Welcome to our Blind Fitness blog! We would like to start by sharing a letter from the parent of one of our long-time participants that was sent to a donor:
June 9, 2023
I hope this letter finds you healthy and in good spirits. I am writing to you today on behalf of Blind Fitness, a new startup charity dedicated to empowering blind individuals through fitness, outdoor exploration, and community engagement. With its unique approach and dedication of its founder, Brianna Pettit, Blind Fitness aims to transform the lives of visually impaired individuals in the Santa Barbara community.
Brianna Pettit, the visionary of Blind Fitness, is a well-respected figure in the Santa Barbara community. As an experienced Orientation and Mobility trainer, she has been a very important part of my son Maxx’s life for the past 15 years. Brianna’s passion for her work and her deep-rooted knowledge of the community make her the perfect leader for this initiative.
One of my most vivid memories of Brianna’s commitment is when she took Maxx out on the streets for one of his first orientation lessons. She not only taught him about navigating with his white cane but also made each experience memorable and meaningful. She would stop by significant landmarks, such as the tiled wall near Pirate Park, and share the history behind it. Similarly, when passing by the Motel 6 hotel, she enlightened Maxx about its historical significance as the very first Motel 6 in the country. She also helped Maxx with his dream to make dinner for our entire family. Brianna spent months with Maxx navigating from the grocery stores to the kitchen. It was a huge success and that accomplishment for Maxx was a turning point for his maturity.
It is Brianna’s ability to incorporate the rich culture and heritage of Santa Barbara into the training process that sets Blind Fitness apart. Blind Fitness is more than just a fitness program; it is a movement for community involvement and the cultivation of empathy and understanding. What I am most attracted to is Blind Fitness inclusivity, welcoming participants of all ages, from 5 to 100. By bringing together sighted and visually impaired individuals, Blind Fitness promotes diversity and togetherness. It encourages a mutual exchange of perspectives, allowing the sighted to gain insights into the challenges faced by the blind and vice versa.
Blind Fitness gets people outside, exploring their surroundings, and rediscovering their own community. Through engaging activities and immersive experiences, this charity facilitates being actively involved in fun outdoor endeavors while participants gain a deeper appreciation for the different ways people experience the world.
I hope you can appreciate the positive impact Blind Fitness is already making in the lives of individuals like Maxx. I would love to see Blind Fitness grow strong in Santa Barbara and then be replicated in other communities across the country.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Regards,
Darcy Christal
We will have ongoing stories from our Blind Fitness participants, volunteers, and supporters as well as highlights from our events. Stay tuned!