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Big Budah’s blog: Parties, football and simulated blindness

Posted at 2:43 PM, Sep 04, 2013
and last updated 2013-09-04 16:43:26-04

What an exciting week! The activities started off Friday night with us hanging out with family and friends to celebrate my wife’s birthday at Sushi Ya, which is her favorite place to eat. After that, we went to a release party for my good friend Jake Kongaika’s new album, “Life is Music.”

I was also able to witness East High School’s dismantling of Kahuku High School on the grid iron. It was a little difficult to just cheer for one team, especially with me having nephews on both sides, but it was a good time.

This week I also went to the Utah Lions Club “Blind Challenge”. I got to walk a mile in the shoes of someone who is visually impaired: I navigated through an obstacle course, did jump rope, played beeper baseball and tried goal ball—all while blindfolded. See below for video of me working through the obstacle course. We also have videos of me trying my hand at goal balland my attempts tonavigate the stairs.

All of these activities, on top of my son's football practices and daughter's softball practices, definitely made for a busy week, but I can say for sure that I had tons of energy and was able to sustain it. It’s a big difference as opposed to 120 lbs ago, when I would be low on energy and would just want to stay home after work.

So again, I want to give a big shout out to BMI, Doctors Cottam & Richards, their staff and Salt Lake Regional Hospital for my new lease on life: Thank you for giving me the ability to create memories with my family! I owe it to you.

I also want to say thank you to all of the wonderful people who have been so supportive of me and my progress. Follow my Losing for Life journey from the beginning by clicking here.