An eight-year-old boy runs to the finish line in a 25-yard relay race to the cheers and applause of onlookers. He and his partner finish in first place. The boy is Ernest Lee and he is visually impaired, as are half the children in this unique “Olympics.”
The Foundation for the Junior Blind hosted their sixth annual summer games at Camp Bloomfield in Malibu on July 1. More than 50 visually impaired or blind youngsters, ages 5 through 12, were paired with sighted “buddies” and competed in relay and aquatics races and an archery competition. The event kicked off the 2001 summer camp season.
With a 100-watt smile from his victory, Lee said of the camp, “The best thing about it is winning medals.”
His buddy, Zev Tauelieb, 8, said he was also having fun. After taking first place in the 25-yard relay, the boys ran the 50-yard relay and won third place. They posed proudly for photographers, wearing both their gold and bronze metals.
A parade began the festivities, followed by speeches by supporters, including Jim Baker, fifth ranked blind golfer in the United States, who spoke about the foundation and its efforts to provide programs, services and education for blind and visually impaired children, young adults and their families.
Congressman Brad Sherman and Gregory Evangelatos, a double paralympion in 1992, spoke during the closing ceremony.
Baker, 44, has been blind for 14 years due to complications from diabetes. He said parents do a disservice to their blind children by being overly protective, and advocated letting them exercise their wings.
“The important thing is to go out and try different things,” he said. “You’re going to fail–everyone does when they first start, or at least has some setbacks. But getting to the point where you’re successful brings confidence. It’s going to help in anything you do.”
Camp Bloomfield is a 40-acre site within a tree-lined, lush canyon above Leo Carrillo Beach that includes a stream, horses, a small-animal petting area, pool, archery and a meadow for track and field events. It’s the largest residential camp for blind or visually impaired children in the nation.
Mirani Nichols watched the games with her two young sons, one of whom is blind. Of the day’s activities, she said, “It’s great because they provide for both sighted and blind kids. Both my kids are enjoying the event.”
Joshua Epport-Footlik, 9, a “buddy” and a fourth generation family member to be involved in the camp, had a message of encouragement for anyone with a handicap. To the crowd of campers, their family and friends, he said, “This is my third summer at the foundation’s summer games … I have learned that when you’re blind, you can still do a lot of things…
“In our world, it should not be about who’s the best looker, who has the most money or has won the most. It should not be about ‘me’ or ‘I.’ It should be about the heart…
“We are a family, whether black or white, boy or girl, blind or sighted…
“You are a part of this world in every way. So what I’d like to say to you is reach for your goals, have fun and enjoy being you!”