Help Kym Pave the Way for Blind Athletes
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“I cannot drive a car. I cannot see my reflection in the mirror. I cannot describe the sunset, read my kids a book or watch the videos that I post. But when I am at the gym, surrounded by clanking weights and supportive friends I feel like I can fly.” –Kym Dekeyrel, March 2019
On July 3rd 2019, Kym Dekeyrel will be the first blind athlete to compete in the international WheelWod Adaptive CrossFit games, hosted in Collingwood Ontario, Canada. As Kym breaks ground for blind athletes, she hopes to inspire others living with vision loss to chase their goals.
What Kym has said of her fellow competitors: “Everyone of them pushes against limitations, breaks the boundaries of what should be, and inspires somebody that they don’t know to become a little bit stronger. They all have grit that burns from a fire built from stacks of doubt. They do not give in. They do not give up. And I am proud to be surrounded by them.”
Kym has come so far, when she first stepped foot in a CrossFit gym two years ago, she was in tears, questioning how she could do anything when she couldn’t see. But, thanks to her determination, amazing coaches and the welcoming community at CrossFit Myo- San Jose, she is now paving the way not just for others with disabilities but also for her children to know that you can live with no excuses.
“The coaches at CrossFit Myo are all incredibly gifted. They never hesitated in welcoming me into the community and push me to be better than I think I can be, never letting me make excuses for myself. They have an uncanny way of helping me visualize what I can’t see and putting words into motion. Every day I leave the gym feeling accomplished and grateful... they have become part of my family.”
Anyone who has met Kym, either at the gym, at her family chiropractic clinic, or at the hockey rink with her boys is struck by her positivity and determination. Here are some testimonies:
“Kym is one of the most inspiring and beautiful souls I know. Her disability doesn't slow her down. She's dedicated, driven, devoted to excellence, and devours challenges as they come her way all while smiling and encouraging others to do the same.” –Andrea Wolf
“She is amazing, at times it’s easy to spot when someone has a disability. Kym does it better than some people without disabilities and with a smile on her face.” –Joe Say
Where your money will go?
Because Kym’s adaptation is new to the sport of CrossFit there comes an element of the unknown. We hope to raise enough funds to cover the travel expenses for Kym’s family, not only to be there to support her through this incredible experience and to serve as running/swimming guides but also to help the competition by adding their experienced input on how to create a safe and competitive experience for blind athletes.
More background on Kym
Kym was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa when she was five years old. Her parents were told that she would be totally blinded by the time that she was a teenager. Her parents began preparing her for a future without vision by having her learn Braille and cane travel and take mobility and dances classes. She earned a degree in kinesiology and dance. She then attended massage school and met her husband at her first job. They now have two sons. Kym says, “Being blind is hard, but when I live by faith and not by sight, anything is possible.” She can be found on Instagram as @kympossiblexoxo
On July 3rd 2019, Kym Dekeyrel will be the first blind athlete to compete in the international WheelWod Adaptive CrossFit games, hosted in Collingwood Ontario, Canada. As Kym breaks ground for blind athletes, she hopes to inspire others living with vision loss to chase their goals.
What Kym has said of her fellow competitors: “Everyone of them pushes against limitations, breaks the boundaries of what should be, and inspires somebody that they don’t know to become a little bit stronger. They all have grit that burns from a fire built from stacks of doubt. They do not give in. They do not give up. And I am proud to be surrounded by them.”
Kym has come so far, when she first stepped foot in a CrossFit gym two years ago, she was in tears, questioning how she could do anything when she couldn’t see. But, thanks to her determination, amazing coaches and the welcoming community at CrossFit Myo- San Jose, she is now paving the way not just for others with disabilities but also for her children to know that you can live with no excuses.
“The coaches at CrossFit Myo are all incredibly gifted. They never hesitated in welcoming me into the community and push me to be better than I think I can be, never letting me make excuses for myself. They have an uncanny way of helping me visualize what I can’t see and putting words into motion. Every day I leave the gym feeling accomplished and grateful... they have become part of my family.”
Anyone who has met Kym, either at the gym, at her family chiropractic clinic, or at the hockey rink with her boys is struck by her positivity and determination. Here are some testimonies:
“Kym is one of the most inspiring and beautiful souls I know. Her disability doesn't slow her down. She's dedicated, driven, devoted to excellence, and devours challenges as they come her way all while smiling and encouraging others to do the same.” –Andrea Wolf
“She is amazing, at times it’s easy to spot when someone has a disability. Kym does it better than some people without disabilities and with a smile on her face.” –Joe Say
Where your money will go?
Because Kym’s adaptation is new to the sport of CrossFit there comes an element of the unknown. We hope to raise enough funds to cover the travel expenses for Kym’s family, not only to be there to support her through this incredible experience and to serve as running/swimming guides but also to help the competition by adding their experienced input on how to create a safe and competitive experience for blind athletes.
More background on Kym
Kym was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa when she was five years old. Her parents were told that she would be totally blinded by the time that she was a teenager. Her parents began preparing her for a future without vision by having her learn Braille and cane travel and take mobility and dances classes. She earned a degree in kinesiology and dance. She then attended massage school and met her husband at her first job. They now have two sons. Kym says, “Being blind is hard, but when I live by faith and not by sight, anything is possible.” She can be found on Instagram as @kympossiblexoxo
Organizer and beneficiary
Caitlin Denae
Organizer
San Jose, CA
Adam Dekeyrel
Beneficiary
