[Sportsandrec] Sports Done by the Blind but not Discussed

Thu Nov 17 23:22:18 UTC 2016

Hello,

good point. I've met federationists doing outdoor sports, but not golf. I 
would guess why we do not hear of it is because no federationist 
participates in golf. And, if there is someone, they are not active in NFB 
so we do not hear of their hobby.
It seems to me that blind people here in Northern Virginia / DC do one of 
five sports. Most sports are outside and sponsored by USABA at the olympic 
level. Unfortunately, I wanted to participate in a blind bowling league, but 
we did not get enough interest to make it happen. The Capital area rail 
blazers, a bowling league for the blind and vision impaired, was around for 
years. But one by one, members dropped out due to lack of interest, moving 
further away from the alley, and other reasons. So, with lack of interest, 
CARF did not exist.
The sports NFB members seem to do that I hear about are as follows:
1. Tandem cycling
2. running
3. judo
4. hiking
5. beep ball
Oh, and I know of a few who regularly do yoga, but I do not consider it a 
sport.

Other things people do on an ocasional basis that are recreational or
relaxational are: indoor rock climbing, hiking, rafting, boating, canoeing, 
and dancing.

That has been my observations around here.

Ashley
-----Original Message----- 
From: Peter Donahue via SportsandRec
Sent: Thursday, November 17, 2016 11:19 AM
To: 'Sports and Recreation for the Blind Discussion List'
Cc: Peter Donahue
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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