[Heather leading Steve Beres along Ross Island's shore]
Monday I helped guide a paddle with Northwest River Guides and the Blind Veterans Association! There was certainly some trepidation amongst the guides as it was our first time working witn sightless paddlers! We hosted over 30 individuals who had been injured serving in the armed forces of the United States and Britain. Yes, there were two injured British vets amongst us.
Our nervousness stemmed from simple lack of experience/information on working with persons with visual limitations. How would they board the kayaks? How would they hold the paddle? How would they be able to keep the boats going straight, or turn? What would a rescue be like if someone flipped over? These thoughts went through my mind over and over.
[Guide dog "guiding" a raft to shore]
The group was comprised of vets with various levels of experience with their own disabilities and with boating. Some had been sightless for years and were well adjusted to their condition, while for many this was their first time ever trying a recreational activity since becoming blind. Through conversations with the vets I discovered that the brain adjusts when one of one’s senses is dulled or eliminated. Other senses grow more sensitive. The brain learns. The person compensates. Smell, feeling and hearing become ever more intertwined.
We had two groups of paddlers, one in rafts and the other in kayaks. It was perfect weather about eighty degrees and breezy. The kayaks were arranged on the beach in Sellwood Park in Portland, Oregon, for a paddle to Ross Island, on the Willamette River. We introduced the veterans to the cockpits of the kayaks and their paddles. Foot rests and back bands were adjusted. Then we launched. I was asked to be very vocal and even ‘beep’ so they could follow. It turned out that the vets were very adept at steering their kayaks! We only had one capsize, which was at the shore. This is something that’s common with beginners anyway.
We reached Ross Island and disembarked for a brief meeting and talk about the paddle. Then, it was back to Sellwook Park. Again, these guys did a fantastic job paddling and steering their craft. Next up was a barbeque and then they were treated to a Willamette Jet Boat ride! That’s a great way to spend the day on the Willamette River!
