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Trials and Tribulations - The Marvelous Spectacle of Showdown

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  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...

Being part of the 9th WILL-SEESAW CUP

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  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...

Participating in the 9th WILL-SEESAW CUP

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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...

Soaps with Special Meanings

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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...

A Meaningful Day Making Lavender Soap

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 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 ...

Soap Making Experience

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On November 16th, I participated in a Seesaw volunteering event where we made handmade soap with members of the visually impaired community. By mixing molten soap with different scents and pouring them into rubber molds, we were able to make soaps of different shapes and pleasant scents. One thing that stood out to me during the activity was how coordinated and skilled the visually impaired participants were throughout the process. Despite my initial assumption that the activity might be challenging for them, my partner showed amazing skills, and he ended up making two soap bars that looked better than my own! Overall, it was a fun and meaningful experience for both the visually impaired community and our Seesaw team.

Making Natural Soaps With the Visually Impaired

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On November 16th, our Seesaw team volunteered in a soap-making activity with members of the visually impaired community, and it ended up being so much more meaningful than I expected. We worked with natural ingredients and molds shaped variously such as hearts and diamonds. The room smelled so warm and calming from all the essential oils we mixed in, creating a soothing environment for all of us. While making the soaps, I had the chance to talkwith a lot of the participants – asking if it was their first time, what kinds of soaps they usually use, and which scents they liked. The conversations were simple but genuine, and they made the whole activity feel more personal. We laughed at little mistakes, shared reactions to the strong scents, and helped each other pour the mixtures into the molds.  When the soaps were finally ready to take out, the results were honestly very pretty – smooth colorful, and very fragrant. Even though some participants couldn't see the shapes clearly, they...