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News 12 Staff

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We are talking with Lauren Warner who's the associate director with Achilles New Jersey. She's also the branch lead Union County Achilles as well. Tell us more about what you all do as far as the community impact is concerned, Lauren. Um, so our goal is to empower individuals with disabilities to feel like they're part of society. Um, you know, there might be the individual out there who's visually impaired, who never thought they'd ever be able to run because they can't do it by themselves or ride a bike because they can't do it by themselves, or, um, An individual that has lost their legs and they, you know, they used to be an athlete and feel that they no longer can do it. Uh, so we get them on hand cycles, um. And it just helps them, you know, be part of society and bringing them together and putting that endurance back into their lives. I love the way you said that that inclusivity is so important so they don't feel excluded. Correct. What kind of reaction do you get from the athletes? Um, it's amazing. I mean, I think that is honestly what keeps me going. They are so grateful and thankful for us, um, you know, and they know that we're just volunteers. I mean, none of us get paid for this. We are just dedicating our time because we want to, not because we have to. How many volunteers do you have? Um, I can only speak for Cranford, and we have approximately 35 to 40 right now and over in a year's time, in a year's time. Congratulations on that. Thank you. Is their feeling and passion about being involved with this organization? And wanting to their time. Yeah. Yeah, I wanna say it's the same. I personally have lucked out and I have the most, um, generous and caring and helpful individuals, um, part of Cranford. And, you know, every single branch in New Jersey, really, the guides are just amazing, and without the guides, Achilles would not exist.

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We are putting the focus on Achilles, New Jersey based in Cranford. We are speaking with Rolando Lee right now who is a visually impaired athlete. Rolando, welcome. It's good to have you with us. Hi, it's great to be here. Go ahead and share your story with the audience. Uh, sure. So, um, about 3 years ago, a friend of mine asked me to run the Asbury Park Half Marathon. We worked together, we're both school teachers, and, um, it was kind of a big deal to me because I lost almost all my vision in my mid-20s, so over a decade ago now, and he knew I was legally blind, but yet he still asked me if I wanted to run it with him. And you know, most people kind of just assume that you probably can't even do this and they feel awkward, but he invited me to do it and I kind of took that as like kind of a little push for something that I had been looking for, you know, ever since I lost most of my vision, um, I was just kind of trying to piece my life back together and one of the things that I was definitely missing was the uh opportunities to kind of just compete in athletics and sports like that had always been a big part of my life. And so I agreed, I signed up for it, and everybody knows once you sign up, there's no turning back, and I just kind of needed to find how and where I was gonna train. Being, being blind is kind of tough to go out there and run and all that. So a friend of mine suggested maybe looking for a run club. And so I went online and um I didn't have to look for too long. I stumbled upon Achilles New Jersey on Facebook. And when I read their mission statement, it was, it seemed like it was absolutely perfect for me. It, they basically were just saying that they wanted to uh empower and support and guide people with disabilities. So I was nervous, you know. I thought I was gonna have to find a run club and they kind of introduce myself and ask if maybe somebody would be willing to run with me, but this, this group seemed perfect. So after a couple of weeks of being very nervous and overthinking it, I eventually just showed up one day and it was, it was so easy, you know, I showed up, uh, I met uh Joe who was in Rochelle Park.

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Associate Director Lauren Warner joined News 12’s Della Crews to discuss the organization and their goals.

Spotlight New Jersey: Achilles New Jersey

Associate Director Lauren Warner joined News 12’s Della Crews to discuss the organization and their goals.

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