[Sportsandrec] finding guides

[Lori]

Ashley,

For me it comes and goes. For instance when I first got into cycling and 
then the Paralympics I had a great group of tandem pilots in my area or my 
mom drove me to where pilots were. Well, I've been in a drought for a number 
of years now and it is very frustrating. I've always found it helpful to get 
out and the more people see you the more they are inclinded to get involved. 
So, even if a person says they only want to ride occasionally, but if I can 
get them to go on a local group ride this may be a great place for me to 
recruit more pilots. I still do a lot of training on my own with my bike on 
a trainer or in spin classes and do I like it? No, but sometimes that is how 
it goes. For running you might see if there is an Achillies track club in 
your area as theyoften are interested in being guide runners. You might also 
want to check with USABA, the CDifferent foundation and Challenged Athletes 
to see if they have a database of guide runners. Oh, there's Disabled Sports 
USA as well. At times it can get really old to have to recruit recruit 
recruit, but if you want to get out and do it, that's what needs to be done.

Occasionally I' come across folks who understand and who are interested in 
helping in this process--for instance for the triathlon I did last year I 
couldn't have done it if it weren't for others--and I'm very grateful for 
this.

I don't mind the time it takes to work with new people as I realize that I 
may not be the only one who wil benefit and I hope that anyone who guides or 
rides with me will have the opportunity to do the same with other athletes.

Even in the pool it is ideal to have someone available to tap and I just had 
to recruit volunteers as I couldn't afford anything. Since I often didn't 
have this important information I quit swimming a number of strokes and also 
developed some bad habbits.

So, don't give up. Keep going to the gym and be visible. Talk with local 
clubs. Don't be shy about your interests.

L...

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ashley Bramlett" <bookwormahb at earthlink.net>
To: "Sports and Recreation for the Blind Discussion List" 
<sportsandrec at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Tuesday, November 11, 2008 9:30 PM
Subject: [Sportsandrec] finding guides


> Hi all,
>
> I'm impressed with the recent bike stories and hearing about past 
> accomplishments.  I am active, or try to be, for recreation purposes.  You 
> all seem to have it all covered wich is impressive.  A big barrier from my 
> experience, and I'm sure many blind people, is finding people to assist 
> you outdoors.  It takes coordination of schedules and a commitment from 
> the other person.  It would be nice to run or power walk outdoors or bike 
> weather permitting.  But I settle for the gym only because I don't have 
> help.  I'm sure most blind people are in my position and you all are the 
> minority.  As anecdotal evidence, as I ask blind people what they like to 
> do they mention sedentary activities like computers, tv or reading.  Blind 
> children tell me reading or singing or a musical instrument.  Rare do I 
> hear of an active activity.  I think there is one runner out of perhaps 
> twenty people in my nfb chapter, one member.
>
> So my question.  How did you find guides to assist you in running, biking 
> swimming, etc?
> Are your guides paid?  If not what motivates them?  In the activity do you 
> feel you can set the pace and own the workout or does your guide say 
> something?
>
> Thanks.
>
> Ashley
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