BRAILLE GAMES TEST THE BLIND SIGHT-IMPAIRED KIDS HAVE A BALL IN ANNUAL TRACK, FIELD COMPETITION.Byline: Daily News Members of the Santa Clarita Valley The Santa Clarita Valley is the valley of the Santa Clara River in Southern California. It stretches through Los Angeles County and Ventura County. Its main population center is the city of Santa Clarita. The valley was part of the 48,612-acre (19,672. Optimist Club will volunteer their time at the 32nd annual Braille Institute-Optimist Clubs Track and Field Olympics taking place today in Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. . More than 300 blind and visually impaired children have traveled from across the country to prove they can run, jump, climb and throw just like any other kid as they compete in events such as the 100-yard dash, shot put, relay races relay race Race between teams in which each team member successively covers a specified portion of the course. In track events, such as the 4 × 100-m and 4 × 400-m relays, the runner finishing one leg passes a baton to the next runner while both are running within , high jump and obstacle course obstacle course n. 1. A training course filled with obstacles, such as ditches and walls, that must be negotiated speedily by troops undergoing training or participants in an obstacle race. 2. . For 28 years, the Years, The the seven decades of Eleanor Pargiter’s life. [Br. Lit.: Benét, 1109] See : Time Optimists have contributed their time, energy and financial support to ensure that, through this event, blind children get the opportunity to break down the sight barriers they face in everyday life and prove that blindness is not an insurmountable obstacle. The Santa Clarita Valley Optimist Club has been involved in every stage of the planning process, from sponsoring travel and transportation for out-of-state kids to serving as coaches, cooks and score-keepers during today's games. Members also help raise money throughout the year to cover the cost of this large event. ``The first time I attended the Olympics, I knew I was hooked,'' said Dee Gadbury of the local chapter. ``I've been coming back for 17 years and it's been a wonderful experience to help these kids realize they can do anything a sighted kid can do.'' Throughout the years, Gadbury has been a witness to many memorable moments at the Olympics, including the reunion of blind twins, separated at birth Separated at birth, usually phrased as a question, is a light-hearted media device for pointing out people who are unrelated but bear a notable facial resemblance. "Separated at Birth?" was a feature in the now defunct Spy Magazine, a monthly publication that published , who met each other for the first time at the event. ``It was a truly touching moment for everyone, and to think, they may never have found each other if they didn't have an event like the Olympics that brings blind children together,'' Gadbury said. This year's Olympics will be held from 9:15 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. today at the Braille Institute's Youth Center, 3450 Cahuenga Blvd., West Los Angeles
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