After surgery took some of my sight in 2014, I had to learn to adapt to continue exercising in the way I was used to. In recent years I’ve been lucky to have three great “go to” guides who have been kind enough to assist me with workouts as well as walking and swimming events in recent years.
Dan Spruill has quite an athletic background. He has run four half marathons, many road races and triathlon relays. Dan is a martial artist and a popular educator. He has been teaching young people swimming and Karate for many years.
Wayland native, Laura Vanaria, is an experienced Pharmacy Manager who volunteers at Call2Talk in Framingham. She played soccer and field hockey in high school. Laura enjoys walking, the performing arts and her many friends.
Chitra Mills competed in distance running events at the collegiate level. The mother of two teenage daughters, she is a gifted educator and a tireless volunteer. Chitra has worked for many years as a Girl Scout leader and runs an afterschool middle school homework club. She has arranged to have service dogs and their owners visit her school to explain what service dogs do to support people with physical or emotional challenges.
All three are obviously very athletic since being fit is important especially important as the guide supports a participant in a workout or event like a marathon or triathlon. Guides are responsible first and foremost for the runner or walker’s safety and these three are all very good at it! Communication and familiarity through lots of practice are key to instilling confidence in the visually-impaired runner or walker.
All three are wonderful people who routinely give back to assist others. Do you have an interest in becoming a guide to a visually-impaired runner or walker? Check out the links below for more information.
Check out this video that shows some of the basic roles of the guide and runner.
Check out the United in Stride website if you’re interested in becoming a sighted guide.
Be sure to say hello to me and my guide Chitra when you see us on Saturday, October 12 at the Jack’s Abby United Way 5K where we’re walking in support of Call2Talk!
Still need to register? Click here.
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