By Michelle Miracle, Public Relations Intern for Christian Record Services
Adapted from: Southern Union Tidings (December, 2000)
Covering 160 miles in three days doesn't sound impressive, but then again bicycles can only go so fast.
Cycling through middle Tennessee in midsummer is not everyone's idea of a good time, but for a group of young people it was an opportunity they couldn't pass up. Riding a bike, to some, means strapping on a helmet, hopping on and leisurely surveying the scenery. Not for these riders though. They were blind, and that meant stepping out of their comfort zones and onto tandem bikes.
Sighted volunteers, many from the Dickson, TN area, served as captains on the trip. Campers came from varied social and religious backgrounds to be a part of this journey. "Biking is a way to bring people together and give them a sense of accomplishment," said Don Short, history teacher at Georgia-Cumberland Academy and assistant coordinator of the trip. Short, a born biking enthusiast, has planned many biking tours and viewed this event as, "An opportunity to demonstrate the practical side of Christianity to others."
Helping the blind see Jesus is the mission of Christian Record Services, sponsor of the event. For over 25 years CRS has been running National Camps for Blind Children. Along with summer camps, CRS provides braille and large-print books and magazines and audio tapes to the blind and visually impaired.
Being blind means taking calculated risks every day, and while the risks involved were new to everyone, they were all up for the challenge. "I said 'no' at first, to the ride, but my friends helped me change my mind," said Skyy Collie, a 16-year-old camper from Johnson City, TN. "I was worried that I would be in pain, but it was much easier than I thought it would be."
With visions of horseback riding, waterskiing, and much more in their minds, the campers headed toward Indian Creek Camp, one of four blind camps in the Southern Union. Averaging a little over 50 miles a day, the group rode through central Tennessee June 25 through 28. Campers and corporate sponsors raised funds for CRS ministries for the blind and promoted the organization along the way.
This was the first year National Camps for Blind Children organized a Blind Biker Camp. "The idea was to incorporate a Blind Bikers Across America event into one of the popular nationwide weeklong blind camps," said Sonny Wilmoth, CRS representative from middle Tennessee. "Indian Creek Camp attracts nearly 100 blind campers each year. However, the campers do not get the opportunity to interact with nature in the unique way the bikers did."
Along the way the kids got the chance to sleep under the stars, visit a natural history museum, ride through Nashville, camp at Montgomery Bell and Long Hunter state parks, take a refreshing dip in a lake, and enjoy the great outdoors as they never had before. While each day brought new hurdles, day two was especially memorable. The hills they encountered proved to be a test of physical endurance for all, but being able to say they conquered "heartbreak hill" and her "cousins" was worth the agony. "The [hills] were pretty difficult, but we made it through," said Jessica Beecham, a 15-year-old camper from Pegram, TN. "At the end of the day we all had a sense of satisfaction."
Volunteers from various professions and religious denominations got a chance to ride and bond with blind kids they will never forget. "The trip gave me a better understanding of the blind. "I had a blast," said Jared Dorris, a 23-year-old volunteer from Dickson, TN, who took off work as a graphic designer to take part in this journey. "Getting to know the blind bikers was a highlight for me."
Campers and volunteers rotated so that every person involved got a chance to ride, and a few people were able to ride the entire distance. All of the campers are proud of what they accomplished. "The experience was great for me, because I did something I never thought I could do," said Collie, who rode the entire way. "It strengthened me as a person."
In spite of the rain on the last day, the bikers forged on to Indian Creek Camp in Liberty, TN. The camp staff cheered the riders on as they pedaled in, and during a special ceremony each camper received a medal for his/her achievement. "In the end, they were tired, but elated," said Wilmoth, "They would do it again in an instant."
Each rider had his/her own reason for going; however, they all enjoyed the experience. For some it was a chance to shape up for the coming sports season. "The first thing that came to mind was that it would help me get in shape for track season," said Beecham. "The trip gave me a sense of satisfaction and pride for being able to finish it. It also gave me big muscles in my legs."
For others this event proved to be too exciting to pass up. "I like all kinds of biking challenges, but I had never done anything with the blind before," said Dorris. "I like volunteering and I thought, anything I can do to help."
Worn out and a little sore, but with new-found confidence, these campers were ready to take on anything camp brought their way. "The trip taught each camper a lesson in self-reliance and teamwork," said Wilmoth. "I wanted the kids to see this as a spiritual as well as a physical journey, a kind of metaphor for life. If they could accomplish this, then they could accomplish anything else in life they wanted to."
"I was very proud of myself, because I achieved something that I didn't think was possible," said Brenda Adams, a 16-year-old camper from Nashville, TN. "It let me know that if I put my mind to it, I could do it."