Watch the Spot: Blind Adventurer Stars in Nature Valley Ad
Posted in: Uncategorized
Picture yourself kayaking through the Grand Canyon, repeatedly swallowed by the roaring and unpredictable rapids of the Colorado River. Now imagine doing this in complete darkness.
This is the fate that awaits Erik Weihenmayer, a blind outdoorsman who in two weeks will begin a 21-day journey kayaking a 277-mile stretch of the river, from near the Arizona-Utah border to Pearce Ferry near Lake Mead. The trip, called the “No Barriers Grand Canyon Expedition,” will be sponsored by Nature Valley, which has struck an endorsement deal with Mr. Weihenmayer that includes a TV ad set to debut Monday night during NBC’s broadcast of the Emmy Awards.
Mr. Weihenmayer has a condition called retinoschisis, which rendered him legally blind when he was born. He maintained some rudimentary vision until he lost his sight completely by age 13. “When you go blind you are afraid that adventure is done, it’s over, that you are just going to be pushed to the sidelines and you are going to be forgotten,” he said.
Post a Comment