[Sportsandrec] finding guides

Wed Nov 12 05:36:48 UTC 2008

Lori,

I'm glad you understand those negative feelings when conditioning alone in 
the gym.  I also go to spin classes.
Everyone else has more options though.

Checking with Disabled Sports USA is a good idea; they're nearby.  I thought 
the CDifferent  Foundation was only in one state, California or something. 
I guess they are national.  I don't know much about them.  What is the 
contact information?

For tandem cycling how do you set up the session?  Who brings the bike to 
the path?  I would guess your pilot does; it requires a big van though as 
tandems are long.
Did you have to buy one or could you rent a bike?  I wish I could rent one 
for a few times to try it out but they don't rent around here.  Tamdems are 
expensive although I can afford it if I decide I like riding and plan to use 
it a lot.  Riding occassionally would not make the price worthwhile.

Ashley

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Lori" <twilight2 at kconline.com>
To: "Sports and Recreation for the Blind Discussion List" 
<sportsandrec at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Tuesday, November 11, 2008 11:51 PM
Subject: Re: [Sportsandrec] finding guides

> 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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>
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