Podcast Summary:
Minnesota’s first Cane Quest brought together students, families, teachers, orientation and mobility (O&M) specialists, and volunteers for a day focused on confidence, independence, and real-world travel skills.
• Students practiced tactile maps, cardinal directions, obstacle detection, stair travel, street crossings, and locating destinations using white cane techniques.
• Activities were designed for different ages, skill levels, and visual abilities, helping students grow through hands-on experiences and peer connections.
• Parents attended informational sessions with experts in orientation and mobility and assistive technology, learning how to better support independence at home and school.
• Volunteers and instructors emphasized allowing students to lead, encouraging confidence and problem-solving skills.
• Paralympian and keynote speaker Max Nelson inspired students with his story of perseverance, independence, and self-confidence.
Cane Quest celebrated more than competition—it highlighted mobility, teamwork, community support, and the belief that blind and visually impaired students can achieve extraordinary goals.
– The Minnesota Cane Quest Planning Team
Madi Ericksen, BrightWorks/SparkPath
Colleen Feller, BrightWorks/SparkPath
Jenny Pelletier, State Services for the Blind
Joya Musa, Minneapolis Public Schools
Allison Knigge, Minneapolis Public Schools
Links of interests:
Full Transcript
{Music}
Jeff: Welcome to Blind Abilities. I’m Jeff Thompson today on blind Abilities. We take you inside Minnesota’s first cane quest, where students from across the state put their orientation and mobility skills to the test and discover something even bigger than competition.
Madi: Welcome to the first Minnesota Cane Quest. Woo hoo!
Jeff: Students were challenged with tactile maps and cardinal Directions.
Sheila: Never eat soggy waffles. That’s how I learned it.
(Laughter)
Jeff: Orientation and mobility instructors came from across the state.
Abdi: My name is Abdi Mumin and I am an orientation mobility instructor with State Services for the blind. Amazing to see these kids come out here and put their skills to the test. But more importantly, it’s to see these families that are eager to learn and see how they could be of assistance to their loved ones that are blind.
Jeff: The volunteers were sensational.
Volunteer: We were told that we have to let you focus at some places, so we’re a chatty group, but we’re going to have to be like, okay, they’re all chatting so you can get the highest point. Should we get started? Because I’m chatting too.
Jeff: Before the students arrived, volunteers walked through the course, learned their roles, and got a feel for the balance Cane Quest asks for: support the student, but let the student lead.
Madi: My name is Madi Erickson and I work at Spark Path in Brightworks here in the Metro where a service cooperative. We were fortunate enough to partner with the Minnesota Department of Education, some amazing people at State services for the blind, as well as a couple certified orientation and mobility specialists at Minneapolis Public Schools to work together and try and make conquest happen. This year for the first time in Minnesota.
Jeff: For the planning team, this was more than putting on an event. It was about creating a place where orientation and mobility could be celebrated.
Allison: I’m Allison Knigge, and I work for Minneapolis Public Schools as an orientation and mobility specialist. I was a part of the planning committee for King Quest, and it’s just been a total labor of love. I think that this is something that we’ve all kind of wanted to have in Minnesota for quite some time. I think it’s been something that a lot of O&M specialists in the state have brought up multiple times saying, can we do this? Should we do this? How do we do this? I really do credit Jenny Pelletier, who is an O&M specialist for SSB. She really took the reins here and said, we should do this. I want to do this. Who is going to help me? And just yeah, kind of stepped up to the plate and assembled a team of people who would just start the conversation about how to make it happen, and then got some more people involved. Spark path from Brightworks. We have a couple of people who have just been really positive and enthusiastic about this whole thing, and have kept us organized and made this whole event look super professional. So I really do credit them a lot too. Yeah, just assembled a really great team and got some amazing students who are willing to be the first, the first competitors in this competition.
And I just think it’s a really important event to have. I think the times I’ve seen my students really, when things really click for them, I think, is when they meet other peers who are kind of going through the same thing, have relatable experiences, and are learning these same skills. And we don’t get many opportunities like that to bring students together specifically to work on their own skills. It’s very exciting that it’s like, this is an O and M competition. I think we highlight other things like Braille and assistive technology. And you know, O and M is maybe not something that they’re applying right now, especially this age group, right? They’re all school age students. They typically don’t travel in the community on their own. Some of them do, but a lot of them don’t. So it’s not often like an area that’s really celebrated. And this is our opportunity to celebrate that today. And I’m just hoping that the students meet each other, interact with each other, learn from each other, and walk away from this experience feeling really motivated to continue working on their skills so they can achieve more independence.
Jeff: Cane Quest is built so students can participate at different ages, skill levels, and visual abilities. Here’s State Services for the Blind O&M instructor, Jenny Pelletier.
Jenny: We have four categories and new this year. Pathfinders are any age low vision so they don’t quite fit into that b1 B2 category. We have Scouts, which is grades three through six, and then explorers, which is traditionally grades seven through nine, and trailblazers, which is traditionally 10th through 12th graders. And so the idea with these different groupings is that the skills get more advanced. So we have 17 stations that are both inside and outside. And none of these groups will go through all 17. It’s just different for each group. If you’re a scorer, you’re going to get like a booklet that has all 17 stations, but students are not going to do all 17 because we’d be here a very long time.
Jeff: Outside the school, the route became more real-world: sidewalks, obstacles, intersections, and locating a community destination.
Volunteers: What do we call these? Uh, those are truncated domes. Oh, yeah. Yeah, yeah. Truncated domes. So on this last block that we walk, someone will be putting an obstacle in the sidewalk. So the cones. So again, you don’t have to tell the students about it. We want them to notice it with their canes and navigate around it. So yeah, yeah, I guess remember that the cane will help them detect obstacles. And we don’t want to provide unnecessary assistance for things that they can do on their own. And here your student is going to be expected to locate the entrance to the library. Um, so they’ll have been given directions. And then you’re again, you’re going to be hanging back. Try not to distract them. We really want them to, to be able to focus on their environment and search for the, the entrance, the entrance. Um, well, let’s walk over to it. Um, your students will go in and be handed a Braille charm like we talked about. So. And we’re not going to have them go to the main desk of the library. They have like three special events happening at the library today. They were willing to give out our swag, but we thought it would be two. There’s like a kids event there. There are lots of things happening, and we just thought it would be better if someone from our program knew what to do with the swag. Yeah. So all right.
Jeff: And to ensure full participation, interpreters were provided.
Alex: What can help us align our body correctly before we start our street crossing?
Interpreter speaks
Alex: Okay. That’s. Yeah. Okay. So that that’s great. More specifically, what does your white cane find that tells you, you are aligned to cross the street?
(Interpreter speaks)
George: I want you to tell me when you think we gotten back to where we started. So, we are going to go all the way around and when we detect things with our cane, we’re going to move around them like you said, and when you think we’re back where we started, you let me know.
Student: Okay!
George: And your route monitor…
Lindsey: that’s me Lindsey.
George: Lindsay and I will only intervene if things get dicey. And I think you’ll do ok. So, we’ll just walk quietly beside you and you just let me know when you have gotten back to it.
Student: Okay.
(Sounds of a cane moving down the sidewalk)
Jeff: While the students were out demonstrating their O&M skills out on the Cane Quest course, Parents and Guardians attended a breakout session asking questions of a panel of 3 professional O&M and Assistive Technology specialists. Allowing them to learn the expectations and tips and tricks on how they can assist in building the students independence.
(More sidewalk cane travel noises)
Jeff: And then came the best part: students putting it all together.
Jordan: And then East is going to be right at north, east, South west.
Sheila: Never eat soggy waffles. That’s how I learned it. All right, so can you show me where north is on the map?
Jordan: Oh, yes. Um, that this part is North.
Sheila: Okay. And which part is south? Nicely done. And now, can you stand up and turn your body and face east? Wow, you are a pro. Well done. I will go ahead and score.
Jordan: I learned from the best.
Sheila: Oh. You win. Uh, four out of four.
Volunteer: All right, all right, Jordan, We’re gonna go this way.
Sheila: Tell me what your name is.
Mackenzie: Mackenzie.
Sheila: Mackenzie, Nice to meet you. Are you looking for 12? Station 12. Okay, cool. Cool. Then I’m going to show you this tactile map. And right over here is the school.
Mackenzie: School.
Sheila: And that dot right there is the door that you just came out of.
Mackenzie: Okay, so we’re right here.
Sheila: Yeah. You’re right. Yeah. Exactly there.
Sheila: Then you’re gonna walk along east or you’re going to walk along north east 22nd Street. And you’re going to get to the library, which is this one here?
Mackenzie: Yep.
Sheila: And do you feel the door?
Mackenzie: Right. So I’m guessing it’s arrow. Yep. That’s the same as this one.
Sheila: Yeah. Yep. So can you show me the school right there? Nice. Can you show me the library? Okay. You are a professional. Now, the directions up here in the corner of the map is the little key that shows you that north is pointing this way up North.
Mackenzie: East. South west.
Sheila: Yep, exactly. So on the map. Can you show me where east would be? Okay. Can you show me where south would be? All right. And now can you turn your body west. Wow. You’re a pro, too. Look at that. Nice job. I will go ahead and score you. Mackenzie, you got four out of four. Congratulations. I’ll give this back to you, and you’re gonna go. You’re gonna head east and run into Alex. Not literally run into. But meet Alex.
Alex: My name is Alex. I’m a certified orientation mobility specialist up in Anoka-Hennepin. This is my ninth year teaching just O&M. I’m licensed as a teacher for the Blind/Visually impaired, too, but I specifically just do O&M. Anoka is the biggest district in the state, so I have plenty of students. I think it’s a great opportunity for all of our kids, not just for social purposes and for Kane purposes, just to get out here and explore a new space.
Jeff: Not every challenge happened outside. Inside the school, students worked through hallways, stairways, doors, and directions.
Volunteer: From the door. And you’re going to find the stairs. When you locate the stairs, you’re going to travel up the stairs using appropriate cane techniques. And if you’d like, you can definitely use the handrail. Not a problem. Okay. At the top of the stairs, listen to this. You’re going to take five steps forward. When you get to the top, how many steps are you going to take?
Colton: Five.
Matthew: Five.
Volunteer: Yes. So we’re starting at the door way. And you’re going to locate what the steps. And then you’re going to do what
Matthew: five steps.
Volunteer: you’re going to travel up and then once you get to the top you do five steps. Colton: And then when you turn around and go down.
Matthew: Yeah, I assume that I want you to stay there.
Volunteer: Hold on. We’ll stay up there. All right. Go ahead.
Sound of canes tapping and footsteps going up the stairs)
Volunteer: Nice job, both of you.
Jeff: Throughout the day, students learn that mobility isn’t just about getting from one place to another. It’s about confidence, opportunity, and believing in what’s possible.
Allison: I just can’t believe it actually happened, and I’m just really happy with the way that people in this community have really rallied around this event and have really shown up. I just am so grateful for all of the people who are here who are taking a Saturday. It’s hard to take a Saturday to come out and volunteer for something like this, but like, people in this community really showed up and I’m really, really proud to be a part of this community. I’m just happy that it seems to be going smoothly, and I was happy to be standing on the stage and seeing the students looking excited to be here. And I think that just like one little thing I noticed today. But when each student was called out by name and everybody cheered for them, they just kind of like lit up. And I think it was like a really special experience for them to be acknowledged in that moment. But this would not have happened without everybody who was here now. So I’m just so grateful for all the people who are here now.
Jeff: So thanks for you and the team for making this happen.
Allison: Yeah. Thanks for being here.
Madi: My name is Madi Erickson. I am also at Spark Path here with Colleen, and we’re going to recognize the students we have here in the Scouts category from New Ulm Middle School. We have Colton. We have Elizabeth from Westwood Elementary School. Matthew from Echo Park Elementary School. And our last scout is Mila from Madison Elementary School. All right. Our six Pathfinders for the day. We have Shira from Northeast Middle School. Jordan from Franklin Middle School. Habida from right here at Edison High School. Lydia from Las Estrellas dual language. We have McKenzie from Minnesota State Academy for the blind. And our last pathfinder, Simon from Franklin Middle School. And we have some of our older students. We have our explorers and trailblazers from also from Edison High School. We have Anes. From Minnesota State Academy for the blind. We have autumn. Fara also representing Edison High School. And last but not least, Fathi from Washburn High School. Good luck to all of you students today. We’re so excited to be here and have a great day. And we’ll have Allison here and she’ll introduce this great guy to my right.
Jeff: That same message of confidence and persistence carried into the keynote, where Max Nelson reminded students that mobility skills are not just school skills. They are life skills.
Allison: All right. So I’m Allison. I work for Minneapolis Public Schools as an orientation and mobility instructor. And I have the pleasure of introducing our keynote speaker today. Max Nelson is here to inspire us. And he is a skier from team USA, where he just competed in the 2026 Paralympics in Milan, Italy. He is currently. Yes. He is currently attending the College of Saint Scholastica, where he is pursuing a degree in Business Management. So and he went to you went to high school Mahtomedi Middle School. I had the pleasure of working with Max for like maybe a year. And I remember we strolled Stillwater streets together. So it’s so amazing to see how far you’ve come and what you’ve accomplished. So everybody give it up for Max. And thank you so much for coming.
(applause)
Max: Hi, everyone. My name is Max Nelson and I am a two time Paralympian in the sport of Nordic skiing. I am also a graduate from high school, and I’m currently one year away from finishing my business management major at the College of Saint Scholastica. Before I start with everything, I want to just explain a little bit what I can see. I only have vision out of my right eye. My left eye is completely blind. I can’t see anything out of my left eye at all. What I can see out of my right eye is basically what’s directly in front of me. I don’t have any peripheral vision at all. I only can see things that are right in front of me. And if I’m trying to read like, let’s say, a restaurant menu, I’d usually have to take a photo of it on my phone and blow it up. And that’s the only way I’ll be able to see it. I want to talk a little bit about how I got through school, because school was really hard for me, especially at the beginning. I was so different from everyone in every class, and I needed a way to be able to see what the teacher was trying to teach us. So what we decided to do was I download these different apps on my iPad, and it basically allowed me to see what the teacher was presenting on the smartboard, and it would show it to me on my iPad.
And that’s basically how I would learn in class. And as far as homework and everything went, I usually would take a photo of it on my iPad, and then I would write down the answers either on my iPad or on a piece of paper. And that was just the best way of doing it for me. One big thing I had to deal with going throughout school was always feeling like I was different from everyone else because of my visual impairment. I was not like anyone else that was in my classes, and I really should have looked at this as just I shouldn’t have been like everyone else. I should have just tried to focus on just being myself and be proud of how far I have come. And let’s be honest, who wants to be like a normal person? Some things I learned from going up this way is that you have to be independent and have the ability to never quit or never give up. For a lot of times when things didn’t go come easy to me and I had to figure them out on my own. It taught me how to be patient and keep pushing when things got frustrating. Over time, I became more confident in myself and realized I can handle any challenge that’s coming my way. Next, I want to talk a little bit about how I use my cane the most Because the first time I used my King, I.
I didn’t really like using it at all because it made me feel really different from everyone else. But over time, I became more comfortable using it and was actually proud to use it. The King really helps me figure out if there’s curves or stairs, and I think the biggest thing the cane helps me with is that it tells other people that they need to move out of the way, otherwise I’m going to run right into it. It really helps just me navigating through really popular areas or really places that people are crowded in. I’m going to talk a little bit about orientation and mobility. I think it’s really important for people to understand how important O&M orientation mobility is for me. A lot of times people don’t realize how much effort it takes for someone who can’t see that, well, just never know if they can cross the street or not. These skills don’t just help me get from place to place. They help me feel more comfortable, confident in myself, and like they let me do things on my own instead of always needing the help from someone else. They also helped me feel more included in just an everyday life, like in school work, or just in public. I don’t have needing the help of someone else with me all the time. Without these skills, life would be much harder for me. Next, I’m going to talk about some questions I’m usually asked if I’m in an interview.
The first one is what pushes you to keep going. What pushes me to keep going is when things get hard. Being proud of how far I have already come and not pushing myself. I do what I am capable of, and a big part of that comes from my experiences in the USA Paralympic team. Being around other athletes with different disabilities really inspired me and showed me that really anything is possible no matter what you are going through. There have been a lot of times where things didn’t come or go my way, but I learned that if I keep pushing, I’ll eventually figure it out. Another question I get asked a lot who inspires you? My immediate answer is always God and my family because God has always helped me through everything that I’ve faced. And one of my favorite Bible verses is Philippians 314. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. God is always with me no matter what I am going through, and he will always be with me and continue to be with me. My family has always been a big supporter of me. Through every challenge and everything that I’ve gone through, and they will continue to push me, keep me going. I truly think I have one of the best balance in the world. Another question I get asked do you try to prove something to yourself or to others? I try to prove more to myself than anyone else.
My dad told me this one story. I was skiing at, I think it was Battle Creek at the time, and he was standing on the side of a course and he was cheering me on, and he was standing next to this other father of another kid who was competing in the same race I was. And I actually just passed his son on the course with my guy, and the guy didn’t really know what was going on with my guy. Yes. What’s that all about? And my dad told him that I was legally blind. Actually, I ski with the guy, and the guy was like, what? I shouldn’t be complaining about anything anymore. But overall, I don’t want myself. I don’t want I don’t want to live with myself just because of my vision. At the same time, there are moments where I do want to show others that vision loss doesn’t define what we are capable of. And then another question. I’m always asking, why do you care so much about improving yourself? And I work to improve myself every single day because I don’t want to stay stuck the same as I was yesterday. And when I’m out in the world, it’s not just about me. It’s about representation. People need to see me out in the world doing things every day. Normal things. It’s about having a visual impairment doesn’t define what I or we are capable of.
The last question I usually ask, did you ever feel like quitting? My dad has always taught me that quitting is not in our vocabulary. Sometimes when I’m in an interview, they’ll ask me, did you ever feel like quitting? And I usually confused because I don’t know what that word means. And we can get knocked down, but it’s up to us whether we’re going to get back up and keep going or stay sitting down. Next, I want to talk you through some funny, relatable stories, because I’ve had quite a few moments where there have been times where I’ve dropped something I’d say on the floor, and obviously I can’t see where it went most of the time. So I’m trying to feel around on the floor to see where it went. And as I’m doing this, I can feel everyone in the room with me just staring at me as I’m doing this. They probably think I’m giving the floor some sort of type of massage. I also remember this one time in cross country where we were doing sprints around the soccer field, and I remember we were in the middle of a break, but then I decided, all right, guys, let’s do another sprint. And what I didn’t realize was when I said that there was about a soccer pole, about 100, I would say about 15m in front of me. I said, all right, guys, let’s start.
I went full Mach one into the pool and actually fractured my collarbone. Another time, I was at the College of Saint Scholastica for my first week, and we were doing walk around campus tours with a couple other seniors from the College of Saint Bosco. And I remember we were just about to enter a tower hall, which is where all of our classes are. I thought the door was open, and let me tell you, it was not. As I ran right into it, and definitely not the way I wanted to start my college experience, I thought I definitely had moments where I had people stare at me and they don’t know I’m legally blind. Like this. One time I walked up to this guy about it and I was like, hey, yo, what? And it was not on it. And he act confused. I’m like, dude, I am so sorry. I thought you were someone else. Next, I want to talk you guys through some of my Paralympic experiences and how I grew up skiing, because the first time I skied, I was actually in the first grade and I skied at this place called Green Anchors. And then throughout the years, I joined Endurance United, which they’re a club team who I skate for, and my first race was actually with Endurance United, and I said, I usually ski with a guy at this race. That guy did not show up, so my dad decided to do was run alongside the course and guide me.
And let me tell you, when I crossed the finish line, I can guarantee you he had the hardest workout out of anyone else out there. The first trip I did with the USA team, it was to Lake Placid, New York, and I got to see kind of what their training routines were like. And a fan who was a coach of mine or she, she’s a coach of mine, but this is my first time meeting her on this trip. She could tell I was really into it. And after that trip, I committed the next four years in trying to make the 2000 to 22 Beijing Paralympics, and I did. There were some good things and some bad things about this because Covid was still going on during this time, and Beijing seeing downtown Beijing, it was completely dead. There was no one out, and every person that was a Chinese citizen was wearing a hazmat suit. It was the craziest thing to see. And let me tell you, their food over there was like eating rat poison. It gave a lot of athletes food poisoning because how bad it was prepped. But overall, it was still a great experience. And I was so excited to be there representing team USA. And then in 2026, after the Beijing Paralympics, I set my eyes on 2026 Milan-Cortina Paralympics. And I’m proud to say that I competed in the 2026 Milan-Cortina Paralympics.
Let me tell you, the year leading up to this was very challenging. About a year ago, I found out that I had a brain tumor in the thymus gland of my brain, which is probably the scariest news I’ve ever heard in my life, and it needed to be removed immediately. So I had to go through a, I believe it was a ten hour long brain surgery, but luckily the surgeon was able to remove the whole tumor. But after the surgery was over, I was basically in a coma for about a couple of weeks. And also after the surgery, I lost my ability to speak and move the right side of my body. So I had to go through months of PT, OT and speech to try and get that back. And as this was going on, the tumor was getting tested to see if it was a malignant tumor or a benign tumor. You know, fortunately it was a malignant cancerous tumor. And that’s why after this, I really started to appreciate every single day that I get in my life. I hope people remember me. For someone who kept going, no matter what they were going through, and maybe who someone who inspired other people to try to do their best every single day. And let me tell you all, you can achieve anything you want to in this life. You just have to have the ability to never quit or give up. Thanks a lot.
(applause)
Katie: I’m Katie Wenzel with Spark Path for the student nonprofit academic competition arm of Brightworks, the service cooperative in the state of Minnesota, the Twin Cities Metro service.
Jeff: I’m just excited because I didn’t know what this would be like the Cane Quest, and it’s just a great opportunity for them. And thanks for helping putting this on, making this happen.
Katie: Yeah, thanks for being here today. It’s an exciting day of competition for 14 students who are blind or visually impaired to show off their skills.
Jeff: You’re talking about the Braille challenge too, so you’re involved in that as well?
Katie: Yeah. Spark path leads that with a combination of partnership with the Minnesota Department of Education and the Low Incidence Project, based out of bright works in the state of Minnesota. And we do the Braille challenge. That’s a second year competition that we’ve had now, and that is a national program that Braille Institute actually lets us do in Minnesota. It’s open to all Minnesota students who are blind or visually impaired. And it’s a Braille challenge where students come with their brailler and they do spelling, reading comprehension and a couple other competitions that are not off the top of my head right now.
Jeff: So and that happened in February.
Katie: Yeah, that was on February 14th. We had the theme. I am brilliant, kind of a really lovely celebration on Valentine’s Day, showing off their Braille challenge skills. And we actually sent last year four students from the state of Minnesota to nationals in Los Angeles. We’re still waiting for our scores from our 17 students who competed this year to see if any of them have qualified for nationals. It’s been exciting to see all the students come here and have the excitement in their in their face and their eyes and their ability to show off all their skills and techniques that they’ve learned and honed over their years of using their cane.
Jeff: I think even the parents are enjoying it.
Katie: Yes, the parents really love to see all their independence come to fruition because these parents and caregivers and folks who are in their community have always been pushing for their skills to be lifelong things that they have for their own independence. So it’s really a beautiful thing to see that the entire community is coming together.
Jeff: Well, thank you very much.
Katie: Thank you.
George: My name is George McDermott. I’m an orientation mobility specialist working up in Duluth, Minnesota. This is an opportunity for individuals of various ages as young as five and as old as 18 to go through and work on their orientation mobility skills. So things like obstacle detection, being able to navigate through close areas, being able to walk around the block for the older kids, you know, being able to cross streets, being able to accomplish various tasks. And so it’s a really great opportunity for individuals to work on their orientation, mobility skills in a supportive environment. There has not been one before in Minnesota. And so a former peer of mine and I heard about this and got to participate in a simulated cane quest while we were in school training for our master’s and decided. Jenny. Yep, yep. And decided to bring it to Minnesota. It’s been a labor of love. Jenny’s been doing the heavy lifting. I get to come in at the last minute and kind of do the last little bit, so it worked out well. And it’s just wonderful to be here.
Harry: I’m Harry Webber and I’m volunteering at the Cane Quest today for two reasons. Number one, I wanted to check it out because it’s the first one that we’re having in Minnesota. Well, maybe three reasons. Number two, we have a couple students here, so I want to support them. And number three, I want information to see if I can convince my boss to open the dorms next year. So we could have more students from the state school to come.
Holly: And I’m Holly Nordmeyer, also from MSAB, and I’m the orientation mobility instructor, and I’ve been helping to plan Cane Quest with Jenny and Madi and Allison and Joya. And one more. I’m missing one. And now this is the big day. And I’m excited to see how our students are going to do. And I’m going to be observing for skills on going downstairs and looking for room numbers.
Jeff: So there’s a plan and agenda for them to all kind of like a scavenger hunt in a sense.
Holly: Yeah, kind of like a course, an obstacle course. And they have to demonstrate the skills that they know and understand. And, and it also helps them know where they need to continue working for next year and to improve on their skills so that they can come back next year and do a little bit better and kind of a challenge to keep improving those skills and knowing what they need to learn. And yeah.
Jeff: From Minnesota’s first Cane Quest, one thing was clear: this was more than a competition. It was a celebration of confidence, cane travel, community, and possibility. Congratulations to all the students, families, volunteers, instructors, and partners who helped make this first Minnesota Cane Quest a success. And we look forward to more events and opportunities ahead from State Services for the Blind and their partners as they continue supporting students, families, and adults on the path toward independence. For Blind Abilities, I’m Jeff Thompson. Thanks for listening.
{Music}
Jeff: Be sure to check out and subscribe to the spectacle newsletter and learn about all the upcoming events and opportunities. And be sure to check out the numerous podcasts on the news for teens page, and you’ll find the links right in the show notes.
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Jeff: To find out more about all the programs at State Services for the Blind, contact Shane.DeSantis@State.Mn.us
That’s Shane dot d-e-s-a-n-t-i-s at state.mn .us.
Be sure to contact your State Services for the Blind, your Voc Rehab and find out what they can do for you.
Live, work, read, succeed.
[Music] [Transition noise] –
When we share-
What we see
-Through each other’s eyes…
[Multiple voices overlapping, in unison, to form a single sentence]
…We can then begin to bridge the gap between the limited expectations, and the realities of Blind Abilities.