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
I’ve always been one to look at the glass as half full, that is unless it’s filled with cod liver oil, and then I’m afraid the glass is more than half full!
All my life I have been an optimist – looking for the good in things. And even when the situation doesn’t turn out the way I want, later I can see how it was all for the best. It’s a choice we get to make every day: whether to be in a good place in our lives or a bad place.
For example when I was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) in 1997, I went through a period of grieving for the loss of my vision, but after a while my grieving no longer served me and my generally optimistic self took over again. I remembered that staying positive was a choice.
In the beginning, it was sometimes a minute by minute choice – but a choice nonetheless!
Living with the loss of my eyesight has brought on many challenges, some easy to deal with and some not so much: from making sure I’m color-coordinated easily with the help of my partner and a little organization, to running a full marathon – which took a lot of effort and planning.
But as each new challenge comes along, I see that it’s all about overcoming the obstacle -my blindness – and envisioning a new reality for myself. And the reality I choose for myself is that one day I will have my eyesight back!
So by keeping a positive attitude and focusing on what it is I want, I live each day with the knowledge that at any moment I could see again!
One of the most positive things that has come out of my blindness is my website. RunnerInsight.com is a website dedicated to my mission in life: overcoming obstacles and envisioning a new reality – and not just for myself…everyone has challenges to overcome, and barriers to break through to create their more ideal life.
To promote my website and do something challenging and fun while raising money for a great cause, I started a new project: A Virtual Run Over To Ellen’s - Running 1,222.25 miles from my home in Montana to the Warner Brother’s Studios in Burbank CA to the Ellen TV Show. This means I’ll be running an average of 36 miles a week for 34 weeks here in my hometown.
The challenge: to run 36 miles a week for 34 weeks! I had just come off a back injury that kept me from running for over two months, and I was having a hard time breaking through that mental barrier at the 3 to 4 mile mark. So needless to say, this became a big challenge for me and since starting 7 weeks ago, I have moved well beyond my comfort zone into arenas I could never have imagined.
The fun part…Well, so far that’s been getting interviewed by the local media, and ultimately the adventure of it all will lead to me getting on the Ellen TV Show! Or Ellen Degeneres tickets to a taping of the show.
The inspiring part…That would be being able to do just a little good in the world, by raising $30,000 for Guide Dogs for the Blind. That’s something I would have never attempted while I had my eyesight. I couldn’t have imagined trying to start this grassroots effort to get 30,000 people to each donate $1.00 to do a tremendously good thing. And if you haven’t donated your $1 yet, just click on the green and purple FirstGiving widget in the sidebar to donate.
Anyway, my point is that my vision problems made it impossible for me to stay in my comfort zone, and forced me onto a path that allowed me to think outside my comfort zone…at the same time doing some good in the world.
And all of this gives me a reason to keep running, even when it’s difficult for me to see the trail. I’m more determined than ever to overcome my obstacles and breaking through the barriers my vision loss has put up.
So no matter what you are struggling with right now, you too can decide to make the changes necessary. Go deep inside yourself and make the choice to envision a new reality for yourself and start on the path to a new life where you are the star of your own show! (…and the crowd goes WILD! They Start POURING Out of The Stands!!! ) Why Not?
When Mary offered to create a poem to promote my Run Over To Ellen’s Fundraising Project, I honestly had no idea what to expect…so imagine my surprise when we got this incredibly perceptive portrait of the project and myself…
Thank you so much, Mary! Words can’t express how special this is. I think T said it best: “Wow!”
A blind runner creating a new vision for life
Had an incredible vision one day
To push herself out of her own comfort zone
While doing great good along the way.
Her name’s Vision Runner and although eyesight is lost
Her vision is clear as can be
Guide Dogs for the Blind, her passionate cause
Run over to Ellen’s – yes be on TV.
Thirty thousand the goal to help those in need
For safety, independence and trust
One thousand two hundred twenty two miles, the distance she’ll run
Your financial support is a must.
Thirty six miles each week she’ll run with white cane
Her courage gives goosebumps to all
Despite the terrain, the weather, fatigue
She knows she is answering the call.
A website has she to inspire and share
The challenges with RP she must face
but she knows The Secret to creating her life
With humor, positivity and grace.
So join in the fun you’ll be thrilled that you did
We only need 30,000 people to donate $1 each so click here to donate your $1 and then forward it on to everyone you know….This is one of those projects where we each can contribute a little and together do a World of Good!
I'd like to donate a cuppa coffee to Vision Runner, as I understand that all that running and writing requires a great deal of strength and energy and focus......
###################
I'd like to send Vision Runner $10.00 so that she can get a gift card for her favorite coffee establishment.
#################
I'm feeling very creative and I don't want to be inhibited by someone else's choices. I'm going to pick my own dollar amount...cause what if I want it to end with 46 cents or something?
####################
What about me? I need some for me..... (Go ahead. Order some for yourself, why don't ya?)
Which begs the question…who truly has the vision and insight?
