[Sportsandrec] Not Just Board Games

Fri Nov 18 00:23:20 UTC 2016

It's really hard to make major life changes.  I do think exercise can be a bit more challenging for those with low vision.  Some people have never had opportunities to try sports.  They were discouraged from a young age.  It can be hard to find running and hiking guides.  It can also be hard to find tandem guides.  Transportation is always a problem and getting to a gym or training place can be difficult.

Nella

-----Original Message-----
From: SportsandRec [mailto:sportsandrec-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter via SportsandRec
Sent: Thursday, November 17, 2016 5:20 PM
To: 'Sports and Recreation for the Blind Discussion List'
Cc: Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter
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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