# Everybody Plays!

Everybody Plays! - how kids with visual impairments play sports by Cindy Lou Aillaud and Lauren Lieberman. Photo montage.

Baseball Bat

Swimming Fins

Goalball

Kayak Paddle

Rollerblade Boot

Running Shoe

Horse Riding Saddle

Everybody Plays!
Cindy Lou Aillaud and
Lauren Lieberman, Ph.D.

APH Logo

Aillaud, Cindy Lou, 1955-
Everybody Plays!/Cindy Lou Aillaud, Lauren Lieberman

In keeping with our philosophy to provide access to information for people who are blind or visually impaired, the American Printing House for the Blind provides this book in large print and braille.

Braille Catalog Number 5-13095-00
Print Catalog Number 7-13095-00

Everybody Plays!
Copyright © 2013, American Printing House for the Blind, Inc.
Louisville, KY 40206-0085
All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America

Table Tennis Paddle And Ball

This publication is protected by Copyright and permission should be obtained from the publisher prior to any reproduction, storage in a retrieval system, or transmission in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise. For information regarding permissions, write to American Printing House for the Blind, Inc., Resource Services, 1839 Frankfort Avenue, Louisville, KY 40206-0085.

Fishing Lure

For kids who love to play at any age! Thank you to my sons Brian and Jason who offered many encouraging words of wisdom. I am filled with gratitude for my parents, Ron and Lola May Petett, for teaching me to live life by the "golden rule." Thank you to all my friends with visual impairments for sharing their challenges in a sighted world. Thank you also to my best friend and the love of my life, my husband, Whit for his never-ending support and encouragement. I extend a special thank you to all the campers at Camp Abilities who allowed me to experience each sport with a new perspective... blindfolded. You have my total admiration. Lastly, thank you to Dr. Lauren Lieberman for her foresight and energy.

- Cindy Lou Aillaud

Two children run across a large blue foam block.

A boy swims underwater and blows bubbles with his nose.

Swimming Fins

For kids who play at camp and camp to play! Thank you to all of the wonderful campers, counselors, and staff at Camp Abilities in Brockport, NY, especially Haley Schedlin for all of her hard work and dedication that makes camp such a great experience for everybody. Thank you to Katrina Arndt for her help with the Listen Up! pages and all of her support throughout the years. Thank you Cindy Lou Aillaud for making this book dream a reality!

- Lauren Lieberman

A girl sits on a scooter while her coach pushes her across the floor.

A boy and his coach high-five each other while in the swimming pool.

Running Shoe

## Reading Consultants

Katrina Arndt, Ph.D.
Chinwe Ikpeze, Ph.D.

#### American Printing House for the Blind

Project Leader
Tristan Pierce

Research Assistant
Monica Vaught

Art Director
Terri Gilmore

Photographers
Cindy Lou Aillaud with
Alecia Aillaud, Laura Brodfuhrer, Didrik Johnck, Tony Morelli, Emily Pettys, Lola May Petett, Tristan Pierce, Amanda Tepfer, Ben Witherell

Girl in pool with flotation noodle

Swimming Goggles

## Discover a New Way Forward/Foreword

Baseball Glove

When I went totally blind at age 13, I would sit in the school cafeteria and listen to the jokes, laughter, and food fights going on around me. I wasn't afraid to go blind and see darkness. My biggest fear was that I would be swept to the sidelines and forgotten, while all the excitement of life passed me by.

Luckily, I got a newsletter in braille from The Carroll Center in Boston that introduced kids with visual impairment or blindess to fun recreational activities. Lots of kids without sight, including me, missed out on athletics at school. The Center offered sailing, canoeing, tandem biking, cross country skiing, and rock climbing. I ran my hand up the side of my bedroom wall and asked myself, "Who would be crazy enough to take a blind guy climbing on a rock face?" So I signed up immediately. I was tired of building walls around myself, tired of protecting myself. I wanted to see what was possible, to begin testing my limits. That was one of the most important decisions I ever made, because it launched me into a life of adventure.

Soccer Ball

That first reach on a rock wall led me to climbing Mt. Everest and the tallest peaks on each of the seven continents. I've competed in the toughest adventure race on earth: I raced for 9 days and traveled 60,000 feet upward, with no time outs. I've skied 10,000 feet down the tallest peak in Europe, and guided teenagers who are blind on mountain and rafting adventures all over the world. And I've stood with six Tibetan teenagers who are blind at 21,500 feet on the north face of Mt. Everest; this is the highest that any group of people with blindness has ever stood.

The key to my success is to embrace anything new because it is exciting to be a pioneer and the first person to do something. Being blind gives me a chance to explore new ways of doing sports -- sometimes, even activities that no blind person has ever done before. I learned to climb vertical frozen waterfalls by tapping my two ice tools across the face to hear the pitch of the ice. On an ice face, you have to swing at exactly the right spot; otherwise, you can loosen a giant chunk of ice, which just might crush you or your climbing partner. So I use my hearing to climb when others use their sight.

Erik Weihenmayer wearing sunglasses and climbing a rock face.

I ski with a guide in front of me who calls out very precise directions, in a cadence: "Turn-a-left. Turn-a-right." I peddle a mountain tandem bike with my partner steering over narrow rocky trails. Last year, I learned to paddle a single, river kayak with a friend in front blowing a whistle through the rapids. I love to paraglide using bells that hang on a rope from my waist to tell me exactly when to prepare my chute to land. On a hiking trip once, a blind teenager taught me how to play soccer by simply wrapping a ball in a plastic bag, which makes a crinkling noise as the ball rolls. The point is that almost anything is possible if we are willing to discover a new way forward.

I've also found that physical skill and comfort with one's own body, largely gained through sports and outdoor activities, is vital to a blind person achieving his full potential. Too often a talented individual limits himself by his own physical awkwardness because his personal discomfort creates a discomfort among teammates, teachers, and students. The best course of action, therefore, is to ensure that a focus on school and blindness skills -- mobility, computers, braille -- is accompanied by plenty of physical activity and competition.

Rollerblade Boot

I encourage you to read Everybody Plays! with your own dreams in mind. See how others who are blind have pursued sports, and then envision yourself kayaking, swimming, fishing, or competing in judo or gymnastics. When you finish, don't be passive; instead, throw yourself into every positive new experience. Join a hiking or climbing club. Learn to jump rope. Attend a sports camp. Try out for your wrestling team. If you can summon up the courage to do this, your life will become a great adventure.

- Erik Weihenmayer

Erik Weihenmayer and a group of Tibetan teenagers who are all blind at 21,500 feet on the north face of Mt. Everest.

Horse Riding Saddle

Kayak Paddle

Two coaches and two girls in a canoe.

Two men running along an outdoor track

A girl swimming down a lane in a pool

To read the story straight through, skip the Listen Up! links embedded after each sport activity. To learn more about a sport, click the Listen Up! icon for each sport's pop-up window. To close the pop-up window and return to the story, Window users type "Control F4" and Mac users type "Command w."

# Goalball

"Listen for the ball!" whispers my goalball coach as I quickly slide onto the floor. I stretch out as far as I can with my arm protecting my nose. There's no way I'm going to let it by me! I hear the faint jingle getting closer, closer until...ooooomph! The ball hits me in the stomach and I block the goal!

Paralympic symbol

A blindfolded girl is on one knee with both hands on the floor. She tilts her head and listens for the ball.

A blindfolded girl wearing kneepads and elbow pads lies on her side on the floor with arms and legs extended. She blocks the ball with her legs.

Rapidly, I get up and into position by reaching for the tactile boundary line. Now I'm ready to win the game. I fire the ball away by rolling it as fast as I can back to the other side of the court, past my silent opponents, and over the end line! What a play!

A blindfolded girl serves the goalball.

A boy kneels, bows his head, and crosses his fingers.

- Click Here for Goalball Listen Up!

# Paralympic Sports

I'm at a sports camp designed for kids with visual impairments. A visual impairment means not being able to see as clearly as most people. Some of my friends at camp are sighted, some are visually impaired, and others are completely blind.

A group of children are lined up along a running guidewire.

Come meet my friends at camp and watch, listen, or feel the many ways everybody plays!

Two boys wear judo uniforms and wrestle on the floor.

A blindfolded girl hits a ball on a T-stand with a bat.

- Click Here for Paralympic Sports Listen Up!

# Beep Baseball

One of my favorite games at camp is beep baseball. Just like goalball, we all wear blindfolds so all sight is equal. After that, the action never stops! When the ball begins to beep, I know to swing with all my might. Crack! My bat smacks the ball, and I run toward first base, which makes a buzzing sound. I sprint faster than a cheetah so I can get there before the fielder gets the ball. "I got it!" shouts the fielder before I reach the base. Rats! Since she got the ball before I made it to base, our team does not score. I guess there's always next time.

A girl adjusts her blindfold.

A girl wearing a blindfold hits the beep baseball off a t-stand with a bat.

A girl wearing a blindfold runs toward a base.

One of the most important things to remember about beep baseball is to keep your ear on the ball! Unfortunately, our game had to get postponed because of a very loud lawn mower!

A girl wearing a blind fold stands in the outfield and holds a beep baseball straight up in the air with one hand.

A large, red, riding lawn mower moves across the grass.

- Click Here for Beep Baseball Listen Up!

# Swimming

Swimming at camp is awesome! I get to swim with all my friends no matter how well they see. One of the best feelings is to jump off the diving board and feel the water splash over my body.

A boy wears yellow goggles while swimming.

A coach assists a girl swimmer with floating on her back. Another swimmer observes.

A boy and girl swim and flip under water.

At first I was a little nervous walking to the end of the board, but now I can dive like a professional!

A girl dives into the swimming pool.

- Click Here for Swimming Listen Up!

# Rock Climbing

Rock climbing is also a blast. I slip on my harness so I know I won't fall and then nothing can keep me from the top. I feel like a mountain goat as I race to the summit.

Two climbers moving up a portable outdoor climbing wall as a staff member keeps an eye on their harnesses.

I climb higher and higher until it feels like I could climb right into the sky. I use my hands and feet to feel for each hold so I know exactly where to go next. I know I've almost made it when my friends start cheering from way down below. I reach as far as my arm will go and feel the bell. Ding, ding, ding! I did it! "Good climb!" everyone shouts. Later, one of my sighted friends is scared to climb up so high. "Just close your eyes so you can't see the ground," I tell him. "It works for me!"

A girl at the top of the climbing wall looks up at the bell and prepares to ring it.

- Click Here for Rock Climbing Listen Up!

# Hiking

I love hiking because I feel like a real explorer! Usually our sighted coaches come with us so they can let us know if there are big rocks or roots on the trail. When I went to camp last year, I hiked to the top of Hatcher Pass in Alaska. It was so steep, I felt like I was trekking up the side of Mt. Everest! On the way down, it helped to scoot on my bottom. That way I knew I wouldn't fall.

One hiker sits at the top of the hill while another hiker approaches. Several other hikers are seen further down the hill.

That sure was a great day, despite my dirty behind!

Two hikers and their two coaches walk abreast and smile. It is getting dark.

- Click Here for Hiking Listen Up!

# Kayaking

When I kayak, I feel like I'm gliding on a cloud. The paddles make a gentle rhythm as they push us through the river, then drip, drip, drip as water droplets fall back to the surface. My coach helps steer us toward the right course while I do most of the powerful paddling.

A boy and his female coach kayak. They wear bright yellow life jackets.

I hope one day to kayak in the ocean and go far north to the glaciers.

A boy and his male coach dip their paddles into the water as they glide across the water's surface.

- Click Here for Kayaking Listen Up!

# Fishing

There are so many interesting sounds and feelings in fishing! My friends and I have to put worms on a hook! I'd never touched a worm before, but it feels really weird! Eeeewwww, it's slimy, squirmy, and squishy!

A boy wearing a life jacket holds up a worm.

Sitting on the ground, a boy wearing sunglasses holds a worm in the palm of his hand and feels it with the fingers of his other hand. The boy in the life jacket watches.

We cast into the water ...splash! Then the reel clicks as we wind in the line. Hooray, one of my friends caught a slippery, scaly fish! It's super small. Quick, someone take a picture before we have to throw it back!

A girl swings her fishing pole back preparing to cast her line.

A boy looks closely at a very small fish.

- Click Here for Fishing Listen Up!

# Cycling

My friends and I love to ride bikes. When I do, I feel so free, like I could ride anywhere in the world! The breeze I feel as I fly down the road tells me I am going so fast no one could ever catch me.

A young camper squats down with his arms folded on his knees. He wears sunglasses and a bright yellow helmet.

Paralympic symbol

A boy and his coach ride a side-by-side tandem bike. They both wear helmets.

We always do a safety check before we go to make sure our helmets fit and the chain and brakes work, then we hit the road! Some of my friends like to ride on three or four-wheeled bikes, but I like the tandem best. I feel safe because my coach tells me when to turn and stop. I could ride a bike forever!

A boy examines the peddles and chain of a bike with the help of his coach.

A camper in a yellow helmet examines the chin strap of his coach's white helmet.

- Click Here for Cycling Listen Up!

# Athletics

Track and field events, called athletics, are something we do every year at camp. This year, I tried shotput for the first time. It's hard because the ball is so heavy I use every ounce of strength to heave it, but my coach helps by clapping her hands so I know which direction to throw. Umpf...thud! The ball lands, and I set a new personal best!

A coach assists a boy with the proper technique to throw a shot put. He holds the heavy ball in his hand next to his neck.

Paralympic symbol

Running on the track is something that's scary at first because it seems like someone will get in the way, but now it's one of my favorite things to do! I feel almost as fast as when I'm on my bike. I use ropes to guide the way so I know I will stay in the right lane. I finish the track and field events with a long jump. I always leap as far as I can and hope for a new record!

A boy camper runs on a track with his coach. They each hold an end of a tether.

A girl jumps high in the air; her hair flies all over.

- Click Here for Athletics Listen Up!

# Soccer

Shhh...listen carefully! Soccer is one of the hardest games at camp because the field is so big and the bells inside the ball are really tough to hear. Sometimes my coach places the ball in a plastic shopping bag and it makes crinkly noises when it rolls. That helps me to know where it is. "Wait! Here the ball comes now."

A female coach helps a boy to kick a soccer ball wrapped in a crinkly bag.

Paralympic symbol

Bam! I boot the ball as hard as I can toward the direction of my goal. It's great to be part of a team.

A girl runs down the soccer field with her coach following her.

In an open field a coach encourages a girl to kick a soccer ball.

- Click Here for Soccer Listen Up!

# Judo

Before any judo match, we must bow respectfully, and then I'm ready to go!

Two boys wearing judo jackets face each other and bow. Their coach watches.

I feel my opponent's body and try to get points by pinning his shoulders to the floor. It's a pretty even match because my opponent is really good, too. Whether I win or not, it sure is great fun!

One boy attempts to pin another boy to the floor. The coach kneels next to them ready to call the point.

Two boys are laughing on the floor. One is ready to pin the other to the floor.

- Click Here for Judo Listen Up!

# Horseback Riding/Equestrian

Horses are huge! As I throw my leg over the saddle, I realize I'm pretty nervous because I'm so high off the ground. Clip-clop, clip-clop, the horse moves forward. The ride is bumpy and I feel like I could bounce off, but I hold on tight and everything is okay.

A side view of a girl wearing a helmet riding a horse. The horse groom leads the horse.

Paralympic symbol

After the ride, I rub the horse's nose; it feels like soft velvet.

A front view of a girl riding a horse. She wears a white helmet. The horse groom leads the horse.

A coach assists a girl with tightening her helmet.

- Click Here for Horseback Riding/Equestrian Listen Up!

# Rollerblading

My ankles wobble as I stand on my rollerblades for the first time, but it doesn't take long at all to get the hang of it. Soon I'm speeding down the sidewalk with my coach behind telling me if anything is in my path.

A girl wearing a blue helmet skates while her coach walks beside her.

I just love the feeling of going fast with the breeze in my face and the whistling sound of the wind in my ears.

A young camper skates alone on wobbly legs.

- Click Here for Rollerblading Listen Up!

# Jumping Rope

My friends and I love to jump rope. Whoosh, click, whoosh, click, whoosh, click, the rope sings as it sails through the air and taps the ground.

A girl and a boy jump rope outside. They each jump on an orientation mat.

I'm up to 152 jumps without missing, and still counting!

A girl smiles as she jumps and counts.

- Click Here for Jumping Rope Listen Up!

# Gymnastics

The gymnastics bar feels cool and dry as my coach spots me. Someday, I hope to spin like an Olympian, but today I think I'll stick to balancing.

A coach supports a girl on the lower bar of the uneven parallel bars.

Floor exercises are fun, too! The mat feels squishy underneath my palms as I attempt a handstand. Someday the gold will be mine!

A coach demonstrates a handstand.

A coach shows a girl arm movement for a floor routine.

- Click Here for Gymnastics Listen Up!

# Obstacle Course

"AAAAAaaaaAAAAAaaaaAAAAA!" I let out a Tarzan yell as I swing on the rope to complete the obstacle course.

A boy holds tight to a rope as two coaches push him.

It was pretty tough to get here, I had to cross foam blocks, and ride on a scooter while my coach tapped her foot to show me the way. I'm so proud that I finished.

A coach encourages a girl climbing over a large foam cube.

A boy wearing a blindfold rides a scooter on his stomach. His coach taps her foot on the floor.

- Click Here for Obstacle Course Listen Up!

# Archery

Schoooop...pop! My arrow glides through the air and pierces a balloon so I know I nailed the archery target. I am careful to hold the bow straight and steady before I release.

A coach helps a boy to pull back on the bow string and aim the arrow at the target.

I feel like Robin Hood or William Tell every time I hear those balloons burst.

A camper pulls back the bow string and aims at a target covered with colorful balloons.

A coach helps a girl pull back on the bow.

- Click Here for Archery Listen Up!

# Showdown

Yessssss!!! I made it into the showdown tournament! I listen for the ball rolling across the table. I smack it hard with my paddle just before it lands in the pocket. That was a close call. Yikes, my opponent sends it back fast! But I block the goal again.

A camper wearing a blindfold swings his arm so forcefully that his hair flies all over.

I wonder who will be the ultimate tourney winner. Will it be me?

A girl wears a protective arm guard and prepares to swing her paddle." title="A girl wears a protective arm guard and prepares to swing her paddle.

A boy hits the ball with his paddle.

A boy searches for the ball in the table pocket.

- Click Here for Showdown Listen Up!

# Dancing

My friends and I love to dance. Whenever we hear music, we just feel the need to move. No one cares how we look, it doesn't matter! What matters is getting down with the beat and having a lot of fun!

A group of campers dance in two lines.

Tap to the left, tap to the right, spin, and clap!

The campers dance and clap; one bends over and touches the floor.

A boy dances in place, bending his knees.

- Click Here for Dancing Listen Up!

# Virtual Tennis

With this cool video game, I was able to play tennis! It was super cool! Every time I smacked the ball, the control vibrated and made a swishing sound, just like a real racket.

Standing in front of a laptop computer, a boy swings his arm up in the air. He holds a virtual tennis wand in his hand.

With his coach watching the laptop screen, a boy moves his entire body while swinging his arm high.

I took on a friend who has sight and won! It was awesome!

A boy, holding the virtual tennis wand, stands in front of a laptop and waits for the game to begin.

- Click Here for Virtual Tennis Listen Up!

# Twister

Twister is a great game to play! Shapes are raised up on a sheet so we can all feel where to put our hands and feet.

A group of camp coaches play Twister.

What? Right foot star? Uh-oh! I hope I don't fall.

Two boys and one girl play twister. They all have their right legs on stars and their left legs on triangles.

One girl and one boy play twister. A second boy spins the tactile spinner.

- Click Here for Twister Listen Up!

I love camp because when I'm there I make new friends, play lots of games, and feel like part of a team. I'm glad you could tag along for a while and discover, just like me, that truly everybody plays!

Three campers laugh and walk with locked arms.

I hope to see you at camp next summer!

A group photo of all the campers. They wear their camp t-shirts.

# Advice From the Experts

Jennifer Armbruster is a 5X Paralympian goalball player who has won gold, silver, and bronze medals. Jennifer is blind.

"Sports parallel life; always set your goals and dreams just out of your reach. Spend your time climbing, step-by-step, closer to reaching those goals and dreams. Then through your hard work, teamwork, and determination, what was once just out of your reach is now grasped in your hand."

"Always remember that the key to being successful is working as a team. In both life and in sport, you will always be a part of a team; and with that comes a great responsibility to yourself and more importantly to those around you."

Goalball

Cody Colchado is a 22X world champion powerlifter in both blind and able-bodied divisions. Cody is a powerlifting coach for the United States Association of Blind Athletes. He is blind and hard of hearing.

"Take care of yourself. Your body is like a fancy Ferrari car. You wouldn't fill a Ferrari with cheap gas; it's not going to work at its top performance. Your body is the same. Eat healthy, nutritional food to operate at peak performance. Also, be active. Being active will keep your engine running well. It will also introduce you to lots of friends. Friends are everything in life."

Dumbbells

Peter Gottwald Jr. is a 2X Paralympian who won a silver medal in the 800-meter run. Peter is visually impaired.

"Physical activity is very important and that's why you should get out and try something new. You never know what you might enjoy. Set your goals high, stand up, step forward, and go and reach them. I encourage you to be physically active at least 5 days a week. Get out of your house. Staying physically active will keep you healthy and strong for many years. Try a variety of sports so you will learn what you like and dislike. Remember to try your best and never let anyone tell you that you can't! Believe that you can achieve!"

Jim Mastro is a 6X Paralympian who has won medals in Judo, shot put, discus, and goalball. He actively promotes beep baseball and Power Showdown. Dr. Mastro is a professor of Adapted Physical Education at Bemidji State University in Minnesota.

"Quality of life is often difficult to assess. What may be satisfying for one person is unfulfilling for another. Sight isn't necessary for a high quality of life; it is O.K. to be blind! It is your decision to make if you want to participate in sports. A person's potential is never met, but one must always strive to achieve it. People don't know what their limits are, and that's why you never tell anyone to do his best because that restricts the person to what he thinks he can do. The greatest feeling in the world is achieving more than you ever thought you could."

Running Shoe

Marla Runyan is a 2X Olympic (2000 & 2004) distance runner and the former American record holder in the 5,000 meter. She won the Twin Cities Marathon in 2006. Her best marathon time is 2:27. Marla is visually impaired with Stargardt's.

"Sometimes, when I am almost to the finish line and everything is just a blur, I just close my eyes and hope that someone will let me know when I get there. Running is more about courage and perseverance and less about vision. The track is free and clear of obstacles, so it doesn't matter what you can or cannot see. All you have to do is just run and NEVER give up!"

Kris Scheppe is bidding to be the first legally blind person to sail around the world nonstop and single-handed. Kris loves the water and also scuba dives, kayaks, and swims. He enjoys powerlifting and finished 3rd at the collegiate nationals in 2005 and is a 3X International Blind Sports Federation gold medalist.

"Believe in yourself. You can achieve anything. It just takes seven words: All it takes is all you've got!"

The American Printing House for the Blind and the authors appreciate and thank these fine athletes who have shared their personal stories and advice with our young readers.

Kayak Paddle

More Fun Reading

All Children Have Different Eyes
Edie A. Glaser & Maria Burgio; Illustrated by Doina Paraschiv;
Vidi Press, Whittier, CA, 2007; grades K-3; print.

> Meet Tommy, who has nystagmus, and follow his day at school and recess. Meet Wendy, who has strabismus, and see how she and her friends play in the neighborhood.

Going PLACES: Transition Guidelines for Community-based Physical Activities for Students who Have Visual Impairment, Blindness, or Deafblindness
Lauren Lieberman, Scott Modell, Paul Ponchillia, & Ileah Jackson; American Printing House for the Blind, Inc., Louisville, KY, 2006; young adult; large print; braille, html.

> Describes how to learn about and access community-based sports; contains over 20 personal stories of sport adventures.

Jump Rope to Fitness (Kit)
Lauren Lieberman & Haley Schedlin; American Printing House for the Blind, Inc., Louisville, KY, 2008; young adult; large print, braille.

> Teaches individuals who are visually impaired or blind how to jump rope independently; includes an orientation mat and multiple jump ropes.

Knots on a Counting Rope
Bill Martin, Jr. & John Archambault; Illustrated by Ted Rand; Henry Holt and Company, New York, 1987 (Rev. ed.); grades Pre-3; print.

> Boy-Strength-of-Blue-Horses learns of the passage of time by counting knots on a rope. He builds his self confidence by participating in a horse race.

The Night Search
Kate Chamberlin; Illustrated by Dot Yoder; Jason and Nordic Publishing, Hollidaysburg, PA, 1997; Grade 2; twin vision.

> Heather, who is blind, resists using her white cane. Follow Heather on her adventures while camping.

Mandy Sue Day
Roberta Karim; Illustrated by Karen Ritz; Clarion Books (a Houghton Mifflin Imprint), New York, 1994; grades K-3; audio.

> A young girl who is blind spends her special day with her horse. Together they drink in the sounds, tastes, smells, and feel of an autumn day.

Recess at 20 Below
Cindy Lou Aillaud; Alaska Northwest Books, Portland, OR, 2005; grades 3-6; print.

> Follows a child through adventures at recess in the cold of Alaska.

Shark Shock
Donna Jo Napoli; Puffin Books, New York, 1996; grades 3-6; print. Available on eBay and Amazon.

> Eleven-year-old Adam makes friends with a boy who is blind during his family's vacation at the beach.

Walk/Run for Fitness (Kit)
Lauren Lieberman & Haley Schedlin; American Printing House for the Blind, Inc., Louisville, KY, 2006; young adult; large print, braille.

> Teaches individuals who have visual impairment or blindness how to walk or run using an independent guidewire system or a human guide; the guidewire system is included.

30-Love: Tennis Guidelines for Players with Visual Impairment or Blindness (Kit)
Ayako Matsui & Tristan Pierce; American Printing House for the Blind, Inc., Louisville, KY, 2008; young adult; large print, braille.

> Teaches individuals who have visual impairment or blindness how to play an indoor, adapted version of tennis; includes blindfolds, rackets, and six audible balls.

Camp Abilities
... is a developmental sports camp for children who have visual impairment, blindness, or deafblindness. The camp is set up to provide a 1:1 instructional situation for each child. The camp serves children between the ages of 9 and 19. Camp counselors are recruited from physical education and special education undergraduate and graduate programs across the U.S., and overseas. Since the camp's first summer, more than 800 future teachers in the area of sport and recreation for children with sensory impairments have trained at the camp. Many of our specialists are blind themselves and serve as excellent role models for our children, some of whom have never met or socially interacted with another person who is blind.
For more information, visit http://www.campabilities.org/.

The United States Association of Blind Athletes (USABA)
...is proud to partner with agencies that serve children and youth who are blind and visually impaired, and USABA Sports Clubs to conduct Sports Education Camps at selected locations around the United States. Through the Sports Education Camps (SECs), USABA and its partners impact and empower youths who have visual impairment or blindness. SECs' 3-to 5-day camps are designed to reduce barriers to physical sports and recreation. During camps, students are provided with the necessary skills and confidence to go back to their school physical education classes and be competitive. Students, who learn the adaptive skills and use them at school, become empowered and are more likely to advocate for themselves. For more information, visit www.usaba.org.

American Printing House for the Blind
For an annual listing of winter and summer sports camps that serve youth who have visual impairment or blindness, visit: http://www.aph.org/pe/camps.html

A boy and his coach, both wearing bicycle helmets, face each other and with raised arms celebrate with double high-fives.

Everybody Plays!

Cindy Lou Aillaud, an educator for more than two decades, lives in Delta Junction, the little town at the end of the Alaska Highway. She is the author/photographer of Recess at 20 Below and is a contributing author to the inspirational book for educators Today I Made a Difference. Cindy Lou has a lifelong passion for participation in activities that promote physical fitness. She strives to share her enthusiasm with all children. She was proud to be included in Camp Abilities where everybody plays!

Cindy Lou Aillaud

Cindy Lou Aillaud when she was a very young girl roller skating across the grass.

Lauren Lieberman has a Ph.D. in Movement Studies in Disabilities from Oregon State University. She is now a college professor in the area of Adapted Physical Education at the College at Brockport in Brockport, NY. In 1996, she founded Camp Abilities: A developmental sports camp for children with visual impairments, blindness, or deafblindness. She continues to write and conduct research in this area.

Lauren Lieberman

Lauren Lieberman fishing when she was a young girl.

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Catalog No. 7-13095-00