Blind and Visually Impaired Community
↑
19
↓
What are some good sports, activities, and hobbies? (self.Blind)
submitted by trees202
My very young niece is going to be losing her vision. My sister just found out and is very upset about it.
I'm wondering what are some good activities, sports, and hobbies that she can enjoy while sighted and still enjoy after she loses her sight?
Obviously, she can do whatever she wants to do as she grows up, but just wondering if there are things that will adapt well.
I was a competitive swimmer growing up and I think that might work? So I was thinking of buying her swim lessons.
Really good competitive swimmers don't use their sight to stay in their lane and they know how many strokes it takes them to get to the end of the pool, so you don't need to see the wall! However, I don't know how jarring it would be to someone to be in that situation with very limited sight.
Any other suggestions in addition to sport swimming?
Again, I know she can do whatever she wants to do, I'm just trying to get a list of things we should make sure we try! Things she can continue to enjoy once her sight is gone.
My sister's sister in law lost her sight as a teenager and really did not adapt well. Decades later she's very depressed and my sister is worried her daughter will end up the same way. (I realize that's probably an offensive viewpoint, and not necessarily the case, but that is the only VI person she knows and they JUST got the diagnosis. I think she will come around once the shock wears off.)
I'm wondering what are some good activities, sports, and hobbies that she can enjoy while sighted and still enjoy after she loses her sight?
Obviously, she can do whatever she wants to do as she grows up, but just wondering if there are things that will adapt well.
I was a competitive swimmer growing up and I think that might work? So I was thinking of buying her swim lessons.
Really good competitive swimmers don't use their sight to stay in their lane and they know how many strokes it takes them to get to the end of the pool, so you don't need to see the wall! However, I don't know how jarring it would be to someone to be in that situation with very limited sight.
Any other suggestions in addition to sport swimming?
Again, I know she can do whatever she wants to do, I'm just trying to get a list of things we should make sure we try! Things she can continue to enjoy once her sight is gone.
My sister's sister in law lost her sight as a teenager and really did not adapt well. Decades later she's very depressed and my sister is worried her daughter will end up the same way. (I realize that's probably an offensive viewpoint, and not necessarily the case, but that is the only VI person she knows and they JUST got the diagnosis. I think she will come around once the shock wears off.)
ukifrit 11 points 1y ago
There is Paralympic swimming and it has a class for the blind. Judo is another alternative with a Paralympic equivalent. I think all the Athletics stuff have classes for the blind too.
If you guys know she will surely become blind in the future, you can try to find a school for the blind to teach her how to use a screen reader with computers and phones, how to use a cane and other mobility skills and so on.
If you guys know she will surely become blind in the future, you can try to find a school for the blind to teach her how to use a screen reader with computers and phones, how to use a cane and other mobility skills and so on.
NovisGames 7 points 1y ago
As partially blind I can tell you i’ve practiced swimming, horse riding, judo, rowing, showdown, torball and soccer ,whatever she wants, I think the only limit could be teams and structures nearby there
OldManOnFire 5 points 1y ago
Swimming is great! I was a competitive swimmer in college, but I hadn't lost my vision back then.
You didn't mention her age so she might not be ready for this yet, but water skiing is a lot of fun.
My wife and I have a tandem bicycle. If your niece has a friend to ride with a tandem is a good way to exercise.
You didn't mention her age so she might not be ready for this yet, but water skiing is a lot of fun.
My wife and I have a tandem bicycle. If your niece has a friend to ride with a tandem is a good way to exercise.
trees202 [OP] 5 points 1y ago
Oh my goodness! My sister will absolutely LOVE the tandem bicycle idea. (Hopefully niece will end up liking it too! Lol)
She's super young right now, so not there yet, just brainstorming. Thank you!
She's super young right now, so not there yet, just brainstorming. Thank you!
vwlsmssng 4 points 1y ago
Tandem cycling can be done by small people either on a "$1" or by adapting a normal tandem with "$1".
A tag-along bike is a cheaper alternative to a tandem but the ride experience is substandard for all involved.
If too small / young to pedal then child seats and trailers get kids out on cycle rides to appreciate the outdoor and social aspects of cycling.
As an adult they may then go in the direction of touring or racing on tandems, or what many VI tandem cyclists I know do is go out on an evening ride each week that takes in a public house and pint of beer, and with fish and chips on special occasions.
A tag-along bike is a cheaper alternative to a tandem but the ride experience is substandard for all involved.
If too small / young to pedal then child seats and trailers get kids out on cycle rides to appreciate the outdoor and social aspects of cycling.
As an adult they may then go in the direction of touring or racing on tandems, or what many VI tandem cyclists I know do is go out on an evening ride each week that takes in a public house and pint of beer, and with fish and chips on special occasions.
DannyMTZ956 4 points 1y ago
There are attachments like carseats that can go behind a bike, to start her into biking.
trees202 [OP] 3 points 1y ago
Water skiing is a great idea too. Not something their family has done before, but very adventurous and definitely something mom and dad would love to do with the kids.
Again, she's super young, but I think being able to point out activities like this is going to help mom, dad, and big brother with how the future could look.
(As long as she WANTS to do that when she gets older. My timid son would absolutely HATE it lol my daughter would love it though!)
Again, she's super young, but I think being able to point out activities like this is going to help mom, dad, and big brother with how the future could look.
(As long as she WANTS to do that when she gets older. My timid son would absolutely HATE it lol my daughter would love it though!)
OldManOnFire 3 points 1y ago
Maybe there's something age appropriate for your niece in here -
$1
And even if the activities are too grown up for her, the concept of creating visual memories while it's still possible is a good starting point.
$1
And even if the activities are too grown up for her, the concept of creating visual memories while it's still possible is a good starting point.
aakantha 4 points 1y ago
I am a steers for a dragon boat team. We have a blind person in our team, he told me it’s one of the sports blind people can be great at.
CosmicBunny97 3 points 1y ago
I'm focusing more on the blind side of things, but some sports include tandem cycling, goalball, blind soccer and football, blind baseball etc. There's a lot out there that can be adapted. Look up Anastasia Pegonez, she won gold in the Tokyo Paralympics for swimming. But most importantly, what does she enjoy now? No point forcing her into doing something she doesn't like just because she's going blind, I feel like that would only create resentment and make her struggle mentally.
trees202 [OP] 1 points 1y ago
She doesn't enjoy anything now. Well, probably colors and music! Shes pretty little. I was hoping to get some ideas of things we can introduce her to as she grows and if she ends up liking it, she won't have to give it up later.
My sister's SIL lost her sight and was really devastated by how her life changed. She's really depressed and isn't doing well. I'm thinking if niece gets into things that she can do sighted and easily transition to a non-sighted version of the same activity, that might help when she does lose her sight.
My sister's SIL lost her sight and was really devastated by how her life changed. She's really depressed and isn't doing well. I'm thinking if niece gets into things that she can do sighted and easily transition to a non-sighted version of the same activity, that might help when she does lose her sight.
CosmicBunny97 2 points 1y ago
I'm sorry to hear that your sister is struggling with her own sight loss. Is there any hobbies she can do and groups she can participate in? Just because you lost your eyesight doesn't mean you're bound to a depressing life. I'm a lot happier now that I'm blind compared to when I could see - I've done tandem cycling, I enjoy cooking, I volunteer, just to name a few activities. Definitely encourage the music, I've got friends who are DJs and music producers and think of the famous blind musicians out there. Read to her and encourage audio books, maybe even little things that both your sister and niece can get involved in like gardening. Or even crafts (maybe when your niece is a little older) - things like finger knitting, for example, or clay sculpting.
MahinaK 3 points 1y ago
GOAL BALL
Nature_Green 3 points 1y ago
For biking you can use one of these depending on her age.
http://velotarier.be/assets/files/volgmij.jpg
Or
https://www.fietsersbond.be/sites/default/files/aanhangfiets_cc_dolanh.jpg
I'm a running buddy myself. I run 10k or more with a friend who has tunnelvision. He just holds my arm while running.
http://velotarier.be/assets/files/volgmij.jpg
Or
https://www.fietsersbond.be/sites/default/files/aanhangfiets_cc_dolanh.jpg
I'm a running buddy myself. I run 10k or more with a friend who has tunnelvision. He just holds my arm while running.
Amazing_Ad7386 2 points 1y ago
Outside of sports music is definitely one of the best hobbies to pick up as a blind person, if she's into that.
SoapyRiley 2 points 1y ago
In my life, I’ve found that I haven’t had to change much except for stopping driving and many others have pointed out that many video games are not accessible. So basically, find things besides video games & have her drive everything she can young so she doesn’t feel like she’s totally missing out on the driving aspect. I grew up driving go karts and lawn mowers and mini bikes and then a car and by the time I hit 25, it wasn’t fun anymore because all I did was sit in traffic.
I’ve kept up with all my hobbies: reading, hiking, camping, kayaking, swimming, sewing, crochet and gardening. They’ve just required slightly different techniques as my vision deteriorated.
The best thing y’all can do is teach her problem solving skills. Then, frankly, she can do whatever she wants because she’ll figure out a way to negate or minimize her need for visual input in any task.
I’ve kept up with all my hobbies: reading, hiking, camping, kayaking, swimming, sewing, crochet and gardening. They’ve just required slightly different techniques as my vision deteriorated.
The best thing y’all can do is teach her problem solving skills. Then, frankly, she can do whatever she wants because she’ll figure out a way to negate or minimize her need for visual input in any task.
DwightConrad 2 points 1y ago
I would say sports that don’t require active hand eye coordination. For instance, bowling, darts, archery etc. these are sports where it’s more muscle memory based than it is actively catching a ball etc.
bradley22 2 points 1y ago
What about judo? I’ve got a bit of a belly now, but when I was younger I enjoyed it.
PromiscuousAlien 2 points 1y ago
My best friend does triathlons, marathons, and even mountain bikes! He has severe tunnel vision. Before he lost his sight he was extremely active. So when he lost his sight he stopped everything. When I met him I introduced him to running. He follows right behind me. Then he got too fast lol. Swims with a guide. Tandem rides. He also does weight lifting.
SiriuslyGranger 2 points 1y ago
I would say also get the child some intervention when and if possible and training on cane and other skills as a blind person.
LandLovingFish 1 points 1y ago
I used to swim as well and as a low vision swimmer i can confirm- the only time i had to worry about sight was during backstroke (but i also tended to drift a bit if there werent lane lines).
I have heard of lind and low vision people doing track but that does come with some logistics to go through like knowing the track and having someone to make sure you dont run into a wall.
I actually sometimes make use of a hat loom and yarn- it takes a few tries to get used to it and figure out how everything works but it's a fun hobby and most of the time as long as i catch any knots in the wrong place its quite fun, thoguh again it might be something for when your neice is older.
Other hobbies that invovle a lot of touch are good too, though- for example playing an instrument doesnt require sight you just need an instrument. I personally play a nnumber of them and though reading sheet music can be hard it is possible to learn by ear and messing around on the instrument if you cant see the notes on the page. (Some string instrument like a violin or viola also have things you can add to them to keep your bow in line for added help)
I have heard of lind and low vision people doing track but that does come with some logistics to go through like knowing the track and having someone to make sure you dont run into a wall.
I actually sometimes make use of a hat loom and yarn- it takes a few tries to get used to it and figure out how everything works but it's a fun hobby and most of the time as long as i catch any knots in the wrong place its quite fun, thoguh again it might be something for when your neice is older.
Other hobbies that invovle a lot of touch are good too, though- for example playing an instrument doesnt require sight you just need an instrument. I personally play a nnumber of them and though reading sheet music can be hard it is possible to learn by ear and messing around on the instrument if you cant see the notes on the page. (Some string instrument like a violin or viola also have things you can add to them to keep your bow in line for added help)
JMMSpartan91 1 points 1y ago
Bowling and darts both have blind leagues.
Blind (or sound ball) tennis is a thing.
Blind (or sound ball) tennis is a thing.
Wulflord104 1 points 1y ago
I'm not sure about good sighted activities but I will always sing goalball's praises when I can, it's really fun and active
Also beep kickball is a cool sport to play
I just learned about blind soccer this last year the sky is the limit honestly
Also beep kickball is a cool sport to play
I just learned about blind soccer this last year the sky is the limit honestly
[deleted] 1 points 1y ago
[removed]
myblindcoach 0 points 1y ago
We have helped TONS of individuals and families like yours during this transitional period. And yes your niece can still enjoy many active sports and even going on to be a Paralympic Athlete! My biggest suggestion would be to get her to start learning echolocation and perceptual development. This will help her gain her independence and become more confident in her own abilities.
You can check out our website www.myblindcoach.com to learn more about Echolocation and can even learn from Brian Bushway the World’ Best Blind Mountain Biker who learned this ability from Daniel Kish. Most importantly you can just talk with some of our coaches who have been through this transition and can help guide your niece and sister in the right direction.
You can check out our website www.myblindcoach.com to learn more about Echolocation and can even learn from Brian Bushway the World’ Best Blind Mountain Biker who learned this ability from Daniel Kish. Most importantly you can just talk with some of our coaches who have been through this transition and can help guide your niece and sister in the right direction.
This nonprofit website is run by volunteers.
Please contribute if you can. Thank you!
Our mission is to provide everyone with access to large-
scale community websites for the good of humanity.
Without ads, without tracking, without greed.
scale community websites for the good of humanity.
Without ads, without tracking, without greed.
©2023 HumbleCat Inc • HumbleCat is a 501(c)3 nonprofit based in Michigan, USA.