[Sportsandrec] Not Just Board Games

Fri Nov 18 00:15:21 UTC 2016

Hey Gaston,
I too just completed the New York City Marathon with the Achilles chapter 
here in Nashville. We shaved fourty minutes off our time from last year. I 
love it.
I also am active in my local Crossfit gym. I love it also.
Be well.
Joe Shaw, Nashville TN
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter via SportsandRec" 
<sportsandrec at nfbnet.org>
To: "'Sports and Recreation for the Blind Discussion List'" 
<sportsandrec at nfbnet.org>
Cc: "Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter" <bkpollpeter at gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, November 17, 2016 5:20 PM
Subject: Re: [Sportsandrec] Not Just Board Games


> Here's the thing. Blind or sighted, it's up to an individual whether they 
> want to exercise or not. Many people are over weight, not just blind 
> people. We can't force people to get up and move; they have to decide to 
> make it a priority. I think the people on this list demonstrate that blind 
> people are out there living the lives they want, showing the world that we 
> do things just like everyone else.
>
> The triathlon my husband and I participate in this summer was sponsored by 
> a local doctor who wants to encourage sports for blind people. Initially, 
> about 15 people expressed interest, pretty much all of them wanting to 
> lose weight and get into better shape. As time went on, everyone but 3 of 
> us dropped out. Everything was provided for us at no cost to us. Guides, 
> uniforms, running shoes, gym memberships, triathlon registration- anything 
> we required for training and the event was taken care of. Yet 12 people 
> dropped out for various reasons. Most said it was because they were not 
> capable of it, others said they did not want to make certain changes to 
> lifestyle and diet. An opportunity was presented and they did not take 
> advantage of it. This says a lot.
>
> But I know several sighted people like this too. They just don't make it a 
> priority, don't care about it. So it's not just a blind thing.
>
> Bridgit
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: SportsandRec [mailto:sportsandrec-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of 
> Peter Donahue via SportsandRec
> Sent: Thursday, November 17, 2016 4:41 PM
> To: Sports and Recreation for the Blind Discussion List 
> <sportsandrec at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Peter Donahue <pdonahue2 at satx.rr.com>
> Subject: [Sportsandrec] Not Just Board Games
>
> Hello Robert and everyone,
>
>     Board games have their place. The point is that they should not be the 
> only recreational activities the blind do in their spare time let alone 
> trying to get in shape and stay in shape. We need to put as much 
> enthusiasm into playing at Pebble Beach as much as we visit the local 
> bingo parlar.
>
>     When I attended summer camp we enjoyed playing checkers as well as 
> sailing, horse back riding, canoeing, hiking, archery, and all the rest.
> There needs to be a balance or aerobic (Swimming for example) and 
> anaerobic sports in one's life such as playing Chess. Board games have 
> their place but they grow old after a while when they're shoved down one's 
> throat. Then family and friends wonder why some of us are over weight.
>
> Peter Donahue who is ready to Canoe the Boundary Waters Canoe Area 
> Wilderness. Minnesotans on this list take note.
> Robert Moore via SportsandRec wrote:
>>    Peter, I dis agree about burning the board games. My  reason is, that 
>> they are a great way to relax and  unwind  after a day of rock climbing 
>> or after  finishing a  marathon.
>>   Actually it would be an interesting excesize to attempt to compile an 
>> exhaustive list of sports that the blind have participated in.
>> We have even participated in  motor sports as drivers
>>    Someone please correct me if I am wrong but it seams to me that a 
>> world record  blind person land speed record has been set on a motor 
>> cycle. The fastest a blind person went on  driving a motor cycle is 
>> probably faster than I am interested in going on a motor cycle if I  had 
>> perfect eye site.
>>   I do not know any more than that or I would give details.
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: SportsandRec [mailto:sportsandrec-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
>> Of Peter Donahue via SportsandRec
>> Sent: Thursday, November 17, 2016 1:37 PM
>> To: 'Sports and Recreation for the Blind Discussion List'
>> Cc: Peter Donahue
>> Subject: Re: [Sportsandrec] Sports Done by the Blind but not Discussed
>>
>> Good afternoon everyone,
>>
>> I neglected to mention rock climbing, white water rafting and kayaking 
>> and skydiving. Blind individuals and students attending the NFB training 
>> centers have done all of the above-mentioned sports.
>>
>> Peter Donahue who says "Burn the board games and let's get moving!"
>>
>>
>>
>> -----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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