Wednesday, June 17th, 2009
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I love running! And I’ve been doing it for 17 years. As you may or may not know, for all but 5 of those years I have been running blind. Well, legally blind anyway, but it’s only been the past 4 years that it has become increasingly more difficult for me to see the path I’m running on. This has forced me to run on a controlled path near my home. About a year ago I started using my white cane to help me navigate the trail while out running.
Now some would say I have one of the best excuses in the world not to run anymore. And it’s true; I do. I mean a blind runner? What’s that all about? But my love for the sport, and yes, more than a little obsession has kept me pushing through all sorts of obstacles. The main challenge of course is in not being able to see the path I’m running on.
Before I started using my white cane, there were times when fear and frustration nearly won out. I would take off running on the controlled path as I usually did, only to find that the lighting on some days made it even more difficult for me to navigate. Stumbling off the path several times and almost falling, I was tempted to turn around; head back home and just forget the whole thing. But after standing there in the middle of the path for awhile, my stubbornness would kick in, and I would slowly start to pick my way down the path again, clear in the knowledge that this overwhelming sense of defiance was something bigger and stronger than just my stubborn ol’ self working through me. I can’t really explain it, other than to describe it as a voice within confirming “I’m not going to allow my outside circumstance to determine my reality.” Everything was against me: the angle of lighting, my fears and insecurities. Yet the undeniable power of belief and persistence became my friend and champion.
They say “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.” And I buy that…because will can come in the form of faith or of passion or both, but it all molds your determination.
I’m happy to proclaim and even celebrate that I haven’t stopped running although my obstacles will seem insurmountable to many…but that’s just a figment of their imagination, because the obstacles are surmountable, truly. Look at me, I’m surmounting!
Two years ago, I ran a marathon. Now I’m doing a 1,222.25 mile virtual run from Montana to Burbank, CA to raise $30,000 for Guide Dogs for the Blind, while looking to get on the Ellen TV Show. My virtual run is not only for a good cause, but to prove to myself and others that anyone can overcome their obstacles. We all have obstacles, but your obstacles don’t have to define your reality or your identity. Even when life throws it in your face and screams at you: “It’s okay to quit….you’re blind.”
But let me tell you, I don’t define myself as handicapped or disabled at all. I don’t even describe myself as a blind person, although other people choose to use that label for me. I simply consider myself a runner…who just happens to be blind. 
Which begs the question…who truly has the vision and insight?
How ’bout it?
-Vision Runner
P.S. If you’re getting value out of this blog, you can do me a favor by linking to us and mentioning my Run Over To Ellen’s fundraising project to friends and co-workers. Here’s the link information for this article:
Title: Keep On Keeping On
URL: http://runnerinsight.com/2009/06/15/keep-on-keeping-on
Technorati tags: Ellen TV show Run Over To Ellen’s marathon blind runner blind and low vision Vision Runner Guide Dogs for the Blind
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