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‘‘There‘s more than one way to see." That‘s the theme of this year‘s national White Cane Week, February 1â€"7, a week of special events and demonstrations designed to increase the public‘s Bwamness of blindness and how it affects people‘s ves. White Cane Week is sponsored by the two major organizations for and of blind and visually impaired individuals in Canada: The ‘Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) and The Canadian Council of the Blind (CCB). ‘"‘This year‘s theme underlines the fact that individuals can function effectively â€" at a job, at home, in the arts â€" even without full sight," said Euclid Herie, the CNIB‘s Managing Director. For more information about White Cane Week activities, call 742â€"3536. When you meet a hlind person: e Treat blind or visually impaired persons as you would anyone else. They do the same things as you, but sometimes use different techniques. e If you are not sure how much a blind or visually impaired person sees, ask. Not all blind or visually impaired people have total absence of sight. Most ‘‘That‘s a great loss," said Kâ€"W Track Club coach Brent McFariane. "His But Asahi is far from being the only club looking for its own facility in these days of increased emphasis on fitness and recreation. Former Region of Waterioo Swim Club coach Cliff Barry moved on to Pointe Claire, Que., only after his hopes for a giant sports complex in the Kâ€"W area had vanished. ‘"‘The last two or three years we‘ve been trying to get a spot in an empty® school or something like that," said Henning. ‘"Either the rent‘s too high or there doesn‘t seem to be a place for us where we can keep our mats down. Our mats (100 of them) cost $15,000. To pick them up and put them down again is ruining them." l _ irst, a few words about judo. It‘s a polite sport, one in which competitors bow to each other before and after a match. Instructors teach people to respect each other and that is one reason why parents encourage their children to take up judo at least on a recreational basis. In fact, parents often take lessons with their children. There is no kicking or punching in judo but competitors try to throw an opponent using the opponent‘s own weight against him. But a judoka, as he is known, is taught to be responsible for the way in an opponent lands because, after all, judo is a polite sport. With this in mind the problem at the Asahi Judo Club is better understood because the size of the club can work against it. There are so many members in crowded quarters that it‘s getting more difficult all the time to find room to throw someone and guarantee a safe landing. Asahi executive members Lorraine Kuepfer and Joanna Henning have expressed their concern about overcrowding and the Breithaupt Centre based club is looking for a new facility. ‘‘To throw somebody we watch behind and in front," said Kuepfer, ‘"but somebody new doesn‘t have that sense of space yet. No one‘s been hurt but we just don‘t want that." Of the 250, only about 10 per cent are in judo for the competitive aspects of the sport and the rest are there for recreational reasons. But lessons are offered only two nights a week at Breithaupt and the club is outgrowing the facility. Asahi has branched out to some schools but a permanent facility would help keep the club‘s costly mats in good repair. The Asahi club started in 1981 with 18 participants and now the membership is around 250 with eight or 10 families among the membership. focus on awareness |;7x" White Cane Week "If we had an indoor facility we‘d have national athletes coming here to train with the athletes we already have," said McFarlane. ‘"‘There are a lot of amateur sports clubs out there looking for a permanent facility," said Kâ€"W Gymnastics Club president Gail Hiscott. "We‘re trying to get a permanent facility because our rent keeps going up all the time. I think five years ago we could have used our own facility. We could have saved a lot The seniors who train at track year round at Centennial have little choice but to brave the elements in the winter but McFarlane says his club is No. 1 in hurdles despite that. Kâ€"W Track athletes work out of cramped quarters at Seagram Stadium in Waterloo and Centennial Stadium in Kitchener. The club has about 170 junior members and 81 seniors. being here was a drawing card. All sports have suffered." Asahi Judo Club and overcrowdâ€" ing is a possibility. have some sight and make the best use of what vision remains. e Speak to blind or visually impaired persons in a normal tone of voice. Identify yourself and let them know you are addressing them by using their name or touching their arm . Be sure to indicate when you are leaving. e When walking with a visually im person, let the individual take your arm. Pumbundor visually impaired person by the hand is awkward and confusing. e Do not hesitate to use words such as "see", "look", or ‘"read". Blind or visually impaired persons will use such words in their vocabulary as often as anyone else. e Describe your surroundings, whether it is the scenery from a moving car, an interesting incident on television or the layout of an unfamiliar room . e Give directions clearly and accurately. Pointâ€" ing or using phrases such as "over there" will be of no assistance. e Avoid the impulse to rush to a blind person‘s aid. If you are not sure whether or not he/she needs your assistance, ask. These days people involved with hockey and ringette may be pressing the City of Waterloo to speed up plans to build a new arena due to reduced seating capacity after part of the roof was considered structurally unsound. But even a year ago the judokas, runners and gymnasts were pressing for a building along with army cadets who ‘‘We have 12,000 square feet and it‘s adequate right now," said Hiscott. ‘"We also operate recreational facilities out of some schools." The gymnastics club may have as many as 1,000 registrants per season although that number tapers off to about 500 in the summer. About 40 club members compete throughout the year. At their facility on Mill St. they‘re able to keep equipment set up all the time. Their facility is used to capacity but they have long waiting lists for new members. of money that‘s gone out in rent." Poor facilities plague local sports groups WATERLOO CHRONICLE, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28, 1987 â€"â€" PAGE 5 Richard O‘Brien Chronicle Staff Cooper adds that senior citizens, a local volleybali league and wheelchair athietes could also berefit from such a building, but somebody has to set the wheels in motion. ‘‘They know if they want that kind of facility," said Cooper, "they‘ll have to get out and do some fundraising.‘" ‘"‘The big problem was the cost," said Cooper. ‘*(The idea) is on hold because it‘s a major fundraising activity that would be required. The groups would have to get out and get some corporate dollars and community dollars and then come in and say ‘We‘ve got this money and now we‘re ready for some city assistance and ministry assistance.‘" Cooper estimates the kind of building they wanted could cost $2 million. use the old barracks on East. Ave. The four groups wanted to be housed under one roof and took their concerns to John Cooper, supervisor of athletics for Kitchener Parks and Recreation.