From the moment Tianna was born blind, I knew she would see the world differently, but I didn’t expect how differently the world would see her.
As a mom, there is no deeper pain than watching your child struggle to find connection. I could see the loneliness in Tianna as she tried to fit in, surrounded by kids who could run, climb, and play freely, things she couldn’t do without help.
When she was little, I noticed how careful she was, how still she became when other children ran around the playground. She didn’t move as much, not because she didn’t want to, but because she couldn’t see where it was safe to go. I tried to sign her up for activities, but time and again, we were told “no” because of the accommodations and adaptations Tianna requires. It was heartbreaking. As a mom, you want your child to be included, not left behind.
That’s why finding Northwest Association for Blind Athletes (NWABA) changed everything for us.
I still remember our first event. It was during COVID, around Halloween. The kids were masked, dressed up, and laughing through a series of relay games with pumpkins. For the first time, Tianna was surrounded by peers like her, kids who were blind orvisually impaired. No one stared. No one questioned what she could do. Everyone just knew how to include her.
Since then, NWABA has opened up a new world of possibilities that were never accessible. From Camp Spark to tandem biking and paddleboarding, Tianna has discovered the confidence and freedom that come with movement. I’ll never forget watching her paddleboard on her own board this past summer. For over an hour, she was fearless and smiling,with a guide paddling next to her. A few years ago, she would never have stepped on a paddleboard.
NWABA gave Tianna more than access to sports. They introduced her to friendship and independence and gave her the confidence to try new things. She’s learned to trust herself, to take risks, and to feel proud of what she can achieve. She has found a community that celebrates her and a place where she belongs.
And there’s zero cost to participate.
Every program, every opportunity, has been offered at no charge to our family. That kind of accessibility is rare. Without it, Tianna would’ve missed out on experiences that have completely transformed her life. Because of NWABA’s generous donors, she’s able to explore and play without limits.
This transformation is because of people like you.
Tianna and kids like her can laugh, play, and discover abilities they didn’t know they had, without worrying about cost or accessibility. Thank you for making that possible. Together, we can keep confidence in motion.
Donna M. Parent to Tianna, an NWABA Athlete