Blind students experience the circus on tactile touch tour

Standing just outside the center ring at the Richmond Coliseum, Kimberly Drudge was as eager as any child to share details of her circus experience.

The 7-year-old said the clowns were funny. The long-haired dog was pretty. And Asia, the 8,000-pound star of the latest Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey production, was wrinkly.

The descriptions ring true with circus fans of all ages. Being able to relate to them through hands-on experience, however, meant even more to 32 visually impaired Virginia students like Kimberly who got a chance to see the circus their way yesterday.

That meant up-close-and-touchable access to clowns, props and even Asia the elephant. She, by the way, feels like hairy sandpaper.

"When you go to the circus, there are so many things going on that no matter how hard you try to describe it . . . you just can't pull it off -- ever. This is going to help," said Kimberly's mom, Dawn Peifer, who is president of the Virginia Association for Parents of Children with Visual Impairments (http://www.vaapvi.org).

Peifer said the nonprofit organization has 100 families as members, but there are many more throughout the state. Kimberly was born premature with complications and can see only light, she said.

"By her being able to come out and feel what some of the props look like and being able to feel some of the animals . . . [the circus] will make a lot more sense to her," she said.

Whenever possible, the tactile touch tour is offered at every circus stop for the very reasons Peifer, other attending parents and circus officials shared. Students came from Richmond, Henrico and Chesterfield schools while others hailed from Goochland, Williamsburg, Virginia Beach and Warrenton.

"Ringling Brothers is committed to bringing the circus to everybody . . . so for some, that's through touch," said Crystal Drake, regional public-relations director of the circus. "You saw the spirits just light up in these kids when they were able to touch and smell and hear things that otherwise are not so readily available to them."

The circus continues today and tomorrow.

For Khater Mohamad, a student at Ridge Elementary School in Henrico County, one of those things was Asia.

"I didn't know that they weighed so much," the 9-year-old said of elephants.

Warrenton resident Alan Levin brought his 4-year-old son, Max, who was born without eyes. That doesn't keep the active boy from much. Levin said swimming, visiting the library and usual childhood events such as attending birthday parties fill their calendar.

"Kids are more alike than they are different, so I want him to have the same opportunities as any other child," Levin said. "And it's a great opportunity to see the circus from floor level."

It's one many students, including Khater, were glad they didn't pass up.

"I can't see with one eye, but I can still see everything here," he said.

Contact Penelope M. Carrington at (804) 649-6027 or .