Blind Woman Rides Coast-to-Coast

Over the years, many people have ridden their bikes from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean. However, it’s truly an impressive feat when the person riding the bike is living with a disability. We are all watching as one blind woman rides coast-to-coast this summer.

Shawn Cheshire is a U.S. Army veteran and former paramedic who lost her vision. She has taken to her bicycle to break social barriers and stigmas surrounding the blind community. Cheshire began her journey on May 17 in Florence, Oregon. Now, roughly 3,800-miles later, she is expected to ride into Virginia Beach on the Atlantic coast sometime today.

“I lost my vision from a traumatic brain injury while working as a paramedic in the back of an ambulance. I don’t remember the accident,” said Cheshire. “Now that I’m blind, no longer sighted, there are these thought processes of what blind people can and can’t do and I don’t like that. I don’t want to feel like I have to live a limited life because I’m blind.”

Please reach out to SDCB to learn more about our vision loss programs and services.

“Blind woman’s coast-to-coast bike ride stops in Roanoke”