I have never used one of the writing prompts, but this week while I have lots going on and need time to process some things, it felt like a good, light-hearted  way to still keep up with my writing.

So, sport. 

My relationship with sport hasn’t always been a good one. Growing up I was never any good at sport and would avoid PE lessons like the plague. I couldn’t catch a ball to save my life and hated anything that required agility. We always just thought I was clumsy, however looking back with hindsight it is clear that my sight was slowly deteriorating. So these things, that we assumed I wasn’t good at, were in fact just very hard for a kid who was slowly losing her sight to do. But of course we didn’t know that my sight was as poor as it was, so I just couldn’t articulate the issue.

I enjoy sport much more now. I will never make it to the Paralympics! But, I take part in sport that I enjoy and makes me feel good. 

I like using my rowing machine  and treadmill, I am learning to use weights and do strength training with a personal trainer who, herself has a disability, this makes the sessions feel judgement free, and positive.

I used to love going to aqua aerobics classes however since the coach that ran them has moved, I am nervous to go, however haven’t ruled out the possibility  of going again.

But I have to say, my most favourite sport is ten pin bowling. Something I never would have considered I could be even slightly good at as a blind woman.

So how do blind people play bowling?

Well, the rules of the game are exactly the same, there are a few small adjustments. First of all, within the blind bowling league, unlike the sighted one, the barriers are (much to my relief)  always up, second some players will play using a guide rail, to help centre them and make sure they face the lane directly head on, and last there will be a pin spotter, a pin spotter is a sighted support to the team who will let the player know what pins remain standing after a go, the pins are numbered 1-10 and so when a pin spotter says “you have pins 8 and 10 left standing” the blind player can map that in their head and take their next throw appropriately.

So yeah, I enjoy playing sport.

Oh, and if my family ask, I am a huge man city fan. 🙄😂