 Courtney Mazzola pictured on the right alongside her guide at the 2023 ‘She.Is.Beautiful’ race in Santa Barbara, CA. Blind runner plans to mentally map and experience Fairbanks through Midnight Sun RunCourtney Mazzola may be the only legally blind individual participating in the 2024 Midnight Sun Run. However, it won’t be her first 10-kilometer race, and her lack of sight hasn’t inhibited the desire for world travel that has brought her to Fairbanks.
A psychotherapist by trade, Mazzola grew up in Los Angeles, and now spends part of the year in Santa Barbara while also working remotely. While she doesn’t have usable vision, Mazzola possesses enough light perception to pick up on Fairbanks’ omnipresent sunlight in the summer. That’s part of what intrigued her about the Midnight Sun Run. “Any place that would hold a 10k from 10 o’clock at night to midnight [is appealing],” Mazzola said by phone. “I was wondering how the light would affect me. So far, I actually kind of really like it because I’m so driven and oriented to like natural light. I am so drawn to it, and so I’m kind of actually loving it. I don’t think it’s affecting me as much as it might affect other sighted people.” Mazzola was sponsored for the She.Is.Beautiful run — which promotes women’s empowerment — in Santa Barbara, California this past September, and she’ll again be running with a guide at the Midnight Sun Run on June 22. She’s long wanted to visit Alaska, and after a friend who participated in the Midnight Sun Run some 20 years ago recommended the event, Mazzola used the race as an anchor to build her trip around. “When I’d heard enough about Alaska, I got intrigued,” Mazzola said. “I wasn’t so interested in, like, traveling to Alaska, but living in Alaska for a month or two, just getting to actually experience Alaska in a deeper way.” Mazzola, who plans to stay in Fairbanks for at least a month, wanted to have the unique experience of visiting during the solstice, and Fairbanks felt like it would be the “most Alaskan experience.” She didn’t know anyone in the Golden Heart City when she booked the trip but was already in touch with another visually impaired individual before arriving and is keen to find guides for hiking and running to further explore the area in a safe way. As for the Midnight Sun Run itself, she’ll alternate between intervals of running and walking as she creates a mental map of the course. Mazzola, who has a strong sense of orientation and direction, views the race as an opportunity to create a picture in her mind and better engage with, learn and experience Fairbanks. Mazzola has participated in everything from skiing to flying, equestrian sports and martial arts. Running appears to be her newest athletic undertaking. “I was really proud of myself,” she said of her first 10k. “I just love that feeling, like that sense of accomplishment, of pushing myself and doing something hard….I just have an inner drive, a passion for sports, being active, moving my body, like engaging with my body and the natural world and just living life as fully as possible.” Many are intimidated by solo travel or any one of the endeavors that Mazzola has dabbled in. While one may think being blind from birth would increase that apprehension tenfold, Mazzola doesn’t see it as a deterrent. “I think there’s a sense in our culture, and probably most, that blindness or any disability is somehow less than, is somehow deficient or defective,” Mazzola said. “And it’s like a lesser experience, lesser of a person, in a way, is what gets implied….So much of this is me finding my way, because there isn’t a ton of modeling of it, of other blind people.” Original article found here: Daily News-Miner | By Gavin Struve Published June 21, 2024
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 Read original article here: https://www.independent.com/2024/05/29/anacapa-school-participates-in-inspiring-blind-fitness-waterfront-surrey-bike-ride/
May 8, 2024 – In a heartwarming and educational Wednesday afternoon activity, Anacapa School students partnered with blind and low vision participants for a unique and inspiring surrey bike ride along the beautiful Santa Barbara waterfront. This collaborative event, organized with the help of Blind Fitness, aimed to foster awareness and understanding of the blind and low vision community while promoting physical fitness and social engagement. The students and participants gathered at Wheel Fun Rentals, where they rented surrey bikes for the afternoon. A surrey bike, a four-wheeled quadricycle, features a two, four, or six-seated covered carriage with an open bench seat, allowing everyone to pedal together. Equipped with two steering wheels, these bikes are ideal for people who are blind or have low vision, providing a safe and enjoyable way to experience biking while also enjoying a fun social event. Anacapa School’s partnership with Blind Fitness for this event was not only about having fun but also about education and advocacy. The blind and low vision participants shared their experiences and insights, helping to educate the students about the challenges and triumphs of living with visual impairments. This interaction provided a valuable opportunity for the students to develop a deeper understanding and empathy for the blind and low vision community. “Today’s activity was truly special,” said a representative from Anacapa School. “Our students learned so much from our blind and low vision friends. It was a powerful reminder of the importance of inclusivity and the strength of our community.” The event was filled with laughter, conversation, and camaraderie as everyone pedaled together, demonstrating the power of teamwork and shared experiences. The scenic waterfront route provided a perfect backdrop for this meaningful activity, allowing participants to enjoy the fresh air and stunning views of Santa Barbara. Anacapa School extends its gratitude to Blind Fitness for their invaluable partnership and to Wheel Fun Rentals for providing the surrey bikes that made this event possible. This activity marks a significant step in Anacapa School’s ongoing commitment to the Santa Barbara community by fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for all. About Anacapa School: Located in the heart of downtown Santa Barbara, Anacapa School is an independent, co-educational school for grades 7-12 that offers a high-quality education in an enriching environment. Anacapa empowers students to excel at critical thinking, creativity, integrity, and compassion through experiential and project-based learning that serves the needs of the whole student. Through its 5:1 student-to-teacher ratio and dedicated Learning Differences program, Anacapa fosters intelligent and complex discourse between students and faculty. Our rigorous academics, enriching electives (Baking, Photography, and Surfing are just a sampling!), twice-yearly school trips, Synthesis Week, and community engagement is designed to promote collaboration, independent thinking, and practical life skills. Anacapa School has ongoing enrollment for the 2024/2025 school year. For more information, visit www.anacapaschool.org. For more information about Blind Fitness and upcoming events, please visit: www.blindfitness.org |
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As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in the state of California. Donations to Blind Fitness are tax deductible
EIN Number: 87-2740782 | IRS Determination Letter
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