[NFBC-SFV] Blind Ambition

[Hearts For Sight Foundation]

Trying Something New  HFS Newsletter August 2021 Blind Ambition Trying Something New You are never too old to learn new things and to dream a new dream in life. ~ Anurag Prakash The photo above shows Hearts for Sight members and guests trying something new - pedaling a swan boat around Lake ‌ Table of Contents President's Message VIP Dreams of Skiing Upcoming Activities How You Can Help ‌ ‌ Donate August Presidential Note: First-time experiences and trying new things. Hello NFB SFV Chapter,   Feelings of uncertainty, fear and doubt are all emotions that are felt when someone contemplates trying something new. But did you know that there are studies that conclude participation in new things or activities has many psychosocial benefits? Trying new things makes our time much more enjoyable. As we become older and our lives become more routine and systematic, days and nights blend into each other, and before you know it, years go by. Trying new things breaks our daily routines by adding more positive stimuli into your life. When we are engaging in new fun activities, our days become more enriched. Now I am certainly not going to suggest that you go skydive out of a plane like our crazy adventurous board member Jessie, (check out her sky-diving video) but maybe that's what you want.......... Or you could try something like gardening. When HFS’ participants engage in new things or activities, fear takes a backseat, while our sense of adventure grows. At first, our fear can be so debilitating an prevent us from even attempting the new thing such as riding bikes or climbing a mountain on one of our hikes. Yet after several attempts or practice, our fear of that thing or activity subsides. Triumphing our fears helps us build confidence. Confidence carries over into other aspects of life. But don’t take my word for it, read Racquel’s story about skiing as a VIP later in this newsletter. HFS participants learn about themselves when participating in our program services and activities. We learn what we like, what we don’t like. We learn if we are daredevils, like Jessie and Racquel, or not. Trying something new can mean a small change to something you already do. Last month, instead of riding our traditional Surrey Bikes, we took the same concept of group riding, but to the water. Check out photos from our Swan Lake outing and see for yourselves how VIPs are enjoying the benefits of trying new things with HFS. Part of HFS' work includes promoting healthy eating and activity. So perhaps a new thing could be adding new fruits and vegetables to your diet. Or perhaps you take a new class or engage in some new form of exercise or routine. Whatever the new thing is, make sure it is personal to you. And who knows, you might find a new sense of purpose as you continually grow as a person, while triumphing over your fears of new situations. Remember… “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.”—Neale Donald Sincerely, Joseph Burton President and Co-founder Hearts for Sight Foundation Standing in the Pacific Ocean at Bolsa Chica Beach after a recent HFS hike was a new experience for some people this past month. "Make a Habit of Trying New Things" ~ Anonymous The photo above shows a VIP being guided by a volunteer on our recent hike. " A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to its old dimensions." ~ Oliver Wendell Holmes A new experience for someone who has lost their sight can be learning to be guided by a dog. An adjustment, but one that brings independence and freedom. Alpine Skiing, My New Achievement by Racquel Decipeda You never know what life has in store for you. You may be someone with full use of your five senses and full use of your hands and feet, or you may be someone with a disability due to illness or an accident. One thing for sure, you should not stop wishing and dreaming. Even when you think that your wishes and dreams are impossible and you don’t know how or when they will ever come true, if you would only believe and never stop dreaming, those dreams will become real. Even when you’re afraid, do not let that fear overrule you. Because if you do, you will miss out on so much of what life still has to offer you. Alpine Skiing is something that I dreamt about, but as a blind person I used to think I would never have an opportunity to experience it. This is my story of how that dream became a reality. In 2011, at a friend’s house blessing party, I met Gordon Chan. We discovered that we have a lot in common and became good friends. I saw on his Facebook profile that one of his hobbies is alpine skiing. The next time we chatted I mentioned to Gordon that I would like to go skiing one day. He said, “Really?” “I can probably arrange for that to happen.” He told me to read about The Achievers, Orange County chapter online. He invited me to attend the Membership meeting to officially join this disabled sports group. We created a plan. They encouraged me to start doing some exercises to prepare. Also, I needed to have the right equipment and clothing to be safe and warm. I had mixed feelings of about the weekend of skiing. I was excited, because I was going on a new adventure. Anxious and nervous, because of not knowing what really to expect and wondering how things will turn out. I guess I was also subconsciously scared about of getting hurt. I kept telling myself that I’m sure I don’t have anything to worry about. Gordon is there. He’s been doing this for years. So, if he can do it, I can too!. The entire weekend was very nice. The weather was perfect. Cold nights and early mornings, but once you get under the sun and put your skis on, you don’t feel it anymore. Also, I met so many new, wonderful, welcoming, and encouraging folks. Putting on the heavy ski boots, learning the basic steps and stands I needed to know and keeping in mind that I needed to keep my balance was not easy. I was getting tired. I could feel that my shins were already hurting, but I kept on going until they told me it’s time for lunch or it’s the end of the day. On Sunday morning when they put the tether on me, I thought to myself, “Oh my God!” I was so scared. I almost backed out. I don’t know if they saw the expression on my face. I literally had tears in my eyes and had told myself, “I don’t know if I can do this.” I can’t remember if I had said it aloud too. But then Lisa said, “Okay, come on, you can do it!” In my head I said, “I’m already here. I gotta go. Don’t let the fear overrule you. Just concentrate on what they’re going to tell you and concentrate on moving your feet and skis in the direction they tell you.” Craig said, “Don’t worry; we’re here for you.” So I took my first step! We did about six runs on the beginner slope. The more runs we did; I felt my fear lessening more and more. Sunday morning’s session felt so short, and it was already time to go. Ahh! Until the next ski trip! The motto of The Achievers is, “If I can do this, I can do anything!” *For more information about all the sport opportunities for the blind with The Achievers please visit their website at www.theachievers.org "Do one thing every day that scares you." ~ Eleanor Roosevelt Upcoming Hearts for Sight Activities We hope to see you at any of these Hearts For Sight activities. Please don’t forget to share this information with your friends and family or anyone that may be interested.  Have you ever tried fishing in the ocean? Love fishing but haven’t been out in a while? Sports Fishing on the Betty O Friday, September 10, 2021, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM Dock 52 - 13552 Fiji Way Marina del Rey, CA 90292  Hearts For Sight, in collaboration with the National Federation of the Blind, San Fernando Valley Chapter and the Turners Rod & Reel Club of Monrovia, invites you to join us on a private chartered boat trip on the Betty O. Have fun fishing and competing with fellow blind and visually impaired participants to see who can catch the most fish! Discounted fishing trip for the entire day is $50.00 per person. Must be paid on or before September 4. No equipment... No worries. Loaner rod and reel are available for $12. Food and drinks are available on the boat. Anglers age 16 years and up must have a fishing license. If you are fishing for the first time, a one-day fishing license is available for $17 once you get on board the boat. If you are an avid fisherman, you may apply for a lifetime free fishing license by filling out this form. (Please allow adequate time for the state to process and mail) Sign up soon! This trip is limited to 40 participants, both visually impaired participants and sighted volunteers. This will be another fun day for sure! Email hearts4sight at gmail.com or call 818-457-1482 if you have questions and for information on where to send your payments. "Try new things everyday. Don't be afraid of failures. You will not lose anything. But your brain will be packed with new experiences." ~Akash Ryan Agarwal Hearts for Sight invites you to Adrienne’s Invigorate Yoga Flow in the comfort of your home via Zoom. Join us for an energetic class meant to be challenging yet accessible. Expect to move through a gentle warm up, before moving through a series of standing postures, some core work, and finish with some restorative stretches before savasana (rest). Here are the next dates of sessions scheduled: Wednesday, September 1 at 7:00 PM Sunday, September 19 at 5:00 PM Wednesday, October 6 at 7:00 PM Sunday, October 17 at 5:00 PM You will be provided the Zoom link to access the class several days before the scheduled session. Just email or call to sign up. Hiking with Hearts For Sight Debs Park Sunday, September 26 Explore Ernest E. Debs Regional Park in Montecito Heights, near Highland Park. It's a quiet refuge in the middle of the city. The route has a mix of the wild and the tame: trails, dirt roads, and pavement. It's a mix of level stretches with some short steep hills. We'll enter Debs Park from the adjoining Rose Hills Park, which offers better access.  The Sierra Club and HFS have chosen a new, easier route when we return to the park we last visited in January 2020. That will still means one big hill to reach Peanut Lake, so we’ll take our time. Two and a half miles, 500 feet of gain. HFS and the Sierra Club are adhering to all public safety protocols during these times, so ADVANCE RSVP IS A MUST.  SIGHTED GUIDES NEEDED so that every VIP gets their own guide. To RSVP or If you are interested in volunteering as a sighted guide, please email or call hearts4sight at gmail.com or (818) 457-1452. Los Angeles Dodgers vs. the Milwaukee Brewers Saturday, October 2, 2021 The National Federation of the Blind, California San Fernando Valley Chapter and Hearts for Sight Foundation collaborated again for a Dodgers Baseball game outing. This game is the Dodgers versus the Brewers on Saturday, October 2, 2021. This is an evening game which will start at 6:10PM. The tickets will be down the third base sideline. Tickets are $44.00 per person and must be paid in full by September 25, 2021. Parking fee is paid separately and can be purchased online. All interested must click this survey link to let us know no later than September 2, that you want to come. Please indicate how many tickets you want. You will be provided information on how to send your payment when your RSVP is received. * * * * * Save the dates of these other activities in your calendar: Surrey Bike Riding on Saturday, 10/16/21 - El Dorado Park We will return to Long Beach for another cool bike ride. Hiking - Saturday, 10/23/21 - El Dorado Park This trip to Long Beach was so popular we’re doing it again. Easy route over mostly flat terrain, shady and cool. Four miles, 50 feet of gain Hiking - Sunday, 11/28/21 - Malibu Creek  Special bus trip from Alhambra to this famous park near Calabasas. Moderately easy route includes an actual Braille trail, along with a Creekside picnic spot. Two miles, 200 feet of gain, plus longer option.  Surrey Bike Riding - Saturday, 12/11/21 - Lake Balboa Park Hiking - Sunday, 1/2/22 - Claremont Wilderness Park Start off the new year with a moderately hard route in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains in eastern Los Angeles County. Five miles, 550 feet of gain.  Hiking - Saturday 1/19/22 TBD Have a favorite place to hike? Let us know. * * * * * Peer Support and Wellness Group via tele-conference New 10-week sessions start September 27 and 29, 2021 New Monday or Wednesday General Support Groups Open to any California Resident Registration is now Open! Hearts for Sight introduced the Peer Support and Wellness Group in 2020 for participants 18 and over. This HFS group is designed for the visually impaired community to have a safe and comfortable place to meet, to share, and to discuss issues, concerns, and challenges, related to living as a visually impaired person (VIP). The support group will provide space to highlight achievements, successes, and wins! This will be a space for VIP adults to conveniently get together to share challenges in life as well as strategies utilized for coping and/or adjusting to living with a visual impairment. These sessions are facilitated by Dr. Mojiana Moghadam, APCC, under the support and supervision of Erica Curtis, LMFT.   Support Group A starting September 27 thru November 29 (Every Monday from 5:30 pm until 7:00 pm) Support Group B starting September 29 thru December 1 (Every Wednesday from 5:30 pm until 7:00 pm) Open to California residents 18 years and up, not just LA county residents. ***Please pass this on to others who may benefit. *** Space is limited so early registration is encouraged. Please email or call to reserve a spot. Hearts For Sight Individual Therapy Program Hearts For Sight (HFS) is now providing individual therapy. HFS is offering an opportunity for adults 18 years old and up to sign up for this therapy program. Therapy sessions will be pro-bono (for free) for now. If you are interested to sign up for individual therapy program, please contact HFS staff via email, hearts4sight at gmail.com, or by calling 818-457-1482. The HFS staff will assist you with the registration and intake process. Do you have a VIP tip that you would like to share? Please send your idea to Racquel at hearts4sight at gmail.com or call 818-457-1482 HFS Newsletter August 2021 Our Mission Hearts for Sight is committed to continuing our mission of breaking down barriers to health and fitness that restrict the blind and visually impaired, so they may pursue physical, mental, and emotional wellness. One of Hearts for Sight's long-term goals is having a Wellness Center, including a specialized gym for the visually impaired. We need your time, expertise, or funding for projects during this month and beyond. This month we need your help by: 1) Post this newsletter to your social media page or pass this email on to someone who is blind or visually impaired. Please invite them to join you (virtually or outdoors) for one of our activities. 2) Volunteer for our fishing trip or to be a sighted guide for our next hike by emailing Racquel at hearts4sight at gmail.com or call 818-457-1482. 3) Donate funds of any amount: $5 provides hiking refreshments $40 provides funds for our instructors time and expertise $100 provides payment for insurance and other administrative costs $500-$1,000 provides support for upcoming nutrition and fitness programs Donate Now Hearts for Sight hopes you have enjoyed this newsletter. Please let us know if you have any thoughts or ideas that would improve it. Email us at hearts4sight at gmail.com or call us at 818-457-1482. We look forward to helping you achieve health and wellness in 2021 and beyond. Joseph, Racquel, and the entire team Hearts for Sight Foundation Sign-up for Updates ‌ ‌ Hearts for Sight Team and Supporters during a hike on the Palos Verde Peninsula Hearts For Sight Foundation | 1540 Prospect Avenue, San Gabriel, CA 91776 Unsubscribe nfbc-sfv at nfbnet.org Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice Sent by hearts4sight at gmail.com powered by Try email marketing for free today!
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