Day 15

Round of applause please...

I did my drop off like a pro! My instructor had me get into his car blindfolded, and he proceeded to drive in circles all around the area including a few circles in a parking lot I think just to make sure I had no idea where I was. I got out of the car, and made my way up the curb and to the building in front of me. I trailed the building until I was at the corner and stood there, listening to traffic trying to figure out which corner I was at. I decided to trail to the other side of that block to make sure I was correct about where I was. I hit my landmark on the other corner and I was off like a shot! I was only a few blocks from the 'rally point' of Maricela's Day Spa (which also makes awesome smoothies). On my final street crossing I touched the corner of the building which is a stucco exterior with a rounded decorative corner that is distinct. Knowing my destination was on the sidewalk ahead, I purposely turned left and began to trail the building knowing my instructor was behind me somewhere having an aneurysm because I had turned the wrong way. I smiled and called out "just kidding!" and he called out "psych!" as I turned around to head the right way up the sidewalk to our destination. I couldn't help myself. Glad to be done with that test. I was worried about it. Turns out I worried for nothing!

Another group of visually impaired campers arrived today. These kids are older, 12 and up. Much better as far as energy. No one was bouncing off of walls or anything. We had fun with them at the rock wall. I helped organize a "poker run" where the kids were put into teams and had to make it to 5 stations to collect a playing card. The team with the best hand at the end won a prize. The low vision kids took turns being under blindfold for the game to practice cane travel. There are 2 girls who are completely blind that were able to show off their awesome mobility skills. One girl goes down stairs better with her cane than I do using my eyes! It was great to see their success.

We have another week of long nights with these guys, but they are a lot of fun.