My little red tether is my anchor in running with my friends. A beautiful guide dog has been my tether/anchor in mobility and independence for 17 years: 1. Pantera 2. Cricket, and now my beautiful 3. Georgina (Georgie). A life of family and friends is my joy and anchor in life.

The human spirit is stronger than anything that can happen to it. CC Scott

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Reaching Out. Running. Retinitis Pigmentosa

With Retinitis Pigmentosa I get to reach out and include others in my  life.  Running is to be shared.  I recognize that this can be looked at two ways, and I see it as a real blessing that someone gets to be on the other end to listen to my chatter and I get to listen to theirs. 
Running has been a fun activity for me over the years.  I remember when my kids were little I would go to the track with my dad so I could follow the lines on the track.  Then, as my vision declined further I quit running.  I walked cautiously until my first guide dog in 1997, and then the caution was gone :).  I ran in 2000 with Steve when both my arms were broken (long story) for the first time with a tether.  It really kept me going during that summer.  I started running again last year regularly thanks to my friend , Shannon.   We have had so much fun running (including 2 - 1/2 marathons, a 10K, a 5K).  Right now, I am running with my friend, Brenda and really enjoying getting to know her better.  Steve and I also enjoy running together.  This past week it was in San Diego around lots of people - super crowded!  Loved it.  (Easy for me to say -- harder on the guide!)    He would run his long distance while I walked with Cricket,


then when he was tired, we would take Cricket back to the room  and run a 5K together.  It was so much fun.  I told him we have to chat to keep it fun :). 
Today I was talking with a colleague in our break room.  She saw me reaching out my arm and after a minute asked me what  I was doing!  I said I was searching for the vacuum that I  had pulled out while we were talking and then had 'lost it' with our chat.  We got giggling at my searching for the vacuum, that was so close and she said, I totally forget that you are blind. 

At the moment, reaching, searching for some missing keys. 

3 comments:

S.DAY said...

Oh how I miss running with you. You're the best conversationalist and running partner in the entire universe. And I can honestly say that because I used to always run alone cuz I couldn't stand most people :)
But you, you I love.
Sorry I can't run. Mega bummer. But I did try my hand again at yoga this morning. Maybe we can still share that for a little while longer.
Love love love you!

wendy said...

I think there is so much we can learn from you and your experiences and what YOU DO, despite what seems like insurmountable obstacles. (to me)
I admire you.
I'd love to run with you...ok, maybe not run, but walk fast, and pick your brain about life, death, and all the inbetweens.

Becky Andrews said...

Shannon - miss you SO much!
Wendy - we would have a blast, running! Next time you come to Utah!