En garde! Blind students aren't afraid to fence
En garde! Blind students aren't afraid to fence
Cory Kadlik has never let being blind stop him from golfing, skating, learning martial arts or riding a dirt bike. He had his doubts when it came to fencing.
"I never even knew this was possible," said Kadlik, 19, of Medway as epees clanged, his teammates whooped in triumph, and coaches barked out instructions in the gym of Perkins School for the Blind.
Kadlik duels Monday in what's being billed as a first-of-its kind match between students at schools for the blind — Perkins and The Carroll Center for the Blind in nearby Newton.
Fencing teaches the balance, agility, mobility, timing, listening and navigational skills that the blind need to make their way in the sight-oriented world, said Peggy Balmaseda, a physical education teacher at Perkins for 25 years.
"This helps with orientation," said Kadlik, who lives on his own in an apartment on the Perkins Watertown campus. "When you're walking along, and you come to a crosswalk, you need to stay in a straight line to cross the street, and learning to stay straight in fencing reinforces that feeling."
The organization oversees competition for the blind in sports including cycling, swimming, skiing, and judo, but Lucas said he's never heard of a fencing tournament for the blind, perhaps because it takes so much hand-eye coordination.
For the Perkins fencers, fencing is just plain fun and proves that the blind can do anything the sighted can.
"I'm not limited by the way I am," said Perkins student Sam Robson, 17, of Westport, Conn., who also wrestles, swims and runs track. He said he's lived his life facing skepticism about his abilities.
"Don't tell me I can't walk across the street by myself," he said. "I can do that. Don't tell me I can't fence. I can do that. I think it's a big statement that can show people we are not afraid."
Minh Farrow, 21, the only woman on the Perkins team, said she was inspired to try fencing by her younger brother. "I just do it because it's fun," she said.
There are no special rules and no greater risk of injury for the blind students, Morales said. They wear the same protective jackets and headgear as sighted fencers. They start with their weapons touching, then fence on command from the officials, just like a fencing bout for the sighted. There are no verbal cues from coaches, and they use the same electronic scoring devices that buzz and light up when a fencer touches the tip of their weapon to their opponent's torso or head.
To keep the blind fencers oriented, Morales uses a rectangular carpet much like the "strip" sighted fencers use.
Kadlik, blind since birth, uses his other senses to judge the movements and distance to his opponent. He listens for their movements, feeling the vibrations of their footsteps through the carpet.
"You can feel the guy step, you know which way he's stepping, and as long as you follow his blade, you are in good shape," he said.
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- Posted on March 29, 2010
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Fence is to danger it can blind a person and then they can not see and if the person is not protected it can kill you or paralyze a person.
If I was a blind person I would be terrified to fence other people! I know they wear all different kinds of equipment but I would be scare. No matter where I am and I can't see where I'm going, I kinda start to freak out!
Reading the Article EN GARDE showed me that blind people can do any thing that sighted can. People thing that blind people can't do anything but never judge a book by it's cover. Thats why never think people are helpless but there wrong. I can't belevie a blind person can do all those things.
Reading the article,"En garde! Blind students aren't afraid to fence," I was amazed at the persistence. I was scrolling down the page and stopped at this fencing article. I chose this one because when I was about five years old, my dad worked at the Air Force Academy, and often took me to watch fencing. I was so amazed at the sport and enjoyed watching it. To find out that blind people fence is astonishing.
Watching fencing, I noticed how hard it would be to coordinate your body placement, weapon movement, and trying to dodge the opponent's attacks all at the same time. Fencing is an extremely hard skill to perfect but with lots of practice, many people become amazing fencers. Even people that have overcome disabilities, such as Cory Kadlik, can become amazing fencers. Cory is a blind student at the Perkins School for the blind, but has overcome his disability and is now golfing, skating, learning martial arts, and riding a dirt bike,. but had his doubts about learning to fence. He slowly took to the sport, and is now competing in fencing tournaments for the blind. This article really proves that the blind can do anything that the sighted can.
I hope that more people will follow Cory's example and learn to be resilient and not give up even though they might be blind, deaf, or not even be able to walk. He shows that just because your disabled, doesn't mean the end of the world and encourages people to not give up at their dreams.
Wow, that is really interesting. I can't believe a blind person is fencing, because how would he know where he is pointing the blade. It would be awesome being noticed as a blind fencer, because there are not that many blind people that fence or play any sports. I would feel famous for fencing blind and beat someone when they have the advantage to see.
I think it's kind of wierd and dangerous to fence blind because they could accidently stab someone in the eye with it but as long as no one gets hurt it is fine with me.
Now this is what you call bravery with a side of determination! Kadik is awesome for striving hard. Even though he lacks sight- which is very significant when engaging in combat, He puts that aside and reaches his goal. I'd really want to be that kind of person one day. (not the fact of being blind and fencing, I'm sorry if I offended some people), But I want to be a person who pushes herself to her limit, sets aside the odds in a corner, And fights hard to reach my goal and earn respect from others.
Why is students afraid of a teacher because he is blind that doesn't mean anything the teacher could hear you because he is blind he could hear your footsteps cause ain't that what blind people do like a dog they could sniff you out blind people can hear you.
Really cool seems like its fun. Seems like no one can not do that but if he can every one can really really really cool.
I think it is good she tryed something new. She most be very convedn and thats good. I think she is very talented. she has a bright futer. she is one of those people who don`t quite.