Communication and Trust: A Guide-Runners Arsenal

Written by DaVonne Evans

Have you ever had a story told to you in such vivid detail that although set clear across the globe, you felt like you were personally there? Stories where the storyteller’s charismatic  words, descriptions, and anecdotes grab you so hard that you are transformed to a place you’ve never been, yet you find yourself excited to be in the midst of the action? That is how Jerome Avery’s recounting of his work with paralympic athletes hit me.

Jerome Avery is currently one of a few full-time guide runners and callers working in the United States. A stand-out athlete in his own right, Avery has created a lane in the sports world and is working to make it wider. Avery recently spent some time with Black SD Magazine, and in addition to making me feel like I was part of the hushed audience listening as he called out commands to a blind athlete, Avery challenged my thinking, not only about athletes, but also about the power of communication and trust.

First, we’ve seen the viral video of you tied to another runner. Explain to us what a guide runner does.

I do exactly what the title implies, I guide runners who happen to be blind or have some other impairment. I motivate and encourage as well as let them know where we are in the journey to cross the finish line. 

How did you become a guide-runner?

I have been an athlete most of my life. I was MVP all four of my high school years and ranked in my home state of California. I trained for the Olympics in 2000 and 2004 and didn’t make the team. However, the opportunity to train with a paralympic athlete arose and I ended up going to Athens as a caller for a blind athlete who went on to win a silver medal.

Is there a difference between a caller and a guide-runner?

A caller is very similar to a guide-runner. As a sighted person, I am on the sidelines giving instructions to the athlete. I tell them where they are, how far they are from their jumping or throwing space and so forth. When I am calling, the crowd of 50-80 thousand fans, normally cheering loudly, are totally quiet so that the athlete can hear and follow my commands. The athlete is relying on me 100% and one wrong move because they cannot hear or mis-hear me can cause life-threatening injuries.   

There must be a huge level of trust between you and the athlete. What was your training for this job?

My relationships with the athletes are based on pure communication and trust. I had no formal education on training athletes or the disabled, I read books and did my own research. Aside from that, my parents played a very vital role in how I communicate with others. Everything they taught my siblings and I was about listening without judgment and that helped me tremendously. I was blessed to have a great relationship with the first visually impaired athlete that I worked with but I understand that every athlete won’t be a good fit for me and vice-versa.  

Listening to you speak, I hear therapist, counselor, teacher – you can do just about anything. Tell us what is next for Jerome Avery? 

I love what I am doing and I am working to build my brand. It will always include motivating and encouraging others. One of my goals involves going to schools for the disabled across the country to work with and train disabled athletes.

Jerome Avery can be found on Instagram @_jeromeavery_, Twitter @Mr_Jerome_Avery, and Email: jeromeavery@gmail.com