BALTIMORE (WBFF)– This year at the 141st Preakness it wasn’t just the horses who were faced challenges in the rain.

Waqas Sheikh, a 30-year-old blind man from Harve de Grace braved the muddy conditions on the infield just to have a good time with his friends.

Sheikh said that he could just stay at home and be intimated by the crowd or loud noises that could disorient him. But, he decided to challenge himself with something that he knew he would enjoy.

Despite being blind he wants to be happy and enjoy the things that he once did prior to slowly losing his eyesight in college.

For Sheikh, life isn’t about the limiting himself from the things that he enjoys because of his handicap, but pushing beyond those limits.

ROSEDALE, Md. (WBFF)– One person is dead and a firefighter was taken to the hospital after a house fire in Rosedale.

The fire started at King Charles Circle near the Mars Supermarket around 7 p.m. Saturday.

The victim’s son identified her as Rosa Mason, 66. He said he suspected his mother was smoking in bed, but firefighters have not yet named a cause.

“It’s still scary. It could’ve come into our house. We could have lost a couple houses,” neighbor Pat Bourne said. “I saw red light through the curtains, so I ran to the door, and I saw flames leaping out of the upstairs bedroom.”

The injured firefighter was taken to an area hospital with minor injuries, according to Baltimore Co. Fire Capt. Julia Dillard.

COLUMBIA, Md. (WBFF)– A 4-year-old girl will spend the next couple of months inside a body cast after she was struck by a bicyclist on Monday, police say.

Howard County police are currently searching for a Hispanic or white male, last seen wearing all red.

The accident occurred on March 28, during the 2’oclock hour on the edge of a path on the Patuxent Branch Trail near Broken Staff where the child was walking with her parents.

Police say the bicyclist who was approaching the family from behind rang his bell as to alert them of his presence. In the process of moving the child was struck. The unidentified male stopped to check to see if the child was okay before getting back on his bike and rode away.

The child was seriously injured, but is currently listed in critical condition.

Officers canvased the area in hopes of locating and identifying the cyclist. Unfortunately they were unable to locate him and cannot confirm any exact details on his appearance.

Howard County police are offering up to $1,000 reward for any information that will confirm the identity of the cyclist.

Anyone with information should call the Howard County Police Tip Line at 410-313-STOP.

BALTIMORE (WBFF)– PETA is crying foul this Thanksgiving and it’s in an unusual way.

On Monday PETA organizers stood on the corner of E. Pratt and S. Calvert Street asking Baltimore residents to skip turkey this Thanksgiving by asking them to put themselves in a turkey’s place.

“All animals have flesh, organs, and feelings and don’t want to die violently for someone else’s meal,” says PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. “PETA is calling on caring people to give turkeys a break this Thanksgiving and make their holiday table a place of compassion for all beings.”

Emily Lavender, a campaigner for PETA stood outside handing out flyers and holiday recipes to those who were interested in going cruelty free this year.

But the show stopper of the day was a nude volunteer on top of a large cutting board “trussed-up” and posing next to two giant turkey carcasses. All to protest the mass killing of turkeys for Thanksgiving dinners.

PETA is offering some holiday dinner alternatives on their website, such as a vegan roast that you can try at home .

Danielle Vaughn has competed in pageants since she was a child.  She let me in on what it really takes to win a crown.