Rozina Issani celebrates with fellow members of the Blind Guys Tri Team. Courtesy of Rozina IssaniIn July 2009, together with 18 other blind athletes, I competed in the third annual Joe's Team Triathlon at the Canadian National Institute for the Blind's (CNIB) camp along the coast of Lake Joseph in Muskoka, Ontario. We had been training since September 2008 with dedicated guides who were there to assist us during each of the three events. Forming the Blind Guys Tri Team, we joined forces with 400 sighted athletes and managed to raise over CAD $625 000 to support cancer research at The Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto.

Born and raised in Karachi, Pakistan, I am now 46-years-old. I arrived in Canada in 1983 with my parents, who hoped that my sight might improve with the advanced medical care available. Although no cure could be found for my blindness, the doctors referred me and my family to CNIB. The training they offered improved my mobility and coordination, enabled me to live without a caregiver and improved the overall quality of my life.

Learning the necessary skills for living independently cultivated a novel sense of confidence within me. I even became adept at banking and cooking. After just two years of training I became a cashier, and a few years later I found another job as a receptionist at the Ontario Trillium Foundation, one of the largest granting foundations in North America. I have now been working with Trillium for more than 18 years.

Rozina Issani and her guide Kate cross the finish line at the third annual Joe's Team Triathlon in Muskoka, Ontario. Courtesy of Rozina Issani

In fall of 2008, CNIB launched their first Triathlon Team for the Blind and I was chosen from across the country to compete in this groundbreaking event. I was driven by a sense of overwhelming gratitude for the generous donations made in support of services for the blind and visually impaired. Through this support, I have been able to overcome my own setbacks, and I now wanted to contribute to improving the lives of others.

Admittedly, the most difficult obstacle during my training was learning to swim. While my fellow athletes – all good swimmers – cheerfully waded into the water during the first trial, I was extremely reluctant to go beyond my waist-deep comfort level. When the coach noticed my hesitation, he handed me a styrofoam board and I “surfed” my way through the swimming segment of the mini-triathlon. It was then that I vowed to take swimming lessons.

Learning such a skill at my age was very difficult, and being unable to see made the quest more trying and frustrating. However, fuelled by a determination that helped me overcome past obstacles, I was ready within six months to join my fellow athletes at the finish line.

When the day of the triathlon finally arrived, it was thundering and pouring rain, which not only washed out the campgrounds but also dampened our spirits. Miraculously, the sky cleared up just before the race was scheduled to begin. We immediately shifted gears; the moment for which we had been preparing for almost a year had finally arrived.

Jumping right into our wetsuits, we were off – each of us with our guides, transitioning from one event right to the next. Of course, the most difficult segment for me was still the swimming, but with my guide, Kate, I was able to conquer the water. By the time we started running, the sun had dried up the ground.

After a challenging 2 hours and 25 minutes, I triumphantly crossed the finish line. It felt exhilarating! I had accomplished a great feat not only for myself but for the benefit of others as well. Completing the triathlon allowed me to express my gratitude to my wonderful parents, friends and colleagues who showed me unwavering support.

Joe Finley, the founder of Joe's Team, said it best: “Our vision is that blind people take part in the triathlon just like everyone else so they finally have the opportunity to challenge themselves and show everyone who they are.”