Blind community to take walk

Drivers are going to get a wake-up call from the Southwest Florida blind community on the fourth annual Vision Awareness Walkathon at Lakes Park in south Fort Myers.

The blind community is gathering on Oct. 13 for a walk at 9 a.m. to show drivers the importance of giving blind pedestrians the right of way.

"Our mission is trying to help blind people in the area. ... I feel that blind people need to be an integral part of society," said Joyce Thornton, who works with the Fort Myers Veterans Administration Medical Center.

Thornton is a member of the blind community and has been struck by a car twice in the last two years.

"Twice, I was stopped to have my guide dog use the bathroom and a car backed into me," said Thornton, who created the walkathon to remind drivers about laws that give blind pedestrians the right of way. "I don't think that there is a winter that doesn't go by that something doesn't happen."

The winter season is the most difficult for the blind community because Thornton said that there are more drivers on the road and some don't respect the law.

"I'm very lucky but it's not fun to get hit by a car," said Thornton about one of the accidents that left her with a concussion and a fractured tibia.

During the walkathon, participants will also work to raise money for several blind non-profit groups in Lee county.

"It's gonna let people know that we exist. There are local blind agencies around who can help them with any kind of a problem they have ...," said Sue Wild, of the Visually Impaired Persons of southwest Florida.

Wild has known Thornton for 25 years and said that the Walkathon will help educate the community about the needs of the blind community.

"There are shades of blindness like there are shades of gray. A lot of people think either you can see or you are blind," said Wild about the experiences she has had in working with the blind community for 26 years. "Education is the biggest (impact) we can do."

Walkathon participants will be asked to donate $20 and will receive a T-shirt, goody bag, and a chance to win prizes. Complimentary lunch will be provided by Carrabba's Italian Grill in south Fort Myers.

"We will have a free diabetic screening and going to be taking walkers blood pressure before and after the walk if they'd like," said Thornton about the new services for this years Walkathon.

The Walkathon will also honor National White Cane Day and recognize National Handicap week from Oct. 15-19.