The first week of August, , I had an unexpected opportunity– to spend a few days and nights at Oral Hull Park here in Sandy, Oregon. A unique setting for blind campers to explore the natural world as we tested and exceeded our own personal sense of limitations, OH provides the friendly encouragement and unwavering support that makes the impossible definitely possible.
Blind archers? You bet! Along with the well-loved USABA (United States Association of Blind Atheletes) sponsored tandom biking and Beeper Ball, I finally got the chance to draw back and letfly a dozen arrows…one actually just missing the bull’s eye! Of course, a couple missed the target altogether, and the rest…you can imagine.
But the thrill and pride expressed by those around me who braved the climbing wall…and were heading off for white water rafting…left me speechless.
Yes, these totally blind and partially sighted adults came from across the country not just to drink in the sweet freshness of life at the foot of Mt. Hood; they came to stretch their abilities, to challenge their own and society’s ideas about physical limitation, to bust through actual and contrived barriers!
And all I can say is…
Take notice world!
Nature and Judaism go hand in hand, not only because we free to equate the beauty of he world around us with God’s handiwork (and I count myself as one of those who does this), and th natural world is the perfect place for contemplation as both Jews and human beings.