Posted on October 3, 2024
We’re proud to highlight Tony Chesrow, a custodian at the Carol Stream Park District and an accomplished hockey player for Team USA Blind Hockey. At 30 years old, Tony has been representing the United States in international blind hockey competition for the past eight years, after starting out with a local team in Chicago. When his vision qualified him for the USA team, he was invited to tryouts, and he successfully made the roster.
Tony’s love for hockey started at age 13, leading him to play at both Holy Cross and Lewis University, and even in the Junior A’s, just one level below Major Junior. However, as he grew older, a genetic eye disease called “Best” (Best vitelliform macular dystrophy) began to affect his central vision, leaving him with fluctuating blind spots. Tony describes the visual experience as seeing fireworks of colors like purple, green, and orange.
Despite this challenge, Tony hasn’t let it slow him down. Blind hockey players use standard hockey sticks, but the puck is adapted—it’s larger, slower, and makes noise so players can track it. Tony describes the sound as being similar to a cowbell. The nets are smaller, and players’ levels of vision vary. Some have around 10% vision, while goalies are often completely blind. Yet, these athletes block and save shots with amazing skill.
Tony’s journey has come with physical challenges, including two broken collarbones, but he says it’s been the most humbling experience of his life. Competing in a sport he loves, on an even playing field with others who share his vision impairment, has been incredibly rewarding.
His advice to others with vision impairments or any disability is simple: check if your sport has an adaptive option. “There’s a strong sense of community in adaptive sports,” he says. “In blind hockey, we’re like a family—you know you’re not going through vision loss alone.”
Tony’s story reminds us that with determination and a supportive community, any obstacle can be overcome.
