#BeatTheBlindfold that competitors at the Paralympics in Rio 2016 will be forced to wear

The Issue

Help us #BeatTheBlindfold and #GetVerityToRio in 2016

Verity would be thrilled if you could help her and her favourite charities by making a small donation 

 DONATE- using the link below:

https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=BEN2WL4P4YA5W 

Even £1 will make a difference.

(75% of all donations will be split between Guide Dogs and Riding for the Disabled).

Verity Smith is a blind international dressage rider who has previously represented her country as part of Para Team GB and is hoping to continue her dream to win a gold medal by competing at the Paralympics in Rio next year. 

However, a recent ruling by the International Paralympic committee (IPC) and the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) means that Verity and other dressage riders will be forced to wear a blindfold when competing. 

Verity is registered blind with 10 percent residual vision, like many others who are registered blind. Having access to light is therefore extremely important. The new ruling by the IPC and FEI though means any access to such light will be banned by the use of a blindfold, leaving Verity and other competitors in the dark and unable to compete. 

Of the ruling, Verity says that it is ‘...dangerous and debilitating as most registered blind people have some residual light and dark. Horses have always been my sanctuary, allowing me to quite literally ride the storm of my blindness . When I ride I am free I am afraid of nothing but in the blindfold I am a prisoner frightened of the dark.’

Please give your support and help #BeatTheBlindfold. We want to revive the spirit of the Paralympics which invoke the ideals of courage ,determination, inspiration and equality. The Paralympic aim is to ‘challenge stereotypes, transform attitudes and redefine the boundaries of possibility.’ The blindfold removes these ideals. Therefore we want to remove the blindfold and allow blind riders to compete using every glimmer of sight they may still have.

Don't blindfold their dreams.

HOW YOU CAN HELP:
1. Take a selfie doing something mad or mundane in a blindfold.
2. Tweet/Facebook it with the # and a link to Change.org.
3. Contribute by signing the petition and making a
donation.
4. Nominate your friends to #BeatTheBlindfold.
5. Spread the word and follow Verity on Twitter and Facebook :
@VSmithDressage and www.facebook.com/verity.smith.dressage/

You can watch Verity's #BeatTheBlindfold mini-blockbuster here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3AoJImb-oM

DONATE - using the link below:

https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=BEN2WL4P4YA5W

Even £1 will make a difference.

(75% of all donations will be split between Guide Dogs and Riding for the Disabled).

avatar of the starter
Jonny BenjmainPetition StarterVerity is a blind international dressage rider, singer, songwriter and author. She believes in advocating the ability in disability and relishes the challenge of defying convention and breaking down boundaries. She has represented Great Britain as part of para Team GB, and is now training with the aim of re-qualifying for the 2016 Rio games. Verity is currently competing at Prix St George dressage level and her dream is to one day be on the Able Bodied Team GB at the Tokyo Olympics 2020. - Dressage Rider - Featured in the CNN International World Sport ‘Human to Hero’ series. - Featured in Land Rover ‘Can and Will’ Campaign. - Horse and Hound has noted her as ‘one to watch'. - Singer / Songwriter. Has written and released her acoustic album La Verity. - Wrote and published her first book The Groper’s Guide. - Winner of The Inspirational Guide Dog Owner of the Year Award 2014.
Media enquiries
This petition had 2,500 supporters

The Issue

Help us #BeatTheBlindfold and #GetVerityToRio in 2016

Verity would be thrilled if you could help her and her favourite charities by making a small donation 

 DONATE- using the link below:

https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=BEN2WL4P4YA5W 

Even £1 will make a difference.

(75% of all donations will be split between Guide Dogs and Riding for the Disabled).

Verity Smith is a blind international dressage rider who has previously represented her country as part of Para Team GB and is hoping to continue her dream to win a gold medal by competing at the Paralympics in Rio next year. 

However, a recent ruling by the International Paralympic committee (IPC) and the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) means that Verity and other dressage riders will be forced to wear a blindfold when competing. 

Verity is registered blind with 10 percent residual vision, like many others who are registered blind. Having access to light is therefore extremely important. The new ruling by the IPC and FEI though means any access to such light will be banned by the use of a blindfold, leaving Verity and other competitors in the dark and unable to compete. 

Of the ruling, Verity says that it is ‘...dangerous and debilitating as most registered blind people have some residual light and dark. Horses have always been my sanctuary, allowing me to quite literally ride the storm of my blindness . When I ride I am free I am afraid of nothing but in the blindfold I am a prisoner frightened of the dark.’

Please give your support and help #BeatTheBlindfold. We want to revive the spirit of the Paralympics which invoke the ideals of courage ,determination, inspiration and equality. The Paralympic aim is to ‘challenge stereotypes, transform attitudes and redefine the boundaries of possibility.’ The blindfold removes these ideals. Therefore we want to remove the blindfold and allow blind riders to compete using every glimmer of sight they may still have.

Don't blindfold their dreams.

HOW YOU CAN HELP:
1. Take a selfie doing something mad or mundane in a blindfold.
2. Tweet/Facebook it with the # and a link to Change.org.
3. Contribute by signing the petition and making a
donation.
4. Nominate your friends to #BeatTheBlindfold.
5. Spread the word and follow Verity on Twitter and Facebook :
@VSmithDressage and www.facebook.com/verity.smith.dressage/

You can watch Verity's #BeatTheBlindfold mini-blockbuster here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3AoJImb-oM

DONATE - using the link below:

https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=BEN2WL4P4YA5W

Even £1 will make a difference.

(75% of all donations will be split between Guide Dogs and Riding for the Disabled).

avatar of the starter
Jonny BenjmainPetition StarterVerity is a blind international dressage rider, singer, songwriter and author. She believes in advocating the ability in disability and relishes the challenge of defying convention and breaking down boundaries. She has represented Great Britain as part of para Team GB, and is now training with the aim of re-qualifying for the 2016 Rio games. Verity is currently competing at Prix St George dressage level and her dream is to one day be on the Able Bodied Team GB at the Tokyo Olympics 2020. - Dressage Rider - Featured in the CNN International World Sport ‘Human to Hero’ series. - Featured in Land Rover ‘Can and Will’ Campaign. - Horse and Hound has noted her as ‘one to watch'. - Singer / Songwriter. Has written and released her acoustic album La Verity. - Wrote and published her first book The Groper’s Guide. - Winner of The Inspirational Guide Dog Owner of the Year Award 2014.
Media enquiries

The Decision Makers

International Paralympic Committee
International Paralympic Committee
Sir Philip Craven
International Equestrian Federation
International Equestrian Federation
Ingmar De Vos

Petition Updates

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Petition created on 16 November 2015