Loss of Sight Not of Vision

Newton, MA

We had an incredible experience the other day working with campers from The Carroll Center for the Blind. The patience, effort and courage these teenagers showed in trying archery (many of them for the first time) was inspiring for my team and I to be a part of.

Whenever the topic comes up about teaching at the Perkins School for the Blind or The Carroll Center for the Blind, the subject immediately causes people to pause and wonder if it is serious? "Wait, you're doing archery with people who can't see?!" is probably the most common reaction we get.

The interesting thing is that our teaching style and structure of the class is adaptive, but it is not too much different from a standard program we run in many public and private schools. Our safety briefing, fundamental skill review and practice rounds are virtually the same; the beginning just involves more hands on coordination to help the archer load the bow and understand the importance of posture. After a few rounds with the instructor 1 on 1, some students are able to nock the arrow (load) independently and only need guidance on left and right alignment once they draw back the bowstring.

Like any athlete, and especially those who participate in form sports like #golf and #archery, muscle memory plays a huge part in their success. If the archer can feel that their body is in position, the execution of the shot itself just becomes a matter of repetition, 'the mother of skill.'

Archery is one of the few all-inclusive sports where the emotions of excitement, enthusiasm and happiness that come with hearing an arrow make that distinctive 'thud' upon impact of the target give participants of all backgrounds a physical feeling of achievement and satisfaction that lasts well after the session has ended.  #lossofsightnotofvision #blindnessandbullseyes #recreation #activeliving #teaching #inspiration #motivation #empowerment