The Athlete and Pilot/Guide Relationship
Being totally blind adds a spin to most of my athletic endeavors. With sports like swimming, biking, and running, athletes put complete trust in their pilots or guides; they are their eyes. They are the only thing keeping me safe, whether it’s swimming in the open ocean, staying shiny-side up on the bike, or abstaining from eating concrete. While on average it can take months or more of regular training for a blind athlete and guide pair to get used to each other, I have done races where I’ve met my guide only the day before — or even the morning of — the race. It isn’t ideal, but sometimes necessity calls. In July 2019, I raced the USA Paratriathlon National Championships with guide Matt Organista, whom I met for the first time the evening before the race.
Thanks to all my pilots and guides!