I am totally blind since the first day of my life; I never had any form, color or even
light perception. During my Chicago Public high school years, I was considered too
fragile to participate in P.E. classes and I had no choice but to sit and listen to
someone read about health and fitness, while my sighted peers had fun chasing a ball or
participating in physical work-outs. I am thankful that the anger within my mother and
me unleashed an unstoppable passion to “educate” policy makers, administrators and the
experts in the education arena that blind students are capable to actively pursue
swimming, biking and running. It was a great surprise to me, when crossing the finish
line in the 1999 Triathlon World Championships, held in Montreal, Canada, I emerged as
the first and only blind female triathlete in the world arena. When I returned home with
a gold medal, I was suddenly respected and offered a part-time job as a “role model” to
tutor a blind boy in the Skokie public school system for Braille reading and writing.
I have been very successful. In order to enable my blind students in the Chicago Metropolitan
area to have easy access to Braille books, I raised funds and in May 2001, former U.S.
Senator Paul Simon visited the Skokie Public Library for the inauguration of The Jeanne
and Paul Simon Braille Book Collection.
Over the past five years, I have competed in numerous Olympic distance triathlons
(1.5 K Swim, 40 K Bike, 10 K Run), including formerly called Mrs. T’s Chicago Triathlons
and some of the most difficult courses in California, specifically the “Escape from Alcatraz”
and the “Wildflower” Triathlons. My guide Matt Miller from LA (front cover of the Runner’s
World Magazine/September 2003) and I have been portrayed in the nationwide coverage of the
2002 Nautica Malibu Triathlon by FOX Sports and in the TWI/IMG coverage of the
“2002 Escape from Alcatraz”, shown in Southeast Asia, Australia, Sweden and Spain.
I learned to swim at the Leaning Tower YMCA before I learned to walk. I have ridden a
tandem bike with my Mom or other family members since my feet were able to reach the pedals,
but not until fall 1997 did a YMCA coach take the time to teach me how to run on a treadmill.
I am a very proud member of BIG family NWORC! I feel warmly accepted as a physically challenged
runner. I hope to plant seeds for better acceptance and integration of physically challenged
athletes in the Midwest. By feeling closely bonded, we can expect to make possible what others
think impossible.
It is one of the most beautiful compensation of this life
that no man can sincerely help another without helping himself.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Who We Are
