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Dan Berlin, SBS Board Chair, Raises Funding for Students with Visual Impairment

“In fundraiser for students with vision impairment, endurance athlete attempts to become first blind person to complete grueling trek around Mt. Rainier.”

Who:

Team See Possibilities is a nonprofit organization founded by blind endurance athlete Dan Berlin and his guides that offers scholarships and mentoring to students with vision impairment. In October 2014, Dan became the first blind runner to cross the Grand Canyon and back nonstop and has since taken on many more endurance challenges, including a speed ascent of Mt. Kilimanjaro, a record-making trek on the Inca Trail to Macchu Picchu, several Boston Marathons and more. The team’s adventures have received media coverage around the world.

Mission:

Team See Possibilities takes on endurance challenges around the world, meeting with and encouraging children who are blind to challenge their perceived limits. The goal is to inspire young people who are blind to set ambitious goals, and to challenge the low expectations our culture has of people with disabilities.

What:

Dan and his guides go on epic endurance challenges never before done by an athlete who is blind, making history in iconic locations and supporting local efforts to work with children who are blind. The team is attempting to complete endurance challenges on seven continents and, so far, have successfully completed grueling feats in the Grand Canyon, Machu Picchu, Mt. Kilimanjaro, The Great Wall of China and New Zealand. If successful, Dan will become the first blind person documented to circumnavigate Mt. Rainier on the Wonderland Trail. 

When:

From August 1 – 4, 2021, Dan and his two Team See Possibilities guides will attempt their latest challenge: to complete a 93-mile circumnavigation of Mt. Rainier on the rugged Wonderland Trail in Washington State.

Impact:

To date, Team See Possibilities has donated over $250,000 to local schools and organizations working for societal change to ensure children who are blind have full opportunities. They also established the Team See Possibilities Global Scholars Program for students with vision impairment. There are currently 18 Scholars in the program who receive an annual $5,000 scholarship, monthly mentoring sessions with Dan and other accomplished blind professionals, and a peer group that does not allow vision impairment to prevent them from setting ambitious goals.

 Why?

To inspire each individual, with or without disabilities, to go beyond their perceived limitations.

 

CONTACT: Taylor Stoudnour                                 [email protected]                             8149377755