SeeSaw Club

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...

On November 16th, our club volunteered at a program where I helped visually impaired adults make natural soaps, and it turned out to be much more meaningful than I expected. Instead of just doing the work for them, I had to describe each step clearly—like how the melted soap felt, how strong the scents were, and how to safely pour the mixture into molds—so they could be as hands-on as possible. I guided their hands gently when needed, but also gave them space to try things on their own, which taught me a lot about patience and trust. The room smelled like lavender and citrus, and even though some steps were slow or a bit messy, everyone laughed and encouraged each other. Seeing how proud they were when they held the finished soaps they’d made themselves made me realize how small actions, like explaining carefully or offering an extra hand, can help someone feel more independent and included. It was a reminder that volunteering isn’t just about “helping,” but about sharing an experience...

 On November 16th, I took part in the Seesaw soap-making session with members of the visually impaired community, and I did not know what to expect at first. Since it was my first art workshop, I felt a bit unsure. Nonetheless, my partner's friendly attitude made it easy to settle in after we greeted each other.  We used the lavender scent for both soaps and chose a heart mold and a rectangle mold. The funniest moment happened when I was tried giving him a little bit of my soap, but the whole cup suddenly poured out. Though it looked like a mistake, the shape came out perfectly and we both laughed.  The room felt warm as the soap scents filled the space steadily. As we continued working, we got closer and closer, with each interaction  bringing a small laugh or smile. At the end of the session, I gave him both soaps and my magnetic soap holder. He seemed genuinely thankful for the gift, making the experience even more meaningful to me. My main takeaway from this was ...