Adaptive Ski Program Strengthens Rehab Patients
WESTON, Mo. — Any uphill battle has to include a climb.
Snow Creek Ski Resort is known for thrills on their hills. Adaptive skiing makes it possible for rehab patients to experience the same energy. The Rehab Institute of Kansas City works with instructors at this resort to help traumatic injury patients get back in the game, using skis to help speed their recovery.
“We basically go alongside them and teach balance techniques,” Corey Wright, recreational therapist, said. “We focus on the affected limb as much as possible so it’s as therapeutic as possible.”
Wright has worked with therapy patients in the snow for the past four years. He sees patients with medical needs of all kinds, ranging from stroke and traumatic brain injury to spinal cord damage.
Experience in the snow isn’t required. However, 16-year old Jamie Reaves was an avid skier before suffering a stroke three years ago.
“It allows me to go fast down hills again,” Reaves said. “Doing it as a kid was always fun. Now, coming back to it is even better.”
But Ben Avery is only here for the fun. His first ride down the slope could help with rehab work, which he’s been doing since his car crash eight years ago.
“It’s so amazingly exciting!” exclaimed Avery. “I get to try a new thing!”
Snow sports are not necessarily part of a rehab program, but confidence-building certainly is. Corey Wright says its not important for these skiers to look as if they’re ready for an olympic team. However, it is important for them to know there’s no mountain they can’t climb.
“It shows them that after whatever injury that’s occurred, life isn’t over,” Wright said. “They can exist in any aspect of society just like anyone else.”
And knowing that makes the climb seem like fun.
Rehab Institute of Kansas City can be found here.
Snow Creek Ski Resort is in Platte County near Weston, Mo. Here’s a link to their website. Contact Tom Sanders at Snow Creek for more information about the Adaptive Ski Program.
Watch the Slider - Adaptive Ski Equipment
Wednesday, November 10, 2010from Kimball (Kim) Hale
The Slider is an integral part of many adaptive skiing programs, enabling people with disabilities the opportunity to ski beginner (Green) to intermediate (Blue) runs with a trained instructor/volunteer.
Disabilities commonly using the Slider: Cerebral Palsy, Multiple Sclerosis, Muscular Dystrophy, Spina Bifida, Post Polio, spinal cord injuries, amputees, and stroke.
Watch the Slider - Adaptive Ski Equipment from Kimball (Kim) Hale on Vimeo.
(1) Ski Movie
Published on Feb 20, 2013Greek Peak adaptive ski program snippet from Jan 28 - look at those awesome smooth turns! and great posture, too :) The red pole I carry is a safety blanket - the ski coach can come by and arrest my speed/direction if necessary, but I go at these hills quite independently, actually, which is cool (given it's just 4 years from my injury). I "heart" GPAS!
Standard YouTube License @ Amelia Habicht
(2) Good R Turns
Uploaded on Feb 28, 2011In this clip I made 2 rather good R turns (the turn that uses more of the L/bad leg. Many thanks to Oliver for skiing beside us with the camera!
Standard YouTube License @ Amelia Habicht
(3) A Ski Day Feb 13th: 2011 Peggy into Line!
Uploaded on Feb 27, 2011Another nice shooting by Oliver - me with volunteer Peggy, who is super-encouraging and nice she's the one who had me go completely solo for the 1st time - once down the 'learner's green hill all the way on Feb 20th!
Standard YouTube License @ Amelia Habicht
(4) A Ski Day Feb 13th: Martin Fast!
Uploaded on Feb 27, 2011Skiing with Martin, one of the gaps volunteers - he's cool because he pushes me to try harder but he also rescues me before I hit the trees, and he's a strong skier and likes to go fast :)
Standard YouTube License @ Amelia Habicht
Amazing Adaptive Skiing (sit ski, mono ski) at the Hartford Ski Spectacular - Disabled Sports USA
Uploaded on Oct 8, 2011http://www.dsusa.org
Watch some incredible adaptive skiing - Disabled Sports USA "sit ski" "mono ski"
Music "Come Around" by Bankrupt (iTunes • eMusic)
Standard YouTube License @ Disabled Sports USA
Adaptive Skiing Revolution Trailer ASR
Uploaded on Oct 28, 2010The Adaptive Skiing Revolution is what disabled is not. It's about passion, perseverance and the willingness to stop at nothing.
The sports of skiing and snowboarding happen to be one of the great equalizers. "When I'm skiing, I'm not disabled. My friends don't have to wait for me.” - Jim Harlan/ Crested Butte Ski Patrol.
Evolving technology, total access and an all inclusive attitude allows everyone to participate. Just adapt and go!
Shot and edited by Tim Nixon/ Baughan Productions, Inc. using the Levelcam video camera stabilizer. Produced and distributed by One Track Productions.
Standard YouTube License @ Tim Nixon
Adaptive Sports Center 2012 - Mt. Crested Butte
Thursday, September 6, 2012The ASC serves clients year round with outdoor adventures; this is a recap of our last year of programming.
Edited and Produced by Noah Wight. Footage by Ellen Thommesen, Mike Neustedter, ASC staff, and more.
To learn more visit adaptivesports.org
Adaptive Sports Center 2012 - Mt. Crested Butte from Adaptive Sports Center on Vimeo.
Emperors of the Hill
Wednesday, November 17, 2010Watch six people with six very different disabilities skiing, thanks to non-profit Adaptive Sports & Recreation Therapy programs, the equipment they use, and the techniques used to teach them.
Emperors of the Hill from Kimball (Kim) Hale on Vimeo.
Support Disabled Sports - Give to Vermont Adaptive's Permanent Homes Campaign
Published on Mar 11, 2013Amazing Athletes All Start Somewhere...
Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports is the largest year-round organization in the state of Vermont to offer daily adaptive sports programs to people of all ages with physical, behavioral, cognitive, and developmental disabilities.
• More than 400 active volunteers and six full-time staff provide over 3,000 sports outings a year.
• We serve more than 2,000 adults and children with disabilities, and their families.
• We continuously raise funds for scholarships because we strongly believe that no individual should be turned away.
• Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Developmental Disabilities, Spina Bifida, Cerebral Palsy, Multiple Sclerosis, Paraplegia, Quadriplegia, Amputations & Limb Differences, Blind & Visually Impaired, Traumatic Brain Injuries, Emotional/Behavioral Disabilities, Physical Impairments, Autism/Spectrum, Stroke, Muscle Weakness, Wounded Veterans
Give to Vermont Adaptive's new permanent home at Pico Mountain in Vermont. To learn more, visit www.vermontadaptive.org.
Standard YouTube License @ VermontAdaptiveSport
How to Ski with a Disability Overview
Uploaded on Jun 24, 2009Snow skiing is an excellent sport for people with all degrees of disabilities, even for those who have never skied before. Learn how to ski with a disability from a professional instructor in this adaptive sports video.
Standard YouTube License @ LIVESTRONG.COM
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