Blind student wins skiing competition

Imagine being visually impaired to the point of being legally blind. Now imagine winning a skiing competition with that very condition.

Kim Richards, a sophomore at Chadron State College did just that at this year’s Black Hills Ski for Light.

The BHSFL is a skiing competition for those who are physically challenged, including those who are blind. “You meet different people with different disabilities and make new friends,” Richards said.

Richards has been skiing since she was 14. After losing her vision at age 32 due to five brain tumors, Richards still continued to ski. She explained that her first time skiing after losing her vision she was nervous, but it was overall a great experience.

Blind individuals who participate in skiing events such as the BHSFL all have guides. Some of the participants tether themselves to their guides so the guide can pull them left or right or slow them down.

Richards explained that although she tried this method, it didn’t work well for her. “I tried the tethering, but I thought ‘I can do this on my own.’” She now has her guide ski beside her and shout instructions.

She went on to explain that winning this year’s competition made her feel very accomplished.

Richards is currently majoring in Social Work at CSC. She explained that she’s very interested in either working with hospice patients or becoming a counselor to work with other blind individuals.

Richards is also involved in many on campus events to benefit the blind. Saturday, the Nebraska panhandle’s chapter of the National Federation of the Blind held the Walk for Independence, which Richards was involved in. She explained that donations will go to blind students across the state who are just getting out of high school to help pay for the books and equipment they need for college.

There will also be a new class starting next semester teaching Braille. Karen Lemmon, President of the panhandle’s chapter of the NFB, will be teaching the class, with Richards’ help.  The class is a two credit class that will be offered from 2 to 2:50 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

“We want to teach the students that there are ways to teach blind students. They are going to have blind students sitting in their classes learning with the other students,” Richards said.

Richards explained that her time at Chadron State has been a great experience.

“The professors do so much,” she said. “I couldn’t ask for a better college.”