Not many people, if any, can remember back to when they walked their first step and very few will remember the first time they ran. But several students at the Pattaya School for the Blind recently ran for the very first time and it was an experience they will never forget.
Children who are blind or visually impaired need to learn how to get from one destination to another, and they learn to do this by using a white cane. Anyone who has seen a blind person using a cane will see that they walk but never run.
The smile says it all.
Running can lead to all sorts of problems such as falling over, banging into walls or other objects. Many blind youngsters will attempt to run but the majority will soon realize the dangers and stick to walking.
The Pattaya Sports Club recently donated a treadmill to the Pattaya School for the Blind and within minutes of its arrival there was a long line of children waiting to use it.
The first student in line stood on the treadmill, the teacher switched it on to a slow speed and this young boy walked in his normal fashion. But as the speed increased two things happened, he started to run and as he did he started to smile. The same thing happened whenever a new student stood on the treadmill, they were running for the very first time and they could not help smiling at their new experience.
If running for the very first time was not enough, Pattaya Sports Club also donated an exercise bike, so for the students it was two new experiences in one day.
More information on the School for the Blind can be found at www.fr-ray.org or email [email protected]
A new exercise bike was also donated.
Even the youngest students had a go.
It was difficult to get this boy of the treadmill.
The older students will now use the treadmill for athletics training.
This young lady loved every moment.
The children are always supervised.
Cycling is unknown to most blind children.
