Hurdling their handicap
At specially designed track meet, these athletes prove blindness is no barrier
WATERTOWN - Toward the end of the 75-yard dash, Ruben Tavares, 18, of the New York Institute of Special Education briefly lets go of the guide wires that allow the blind to run freely.
Tavares and nearly 100 other teenage athletes who are blind or visually impaired were all champions at a recent Eastern Athletic Association for the Blind track and field meet at the Perkins School for the Blind. The Globe asked the young athletes what images they picture as they compete.
''In my mind, I see my opponent running side by side with me and some people with stopwatches and more people at the finish line,'' says Tavares. ''I can tell it's pretty here - I hear the leaves. There's a lot of trees and it's clean, compared to New York. The only bad thing is there's a lot of Red Sox fans here [laughs].
''During the race, I heard the guy in front of me. I heard his footsteps. It motivated me to go a little faster.
''Running, oh wow. It's so important. It challenges my body. I also wrestle. Some people underestimate blind people - that they can't strive to do other things. We can.''
Runners used tethers guide wires to compete in the dashes and guides to run in the longer races. Competition is fierce, but good sportsmanship abounds. The day ended with a dinner dance and award ceremony.
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Miranda Oakley, 17
Perkins School for the Blind
Other kids used to make fun of Miranda Oakley when she was in middle school because she's blind. They mocked her when she wanted to run. But she wouldn't let those cruel, shortsighted kids stop her.
She finished first in the 75-yard dash at the Perkins meet.
''Sports is really important to me, because when I was in public school there was a totally different environment,'' says Oakley as she receives high-fives from teammates and friends. ''Here, everyone is similar and we all can relate. We all have sports that are modified for our abilities.'' She only wishes the kids who mocked her years ago and lowered her self-esteem could see her run.
''Lots of times when a sighted person sees a white cane they think, 'Oh my God' and they get tense,'' says Oakley, who attends the Perkins School. ''They get very afraid and very shy, and it takes a lot for me to go, 'Hey, I'm normal, what's up?' So I think it's good when they can come here and see this and experience it firsthand. It's kind of an eye-opener and they can go back and say, 'Wow, they're just like us.'''
Oakley wants to become a lawyer to defend people against discrimination.
''I believe a lot in self-advocacy and breaking the barrier between sighted and blind individuals,'' she says.
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Deondra Forest, 16
New York Institute for Special Education
''During the race, I fell. I could hear everybody yelling, 'Run, run.' The other girl was moving side to side. I fell and it hurt. I skinned my knee. I was freezing and I just wanted to go inside, but I'm OK.
''I run every day at school. I just do track to stay fit. It's sort of fun. I want to be a pediatrician. I know I have visual loss, but I can do anything anybody else does.''
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Heather Sprague, 20
Perkins School for the Blind
''When I ran in the wheelchair, I'm thinking about my breath. I'm worried I won't get control of it. The people at Perkins really like me and I can hear them yelling. I feel like I need the crowd so I can go faster. Today, I'm happy. I don't sit in a stuffy room. I compete. I interacted with the team. Cheering for my friends makes me feel free, happy, and alive.
''I don't like being in a wheelchair. That takes away from me running. I wheel in a chair but that feels like running to me. It's relaxing, but at the same time it's scary because you can't see the lanes. I ask people where things are.
''Marla Runyan [a visually impaired Olympic athlete] came here. She inspired me to run. She said, 'If you don't run, I will hurt you.' And today if she were here, I picture her in my mind yelling, 'Come on, Heather, come on. Breathe.' And I could, even though my lungs hurt.''
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Shawn Chiddick, 14
New York Institute for Special Education
''I'm 20/200 in both eyes. They used to make fun of me. Some dudes were asking if I was high, or something stupid like that. I ignored them and walked away. On this team, we stick together. I see better than some kids and I try to help them. They're cool people.''
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Brandon Ginther, 19
Perkins School for the Blind
''I can see colors and shapes and trouble. I just got through the toughest event, the 220. If I did well, I think we'll get a medal. I can't tell you how important that is. Yesterday, I had trouble getting here from my home in Rochester, N.Y., and I had three flight delays and my flight was canceled and I've got a head cold and my ears are clogged. I had a feeling God was mocking me.
''This thing means everything to me. I'm the same runner as, say, Bill Rodgers, but he can stay in his lane and I can't. I tend to weave all over the place, that's why I need a guide. He did slow me down because he's so big, but without him, I would have gotten disqualified.
''I didn't used to think I was handicapped but now I think so. I wanted to join the Navy Seals and help people, but I can't do that. But I want to be a psychologist. Think of all the teens I can save from suicide.''
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Katie Condo, 17
Perkins School for the Blind
''I tried my hardest today in softball [throw] and I had a blast. A lot of what this tournament is about is teamwork. I have eyes and they have legs, and we just help each other out. And now that my event is done, I'm basically a coat rack [laughs].
''I'm doing the best I can. I'm listening to people and cheering for my friends. What a blast. Winning would be great. I haven't had as many smiles on my face like I have today. I haven't screamed so much in my life.''
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Arcelia Torres, 16
Overbrook School for the Blind of Pennsylvania - reacting to hearing the shot put knocking the tape out of the scorer's hand with her toss.
''I can't believe I threw the shot put that far. Did I hit him? I think I did hit him. I'm sorry; I didn't think it would go so far. I imagine someone I hate and aim for him. Today, I really had a lot of anger. And all of a sudden I let it go. I'm from the City of Brotherly Love, but that's just a slogan.
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Donn Buie,16
Overbrook School for the Blind of Pennsylvania
''I could see until I was 7. Now I picture the whole world through like a see-through [gauze]. It's hard to explain. I can't see any subject. When I start running, I turn my mind off and only focus on the finish. I clear my mind. I don't pay attention to someone running beside me. I run until somebody says stop.
''The guide wire was metal and it was real hot. Basically it burned my hand. I tripped once but I was taught by the coaches to never slow down. I didn't know I won but I didn't feel crowded, and I didn't sense somebody near me.
''[The volunteers] told me they yelled stop 20 times but I didn't hear them. I finished first, which is pretty good. I'm going to get the medal and show it to my mom. In college I'm going to specialize in the Special Olympics.'' 