Mammoth Cave, Visual Impairment & International Triathlon Union

This is a GREAT blog.  well written with reserach to back it up.  Thanks Selena

Ever been to a cave? It’d be a great time to go this week with the heat index as it is! Okay… so caves are cool, but something else… caves are also a sensory challenge. I did a girl’s trip this last May to Mammoth Cave. We spent 4 hours many feet under the ground. Can you appreciate the darkness in Mammoth Cave from my photo? A single experience in Mammoth Cave has me thinking about the International Triathlon Union, the USA Triathlon and Aaron Scheidies, PT.

I’m jumping ahead of myself… the cave… when we first entered the cave and were all the way inside the cave, I had a really weird experience. I could see, but my vision was impaired by the darkness. I couldn’t see the ground. My daughter was just a shadow to my right (and she was like 2 feet from me). She was freaked enough initially that she had to hold onto my arm. Of course, there were other people doing the same cave tour, but I couldn’t see any of them clearly and basically kind of saw moving shapes. And the moving shapes weren’t crisp. Because I couldn’t see the ground, I was really, really using proprioception from my feet working with my vestibular system to keep me from falling. The ground wasn’t smooth – it was bumpy and there were dips and there were inclined areas and there were declined areas. There wasn’t anyone mentioning if the ground felt slippery or exactly which direction the ground was sloping or if there were little bumps of rocks. Somehow my brain was quickly processing this information and allowing me to remain upright as I walked. Initially, the experience made me think about some of the patients I treat and their visual impairments and their balance. And then, of course, because I’m a geek… I even started contemplating patients I have treated who have both visual deficits AND peripheral neuropathy. I realized just how much I take for granted without even realizing it! A lightbulb moment occurred: I have a better understanding of how difficult mobility and function can be for individuals with these types of issues. The experience provided me with a better grasp of the real fear of falling these people express to me.

Aaron Scheidies, PT is from Michigan and practices in Washington, I think. He’s been an athlete pretty much all his life. He inherited Stargardt’s disease from his parents. Stargardt’s disease is similar to macular degeneration. If you google him, you don’t find much about his physical therapy career, but you do find another passion. He is an elite athlete and competes in triathlons.  When I say “elite,” I mean elite. I can’t imagine what it would be like to compete in triathlons and win 6 world championships and 7 national ones. (Maybe one day I’ll meet Aaron and I’ll ask him exactly how that kind of accomplishment feels!) Based on the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Council of Ophthalmology classification system, Aaron’s visual deficit would be considered profound low vision (20/500). What this means is that Aaron can see something at 20 feet that those of us with “normal” vision can actually see at 500 feet.

The Mammoth Cave experience impacted me even more than I thought. When I read about Aaron battling the USA Triathlon’s enforcement of a rule set by the International Triathlon Union, it gave me reason to pause and critically think. This rule mandates all visually impaired athletes (visual acuity of 20/200 or worse) to wear black out glasses during the full portion of the run. It is quite apparent the International Triathlon Union highly values “fairness.” To a certain extent, I can appreciate the value of “fairness.” At the same time, even though black out glasses seem to equate the playing field for that division of athletes, is it really the right thing to do? Since this blog values evidence, I figured I’d share my findings on this particular topic of black out glasses for the visually impaired athletes competing in triathlons.

The standardized description of the cutoff point for defining visually impaired triathletes (20/200) is difficult for me to perceive, so I dragged my husband out and had him help me with a little experiment to better grasp what 20/200 visual acuity means. In the first photo, Scott is standing 200 feet from me. And in the second photo, he is 20 feet from me. (The zoom level is the same in both photos, so obviously I snapped the 20 foot distance first.)

By walking out in our yard, doing this AND seeing just how far 200 feet was and imagining a visual deficit of that degree, I think some of the research I found made complete sense to me. Now, honestly, there isn’t much research out there with triathletes on this particular topic of visual impairment and black out glasses. An odds ratio of pedestrian-motor vehicle collision for children who have abnormal vision is 4.25. I realize Aaron isn’t a child, but when one considers the speed of vehicles and his inability to see great distances, it seems logical that he could more easily be hit by an oncoming car than me. Now, the one thing I am very unsure of… training. If the rules mandate black out glasses, and the athletes also train in them (thinking specificity of training), this rule purposefully eliminates light perception which logically would increase the risk of serious injury in a population of people already at an increased risk.

Okay, you could argue that perspective is whacked because the likelihood of a person who is visually impaired going out for a run independently is probably slim to none. I understand there would be a guide and a tether. So, maybe not a pedestrian-motor vehicle accident, but thinking about the cave… ever been in a cave when ALL the lights were turned off? Zero light? Seriously, it’s a very scary feeling – shuffling your feet, putting your hands out in front of yourself and moving slowly and actually feeling somewhat unsteady. Is it reasonable to mandate these athletes put themselves into a blind situation? This kind of situation screams of disaster and injury.

Interestingly, in looking at WHO data, 14% of those with visual impairments are completely blind. The rest of those with visual impairments have some degree of light perception. I could not find any data depicting the number of athletes competing who are completely blind.  I will assume it is a very, very small percentage.

I happened upon an ongoing debate. The use of technology was questioned in paralympic sports and continues to be questioned. I got lucky and actually found an article written by a colleague of a friend of mine in Australia. Dr. Brendan Burkett shared a paper he authored on the debate occurring in paralympic sport – that fine line between whether the technology is essential or whether it is enhancing performance.

All sorts of technology is used by athletes – and often times that technology does end up enhancing their performance. The division of athletes with visual impairments is having the opposite sort of occurrence. The ruling creates a situation where these athletes will be required to only depend on proprioceptive and vestibular inputs when they compete. Sure, over time, there may be neurophysiological changes that occur in their brains to adapt to a complete loss of vision (well, IF they wore the darn black out glasses 100% of the time). Is it truly reasonable to mandate a rule that immediately puts an athlete at a disadvantage and at an injury risk, especially when only a very, very small percentage of competing athletes are blind? And is the playing field truly more fair and equal between the visually impaired competitors? Don’t the athletes who are blind now have an advantage because of neuroplasticity in their brains that have adapted to no light perception?

Wouldn’t it be both more fair and safer to just create subcategories within the visual impairment division? Creating subcategories truly allows each athlete to compete with all his/her abilities.

Best wishes to you, Aaron. I hope you are able to safely compete with ALL the talent and ability you do have in the Nautica New York City Triathlon on August 7th. I’m sorry rules and decisions were made with a high focus on creating a perception of equality between all of you in the visual impairment division instead of considering evidence and determining risk/benefit ratios. I will definitely be checking online for results and cheering for you – both your athletic ability AND your courage to fight for safety for athletes.

Feels Good to Make a Difference

 

Over the past 6-8 months I have been coaching and mentoring a few friends.  I just realized today how proud of them I am.  It is crazy how much they have improved and it makes me feel good inside to be able to make a difference in something that they put a lot of time and effort into.  I tell them that they did it not me.  You get what you put in and a little extra direction just keeps you on the right path. 

 My boy Tanner went from 20min to 14:30 in his 1,000yd swim and is beginning to catch me on the bike.  Stephanie is a freak of nature that is oblivious to how good she really is.  She did her first 70.3 triathlon at Lake Stevens and went 5:07 to qualify for Worlds in only her 5^th triathlon.  Then she went to Clearwater Worlds 70.3 and went a 4:22 putting her in the top 10 for females.  Last but not least we have Ardie who cut ¼ of her time off her 50yd freestyle going from 1:00 to 43sec.  She won’t admit it but she is beginning to look like a fish in the water.  Keep up the good work kiddos and let me continue to direct you in the right direction.

Top 5 Aaron Blunders of 2009

I was just thinking back about 2009 and how many great moments there were.  I’m not talking about any triathlon wins or anything like that.  I am talking about Aaron Blunders.  Here is what I came up with. 

Biggest Aaron blunders of 2009 
#5   Accidently walking back into a secure area at St. Louis airport.   TSA officer responded as if I was wanted for murder. 

#4   Left resort in Jamaica to explore downtown Montego Bay.  Nearly got attacked by a knife guy.   Thankfully we were saved by a local Jamaican. “ya mon”   

#3.  Misread the theme for National Disability Awareness Month.  I based my whole talk at NASA on my own theme.  

#2.  Overslept flight in AUS. Paid over $1,000 for a new domestic flight which cost more than my entire Round trip flight.   

#1   Biking down a flight of 10 steps accidently on the campus of UW and still living to tell about it.

A Victory Before the Victory

               You may know, every year I go to New York for the NYC Triathlon.  You may not know that every year I also go to New York City for the Central Park Underwear run.  They just happen to be on the same weekend and put on by the same people.  This year marked my 4^th Underwear Run appearance and I was super excited because this year’s event had a theme of Jamaica.  The best Jamaican costume (as well as underwear) would win a free trip for 2 to Jamaica.  Once I heard about the contest, it was on. 

              I immediately got my thinking cap on and brainstormed the most obnoxious and eye-catching costume out there.  My first thought was to borrow the double baby stroller of race director and friend John Korff, turn it into a bobsled, put his two little kids into it and then run around pushing them in it.  This idea got flushed down the pooper real quick.  Next, I found some Jamaican flag “boy shorts” online that were super awesome and would definitely steer a few eyes their way.  As I placed my order I got to the shipping cost and it turns out they would be coming directly from Jamaica.  Shipping alone would be $65.  That idea was a no go as well.  As I dug further on the web I finally found the perfect costume.  It was a giant Rasta Man parade head with dreadlocks, a Rasta hat and the most enormous face you will ever see.  He was a for sure “yes”.  Rasta Man was coming along good but I needed accessories as well as the all important whitie tighties.  Jamaican’s love tie-dye, or is that hippies?  Either way, I found some tie-dye briefs and couldn’t pass them up.  I then found Rasta wristbands, a headband and Rasta shoelaces.  I arranged to have a boom box playing the tunes of legend Bob Marley as well.  The costume was all set, or so I thought. 

            I arrived in NYC early Friday morning to find out that my tie-dye briefs didn’t make it and my Rasta man face came broken in the mail.  It was a frantic chase for substitutions.  Rasta man was the “money item” and there was no way we could leave him out.  His face got taped back together like Humpty Dumpty and he was as good as new.  After long pondering sessions, we decided we would paint a big Jamaican flag on the back of some nice clean whitie tighties.  Agent Carrie Goldberg got the honors of painting the flag.  Oh, the many jobs of a sports agent!  

              When the artwork was finished, I was ready to perform on the big stage.  At 6pm we headed over to Tavern on the Green to meet up with the NYC TRI girls and of course the infamous Naked Cowboy.  We took a bunch of pics and then headed to the start line where there were nearly 1,000 people making a scene in their undies.  My costume was definitely not the most safe and comfortable of the bunch but sometimes you gotta take one for the team to win a trip to Jamaica.  Rasta Man had a small hole to look out of but it was pretty much worthless because it didn’t line up with my face.  I had to hold guide Jenny Fletcher’s hand the entire time.  I looked like a total goof and was loving every minute of it. 

              There were many other great outfits including a large bunch calling themselves the Annapolis crabs.  There was also Usain Bolt “look not alike” who ended up running around saying “am I going the right way?”  Probably the biggest competition for the contest was a woman with a Jamaican swimsuit and fruit basket named “Jamaican Me Crazy.”  The two girls in the box walking around and calling themselves a bobsled team were a good after thought but they took the underwear out of the underwear run. 

              When it was all said and done a new record would go in the Guinness Book of World Record for the largest group assembled to run in their underwear.  Oh yeah and one more thing.  I’m going to Jamaica!!!!!  Rasta Man Jamaica or Bust was voted the best costume!

Folk Life Seattle

So, a few weeks ago there was a Folk Life festival in Seattle and I decided to check it out.  I expected to see a lot of kilts, bagpipes, accordions, goofy hats and Celtic dancing but I didn’t expect to see what I saw.  Well, actually my friends were giving me the play by play as more and more odd characters appeared around us.  Before giving specific examples I will give trends that we noted by multiple appearances.  One of these trends was a male with no shirts on when the weather was in the low 60’s.  I don’t think that is a folk custom but I will check.  Next, were males dressed in tights and wearing skirts.  Many wearing tights that had purple or pink stripes.  Again, I don’t think this is a folk custom but I will check.  Yet another trend dyed hair of all shades and designs.  These were some of the trends but now lets get into some of the good stuff, individual examples.   One guy put on a mask with a stream of different colored locks extending down his back to dress like Rafiki in the Lion King.  He even walked around with a walking stick to fit the part closer.  Another person looked as though they had been stabbed with a machete knife through their head, but in reality it was just one of those Halloween accessories.  Again, how this relates to folk life I have no idea.  While sitting on the lawn watching a band with a giant panda dancing on stage with them, we noticed a large group of people circled around juggling bowling pins as if they were in the circus.  Right near them was a 65+ man with no shirt on dancing as though he was 25 and at a rave.  We even saw some crowd surfing at various concerts, which was not something I would associate with folk life.

The stage performers seemed to play the part better.  As I expected, there were accordions abound and even some bagpipes, banjos and flutes.  Many wore Celtic skirts and those goofy hats I spoke of earlier.  I will say I did enjoy the folk rock and folk punk bands although they sang so fast and with such an accent that I had no idea what they were saying.  The songs could have told a story or it could have been just a bunch of words.  I will never know.

Folk Life Seattle was another eye opening experience.  It was yet another opportunity for the people in Seattle to show their true colors.  It is at these events when you truly realize you have been cultured to the interests and styles of people around the world.  I believe everyone should attend one of these events.  If for nothing else at least to answer the looming question of, “There are people like that do that?”  If you have never seen the things I speak of on public display, you need to come to Seattle.  That is one great thing about this place.  No matter who you are or what you wear, there will be someone like you here!

I’m Alive But a Little Gimpy

The Xterra triathlon  at Fort Custer State Park is over and I am thankfully alive and hobbling.  Going into the race there had never been a blind/VI individual to compete in an Xterra triathlon on a tandem bike.  After getting knocked over, clipped by trees, breaking chains, riding with broken spokes poking me in the legs, twisting my ankle far past its limits and tripping and falling hard on the dirt and rocks on the run, I now know why I was the first to ever complete this feat. I am still alive and gimpy and want to thank you all for your prayers and thoughts.  I am sure your thoughts and prayers were the string that held me together and the drive that kept me going when nature tried to stop me. 

 Was it worth it?  Heck yeah!  This event pushed me too my limits of patients and resiliency.  It solidified my belief that anything is possible.  This race humbled me as a person and as an elite level triathlete.  No matter how long it was going to take or to what extreme we had to go to we were going to finish this race.  We didn’t finish first or anywhere close to it but we did prove something big to others and ourselves watching.  Anything is possible! 

 Now that the race is over we are tallying up the damages and there are quite a few.  The bike is in the hospital getting a complete overhaul.  The back wheel was completely shattered and the chain snapped twice.  Other minor damages are also being fixed.  As for me, I have a bum right ankle from severely tweaking it in the woods.  If not for my flimsy ankles it would be broken.  I think I bruised my tailbone, also known as the coccyx.  In addition I woke up this morning with a swollen left knee and a lot of pain in my right hip.  These all from unknown crashes and falls.  My guide finished with blood gushing down both legs from being impelled by the bike pedal.  He also had a swollen left knee from unknown crashes.  We both are covered with other random cuts and bruises but these are too many to go into detail.  No major fractures, concussions, deep wounds or injuries were sustained.  We will both be gimpy for a few days but will be back in business before you know it. 

Well, this is just a teaser for the full race report, which will come out on the Adventures page of my site. Stay tuned for the detailed report coming soon.  Also, real live video of Josh and I in action will be uploaded to Aaron Scheidies TV via YouTube as well.  Stay tuned!

Danger, WATCH YOURSELF!!

Well, some are calling me insane and yet others are praying for my insanity weekend.  No other blind/VI individual has done an Xterra triathlon on a tandem bike. The Mideast Regional Xterra Championship, like all Xterra triathlons include lake swims, traitorous mountain bike trails and rugged runs that weave through woods and over roots.  To my knowledge, there hasn’t been anyone that has tried one of these on a mountain bike tandem so this will be a first.  There is however one blind/VI individual more crazy than myself.  This guy does Xterra triathlons on a single bike with a sighted guide out in front calling commands.  I forgot this man’s name but I definitely want to meet that guy because he is the Man! 

Sunday’s race will definitely take me out of my comfort zone and create a bit of anxiety within me.  People ask me why I do it and I say, “If we have accomplished big feats but keep doing what we have already done than we are saying we are satisfied with mediocrity.  I need new challenges.  This may mean risk but I am willing to risk a lot of show there are no limitations to what anyone can do.”  No matter what you have been given or what has been taken away, the possabilities are endless.  That’s what Sunday will demonstrate!

 Until after Sunday, I am saying goodbye but always remember that anything is possible.  Also, remember to pray for my safety on Sunday as well (hahaha)

In the So-called Real World

After 27 years of living off the parents and working summer jobs to make ends meet, I have finally landed myself in the so-called real world.  Although I don’t really agree with the belief that only 9-5 jobs encompass “real world” work, at least now I won’t get harassed for being a bum.

Last Thursday April 30^th I started my professional practice as a physical therapist at the Anderson House skilled nursing facility in Shoreline, WA.  I am working for a great company in RehabCare and have been accepted and accommodated very well thus far.  I never thought that I would be working with the geriatric population but throughout school and clinicals the older people grew on me.   I feel as though I have a special ability to motivate them and relate to their issues.  I also see the impact that I can immediately have on their lives.  The appreciation that patients show for such simple things is very powerful.

Thus far, my job is awesome.  I work 3-3.5 days per week and then have the rest of the time to train and maintain a social life.  I can’t really complain too much with the schedule.  I will say that I am not nor will I ever be a fan of the ridiculous amount of documentation required for the job.  There is no way around it though so there’s no use dwelling on it.  Sometime you gotta do what you gotta do!

That’s all for this update. I will keep you updated on any new things that come up in my life or any impacting experiences that I have.  Hope you all are doing well and keep moving forward.  Love all of you that support me.  Thanks again!!!

PossAbilities and K Swiss HQ

K Swiss T ShirtSo I am back in LA and getting ready for another race.  This time we are changing things up a little and starting with the run and ending with the swim.  Some would call this a death trap but I look at it more like a challenge.  On Sunday I will be competing in the 7th Annual PossAbilities Reverse Triathlon.  PossAbilities is a non-profit organization run through Loma Linda University that creates opportunities for people ith physical challenges to do things never thought possible.  It is a great organization.   I met the PossAbilities staff while attending the Paralympic Nordic training camp in Sun Valley, ID earlier this year and loved their mission.  The race this Sunday was just going to be a fun little race, that is, until I found out that $2,000 goes to the winner and they pay 5 deep.  Knowing this, the tables have turned and I have my game face on.  Well, I don’t really have my game face on yet but it will by Sunday.

In the meantime, I am spending today (Friday) hanging out with my favorite K Swiss peeps Ivette Ramos and Erik Vervloet.  For lunch we went to some Italian place in Malibu but its not sitting so well with my stomach.  From there I followed them back to K Swiss HQ to catch up on all that is going on for the future of K Swiss running and triathlon.  They’ve got some killer new stuff coming out and I am super excited.  Also while here today I plan on designing some new clothing designs for the 2010 lines.  I am sure these will go over very will  with them.  Although my designs probably won’t get past the drafting and initial cut stage at least the groundwork will be set for the greatest fashion line the world has ever seen.Later today I wll go catch up with my good friends the Talberts in Calabasas, hopefully go for a dip in the pool and then hang out with my guide and former MSU triclubber John Severin  The weekend will be great and I will have more details come Monday when the race is over and I am hopefully $2,000 richer.

Breaking Out of the Comfort Zone

Over my years, I realize that we as humans create  a pattern of life in which we are comfortable and satisfied.  The thought of change spurs on anxiety and discomfort.  Although this comfort zone feels good at the time, it is not the path to success nor will we ever fulfill our full potential.  Success comes to those that break through the comfort zone and endure initial discomfort in exchange for life long success.  I found this poem that I believe explains this better than I ever could. 

 

My Comfort Zone

Author: Unknown

 

I used to have a comfort zone where I knew I wouldn’t fail.
The same four walls and busywork were really more like jail.
I longed so much to do the things I’d never done before,
But stayed inside my comfort zone and paced the same old floor.

I said it didn’t matter that I wasn’t doing much.
I said I didn’t care for things like commission checks and such.
I claimed to be so busy with the things inside the zone,
But deep inside I longed for something special of my own.

I couldn’t let my life go by just watching others win.
I held my breath; I stepped outside and let the change begin.
I took a step and with new strength I’d never felt before,
I kissed my comfort zone goodbye and closed and locked the door.

If you’re in a comfort zone, afraid to venture out,
Remember that all winners were at one time filled with doubt.
A step or two and words of praise can make your dreams come true.

Reach for your future with a smile; success is there for you