[Sportsandrec] Sports Done by the Blind but not Discussed

Thu Nov 17 21:15:32 UTC 2016

I have done tandum biking, one year riding in RAGBRAI (Des Moines Register's Great Bike Ride Across Iowa.) I took ballet for quite a while, and I guess that's not exactly a sport, but it gets you moving. I work with a trainer and have done all of the things you do to get fit except running I don't do well. I haven't had a good swim for a while. I am not as much the exercise person you all are.
Cindy

-----Original Message-----
From: SportsandRec [mailto:sportsandrec-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Anne Naber via SportsandRec
Sent: Thursday, November 17, 2016 3:12 PM
To: Sports and Recreation for the Blind Discussion List <sportsandrec at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Anne Naber <amnaber92 at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [Sportsandrec] Sports Done by the Blind but not Discussed

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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