Coach Jake Czechowski has his eye on the prize. In fact, his entire team is focused on what would be the ultimate reward for their hard work: a gold medal in Paris at the 2024 Paralympics. What is interesting about Coach Jake is that as Head Coach of the United States Women’s Goalball Team, and … Continued
Editor’s note: Join the United States Association of Blind Athletes for National Blind Sports Week (Sept. 28-Oct. 3), a six-day virtual experience focused on participation and awareness of sports and opportunities available to athletes who are blind or low vision. The week culminates with the 3rd annual National Blind Sports Day on Saturday, Oct. 3. Today on … Continued
Editor’s note: Melissa Schenkel, Turnstone’s Chair of Marketing, interviewed Daryl Walker, three-time goalball Paralympian representing Team USA in order to introduce him to the APH FamilyConnect community. Daryl shares the impact of his team, personal challenges he has overcome, and words of advice for others who are blind or low vision. _________________________   Meet Daryl Walker: … Continued
My hope is your family is able to unwind this summer on holiday. If you’re feeling unsettled about staying in a hotel during a pandemic, or you’re seeking the serenity of nature, perhaps this is the summer for a camping adventure! I will never forget our first camping experience as a family. We bundled up our only child (at the time), packed … Continued
Dads, you are a gift to your children. Your love and support are valuable; you are valuable. We honor you. This Father’s Day, I wonder if you’d enjoy making plans to spend the day together. You may have found a winning activity already—perhaps your family bikes, hikes, bowls, swims, games, or cooks together—and if that’s how you’d most enjoy spending Father’s Day, go … Continued
Editor’s note: This post has been updated and is I have shared a lot about losing my vision over in the past, and I think a lot of things contributed to my positive attitude and success. In my heart, I know that mentors, blindness skills, support, counseling and sports changed my life. I can tell … Continued
Hearing shrieks of laughter and commotion outside, Jane peeked through the blinds. Ah, the neighborhood kids are playing soccer on the Biggs’ front yard. New to the street, she didn’t yet know the ages of all the children, but they looked to be between five and eight years old, similar in age to her Theo. … Continued
Editor’s note: AFB FamilyConnect knows sports and physical education have benefits aplenty for children who are blind and visually impaired. In an effort to inspire parents of children with visual impairments to encourage participation in sports, we enthusiastically share Paralympian swimmer, Letticia Martinez’s story. Letticia Martinez Shares Her Story to Encourage Parents Often time people … Continued
I have written many times about the benefit of recreation for our son, Eddie, and for kids like him. I’ve talked about exposure to activities so he can simply learn how to have fun. Recently, we went on a family bike ride with our close friends, and the benefits were even more than we expected. … Continued
In the opening of her Ted Talk this past May, Kristin Smedley shared a very honest story about one of many very hard days as the mother of a blind toddler. Michael was three years old, bouncy and delightful. She was paralyzed daily by the fear, anger, and grief that his CRB1 diagnosis caused her. … Continued