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Tutoring with the Blind in New York

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This summer, I received a wonderful opportunity to tutor a blind person at a library in New York, preparing her for the science section of her GED test. She had already passed all the other subjects except science, so there was a lot of pressure on me to help her clear this last challenge. I had never done anything like this. Although I did have some experience playing showdown with the blind before, teaching seemed like a whole new different thing. I was nervous at first and consistently questioned my knowledge of science and how I was going to explain something as visual as a graph.  However, week after week, all that nervousness turned into fun. I would close my eyes and try to fit myself into a blind person's shoe. Through this practice, I gained more confidence in how I should teach my blind patient. I began to take pleasure in explaining science in creative ways, translating concepts into vivid descriptions that she could picture. The more I taught, the more I realized how mu...
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A Meaningful Workshop

I recently had the opportunity to attend a new and exciting workshop. It wasn't just a regular craft session -- it was a chance to interact with the people who were blind.  The main focus of the workshop was producing keychains and small doorbell-like items, but what made it remarkable was the person I worked with. The person who took part was blind, and we all worked together to make one of a kind items that looked like four-leaf clovers. As we worked together, we developed trust and comprehension through cooperation, communication, and detailed explanation. I built my own keychain, but what was more important was helping the other people make theirs. Seeing how excited and proud she was when the pieces were done really moved me.  After all, I was thankful when I left the workshop - not just because I got to help, but also because I learnt something. It taught me how to care about others and focus on my peer. At the last part of our session, we talked about what we took away ...
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Volunteering as a part of an amazing community - Josh Park

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On June 22nd, I was given the incredible opportunity to participate in the National Showdown Competition as a volunteer for the event. Throughout the event, I was assigned various tasks, such as guiding visually impaired individuals through busy walkways, or keeping the score on a scorecard during a game. Although my tasks felt monotonous at first, spectating the players as they exchanged attacks at blinding speeds made the experience very engaging overall. It was truly inspiring to see the visually impaired community come together to enjoy the sport of Showdown, and I hope to continue to connect with the community through volunteering in the future as well.
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Creating accessible accessories for the visually impaired

 During this event, the SeeSaw Club members were given the meaningful opportunity to create keychains and doorbells out of string with visually impaired individuals. Each of us was paired one-on-one with a visually impaired individual. Throughout the experience, we worked side by side with our partners, tying knots and feeling the textures, assembling our final products. As we collaborated, we communicated comfortably and learned so much more about each other, making this a unique and memorable experience. Towards the end of the workshop, it no longer felt like one was helping the other, but rather it felt as if we were working as a single team. This experience reminded me that deep connections don't rely on the ability to see, but it is slowly built through communication, respect, and teamwork. 
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Keychain Full of Memories - Yena Lee

The arts and crafts volunteer on May 15th was more than just crafts— it was a reminder for me  that creativity knows no boundaries. The project involved the skill of knotting; our objective was making a doorbell and a bag charm. As I was concentrating on tying the knots, I found my partner, who was visually impaired, struggling to tie knots. Therefore, I guided her to tie the knots the right way and also regularly checked over her work to see if she was doing it correctly. Although the process was tiring, we successfully created both the doorbell and the bag charm. That day, I realized that teamwork can overcome challenges and I was truly happy to become my partner’s eyes and support her throughout the session.
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Breaking Barriers Through Showdown: My Volunteer Experience

 Volunteering for the Showdown League for blind individuals was an incredibly rewarding experience. I had the opportunity to support and connect with visually impaired athletes, helping with tasks like setting up equipment, guiding players, and keeping score. Witnessing their passion, skill, and determination was inspiring, and it deepened my appreciation for inclusivity in sports. This experience not only taught me patience and empathy but also reminded me how powerful community and accessibility can be in creating equal opportunities for everyone.
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The Intensity of Showdown: Volunteering at the Tournament

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     Today, I volunteered at a showdown tournament for visually impaired athletes, and it ended up being one of the most intense and unforgettable experiences I've had. I worked as a scorekeeper, which meant I had to pay really close attention to every move and make sure the scoreboard was updated correctly. It was a lot more serious than I expected–everyone around was super focused, and I could feel the pressure as soon as the games started. I didn't want to mess up even once, especially since each point mattered so much.      What made it even more memorable was that I got to keep score for the finals matches for both the men's and women's divisions. The energy during those games was very intense. The men's finals especially stood out–it went all the way to the last set, and every second felt important. The atmosphere was quiet but tense, and even though I was just keeping score, I was honestly really nervous. It was intimidating being that close to such ...
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