Team RP consists of an active group of people with the eye disease Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP). This is an inherited disorder that leads to a gradual deterioration of vision before total blindness can occur.
In order to stay active, they in Team RP depend on companions with whom they can train. Every Wednesday, they arrange trainings with companions at Bislett Stadium. Nicoline Sundt has been an active companion in Team RP since 2014, and here shares some experiences from this.
Why did you start as a companion in Team RP?
I met Håkon Gisholt (Team RP's functional coordinator) through the Oslo Marathon when I worked there, and mentioned to him that I was interested in posing as a companion when needed. The next day Håkon called, happy and satisfied, and wondered if I would join next Wednesday. Since then in 2014, I have been a regular companion every week as long as I have the opportunity.
What have you learned / good experiences?
I have learned a lot about how important our senses are and how much you take them for granted. I have become more observant and not least understood that there is no such thing as "a little left / right" or "a little up / down", here we often use the clock as an explanation for how sharp the turns are. I got a lot of "criticism" for that in the beginning, but now I feel that I can put a little more words into the descriptions, also how the environment is around. If something happens around you, or you run past something beautiful if you are out, I think it is important to tell about the surroundings so that the visually impaired perceive what is happening. Furthermore, I have received an incredible amount of training motivation, much more than I have ever managed to motivate myself.
How is the environment in Team RP?
The environment is incredibly good. It's a mix of all types of people. It does not matter where you are from or whether you have a disability or not. It is generally a mixture of people who want to help each other, extremely much kindness and insanely much humor. All inhibitions are put aside a bit, and the pleasure of sharing experiences with other companions is very nice.
What should a companion think about?
A companion should be observant, the ability to help others and manage several things at once. There is nothing to hide that it is more enduring to run with someone you also have to tell how far it is left, or if you have to watch out for obstacles in the way, than to run alone. But all in all, it is much more rewarding to run with others. The visually impaired also like to be accompanied in different ways, you work in a team so it is important to get to know each other, and talk together before you run.
What is it like when you are a companion for someone who has better (or worse) endurance than you?
It is super fun. If there is someone who has somewhat poorer endurance, you can of course give much better guidance and that you are more motivating even to the one you run more. Running with someone who is better than you is very motivating. By nature, I am quite a competitive person so I would rather not be worse, but I have countless times ended up, for example, an interval session completely exhausted and not the opportunity to get a word out, while he / she who I accompany only gives me one pat on the shoulder and say «well done today…». Of course, I am super motivated to improve my form to become as good as they are.
Do you recommend others to be companions? Why?
Absolutely! It's one of the most motivating and rewarding things I've done in a long time. I have also had the pleasure of meeting a wonderful number of wonderful people.
Do you want to try yourself as a companion or user?
Get in touch with SK Vidars and Team RP's functional coordinator Håkon Gisholt!
Email: hakongis@gmail.com.
Or go to Team RP's Facebook page "Funkis-Bislet" and register your interest!
