Create a deeper connection between the community – and those who are visually impaired.
That’s the goal of a Santa Barbara County organization called Blind Fitness.
Brianna Petit connects local volunteers with people who are visually impaired to help them be more active.
Whether it’s walking, running or even surfing, it aims to improve physical and emotional health.
Petit says this population is already prone to isolation and depression — which has worsened during the pandemic.
Through Blind Fitness, she hopes to break down barriers for the visually impaired and for them to feel more included in the community.
“Get out, breathe fresh air – take a walk. This is how I personally got through a lot of these tough times in the pandemic and wanted to make sure it was available for people with vision loss” , said Brianna Petit, general manager of Blind Fitness.
Daniel Broz is one of the athletes affected by vision loss. He started out as an athlete with Blind Fitness and eventually became one of the organization’s brand ambassadors.
“It’s a sense of community,” Broz said. “It’s a feeling of people coming together to say, I want to learn to lead. I want to learn to run with a visual impairment. I want to learn to lead someone who is visually impaired – and that kind of acceptance and inclusion we brought out of our shells.”
About 100 people, volunteers and people with sight loss, are involved in Blind Fitness.
Saturday is White Cane Awareness Day – and Petit hopes to raise awareness about vision loss and get more people involved in his organization.
Find out how you can help at www.blindfitness.com.
