American Blind Skiing Foundation

Brian McKeever

I was reading the story about Legally blind skier Brian McKeever, trying out for the Olympics and thought I would do a post on blind skiing. If you have skiied, I’m sure you have seen blind skiers. I didn’t even know there was a foundation, the American Blind Sking Foundation, (Illinois)

“ABSF was founded in 1971 to provide an educational skiing programs that is open to any blind or viually impaired person in the hope of providing both physical and psychological therapeutic value. ”

Blind Skiing Foundation

How it works (taken from their website)

• The blind skier meets a friendly ABSF instructor who reviews with the skier their visual acuity, medical history and other physical characteristics that would come into play while skiing.
• The skier is made comfortable and then introduced to the ski equipment. They learn by touch all the parts of the skis and poles and are briefed on how they work
• The skier learns to stand on the skis. Feeling the weight, balance and every nuance of the equipment. This is all done on a flat surface.
• Once the skier is acclimated to the equipment and has a sense of balance, they learn to feel the edges and put pressure on or weight the ski (this will help them learn to turn the ski)
• The skier is then introduced to the bunny hill. The ABSF instructor works tirelessly with the skier in this safe environment until the skier has a feel for edging, standing, stopping, getting up and initiating turns on the skis.
• When the skier is comfortable, they venture onto the chairlift and are trained on how to load and unload with the instructor by their side
• Once on the bigger hill, the skier continues to link turns, stop and practice all of the techniques introduced in the earlier sessions.
• When these skills are mastered, the instructor will then lead the skier from the front or from behind. (this is determined by skill level, confidence and visual acuity) The instructor will use a combination of audio cues to lead the skier down the hill.
• Repeat until it’s time for lunch or a break

So what does the blind person get out of skiing:

1. A sense of independence. Although the instructor is right there the blind skier is ultimately responsible for their own turns and stops.
2. Confidence that they can accomplish a high adventure physically demanding sport like skiing (something that many sighted people can’t or don’t do)
3. Knowledge that they have challenged themselves in a non traditional area for visually impaired people. This knowledge gives them the confidence to challenge other things in life
4. Fun. The wind in their hair, the speed and rush that comes from flying down the hill is indescribable, and it’s good for their sprit.
5. Social interaction. At the end of the day. The blind skier sits down with all the other skiers and can share the excitement and adventure of skiing and challenging the mountain.

Other resources for Blind Sking

• Blind Skiers
• Foresight Ski Guides in Colorado Springs

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