But age isn’t the only thing that sets Wade apart — she also was born blind. She always is alongside Harper, the second half of her team, through her daily tasks: riding the bus, going to work at the center and meeting with friends.

“Harper doesn’t lead me around and take me places. I go places, and Harper does the visuals,” Wade said.

Wade previously worked at the Midland Daily News as a reporter and now freelances for the paper. The always-busy writer said she had a difficult transition when moving to East Lansing, having trouble navigating the city and was terrified of the bus system.

“I never felt so disabled in my life until I came here,” she said.

Wade said her connection to God has been powerful when looking for positives and making herself happy while going back to school.

“I need to just get down on my knees and thank God with all my heart that I’m still here,” she said.