 or 4 years old when she was taught the “Figure 8” by her grandmother, but has been self-taught since. “There are certain moves that I want to do, but I’m afraid that with my vision, I’m not going to be able to see what’s happening with it,” Collins said. “So, it kind of scares me to try new things.”
Collins folds a paper star during a livestream on TikTok on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, at her apartment in Bowling Green, Ky. Collins said that she has 17,018 followers on her TikTok account and that she started live streaming in January 2024, with her inspiration being from someone who has a TikTok. “She’s a live voice actress on TikTok and her name is ‘Cirina Real Life Siri,’” Collins said.