[Ohio-talk] Fwd: Blind rowers part of VIPER team that inspires - Cleveland19 -- News, Weather, Sports for Northeast Ohio - Cleveland 19 News Cleveland, OH

[Cheryl Fields]

WOW! Living the Lives They Want!


---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Natassha Ricks <nricks123 at icloud.com>
Date: Tue, 05 Jun 2018 11:27:21 -0400
Subject: Blind rowers part of VIPER team that inspires - Cleveland19
-- News, Weather, Sports for Northeast Ohio - Cleveland 19 News
Cleveland, OH
To: cherylelaine1957 at gmail.com


http://m.cleveland19.com/story/38343772/blind-rowers-part-of-viper-team-that-inspires

Blind rowers part of VIPER team that inspires

CLEVELAND, OH (WOIO) - No sight, no problem.

“Anybody can row, anybody can row,” Western Reserve Rowing
Association’s Scott Labuda reminds anyone who will listen. “We’re a
very inclusive rowing club, we have visually impaired, veteran
programs, we have people rowing that are amputees.”

The VIPER team (Visually Impaired People Enjoying Rowing) assembles in
the massive WRRA hanger containing dozens of rowing boats along the
Cuyahoga River at 1003 British Street in Cleveland. The visually
impaired wait for volunteers to escort them outside to the boat.

“Other than helping them get in and out of the boat, there really is
no difference,” Coach Mark Silverstein says before boarding the
coaching boat to yell instructions over the water.

For the visually impaired though the opportunity to get out and
participate offers more than just exercise opportunities. “This
program is helping me tremendously to let me know there is still
passions that I enjoy and love,” Rae Covington said.

Veteran rower Caleb McKinsey is happy to be back on the water. In 2011
McKinsey rowed for Cleveland State University.

“This is a new challenge for me,” first year rower Natassha Ricks
said. “It’s very therapeutic, gives you a sense of accomplishment,
bbeing able to do something sighted people do. I like eing able to
have that feeling of empowerment.”

The adaptive rowing program allows new and experienced adult rowers
with disabilities the opportunity to participate and compete.

Copyright 2018 WOIO. All rights reserved.



Natassha L. Ricks


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Wishing You All the Best,

Cheryl E. Fields


A man has made at least a start on discovering the meaning of human
life when he plants shade trees under which he knows full well he will
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--D. Elton Trueblood