A Pasco County teenager with limited vision is preparing to compete on the world stage. Lily James, whose exact age was not provided in the source report, was selected to represent the United States at the Goalball World Championships in Kazakhstan. James was born without vision in her right eye and has very limited sight in her left. Her visual impairment has not stopped her from excelling in sports, including goalball, a team sport designed for athletes who are blind or visually impaired.
Her skills earned her a spot among just six athletes from across the country chosen to represent Team USA at the World Championships. Her father, Peter James, said the family did not expect her rapid rise. “We never saw this coming. I mean, I knew she was good, but she’s just gone above and beyond, and we are just on the ride right now,” he said. James said it is hard to measure her vision loss against what others experience. “But I seem to thrive OK,” she said.
Goalball was developed after World War II to help rehabilitate veterans who had lost their sight. Today, athletes with visual impairments around the world play it. Players wear blindfolds so everyone competes on an even playing field, regardless of how much vision they have. The ball contains bells so players can hear it as it moves across the court. Each team tries to score by throwing the ball past opposing players, who use their bodies to block it. The ball can travel many miles per hour. Players drop to the ground to block shots, and tactile lines on the court help them orient themselves.
Goalball is only one of several sports in which James has excelled. She also swims and weightlifts, is a member of her school’s cheerleading team and serves as class president. Her family said doctors cautioned against some team sports because an injury could affect her vision. The family chose to let her pursue her interests and see what she could accomplish.
Erik Waxler of ABC Action News reported on James’s selection. Readers can watch the full report on ABC Action News. Additional information about the sport is available from USA Blind Sports.
Originally reported by ABC Action News
