Hello, my name is Ye Qian and I am a recently retired professor. Ever since I had been a young child, my dream was to always go fishing, however, I neither had the time nor the opportunity to pursue this dream. Once I retired, I started picking up new hobbies to entertain myself with, such as reading books and listening to classical music, which I had previously been unable to do due to my busy schedule. However, despite the additional time that retirement opened up for me, the thought of fishing still seemed impossible, both because of my disability and the lack of opportunities nearby. What’s more, my daughter had been wanting to go fishing for a long time, and the thought of not being able to take her seemed incredibly disheartening as a father. As a result, when I first heard of Guiding Eyes Outdoors’ fishing event, I was absolutely ecstatic; nevertheless, I was slightly worried about whether I would be able to successfully fish or not, both because of my disability and the fact that I had never gone fishing in the past. However, my concerns instantly melted away when we arrived at the event: not only was all the equipment already laid out in an extremely organized manner, from the bait to the tents to the refreshments. The staff and volunteers there had been so incredibly helpful, that I completely forgot about my disability and was able to pick fishing up very quickly because of their support. All in all, this fishing event had been a wonderful experience and I am ever so grateful to Guiding Eyes Outdoors for hosting this event, as well as the incredibly supportive volunteers and staff for allowing me to fulfill my dreams, both from a childhood perspective, as well as from a father’s perspective, and for all the beautiful memories the experience leaves behind. I would highly recommend Guiding Eyes Outdoors for any individual with a visual impairment or disability, as they truly make your dreams come true.
I would like to share some feedback about the first ever Guiding Eyes Outdoors Fishing Event.
The venue was perfect. We were in a field near a fishing pond and walking trails.
Usually, this site that would have been inaccessible for those with mobility devices and visual impairments. Today, however, everyone was on equal footing. The NC Wild Life Association was present with specially adapted mobility devices that glided through all types of terrain, so everyone could take a hike. One-to-one Guides were available to help those with visual impairments navigate the fishing experience. A live interactive band delighted the ears of all. Many took a first ever hayride around the property, and for those who dared, a four-wheeling experience was an extra treat. Finally, through the gracious donations of many local businesses and on-site v, everyone was feed healthy meals. This was a perfect hot summer day in North Carolina and that day, nobody was left out!
Regards,
Wendy Schwade
Featuring outdoor themes was something I struggled with and pondered about for quite some time, until I thought about how powerful it could be for men, women and children with disabilities to be able to explore accessible outdoor activities like fishing, ATV rides and more… strong concepts in many different ways.
Honoring July as Disability Pride Month and the ADA’s 32nd birthday the Guiding Eyes Outdoors first annual Blind and Disabled fishing day felt like a potentially positive initial introduction to the outdoors for our members of The Disability Awareness Council (TDAC). Our members were invited to take this learning where they wanted it to go. As TDAC and GEO through our partnership put on an outstanding event. The outdoor experience and knowledge of the GEO staff and their volunteers was apparent from the beginning and their commitment to the happiness of our members was most impressive. GEO staff and volunteers were always ready to support any teachable moments.
Throughout the unfolding of this event, in great outdoors, it proved to be a wonderful place to begin to help support our non profit partners and to embrace both their differences and similarities. This event would not have been possible without the support of GEO. So FIVE STARS to this great organization. I would also like to thank the NC Wildlife Resources Commission, Whole Foods, Chapel Hill Transit, and Mediterranean Deli, private funders, Whcl Radio and Go Triangle. THANKS GEO fpr honoringn our orgranzation. I am overwhelmed with Pride and anticipation to see where this great organization and our partnership can go from here.
Dr. Tim Miles
Tdac www.triangledac.org
Guiding Eyes created an awesome event that took a lot of planning! As volunteers/partners/attendees, my family and I had a great time while learning about fishing and connecting with old and new friends. My wife and I's organization, Bullhorn Arts and Education provided live music for the event. We appreciated the warmth and professionalism shown by the Guiding Eyes staff and volunteers as they provided an important and unique service to the community!
My wife and I were recently introduced to this program and actually volunteered this past Saturday for a fresh water fishing trip that they were sponsoring. Drew is a friend and through his devotion and passion we were eager and honestly apprehensive at the same time. What do we know about helping people with these types of challenges right!!! Well wrong. The apprehension was gone as soon as we got there. So much love, passion, and true caring. It was such a thrill!! The folks I was helping were so amazing. They were not just thankful and full of life but so much fun to hang out with. They didn't want to be waited on, rather just assisted. And they handled us in ways that has me thinking that we, the volunteers, were there to be helped by them. Yea we definitely caught more trees than fish and I baited more hooks on Saturday than I have all my life of fishing.
I wouldn't traded this experience for anything and am going to offer help on the next adventure.
I dare you not to have a wonderful time if you want to give it a try!!!!!!!
Oh also hats off the wild life commission. They brought a trailer full of fishing equipment and supplies and another trailer with off road wheel chairs that were EXTREAM!!! They provide this service in many different ways and are so very eager to help others. They make this offer open to the public at many locations so please check it out and tell others as these really are life changing groups and groups of people. My heat is as hooked as those trees!!
Thank you Drew for showing the way!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mark,
My husband Mark and I volunteered for the first time this past weekend on an amazing fishing trip for the visually impaired and others. It was one of the most rewarding and humbling experiences we have shared in our lifetime together.
To witness the excitement and joy of the participants holding rod and reels, casting and catching fish is something you must see in person to truly appreciate. There was great food, music, hay rides, cool ATV rides and with all of this laughter, fun conversations and first time experiences that will be a life time of memories.
This organization is compassionate, dedicated and hard working to achieve bringing joy, education and training for outdoor adventures. Without this organization some may not have these types of opportunity in their lifetime.
My husband and I will definitely volunteer in the future to help with other events and I suggest anyone who likes to volunteer to participate.
May you continue to have great success!
My name is Phillip Laney and I have to say that Guiding Eyes is a fun and adventurous outfit I had the opportunity to volunteer in helping with fishing for the visually impaired and the smiles and joy I witnessed was priceless and I hope God continues to bless this group and this program.
Hello, my name is Chad Hooks and I have been visually impaired since birth. Up until now I was not able to go hunting or fishing much. However around the first of 2022 I was searching the Internet and found the organization Guiding Eyes Outdoors. This organization helps visually impaired individuals get outdoors and enjoy hunting and fishing. Once I contacted them they were very helpful with getting me involved with their events. I would like to especially say a big THANK YOU to Drew Blake for his friendship, knowledge, and compassion for teaching others with limitations. So far I have been Turkey hunting twice and fishing once within six months. I was able to catch the biggest fish I had ever caught with the guidance of Drew and Billy Judson. Each time the volunteers were very knowledgeable, patient, and motivated to help us learn the sport so we could be successful. All of my life being visually impaired I never really thought that hunting or fishing would be possible. However they have shown me that it is possible while using new technology. I would highly recommend an individual with a visual impairment to contact Guiding Eyes Outdoors if you enjoy being outdoors and would like to learn a new sport. I’m looking forward to the fall when I hope to harvest a nice dear. Thanks again Guiding Eyes Outdoors for these GREAT opportunities!!!!!!