Marathon dreams for the visually impaired
Print Edition
A SHANGHAI charity has been formed to help the visually impaired train for long-distance running events.
BeYoureyeS is a group of volunteers formed five months ago. It pairs blind and partially blind running enthusiasts with experienced runners to work out and prepare for competitions.
More than just winning, the aim of the group is to nurture a “can-do” spirit in disabled youth.
Zhu Peihua, 26, who has a congenital eye disease and lost his sight completely when he was in junior middle school, loves to run but never dared hope that it might lead him to organized marathons.
He joined BeYoureyeS earlier this year. After several months, he built up the stamina for middle and long distance races. Zhu hopes he will be able to participate in the Shanghai Half Marathon next year and conquer the 21kilometer distance.
There are an estimated 74,000 visually impaired people of all ages in Shanghai. For the young, especially, such a disability doesn’t have to mean exclusion from serious sports activities.
The volunteer charity was organized with support from the Shanghai Disabled Persons’ Federation, which is encouraging local communities to include the disabled when planning events and activities. Neighborhoods are urged to make their exercise facilities and equipment available to the disabled. Wheelchair competitions are being organized.
“Disabled people have special needs, and not all of them are suitable for sports activities,” sad Gong Jiatao, a spokesperson for the federation. “We welcome charity groups who want to get involved with particular groups of disabled people to help them become part of community life.”
Lu Xiangdong, a general manager of a private fundraising company, and his wife Li Jiyuan, who works the information technology department of a local enterprise, originated the idea of BeYoureyeS.
“I took part in the 2012 Shanghai International Marathon, and encountered two special runners from Hong Kong,” said Li, a running enthusiast. “One was wearing a shirt with the words ‘hearing impaired,’ and the other’s shirt read ‘visually impaired.’ I was really touched by seeing them. Two years later, I met some triathlon participants in Hong Kong, who told me they volunteer in their spare time to help visually impaired runners.”
The couple said they had never heard of such an organization in Shanghai and asked themselves, “Why not?”
Li and Lu said too many visually impaired people succumb to self-doubt and withdraw from society.
“I became reluctant to leave home or take part in outdoor activities,” Zhu said of his loss of sight.
“I gained weight and my health started to suffer. But now, that’s all changed. I am happy. I have a social life and a physical activity I love.”
Zhu works part-time as a dubber for an online radio station. He said he was initially doubtful that BeYoureyeS could help him. “I wasn’t sure whether people there would understand my condition or ensure my safety in a race,” he said. “Those worries were needless. The group is very professional, inviting experienced coaches and volunteers with medical backgrounds.”
BeYoureyeS has about 10 regular members, and its ranks are growing. Weekly training sessions are held, attended by volunteer professionals like Ji Xinli, who operates the Thorn Birds Running camp in Pudong. “We first ask our volunteers cover their eyes and walk around so that they get the feel of what it is like to be visually impaired,” Ji said.
Each disabled runner is assisted by a team of volunteers when taking part in a race.
One runs at the front, one runs by the side and two hold short lengths of loose rope, wrist-to-wrist with the runner, to keep him or her on track. Other volunteers are ready to supply water and any other need that may arise, such as medical help.
“The volunteers all have to be physically qualified, and they have to adjust their running pace to that of the visually impaired runner,” Ji said.
“We like them to have some knowledge of emergency medical treatment, too.”
In an April event called “Runners’ Festival,” held in Shanghai Century Park, BeYoureyeS member Chen Xiaobin completed 5 kilometers in 50 minutes. It was a first for him.
“I used to think 5 kilometers was beyond my imagination,” said Chen, 31, who suffered from glaucoma when he was seven and completely lost his sight by age 15. “But I made this personal breakthrough thanks to BeYoureyeS. We were running as a group. I felt protected and was able to enjoy the sunshine and the smell of fresh air.”
Lu told Shanghai Daily that he and his wife are planning to seek some support for their charity from government authorities. They are also contacting organizers of running events to ask for special quotas for disabled runners.
“Our reach is limited at present,” Lu said. “But our goal is to make this into a long-term, larger scale effort.”
Shanghai East Best Lansheng Event Management Co, organizer of the annual city marathon, said quotas for disabled runners will be considered.
“Some international marathons in foreign cities do that,” said Zhou Jin, general manager of East Best Lansheng. “Shanghai International Marathon is still a relatively new race. Catering to the disabled is a distinct possibility, once we can set up all the procedures to guarantee health and safety of runners.”
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