Find Your Fit Best Fit for Federation Building in Colorado

Find Your Fit Best Fit for Federation Building in Colorado

By

Kevan Worley

Members of the Colorado affiliate build our National Federation of the Blind and improve lives in many ways. In recent times, we have conducted a series of very successful seminars hosted by our Colorado Center for the Blind in Littleton, Colorado. In addition to our always energetic and impactful state convention every fall, these informative, action-packed seminar days target specific areas for growth and empowerment. Last year’s guide dog seminar and Western States Student Seminar have been two shining examples.

On Saturday, May 9 The National Federation of the Blind of Colorado Sports and Recreation Division joined the parade of powerful training days for the blind, their families, and educators. Approximately 80 people attended the Find Your Fit Seminar. While we know that the untimely, unprecedented rain, sleet, snow, and hail, throughout the weekend prevented a number of people from attending, the crowd braving the rain was energetic, thoughtful, and highly engaged. Hats off to the NFB of Colorado Sports and Recreation Division, lead by their extremely competent, caring, and energetic President, Maureen Nietfeld. The curriculum covered the civil rights of health and wellness, cardio drumming, dance, full body workout, goal ball, tandem biking, guide running and walking, tricks and tips for making better nutrition choices, fitness apps, advocating for your children to be better integrated in fitness programs, and much more. Hosted by the Colorado Center for the Blind, the building was buzzing with goal balling, weight lifting, jumping jacks, and the joyful noise of some creative team building exercises to end the day.

The National Federation of the Blind of Colorado founded its Sports and Recreation Division at last fall’s state convention in Denver. It has been a division on the move! Scott LaBarre, President, National Federation of the Blind of Colorado, said, “Some have recognized by many do not know that I have had to join the fitness parade having lost about 40 pounds since last July and I intend to keep it off. Even the breakfast, snacks, and lunch at this seminar proved that you could eat more healthy and tasty.” Scott said, “We must definitely plan programming of this type at our fall state convention. And I congratulate the Sports and Rec. division for this great day.”

The Colorado Center for the Blind has begun to incorporate a focus on more healthful nutrition choices and wellness philosophy as part of its home management curriculum. Julie Deden, CCB Executive Director, and Maureen Nietfeld, Home Management Instructor, both touched on some of the work the Center is doing during lunch presentations.

Attendees were inspired as they listened to four personal stories from blind people in different stages of finding their fit. Steve Patton, Brittany Savage, Maureen Nietfeld, and Phyllis Chaves offered perspective, advice, and motivation to kick off the day.

It has been observed that health and wellness is one of the most important issues facing our country today. A few have suggested that equal access to information in the areas of exercise and nutrition is the most critical element to bring about lifestyle change. If information is truly power than the opportunity for people to get nutrition facts empowers them. If knowledge is power one must be able to access printed information on exercise equipment in order to utilize the equipment.

One of the great attributes possessed by the people of Colorado is our general commitment to the outdoors and recreation of all kinds.  We have the lowest obesity rate per capita in the US. But blind folks continue to face barriers to participation in sports, recreation, exercise, and proper nutrition. Due to lack of training, low expectations, economic disadvantage, and a propensity to live sedentary life styles, the obesity rate among blind and visually impaired people continues to rise. Many employers look at obesity as an additional disability when determining whether or not to hire an individual. Whether or not it is fair, or even legal, it is the reality. If you are blind AND out of shape you have at least two strikes against your odds of employment. Whether it is access to employment, community life, family, or spiritual life, equality of opportunity is the mission of the National Federation of the Blind. In order to live the life we want, to live it to its fullest and longest, exercise and nutrition must be a part of the solution. This was definitely the statement being made at the Find Your Fit seminar.

The seminar was sponsored by the Colorado Business Enterprise Program (BEP). That program is currently seeking blind entrepreneurs. And it knows that in order to work long hours in business folks must be in their best health. The BEP is collaborating with the Department of Health and Environment and other stakeholders in order to bring better healthy choices to customers in the government buildings it serves. The Find Your Fit seminar was also sponsored by the United States Association of Blind Athletes (USABA). USABA is a Colorado-based 501(c) (3) organization that provides life-enriching sports opportunities for every individual with a visual impairment.  A member of the U.S. Olympic Committee, USABA provides athletic opportunities in various sports including, but not limited to track and field, nordic and alpine skiing, biathlon, judo, wrestling, swimming, tandem cycling, powerlifting, and goalball (a team sport for the blind and visually impaired).

The principle sponsor of Find Your Fit was WE Fit Wellness. WE Fit Wellness knows that there are barriers which often make regular exercise and eating well seem unattainable for many. The organization understands that there is a need for options that promote delivery of health and wellness products and services in a manner which is more inclusive and cost effective. The WE Can Culture is designed to foster real world solutions which are accessible, affordable, and achievable. WE Fit Wellness provides tools, research, training, and consulting that makes wellness fit for everyone. Jessica Beecham, Director of WE Fit Wellness, presented during the day and collaborated closely with Maureen Nietfeld and the NFB Sports and Recreation Division Board to plan a remarkable day of information, activity, and inspiration. The Sports and Recreation Division knows that they could not hold such a nurturing, action packed day without the help of a number of great volunteers. Working together, we create a climate of opportunity in which more people who are blind can truly find our fit.