[Sportsandrec] Sports Done by the Blind but not Discussed

Thu Nov 17 21:12:17 UTC 2016

Hi-
I've participated in lots of sports growing up; I don't do as much now.
When I was younger, I did gymnastics, horseback riding, rock climbing,
downhill skiing, and running.  Now I do tandem biking, Nordic skiing,
and kayaking for fun.  I received a certificate for completing a
rowing course, but have never joined an official crew.
I also do Japanese ju-jitsu, judo, and archery, which are things I
would like to compete in sometime in the future.  I just started
archery and really enjoy it.
Something I am interested in is blind ice hockey, which is fairly new,
and there are not many teams yet.  I always wanted to play hockey
growing up, and am very excited about teams starting, but I'm not sure
I'm ready to take on the task of starting a team in my own state at
this point.
I am interested to know how blind golf works?  My family likes to
play, and I always thought that it would be pretty difficult for me to
play.
Thanks.
Anne
  11/17/16, Nella Foster via SportsandRec <sportsandrec at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>
> I have mixed feelings about media coverage.  I guess it really all depends
> on how the story is told.
>
> Nella
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: SportsandRec [mailto:sportsandrec-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
> Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter via SportsandRec
> Sent: Thursday, November 17, 2016 10:45 AM
> To: 'Sports and Recreation for the Blind Discussion List'
> Cc: Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter
> Subject: Re: [Sportsandrec] Sports Done by the Blind but not Discussed
>
> Great ideas. Definitely should be explored.
>
> Since I've joined this list, I've heard several people speak about their
> sports and rec experiences- definitely not board games, smile.
>
> I did a triathlon this past summer and plan to do it next year. I swim
> weekly and do yoga. Many people on this list have shared similar
> experiences. My husband, who is also blind, did the triathlon too, and we
> received media coverage in all our local media outlets.
>
> Bridgit
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: SportsandRec [mailto:sportsandrec-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
> Peter Donahue via SportsandRec
> Sent: Thursday, November 17, 2016 10:19 AM
> To: 'Sports and Recreation for the Blind Discussion List'
> <sportsandrec at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Peter Donahue <pdonahue2 at satx.rr.com>
> Subject: [Sportsandrec] Sports Done by the Blind but not Discussed
>
> Good morning everyone,
>
> 	Speaking of starting conversations blind people have participated in many
> sports and recreational activities over the years but some of these pursuits
> are hardly ever discussed here. Golf is one such example. The United States
> Blind Golf Association has been around for years but we never hear of
> successful blind golfers. The sport seems laid back at first but it's a test
> of concentration, strategy, endurance, and patience! It would be nice to
> hear from blind golfers.
>
> 	And speaking of golf the PGA and the LPGA raise funds for many
> organizations. Many of the golf tournaments aired on stations like "The Golf
> Channel" are held to benefit this or that charity. In addition individual
> golfers raise funds for various charities in the form of contributions from
> their earnings. One would think that by now someone in the NFB and in
> particular this division would have explored the idea of a golf tournament
> being established to raise funds for the NFB and to promote the sport among
> the blind by including blind golfers in the tournament. This is something
> this division should explore. Such a project should be a team effort and
> should not be handed to one person to bring it about. There are probably
> other types of sporting activities and tournaments that could be organized
> to benefit the NFB and in particular this division.
>
> 	Blind people have hunted, fished, skied,participated in rodeos and other
> animal-related sports and recreational activities, canoed, sailed,
> participate in rowing and other boating contests, the list goes on. Here's
> hoping this note will spawn discussions of these activities and how these
> opportunities can be expanded to encourage the blind to participate, and
> reep the benefit of increased physical activities. I have yet to learn how
> just playing board games helps one keep in shape. This seems to be the only
> recreational activity we hear about being done by the blind in San Antonio
> and throughout the country. Let the discussion begin.
>
> Peter Donahue
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: SportsandRec [mailto:sportsandrec-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Ron
> Burzese via SportsandRec
> Sent: Thursday, November 17, 2016 9:03 AM
> To: Sports and Recreation for the Blind Discussion List
> Cc: Ron Burzese
> Subject: [Sportsandrec] Fwd: Riding by faith, not by sight.
>
> As I forward this, said burrito is crisping in the skillet.
>
> Since this list is quiet, I thought I’d throw this out there. If any of the
> bike speak is unclear, let me know. If any of you ride, I’d love your
> submissions for the blind, cycling list.
>
> Best,
>
> Ron Burzese, NOMC
> 37 degrees in Sacramento
>
>
>> Begin forwarded message:
>>
>> From: Ron Burzese <rrburzese at gmail.com>
>> Subject: Riding by faith, not by sight.
>> Date: November 16, 2016 at 10:16:30 PM PST
>> To: blind_cycling at yahoogroups.com
>>
>> Taylor, one of the guys from a weekly men’s Bible study, offered to ride
>> with me this week. I had forgotten that I even mentioned it to him. We met
>> this morning, at 7:30. The temp was around 46f. Since he was a casual
>> rider at best, I dressed accordingly, with jeans, t-shirt, walking shoes,
>> and a windbreaker that I’ve had since I was 13, in Clearwater, 1981. It
>> bears the name of my departed father’s pizza place, which has been in our
>> family, since 1969. I chose it because it was the right weight for the
>> conditions. Though I might not always mention it here, I always wear a
>> helmet.
>>
>> I brought out the urban-assault tandem, which is currently set up for my
>> lovely girlfriend, who is 5’4”. Now Taylor, is at least 5’8, if not 5’10,
>> or taller. I mentioned that we’d need to raise his saddle, as I held him
>> up, from the back seat. He asked me to lower it, though my neighbor, Billy
>> and I tried to briefly explain the mechanics of a proper pedal-stroke. He
>> wanted no part of it, so I let him set the lower height.
>>
>> In the second block, he moved over to the bike lane, for the west-bound
>> traffic. We, were traveling east-bound, if you know what I’m sayin’.
>> Hearing the parked cars, close to my left ear, then oncoming traffic, on
>> my right, was very disconcerting to me. I even heard other cyclists
>> passing us, on our right. Seasoned cyclist that I am, I was like, so
>> embarrassed, and fearing for my life, as I asked Taylor to cross-over to
>> the right side of the road. He tried to defend his logic, but I would not
>> budge on this point. He looked back and merged right, across at least two
>> lanes. As he began to initiate the merge, he clipped my freshly rubberized
>> handle bar-end, on a trash canister, since it was garbage truck day. He
>> thought the front tire was squishy, but I explained that it was simply the
>> suspension fork, compressing beneath his weight.
>>
>> After going east on T Street, we headed north, on 20th Street. A classy
>> female cyclist, complimented us on the tandem, so I gave her a squeak with
>> my kitty-cat horn, before reaching C Street, where we caught the access
>> trail, over the river, to the American River Bike Trail, headed for
>> William Pond Park. We settled into a nice cadence and I was happy that I
>> picked the correct layers for the ride. There were lots of dried leaves,
>> crunching under our wheels. Taylor is a seminary student, so was
>> discussing theology with me. I have studied for many years, so was an
>> appropriate sounding board for what he was wrestling with, in his
>> spiritual journey. We were cordial the entire time, though we were
>> discussing some of the most controversial systematic theology.
>>
>> As we motored along, I could not help but get ahold of the beautiful, Fall
>> day that embraced all of us, on the trail. We both agreed that every man
>> is without excuse, as the Creation bore witness of the Creator. I also
>> noticed that Taylor, 28, was looking back at me, as he was talking. Not
>> quite, but he was looking off to his side, to better project his voice.
>> Though thoughtful, I had my moments of wanting to remind him to pay more
>> attention to his driving. However, he did a good job to do just that,
>> every time I was about to say something. Maybe something in my facial
>> expression tipped him off? We only went off the trail, a few times, but
>> quickly got back on to the pavement, over the ridge. Yes, that would be
>> the dangerous ridge that I did not yet have time to explain to this novice
>> pilot. Thankfully, my tires were meaty enough to offer some margin for
>> error.
>>
>> We made it to the park and I was really missing my girlfriend, as we found
>> a picnic table, off from the trail. We sat for an hour, discussing more of
>> his theological issues. I did not mind, though it challenged me to recall
>> what I have studied, both in the past and more recently, on my own
>> personal journey with the living God. I kept up with most of the depth
>> that he was digging, but since I had a minimal breakfast, consisting of a
>> few handfuls of corn flakes, and another appointment for lunch, I motioned
>> that we began our return trip.
>>
>> Wouldn’t you know it, that crazy dude went back to his habit of riding on
>> the wrong side of the road? He got back in line, after I reminded him. At
>> the park, I clarified my reasoning for this, but did not mention my years
>> of experience on the bike. I could tell that he was appreciating the
>> opportunity to spend some quality time with another brotha, especially one
>> who could spar with him on such a level of topic.
>>
>> In the closing mile, he noted that it made him feel more comfortable that
>> I was blind. He said that it helped him open up, confess and be
>> vulnerable. From the back seat, I smiled, being thankful for being able to
>> counsel the man in his struggle. I felt as if I was where I needed to be,
>> at the right time. We stopped at his truck, as I collected my residential
>> parking permit, then shared our stats from the ride of 26.5 miles. He
>> drove off and there I was, realizing that I was around the corner from my
>> place, without my cane, and walking an 8-foot long bike. From our
>> three-hours of theology, I knew I was in good company and resumed enjoying
>> the glorious weather, then in the lower mid 60s. Though I did not have
>> much time, I was able to efficiently move out the electric tandem, bring
>> in the urban tandem, re-park the 80-pound electric bike, and keep track of
>> all the accessories that accompany a bike ride. After a quick shower, I
>> walked 20 blocks to my on time, lunch appointment, with Pastor Lamar, who
>> already ate. Happy to have the time with him, I forgot about my hunger,
>> for the next 90 minutes. Another 20 block walk home, still not eating
>> since 7:15, I stopped for a 2:30, California Chicken Burrito, but only ate
>> half. Instead of eating the other half for dinner, I just had another few
>> handfuls of corn flakes. As I write this, I must confess that I am looking
>> forward to breakfast, already. It will be a cool morning, in the low 40s,
>> but a hot, cast iron skillet, will make that burrito taste even better
>> than fresh from its maker. I’ll be back on the hamster wheel, but you
>> know, life, is all good, with me.
>>
>> Racramento Ron
>
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