Recently, we had the chance to introduce Titus to sled hockey thanks to a local organization that bought a jingle hockey puck to help visually impaired individuals like him see the puck. It took some convincing to get Titus to give it a shot, but we believe in saying yes to new opportunities. Titus gathered his courage and agreed to give it a try.

Hockey and ice-skating are pretty popular where we live, but neither Ryan nor I can do either. So, our boys don’t have much experience with ice skates. The idea of sled hockey was appealing because it eliminates the need for balancing while trying to “see” the puck. Plus, it allows for a sighted guide to help out.

We had heard good things from other parents of visually impaired children about how much fun sled hockey can be. So, one Saturday morning, we decided to give it a go.

Titus’s older brother volunteered to push him around on the ice, crocs and all. The boys had a blast, but Titus struggled with using the jingle puck. Once it stopped moving, he had a hard time finding it. The coaches did their best to help him, but we realized that sled hockey might not be the best fit for him. Titus mentioned that it was a bit scary getting hit unexpectedly.

Sled hockey is a fantastic option for those with limited sight, but for Titus, who has no vision or light perception, it was challenging to fully participate. Despite that, he was brave enough to give it a shot. In the end, he prefers sticking to wiffle ball or running.