[blindkid] running, treadmills, etc

Tue Jun 15 03:41:07 UTC 2010

If it doesn't offend, the suggestion of one of those dog traly lines was 
made to me by a blind mom, who has a super big yard.  She doesn't attach her 
child to it, that would be rediculous, but he holds the end that would clip 
to a dog's collar, with a little loop handel on it, for comfort and runs. 
He can do strait lines, very long ones, and the line ends well before the 
fense.  Also, they can use a longer one that has the benifit of allowing him 
to move in many dirrections, but they measured out the circle that would be 
made from the range of the line he is holding at any given point on the main 
line, so that he can run all over and not risk hitting the trees, grill, 
swingset or fence.  He thinks it's great, and it does not look degrading or 
upsetting to him in the least.  He doesn't use it for walking around the 
yard or playing on the swingset or in the sand box, only for running.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Richard Holloway" <rholloway at gopbc.org>
To: "NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List,(for parents of blind children)" 
<blindkid at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, June 14, 2010 10:40 PM
Subject: Re: [blindkid] running, treadmills, etc


>I tend to agree that outside is better in theory, but I also see that 
>Kendra is more inclined to run on a treadmill, for now. If that is all 
>she'll do, it is better than nothing, but I suspect it is more likely  a 
>progressive thing for her. Build some confidence on a predictable  surface 
>and then we can probably move on, (maybe try the rope trick  next) though 
>quite honestly, I'd just as soon wait to move on until  the temp drops 
>below the upper 90's around here. There is much to me  said for treadmills, 
>trampolines and the like, combined with air  conditioning in the 
>summertime!
>
> Richard
>
>
> On Jun 14, 2010, at 9:42 PM, Debby B wrote:
>
>> Agreed, outside is so much better! But now that Winona has to run  the 
>> mile every few days for her online PE course, that heat and  humidity is 
>> making us think twice.
>>
>> Debby
>> bwbddl at yahoo.com
>>
>>
>> http://www.raceforindependence.org/goto/winona.brackett ($35 to go!)
>> Daniel's mission trip: www.reignministries.org/sponsor-rs
>> or Reign Ministries, 5401 W. Broadway Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55428
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> ________________________________
>> From: Carol Castellano <blindchildren at verizon.net>
>> To: "NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List, (for parents of blind children)" 
>> <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Mon, June 14, 2010 7:08:50 PM
>> Subject: Re: [blindkid] running, treadmills, etc
>>
>> I'm with you, Jan.  Outside or bust!
>> CArol
>>
>> At 04:33 PM 6/14/2010, you wrote:
>>
>>> Even a treadmill is not like running outside.
>>> I, as an adult, realize that I always need to keep one hand on the 
>>> treadmill bar.
>>> I notice that my sighted peers can walk/run hands free and read a  book 
>>> (turning pages as needed.) I can't and fell off trying.
>>> (smile)
>>> The feel, the bounce, the texture underfoot is just different. For  me, 
>>> it is a bit less secure. I have gotten use to it, but still, it  is not 
>>> the same as the ground outside.
>>>
>>> As far as running, I know that USABA (United States Association for 
>>> Blind Athletes)  does it by tethering  a guide to the blind person 
>>> (usually around the arm of the guide and the arm of the blind  person). 
>>> . The blind person feels a slight tug or push on the arm  when they are 
>>> veering the wrong way.
>>> They will eventually perseptively feel the slack of the tether and 
>>> adjust.
>>> Most blind people that I know don't walk or run straight. Yes, I  know 
>>> about "imagine that you are on a tight rope." I have even  walked on a 
>>> balance beam, yet, I still don't walk straight without  trailing 
>>> landmarks.
>>> If you are going to do the "hand on the rope with a ball of tape on  the 
>>> end to indicate the stopping point,"  you need to remember that  every 
>>> child has his own reflex time. You will have to adjust that  time. 
>>> Sometimes, it is good to put two pieces of material or  stopping 
>>> identifiers and let the child practice. Also, if it is  just a straight 
>>> line where the child will have to run back and  forth, they are not 
>>> really relaxed because they are always looking  for the stop and having 
>>> to pivot quickly. I do recommend a circular  kind of track verses a 
>>> straight line (there and back), but those  tracks have their own 
>>> problems.
>>>
>>> You know, usually sighted people can't stop on a dime. If blind  people 
>>> run full throttle, they can't either.
>>> So, if you put a thin piece of material as the warning and a  thicker 
>>> piece when they are suppose to stop (remembering  to leave  some lag 
>>> space for the slowing down process, it can work).
>>> I've tried those indoor tracks. I don't know how people can run on 
>>> them. A swift walk is all that I can muster.
>>> And, personally, although I will use a treadmill, I find  them ... ... 
>>> kind of artificial. My preference certainly is to get  outside and run. 
>>> But, maybe that is me and only minimally is a  result of  my blindness.
>>>
>>> Jan
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> blindkid mailing list
>>> blindkid at nfbnet.org
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>>
>> Carol Castellano, President
>> National Organization of Parents of Blind Children
>> 973-377-0976
>> carol_castellano at verizon.net
>> www.nopbc.org
>>
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>>
>>
>>
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>
>
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