Blind hockey showcase raises awareness of visual impairments
COLMAR — Over 100 local hockey enthusiasts skated for a good cause Thursday, Oct. 24 at Philadelphia Blind Hockey's second annual Blindness Awareness Showcase.
Held at Hatfield Ice in Colmar, the fundraising event puts skaters under low vision simulators to raise awareness about blindness and visual impairments. The simulators demonstrate examples of the four leading causes of low vision, including macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, cataracts and glaucoma. Skaters additionally participated under blindfold.
"October is Blindness Awareness Month, so we like to allow those who are sighted to be put under low vision simulation so they understand what it's like for our players to play hockey," said Kelsey McGuire, founder and Executive Director of Philadelphia Blind Hockey and a teacher at the Overbrook School for the Blind.
The first and only blind hockey team in the Philadelphia region, Philadelphia Blind Hockey was founded in 2022 after select students of the Overbrook School of the Blind partnered with the Philadelphia Flyers to have an opportunity to try hockey. USA Hockey subsequently contacted McGuire about starting a regional blind hockey team.
"That was my first real glimpse of what blind hockey could be like," said McGuire. "They wanted a blind hockey team in the Philadelphia area and asked if it was something I wanted to take on, so I said, 'Yes.'"
The organization currently holds free weekly ice sessions throughout the season for individuals ages 4-17 with a focus on teaching basic skating and hockey skills. The free sessions are made possible by fundraisers such as the Blindness Awareness Showcase, with this year's event raising over $11,000, said McGuire.
Participants in this year's showcase included members of local high school hockey teams, Philadelphia Blind Hockey coaches, the Neumann University men's hockey team and Philadelphia Flyers staff and alumni. McGuire described the event as a success.
"It was cool to see more players learn about blind hockey and know what our program is about, and it allows our players a chance to see other hockey players play hockey and what it's like for them," said McGuire. "Growing awareness has been a big part of what our organization stands for, just so people are aware of blind hockey and to showcase that hockey is truly for everyone."
Moving forward, Philadelphia Blind Hockey is planning to launch an adult team. Players will also have the opportunity to participate in their very first hockey game in April. McGuire said that the organization demonstrates that sports can be made accessible to everyone.
"I believe that no matter what your disability is, you should have the opportunity to participate in something, and blind hockey has shown that sport in general can be easily adapted," said McGuire. "It gives so many more people opportunities to be able to have a passion in an activity that they're participating in."
