[Sportsandrec] The Visually Impaired category

Tue Aug 25 14:49:03 UTC 2015

I think there is no perfect answer to this but here are some thoughts.

It is all about introducing people to the options. Some people will love running road races and some will prefer doing other things but knowing the options is key. Maybe try to get together a panel at your NFB state convention to discuss racing and other sports/recreational activities. Also one key is identifying guides. If you can get together a couple of interested blind folks and some guides maybe start a weekly fun run somewhere central so that people can participate easily. Lots of people will at first just use it as an opportunity to exercise but some will catch the racing big.

Target an annual event (if there is a free or low cost one this would be great.) Start inviting blind people to participate in this one event every year. Each year you will build more and more attendees plus a list of people you can invite to your weekly runs and other racing events.

Target some NFB chapters near you and try to make it a chapter goal to train to at least walk a 5k. Remember, many people have to start here.

These are just a few ideas. Good luck.

Best Wishes

Jess

Sent from my iPhone

> On Aug 25, 2015, at 6:38 AM, "Gaston Bedard via Sportsandrec" <sportsandrec at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> 
> Good morning Bill.
> Thank you for responding.
> 
> I have much much more to say on the issue of, the Visually Impaired category
> for blind, deaf blind and partially sighted runners.
> My main objective is to encourage, motivate more blind runners to take up
> running and participate in road races.
> 
> Here's food for thought on this VI category issue.
> 
> How do we encourage full participation in running events?
> How do we get more blind, deaf blind and more partially sighted folks to run
> road races?
> 
> I will give everyone time to think about it, check their local road races,
> speak to race organizers, and then chat about what they have discovered.
> 
> You may want to know the following.
> 
> I started running as a sighted guy some 30 years ago.
> I ran 14 full marathons, numerous road races as a sighted runner.
> Gradually over the years, I lost all my vision, and my hearing.
> So, I ran as a sighted runner, as a partially sighted runner, as a legally
> blind guy and now I'm running totally blind and deaf.
> And, yes, there's a really big difference from one stage to the other.
> 
> Stay healthy and well.
> Gaston
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Sportsandrec [mailto:sportsandrec-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
> Kociaba Fitness via Sportsandrec
> Sent: August-24-15 8:57 AM
> To: 'Sports and Recreation for the Blind Discussion List'
> Cc: Kociaba Fitness
> Subject: Re: [Sportsandrec] The Visually Impaired category
> 
> Good morning gaston,
> I am not a runner but think I have something to offer on your thought.  As a
> former promoter of bodybuilding and fitness events I see the
> promoter/organizers side of things. If you have a category of contestant
> that does not draw l large numbers its not logical to devide it into sub
> catagorys.  In other words if there are more VI runners and a demand for
> more sub catagorys is there its likely the organizers will be open to a
> change.
> The reality is its all about the economics.
> 
> 
> Bill Kociaba
> www.kociaba-fitness.com
> "Building Better Bodies Since 1981"
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Sportsandrec [mailto:sportsandrec-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
> Gaston Bedard via Sportsandrec
> Sent: Monday, August 24, 2015 6:55 AM
> To: 'Sports and Recreation for the Blind Discussion List'
> Cc: Gaston Bedard
> Subject: [Sportsandrec] The Visually Impaired category
> 
> 
> Hello folks,
> 
> It is good to know there are runners on this list.
> 
> I've been thinking of this issue for some 6 years now, discussing it with
> other blind, deaf blind and partially sighted athletes.
> I began my comeback as a totally blind and deaf runner in May 2012.
> Since May 2012, I have run and completed 21 road races including 2 full
> marathons, as a deaf blind runner.
> 
> Most of these road races were run here in Canada.
> I ran and completed a full marathon in the state of Massachusetts, in 2015.
> 
> Here's where it gets a little fuzzy and somewhat difficult to understand.
> 
> In all the road races that I have run so far since May 2012, I discovered
> the following.
> 
> There is only one category for blind, deaf blind, partially sighted runners.
> This category is, the Visually Impaired category.
> 
> In this VI category, there are no age categories.
> This VI category, includes female and male runners, regardless of age,
> regardless of blindness, regardless of sight loss.
> 
> How do you feel about this Visually Impaired category ?
> 
> I thought it would be good to get the ball rolling, chat about it.
> Stay well and healthy.
> 
> 
> 
> 
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