Groundbreaking rower ready to make waves again

Aerial Gilbert with her guide dog. Photo credit: Ted Fitzgerald/Boston Herald

Aerial Gilbert rowed into the Head of the Charles Regatta history books four years ago by becoming the first blind crew racer to cross the finish line.

Now the 54-year-old has raised $2,000 for the Perkins School for the Blind while raising the hopes of students as she readies to row again.

“That demonstrates to our students that blindness doesn’t have to be a disability,” said Perkins spokeswoman Marilyn Rea Beyer.

Gilbert, a native of California, lost her sight 20 years ago from over-the-counter eye drops contaminated with drain cleaner.

She’s in the regatta master class and will hit the river at 2 this afternoon. 

Read more about Aerial and her connection to Perkins.