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Runyan Makes Run at History (by Jill Lieber) (Edited and reproduced with permission from USA Today's October 29, 2002 issue) Marla Runyan, the first legally blind athlete to compete in the Olympics can't read a standard eye chart below the enormous E. She's likely to slam into parking meters on a stroll down the sidewalk. Her husband, Matt Lonergan, is vigilant about shouting, "Raised sewer cover!" since that painful afternoon it slipped his mind and his wife tripped in a parking lot. And he understands that crossing the street can be a death-defying obstacle course. In spite of those everyday challenges of the open road, Runyan, 33, will step up to the starting line of Sunday's New York Marathon and race 26.2 miles through the city's five boroughs. Without being able to see more than 15 feet in front of her, she will attempt to win one of the most glamorous and grueling endurance events on earth. At 9, Runyan was diagnosed with Stargardt's disease, an irreversible form of macular degeneration that has left holes in the light-sensitive membrane of her eyes that absorb and transfer images. She lacks central vision, but has some peripheral vision. To better imagine Runyan's perspective, she suggests smearing Vaseline on your pupils. Then, try finding your way through the thick, goopy fog to Tavern on the Green in Central Park. And do it in 2 hours and 28 minutes, the goal on Runyan's radar screen, without hailing a cab or taking the subway. So how does she plan to take her bite out of the Big Apple? She'll negotiate the race course out of the corner of her eyes, twisting and tilting her head until she can make out the traditional blue line painted on the streets from start to finish. She'll determine her pace by feeling the cadence of her stride. She'll gauge where she is in the pack by the feel of shoulders rubbing against hers and she'll sense she's about to get passed by the sound of her competitor's breathing. No one but Runyan would have predicted that one day she'd take a stab at the marathon. "As Marla competes in the New York Marathon, she will display her courage and dedication for all who are sighted and blind," says Kevin Lessard, director of the renowned Perkins School for the Blind in Watertown, MA. "It will help the general public better understand the abilities of all individuals rather than focusing on limitations." For Runyan, running is the easiest thing she does. Although reading is a tedious chore, she received a master's degree in the education of children who are deaf and blind. She uses a magnifying device that scans printed text , enlarging and projecting it on a closed circuit TV screen. Although writing is painstaking she uses a software program that enlarges the paragraphs and reads the text aloud when the cursor is placed on the word. Runyan wrote several chapters of her autobiography, No Finish Line: My Life as I See It. All that Runyan has trouble seeing up close - her handwriting, her husband's hazel eyes and the debit column in her checkbook are inconsequential to everything she sees for herself, her life, her career. "For the first 18 years of my life I was told I would never be successful and was placed in special education classes. Today my vision is worse than ever but I'm happier and more successful. Blindness is a matter of perception." And perspective. And now for the rest of the story... Marla was one of the top ten women to finish the New York Marathon. Collaboration Creates Life-Changing Housing Model (Edited with permission from The Courage Center newsletter) Last fall while attending Closing the Gap, a technology conference held in Minneapolis, I had the opportunity to visit a house designed to meet the needs of a young couple, Lisa and Scott, both who have cerebral palsy and use wheelchairs. Often, one or two individuals have a great idea, others notice, join the effort and collaborate to make change and great things happen. Bob and Gail Buck recognized a need for affordable, accessible housing equipped with assistive technology to help people with disabilities live independently. They approached two organizations known for innovation, The Courage Center (providing services to children and individuals with disabilities) and Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity. The result was Possibility Build: a partnership for building stronger communities. Months of collaborative planning, designing and hammering resulted in the first of its kind, customized home. Habitat for Humanity has built affordable, accessible homes in the past, but incorporating assistive technology was an innovative accomplishment. Assistive technology provides people with disabilities lifestyle enhancing tools to accomplish everyday tasks on their own. The "SureHands" ceiling mounted track system assists Lisa in transferring to and from her wheelchair. For example, if Lisa is in bed and her wheelchair is in the kitchen, the tracking system can physically transport her to the wheelchair. Other mobility devices include two wheelchair-charging stations, conveniently located at the backdoor and bedside, to ensure their power chairs are always read to roll. Environmental and security controls include keyless entry locks, power windows and window blinds, automatic door openers and locks, remote controlled lighting, motion sensor outdoor security lights and surveillance system. Aids for daily living include a front loading washer and dryer, a stove with pushbuttons in the front and knee space beneath to accommodate wheelchairs. Accessibility features include ramps, lowered cabinets, clothing hooks instead of hangers and a roll-in shower with hand rails. Lisa and Scott owe their new home to the collaborative efforts of the Courage Center, Habitat for Humanity and Northwestern Mutual, the company that contributed $50,000 to the project. Lisa and Scott worked alongside 900 volunteers from Habitat for Humanity and the Courage Center. According to Eric Stevens, CEO of the Courage Center, "The project has taught us a great deal about housing and the needs of people with disabilities for accessibility and assistive technology. Now, we can impart this knowledge, based on experience, to others. We look forward to this first time project being replicated in other communities. Together, we can change the housing model for people with disabilities." In the early 1900's, the New York Giants had a pitcher, Luther H. Taylor. He was deaf and unable to speak. In an era of insensitivity and ignorance, Luther was nicknamed "Dummy." Unable to communicate with his teammates, he lost many games. John McGraw, the manager of the Giants, was under enormous pressure to trade Taylor. Instead, McGraw required that every member of the team learn American Sign Language. Thereafter, Taylor used hand signals to communicate with his team. From that time on, hand signals were used in baseball. Family of the Month: The Parry's Hi! My name is Jack Parry and I have Tuberous Sclerosis. "TS", in my case, causes seizures, autism and severe developmental delay. I started coming to Lekotek when I was almost two years old and I love it! Peggy is my Lekotek leader and over the years has taught me how to use a touch screen, a trackball and a mouse. My favorite software is Little Critter Living Books and Peggy is so nice, she lets me hit the same hot spots on each page over and over again even after my mom says "Okay, it's time to do something else."Now that I'm nine I go to Computer Club and eat pizza with the big kids. My whole family has a part to play at Lekotek. My big sister, Kelly volunteers as a summer camp peer counselor. Even while she's helping other kids she keeps her eye on me and makes sure I'm okay. My mom loves Lekotek so much she works there planning the golf tournament and silent auction. My dad is on the Board (whatever that is) and goes to meetings. My parents really appreciate the staff's encouragement, knowledge and wealth of resources. They all help to take good care of me. In my spare time (when I'm not at Lekotek) I go to school and therapies. My favorite activities are swimming and horseback riding. I love orange foods: Cheez-its, Cheetos, pizza, cheese and especially McDonald's French Fries. At home I love to jump on my trampoline and go to the park to swing. I know that no matter how old I get I will always be a Lekotek kid! Pot Luck Family Dinner, Sun. 2/23 If you or your company would like to sponsor the golf tournament, donate raffle items, bring a foursome or volunteer, please call the office at (404) 633-3430. We need your help! Last year, Charity Auto Donations raised approximately $5,000 for Lekotek and all funds were allocated to direct services. If you have an old car, boat or trailer you'd like to donate, please contact Charity Auto Donations at (770) 944-2011 and mention Lekotek. The Zig Zag Tower, at 30 inches, is easily accessible for a child standing or sitting in a wheelchair. Children enjoy the thrill of cause and effect as they release and follow the cars and trains racing to the bottom of the tracker. Most tracking toys use marbles that are difficult to hold for a child with fine motor delays. With large easy to grasp wooden pieces, cars are easily placed on the track. Brightly colored, they are easy to track as they flip and change directions several times. Everyone enjoys watching as the vehicles connect and race to the finish. The all wooden set helps children take turns while developing fine motor abilities and eye hand coordination. The tracker includes two cars, a two-car train and a three-car train. The tracker is available from HearthSong. Heartsong can be reached at 1-800-325-2502 or at www.hearthsong.com.
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