SeeSaw Club

During this activity, I worked with visually impaired individuals to make oil hand cream and air freshener. While the activity itself seemed simple, it became a valuable learning experience that helped me better understand the importance of accessibility, communication, and inclusion. Throughout the process, I learned how important it is to provide clear verbal instructions and explanations. Since many participants relied less on visual information, I had to think more carefully about how I communicated each step. This experience made me realize that activities often designed with sight in mind can be adapted so that everyone can participate fully and independently. One of the most memorable parts of the activity was choosing and mixing different scents. As scent was such an important element of both the oil hand cream and air freshener, everyone was able to express their own preferences and creativity. It was enjoyable to see how each person created something unique while sharing thei...

Coming back to my second WILL-SEESAW Showdown Cup, I definitely felt less panic and more presence.  What stunned me the most was what happened during the breaks between rallies and matches. Every time we had a timeout, I would ask my visually impaired partner what I was doing wrong and what skill I should use in the next turn. Each time, he was able to explain exactly what I could fix like the small changes in angle or bat positioning. It astonished me every time that even while playing in complete darkness, he understood the angles and dynamics of the game more acutely than I did. However, something about his mindset stood out even more. Despite understanding the game at such a deep level, he never seemed to obsess over the score or focus on every little mistake. Instead, he consistently encouraged our team to keep playing the way we did and simply enjoy the game. His priority was not the result or perfect; rather, the experience and joy itself.  His attitude ultimately ...

The 9th WILL-SEESAW Showdown Cup was hosted on the 21st of February, 2026. Despite having played the tournament three times, the nerves still came on before each match. Instead of viewing that anxiety as a weakness, I realized it was an indication that the event actually meant something to me.  This year, it seemed there were many more competitors, including my sister, who participated in this event. Most Seesaw members developed their skills with practice, thus making the matches not only quicker but more strategic. All of this required quick reactions, clear thinking after every rally. To top it off, one of the most meaningful portions was playing with visually impaired athletes. It was an environment that fostered communication, patience, and respect. It also reminded me that sports can be a potentially strong connector of people and a bridge to understanding ones with differences.  For me, it was a special experience as it was the third time for me, and that my sister part...

  The past week, the SEESAW Committee was given the wonderful opportunity to partner with the WILL organization, in what would be a friendly round-robin style tournament of the famed sport Showdown. Personally, I am relatively a somewhat experienced member of this sport, which works to captivate those exposed to it not through simple means but rather a variegated lineup of aspects. Underneath the seeming disadvantage of the sight-blocking glasses lies the gift of utilizing one's auditory and physical senses. The game consists of two players, each with a paddle to try and hit the ball into the other's goal; the ball is fitted with seeds in the interior, so that one with sufficiently honed ears could perceptively maneuver the location, orientation, and mobility of their craft. Such a game may seem like a slow listening procedure, but the reality features a far more rapid, physical, and hardcore experience; as certain visually impaired professionals of the game sport special techn...

  Participating in the showdown cup this year felt different from my past experiences. Although I was still nervous waiting in the darkness for the ball to be served, I felt more prepared and confident than ever. This year, instead of focusing on winning, I remembered to relax, enjoy, and trust my hearing. As the game continued, I concentrated solely on the sound of the ball and did not let myself lose that focus. Because of this, I was able to react more quickly and play better than expected. In the end, my team’s efforts paid off and I was proud to win a second place. However, what made the experience truly meaningful was not the result, but the opportunity to once again walk in the shoes of the individuals who are visually impaired. Through this event, I was reminded of the incredible abilities of people who are visually impaired and the importance of empathy and awareness. I hope that Will Showdown Cup strives to grow and become more widely known. I want people to be aware tha...

On February 21st, 2026, I competed in the 9th WILL-SEESAW Showdown Cup, and it was already my fifth showdown. Every year, I think the nerves will go away, but they don’t. Before my matches, I could feel the anxiety creeping in—overthinking mistakes and questioning whether I was really ready. However, at the same time, that nervousness reminded me how much this experience means to me. What really stood out this year was how much the level has grown. All of our Seesaw members were genuinely much more skilled and had improved significantly throughout our practice sessions. The rallies were much faster, the strategies smarter, and there was barely any room for error. It wasn’t just physically challenging but also mentally exhausting. I had to stay focused every second of each match. Beyond the competition itself, interacting with visually impaired players was always the most meaningful part. Being present in that environment pushed everyone to communicate better and to see ability differen...