WIll Showdown Tournament / May 25

    I had the honor of helping out with the Seesaw squad at the WILL Showdown Cup on May 25. Even though Saturdays are often exhausting, the day was made more memorable and energizing by my excitement for the occasion. The players, volunteers, and officials surrounding me with contagious energy and enthusiasm as soon as I arrived at the venue. Mainly, I helped the players who could not see by directing them to the necessary locations, such as the restrooms, and to their designated rooms for the showdown competition. My primary goal was to guarantee their comfort and self-assurance while touring the area. I became immediately aware of how crucial clear communication is. Moreover, I also served as a scorekeeper during the competition. This role was both thrilling and a bit nerve-wracking, as I had the responsibility of maintaining accurate scores. The competition was intense, with athletes displaying incredible focus and skill. I was amazed by their determination and passion for the sport. 

    Through this experience, my comprehension of the significance of accessibility and inclusivity in sports has grown. I was able to observe firsthand the difficulties visually impaired athletes encounter and the amazing ways they overcome them via volunteering. At the end of the day, I learned that despite the triumphant barriers that faces one's way, it is key to navigate new routes to overcome those impediments for a better future.  

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Showdown Volunteer 5/25

Image
I woke up and started packing my things for another exciting day, the Showdown competition! Showdown is a fast-paced sport played on a specially built table that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and skill levels. The game aims to hit the ball off the side wall, across the table, beneath the center screen, and into the opponent's goal.  When I went to where the 8th Will-Cup was held, the participants were preparing for their 9 - 10 hour competition. The atmosphere was thrilling, filled with hope and enthusiasm. Players warmed up, practiced their serves and returns, and shared last-minute advice with their coaches and fellow participants. My involvement in the competition was both rewarding and enriching. I had been assigned to assist blind children in navigating the event, ensuring they could track their matches and find their way. Despite they didn't ask for help, I reached my hand before them. When they refused for help, rather than thinking rudely, it was just an experie...
Read more

Volunteering at the Showdown Tournament

During the Showdown tournament, I had the rewarding task of guiding teenage athletes through the maze-like hallways to their respective tournament rooms. Observing the young athletes' passion for their sport was highly inspiring. Beyond my assigned duties, I extended help to other athletes in the hallways and eventually took on the role of scorekeeper for a couple of games. Having previously played the sport myself, I was particularly impressed by the athletes' skills. Showdown requires players to track the location of the ball by listening to the sound of beads inside it, demanding intense concentration and sharp hearing. Despite these challenges, the games moved at an extremely fast pace, almost as if the athletes could visually perceive the ball. A standout memory from this experience was a conversation I had with an athlete during his break. He shared details about the range of sports he plays as well as his upcoming competitions, giving me a glimpse into his impressive ath...
Read more

An Unforgettable Art Experience

Image
  This past weekend, members of SeeSaw gathered together with visually impaired individuals to experience collaborating and learning art together. We learned the flat knot technique and applied it to create phone bracelets and worry dolls, where we could vent out all of our struggles and feel relieved. Throughout the experience, I both learned the technique and aided the visually impaired in feeling the knots and finding the sensory techniques to tie the knots themselves. I saw that they thoroughly enjoyed the experience and were delighted the entire time; one of the people even stated that they had stayed up all night for the experience! Ultimately, it was a fun experience where I bonded with numerous individuals and I felt accomplished at succeeding to collaborate with those who need our help.
Read more