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Let’s talk about sacks — or, in Ed Oliver’s case, let’s not

SPORTS, PAGE 1D

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2019 ❚ DEMOCRATANDCHRONICLE.COM PART OF THE USA TODAY NETWORK Court decision clears way for ‘Loss of sight, police board referendum never a loss of vision’

Brian Sharp Visually impaired runner inspires with attitude Rochester Democrat and Chronicle USA TODAY NETWORK

Voters will decide whether Roches- ter should establish a Police Account- ability Board, a panel of judges decid- ed Thursday. The decision by the Supreme Court’s Appellate Division clears the way for the November referendum while leaving open the possibility for further court action should voters ap- prove. At issue is whether to establish a Police Accountability Board as an in- dependent office of city government.

See DECISION, Page 6A

Chris Smoker, a ninth-grader at Allendale Columbia School, heads for the finish line with his guide A woman reacts as the body of a man runner, James Hallahan. Chris is visually impaired but still competes in cross country meets for the killed during Turkish shelling arrives school. JAMIE GERMANO/ROCHESTER DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE at a hospital Friday. DELIL SOULEIMAN/AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES Leo Roth Rochester Democrat and Chronicle again. USA TODAY NETWORK On this day, Chris Smoker logs a personal best Syria pullout time of 23 minutes and 24 seconds over the 3.1-mile The young man wearing a Harley-Allendale Co- course meandering through the lush Allendale Co- continues lumbia cross country team singlet comes flying out lumbia campus in Pittsford. of the woods, slowing down just slightly to negoti- It is a little more than six minutes behind the President Donald Trump said Fri- ate a hard-right turn. winner, but considering Smoker is a freshman run- day that some European nations are “That’s it, now straight,” a voice from behind in- ning varsity for the first time, his clocking is im- now willing to take responsibility for structs. pressive. And considering that Smoker is totally detained Islamic State fighters who Later, the young runner motors down a straight- blind in his right eye and legally blind in his left, are from their countries. away, determined and focused, his arms and legs that the world to him “is like looking through a pumping in unison. Story, Page 12 “A little to the left, that’s it,” the voice comes See RUNNER, Page 11A

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Continued from Page 1A Rochester Kitchen OBITUARIES & Bath Centers continued from page 10A straw,” impressive isn’t the correct word to de- OurSince 50th 1966 Year scribe his race. Inspirational is. Albert H. Pinsky “I don’t like to brag but if someone asks about PITTSFORD - Passed my eyes and they go, ‘Man, weren’t you just run- away on October 18, ning, what’s up with that?’ I’m like, ‘Well, I have some glaucoma going on,’ ” says Smoker, 15, who 2019, at the age of 83. was born in China with congenital glaucoma. Predeceased by “But I want to prove to people, not in a negative Chris Smoker trades high-fives with his guide his father, Ed- way, but for other people I know who are blind or runner, James Hallahan, after a race at Allendale ward Pinsky, visually impaired, that maybe it can empower Columbia School on Oct. 8. JAMIE ® mother, Ruth them to be confident enough to try this. I know GERMANO/ROCHESTER DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE and Pinsky, and sister, Rena people who wanted to do this but (their schools) TOTO Pinsky Davidson.Sur- aren’t trusting or willing to give it a try. I’m grate- ful that our athletic center is willing to let me run.” don’t know, ‘Is it there or is it there?’ It’s hard to 30% OFF vived by his niece Su- He was born to. tell sometimes. That’s what he’s there for. If there san Davidson and many And watching Chris Smoker run is watching are obstacles, he’ll tell me beforehand and if I’m loving cousins, friends, the power of inclusion. What happens when still heading towards it, he’ll yell ‘Take a sharp GIANT and caregivers. Born courage and compassion collide. When the words right.’ The poles that mark the course, honestly, I and raised in Batavia, “If there’s a will, there’s a way” aren’t a cliché, but can’t see them because when you run it’s so fast KITCHEN NY, Albert was a grad- a mantra. and those poles are very thin. He’ll tell me what to REMODELING uate of the University of Making it possible for Smoker to navigate chal- expect so I don’t go tumbling down a hill.” Pennsylvania, and Syr- lenging trails strewn with hills, rocks, tree roots, And if he tumbles? SALE grass, mud and confusing turns is his guide, “Chris gets right back up and keeps going,” acuse University Law James Hallahan. Not a Seeing-Eye dog, but a see- Hallahan says. School. Albert was an ing-eye runner. The voice talking in his ear. In that moment, cross country is a metaphor 50% OFF attorney in Rochester “I run behind him and narrate the environment for life. for over 50 years. as he’s going ahead of time,” Hallahan says. “I let If there’s a will, there’s a way. Graveside Services him know there’s a tree on the right, a hole in the At “Dash in the Dark,” the season’s first meet will be held on SUN- ground, watch your step. It might be ‘Keep going that takes place under the lights at Oakfield-Ala- RATED #1 DAYat11AMatBritton straight, a right turn is coming up in 3, 2, 1.’ We bama, Smoker’s night vision was near zero. But By consumer Report have a system.” instead of sitting that meet out, Hallahan strung Road Cemetery. Shiva Exiting the finish chute, Smoker high-fives battery lights onto a vest, and Chris was the one will be on Sunday, Oc- Hallahan and gives a fist-pump to his dad, Ken who followed him. CAMBRIA tober 20th from 2pm- Smoker. “A lot of times when everyone is telling you ‘No, 5pmatIrondequoit Ken, a project manager at Xerox, and his wife, there’s no possible way you can do this,’ it’s like, COUNTER Country Club. In lieu Kari, a professor at Ithaca College, adopted Chris ‘Well, I don’t know. Maybe we can try this,’ ” Hal- of flowers, donations when he was 3 knowing he had vision issues. lahan says. “So many things happen in a good Their oldest son, Ben, 18, a senior at Allendale Co- way.” TOP maybemadetoJewish lumbia, was also adopted from China with a mild When Hallahan isn’t available, H-AC head Senior Life Foundation form of spina bifida. coach Dan Deckman will step in as Smoker’s REPLACEMENT in Albert’s memory. To Caring for two children with special needs has guide. Deckman was Chris’ eyes for his very first BEST PRICE IN NEW YORK leave a message of con- presented more rewards than challenges for the race as a seventh grader and often fills in at prac- QUARTZ • GRANITE dolence, please visit: city of Rochester residents, Ken Smoker says. tices. CORIAN & MORE Opening their eyes to all kinds of possibilities. “It can be nerve-wracking, thinking ‘What if he Like Chris taking part in a variety of sports. falls? What if something goes wrong?’ We’re go- CAMBRIA “I’ve always been proud of Chris. He’s always ing out into the neighborhoods around here,” excelled at everything he’s done, and his attitude Deckman says. “But Chris has such a positive at- CUSTOM TILE has always been great,’’ Ken says. “He’s been a joy, titude and it’s incredible to see him run and work really. It’s the best way I can put it. The problem is so hard. It makes me want to be better; it makes BACK SPLASH that he wants to do everything. We’ve always ap- his teammates want to be better.” proached it as ‘What’s appropriate, what can he Sophomore Aidan Wun, 15, says having a visu- WE DESIGN do?’ But he can do just about everything with ally impaired teammate and friend helps him see some exceptions and we’ve steered him that what people can achieve when given a chance. AND INSTALL way.” “Everyone is really happy to have him on the At birth, Chris did not receive treatments that team,” Wun says. “When we run with him, we COMPLETE might have saved or improved his sight. His right don’t think about it much. We’re cautious and ev- retina is completely detached and vision in his erything, but Chris is just a really good runner in BATHROOM left eye is 20/200, meaning he can make out at 20 general. He does fine. He’s a lot faster than I am.” 1 feet what the average person can see at 200. Smoker has shaved 2 ⁄2 minutes off his time so Glaucoma creates pressure on the optic nerve. far this season. REMODELING Thick, corrective lenses help and Chris uses vari- Deckman, who ran for the legendary Bob Brad- Dianh K. Thomas ous technology to help him complete his class ley at McQuaid and later at Division I Fordham, TUB TO SHOWER work. says part of what he loves about coaching is de- ROCHESTER - Passed “We knew when we adopted him he was spe- riving energy and inspiration from his athletes. CONVERSIONS on Wednesday, Octo- cial needs,’’ Ken Smoker says. “We didn’t know “Seeing them push hard, be motivated and im- 50 YEARS ber 16th 2019 at age the extent until we got him here and had him ex- prove throughout the season and Chris is kind of amined at Strong and so on. He’s had some sur- all that to the exponential power,” he says. “He EXPERIENCE 68. Predeceased by her geries to relieve pressure in his eye, and he takes has a great attitude, works hard every day, and he husband, Grover J. Sur- drops. His vision is stable, if we can keep the isn’t fazed by any challenge.” vived by children, Emily medication going and monitoring it.’’ As he watches his son, Ken Smoker wears a (Massie) Washington, What keeps Chris and his parents going is his gray and green sweatshirt from Camp Abilities, FREE Sherell Scott, LaToya, uplifting nature. the sports and recreation camp for children with Devin&KevinThom- Because his vision makes it impossible to see visual impairments that takes place each sum- DESIGN • ESTIMATE as; 4 grandchildren & peripherally or have great depth perception, mer at The College at Brockport. The Smokers are EXPERT INSTALL 4 great grandchildren. sports like soccer and football that require great indebted to what the camp has done for their son, OR anticipation are out. But in addition to cross and for them. CASH AND CARRY Calling Hours will be country, Chris participated in swimming and “They were very helpful in helping us learn held from 10-11 AM on track at the modified level, and last summer he how to support Chris,” Ken says. “To other par- Monday, October 21st played baseball. ents I would say the same thing: Focus on the pos- GRAB BARS at Church of Love Faith How? Through adaptations. itive, decide what you can do. There’s always a ANY SIZE • WE INSTALL Center, 700 Exchange In swimming, a person stands near the end of way, maybe not exactly what the child wants, but SHOWER DOORS Street, where her Funer- the pool and nudges Chris with a noodle to warn certainly you can provide something they need.” OVER 30 ON DISPLAY al will be held following him the wall is approaching. In track, he can see Chris Smoker says he wants to attend Ithaca the lines. In baseball, there’s a ball that beeps, al- College, where his mom works, and study coun- CUSTOM OR STOCK at 11 AM. Interment lowing players to use their sense of hearing to hit seling and psychology, fields that can help him EXPERT INSTALLATION Grove Place Cemetery. and field. And in cross country, a guide runner is help others learn how to interact with people with his set of eyes. special needs. In his experience, people are will- The Smokers met Hallahan through his work ing; “they just don’t know how to ask,” he says. PLUMBING with the Association for the Blind and Visually The more he runs, the more eyes he opens. Or Impaired when Chris was very young. A triath- as the words on the back of his dad’s sweatshirt SERVICE lete, Hallahan became Chris’ latest guide this sea- read: “A loss of sight, never a loss of vision.” WE REPAIR AND INSTALL son, the fit 31-year-old jumping into races with a LROTH@Gannett.com FAUCETS • TOILETS bunch of teenagers. DISPOSALS • PUMPS “I work with a lot of kids who are visually im- paired, and I see a lot of the same attitude come out, that they want to be like everybody else,’’ WATER says Hallahan, an educational technology con- sultant with Monroe 1 BOCES who receives a sti- pend from the Smokers for serving as Chris’ HEATERS guide. “Chris more so than many has a can-do at- AO SMITH • BRADFORD WHITE Share titude. He wants to take part in everything.” STD. 40 GAS There have been some hairy moments, but YOUR MEMORIES. then, every cross-country runner has them. Earli- $ NORMAL er in the season, Smoker face-planted on an ex- 939 INSTALLATION tremely muddy course. He’s had his share of cuts and scrapes. Each step of the way, he has trusted SEPTIC INSPECTIONS Hallahan’s voice to safely steer him. • SEPTIC • SEWER • “I technically don’t have depth perception,” • DRAINS • Smoker says. “If I’m running, I can see a tree. I just CLEANED - INSTALLED REPAIRED SHOWROOMS Your Favorite FAIRPORT 556 Whitney Rd. 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