Visually Impaired Okanagan Athletes Training For Canada Winter Games | globalnews.ca

Athletes from across the country are heading to PEI and New Brunswick for the Canada Winter Games.

for bc Matthew Leach15, it will be the first time he will race with other visually impaired skiers.

“It will definitely be a new experience and I’m looking forward to it,” Leach said.

“The race is going to be a little more fair.”

The Okanagan teen lives with a genetic condition that has affected his vision.

“I have Stargardt, so it takes the center of your vision away. It’s like poking around with your fist about two inches from your face, right in the center of your eyes,” Leach explained.

But despite the challenges of vision, Leach continues to pursue his love of skiing with the aid of his 15-year-old partner, who is acting as Leach’s guide.

“I think it’s really neat because you get to experience a different view of skiing,” said guide Chase Ferguson.

“It was just me when I skied and being able to guide Matthew is something I really enjoy.”

The pair use radio headsets as skis.

Leach explained, “We just communicate with quick one-word questions and answers, so I’ll tell him when I’m going around the gate and he’ll tell me whether there’s a flush or a hairpin or a delay.”

Leach and Ferguson are now looking forward to testing all their training at the Para Giant Slalom and Para Slalom events in early March.

“It’s been a really good time working with him and training with him and going through the steps and struggles to improve,” Ferguson said.

As they prepare to head to Canada for the Winter Games, Leach has one simple goal in mind – “to have fun and enjoy the experience.”

In his Canada Winter Games biography, Leach states that his personal role model is his older brother, Paralympian Logan Leach, who also lives with Stargardt’s disease.

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