Friday, August 20, 1999
Blind rafters enjoy Little Miami adventure
BY JENNY CALLISON
Enquirer Contributor
OREGONIA — Rain showers and shallow water were no impediments to a group of river voyagers on the Little Miami Thursday.
Nor was the fact that many are visually impaired.
It was the annual raft trip for blind adults arranged by Morgan's Fort Ancient Canoe Livery and the Cincinnati Association for the Blind (CAB). About 30 visually impaired people, matched with a sighted buddy, paddled their rafts or canoes over a three-mile course.
“We don't generally do recreation,” said Jane McGraw, community relations director for CAB. She said the organization provides rehabilitation, counseling and employment services to the visually impaired.
But the river outing is an exception that CAB clients look forward to each year, often taking time off work to participate.
This trip involved dodging showers and — because of low water levels — disembarking midstream to dislodge their craft from shallows.
Kim McEachrin and Dennis Mills agreed there was a lot of push and pull to keep their raft floating.
“I kept my paddle in the water most of the time,” said Mr. McEachrin, of Walnut Hills. It was his first time on the raft trip and, for him, an adventure in sound.
“I could hear the raft scraping against the rocks, hear the wind in the trees, and imagine the different birds and squirrels we encountered, because Gary (Morgan) told us what was happening,” he said. “The river smelled fresh and clean, not like the Ohio,” he added with a laugh.
The participants have a choice, said Linda Myers, manager of volunteer services. “They can have a gen tler ride in the raft with a group or they can have a one-on-one experience in a canoe. In either case, everyone paddles and everyone is near the water.”
Bob Markus of Western Hills chose to try canoeing this year. He sat in the back of the boat while his buddy, John, navigated from the front.
“It went well,” said Mr. Markus. “I was afraid the water would be too low, but it was really nice.”
The river trips began more than 10 years ago at the suggestion of Mr. Morgan. The outfitter underwrites the outings with semiannual river triathlons.
“Sometimes we take it for granted what the good Lord has given to us on a day-to-day basis,” Mr. Morgan said. “To explore the river with a special group like this, it puts everything in perspective for me and my staff.”
Internet's racial divide narrowing
Microsoft vows to fix e-mail bug today
Driver in worst DUI set to be released
Mugger shot by intended victim
Conceled weapon permit requires test
New DUI law would assume guilt for refusing breath exam
Price Hill mourns loss of 'neighbors'
Life's a beach, Buffett rules
Local colleges among top rated
Miami freshman class hits record
UC hears from excavators in Turkey: We're fine
Boaters cautious in wake of deaths
Couple seeks sponsors to cover wedding cost
Livestock collide with development
Blind rafters enjoy Little Miami adventure
6 file for school board spots
Middletown will elect new leaders
No candidates for 9 posts in Warren
Seven running for Mason council
Family reflects on blessings after crash
GET TO IT
Homework is for parents, too
What parents say about getting involved
Park benches with pizazz
Other Artworks programs
Storyteller performances open Taft exhibit season
County finally hears voters
Food banks Y2K-ready
How to help earthquake victims
Hundreds on ballot in Hamilton County
Judge sets strict rules in porn trial
Man dies from apparent electrocution
Marilyn Sheppard's body to be exhumed
N.Ky. leaders boost workers' training center
New roof shields fairgoers
New system speeds fingerprint IDs in Ohio
Shooting death stuns family
Teachers union sues schools
TRISTATE DIGEST
Truck driver in fatal crash likely to post bond
Woodlawn rights case referred
