“Whoa, did that guy really have just one leg?” The question may sound crude and insensitive, but you have to understand that the gentleman in question—wearing a bright green jacket and, yes, with an above-the-knee amputation of his right leg—had just whizzed past me on one ski as I tried to catch my breath on the side of a Colorado ski slope.
Over the years, I have seen seated skiers, skiers with amputated limbs, and even blind skiers. I have often wondered how I would feel in their boots. Would I crumble in fear as a ski chattered on packed snow? Would I be able to give in to gravity and sail down the fall line? Would the feeling of floating on fresh powder help me overcome the pains and frustrations I experienced as I made my body to twist and turn? I would have liked to have asked this man how he felt, except I never caught up with him.
Skiing can be an intimidating adventure for most people with full use of their extremities and all five senses. Just imagine what it must be like for someone with physical or cognitive challenges. Fortunately, adaptive ski and recreation programs abound in this country. These programs are not simply “enriching the lives of people with disabilities through sports and recreation” or “providing empowering outdoor experiences to people of all abilities” or “making possibilities for people with disabilities,” as their mission statements claim. They are transforming the lives of people with disabilities and in doing so, transforming the lives of their loved ones.
To me, some of the most incredible, life-changing experiences occur through wounded warrior programs. Many service members are returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to find their lives forever altered by injuries sustained in the line of duty. These young men and women have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country and return home to a reality that is much different than they probably ever anticipated. Learning a new sport or a familiar one with adaptive equipment allows these individuals and their families to adopt an active lifestyle, build new connections, and open more avenues for communication. As athletes, they learn to trust in their own abilities, which gives them hope for a bright, independent future. The benefits of these programs are evident as the veterans fulfill their potential in various aspects of their lives, whether they become weekend warriors or elite athletes.
Men, women, and children of all ages and special needs can benefit from adaptive adventures. From what I have seen on the snow, once the equipment is mastered and the rush of skiing is felt, there is no stopping them. In a country where we treasure our freedom, my hope is that all of us, regardless of the barriers in our paths, can experience the freedom and joys of outdoor recreation.
RESOURCES
Wounded Warrior Project
Sun Valley Adaptive Sports
Challenge Aspen
Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center
Adaptive Adventures
Amy Klingler practices primary care at the Salmon River Clinic in Stanley, Idaho.