If you need a little motivation to get you going today, look no further. In 2019, history was made at the New York City Half Marathon after a blind man by the name of Thomas Panek completed the race with the support of guide dogs. Visually impaired runners have finished marathons using human guides before, but this was the first case where a blind man relied solely on guide dogs to cross over the finish line.
Panek’s reason for using a guide dog is more than understandable; while human volunteers are helpful and supportive, he missed the feeling of independence. By completing the race, Panek showed just how independent a blind person can be with the help of a furry companion.