Taking Life Back

In a word, Jesse Murphree is a survivor. On Saturday, January 21 – Sunday, January 22 at Park City Mountain Resort, Jesse took one more step towards taking back his life after a devastating injury in one of the most dangerous areas of Afghanistan. Jesse used the power of adaptive recreation to reclaim a part of his life he used to know.

Jesse is a 24 years old and from Broomfield, CO. He is also a veteran, with a bilateral above the knee amputee who has had over 54 surgeries, countless hours of physical, occupational, and cognitive therapy. Like many mountain kids, he grew up skiing and snowboarding. According to Jesse, whether it was ‘hucking his body off of a kicker in the park, riding off the rocks/cliffs, or just gliding on fresh powder, riding in the mountains was his peace on earth.’

After the summer of '05, Jesse made the difficult decision to join the U.S. Army. He was eventually deployed to a remote location up in northeastern Afghanistan called the Korengal Valley, said to be one of the most dangerous places in Afghanistan and where the famous documentary Restrepo was filmed. In December of 2007, after being stationed there for around 9 months, Jesse was severely injured as a result of a Russian anti-tank mine and a 120 artillery shell. He was airlifted out by helicopter and flat lined multiple times on the way to help. His injuries included a shattered arm, internal injuries, minor burns, multiple amputations, and traumatic brain injury.

Once stabilized, Jesse started a long process of rehabilitation and recovery of his mind, body and spirit. Today, Jesse’s own self assessment is one of high personal power, resiliency and strength. “I am the best that I have ever been. I now believe I am ready to get back on the snow and not only enjoy the mountain again but also overcome the setbacks that my injury had given me. I think about the mountains nearly every day and just want to be able to be with my friends and next to my little brother and teaching him how to board. “

Thanks to collaboration between the National Ability Center (NAC) and the film The Movement: One Man Joins an Uprising, Jesse’s dream was realized. Jesse worked with NAC adaptive instructors and staff at Park City Mountain Resort to realize his dream. Gail Loveland, Executive Director for the National Ability Center says, ”Jesse is a true inspiration for us all. He has had so many opportunities to give up, but he is resolved to persevere and against all odds.” The NAC’s team of expert staff and volunteers will provide programs to Jesse and more than 400 other veterans this upcoming year.

“It is an incredible honor to be given the opportunity to help those who have sacrificed so much for our country and our freedoms” said Loveland.

This event was made possible through a contest put on by Producer, Director Kurt Miller in association with the Sundance Film, The Movement. The Movement highlights 5 individuals from all walks of life who have faced their respective disabilities and found the inspiration to overcome many obstacles. Through skiing each of them has discovered or rediscovered the freedom of movement. Kurt Miller and stars from The Movement will join Jesse on the slopes of Park City from 11am – 2pm Saturday, January 20th. Together they will all continue to conquer whatever mountain they are up against.

“Every time I overcome an obstacle it makes me feel a little bit better knowing that I'm still going and I'm doing it for my buddies that use to tear it up on the mountain that passed away.” Jesse Murphree.

About National Ability Center:
The National Ability Center is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization that provides recreational and therapeutic activities for people of all ages and abilities. The National Ability Center offers more than a dozen adaptive programs throughout the year including horseback riding, alpine and Nordic skiing, cycling, and sled hockey. Learn more about the NAC at www.DiscoverNAC.org.

About The Movement: One Man Joins an Uprising
In 2004 Rick Finkelstein was paralyzed in a ski accident on Aspen Mountain. With a severed spine and severe internal trauma, he wasn't expected to live. Six years, nine surgeries, and a lifetime of rehab later, cameras captured his dramatic return to Aspen. Even with the latest gear, expert coaching, and mentorship from the sport's pioneers, Rick faced a daunting challenge with many risks and no guarantees. Rick's friend, witness to the crash: 'It wasn't until later that I completely broke down. You realized that it's just so fragile.' 'Our movement started with the word never. 'You'll never walk again... You'll never see... You'll never live to age five.' Never? Our heroes refused to accept that word.' Narrated by Robert Redford and Warren Miller. Director Kurt Miller.

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Volunteer Spotlight: AmeriCorps

The National Ability Center would like to say good bye to our current AmeriCorps Members: Michelle Schweiger, Erin Smith, Erica Peterich, Laura Erickson, Ben Hulin and Andrea Thompson.



These amazing individuals have been coordinating volunteers, teaching adaptive recreation and helping in every aspect of our center since October of 2010. Having already logged almost 11,000 hours of service between the six of them, they will be dearly missed. If you see them please take the time to say goodbye and let them know what their service has meant to you personally.

As one of the first four service members recruited by the National Ability Center, I can say that the year spent working within the Park City and NAC community is one that inspires. Every member has expressed how much the community support has meant, and how the “magic” keeps occurring to get everything done that needs to be done.

These six members will be closing out an era of AmeriCorps here at the Ability Center. Due to large cutbacks to the federal and state budget and increased competition (a total of 17 applications were received for Utah State’s AmeriCorps program, of which only 7 were approved for funding) the NAC’s AmeriCorps program will not continue in the upcoming year.



Over the last decade AmeriCorps members have made large strides towards leaving the National Ability Center with a sustainable volunteer community to maintain our programming. Many of our volunteers were introduced to the NAC and trained by AmeriCorps members. This year’s AmeriCorps member’s diligence has created one of the best trained, diverse and active groups of volunteers we have seen at the NAC. The solid base that the members will be leaving has provided us with a strong grounding to build upon in the days ahead. The NAC and the Utah Commission on Volunteers are confident that this base combined with a supportive community of volunteers and donors in Summit and Wasatch counties will enable us to continue high quality programs at the same levels National Ability Center participants and their families have come to expect. We hope someday in the future we will be able to welcome the AmeriCorps program back to the NAC and look forward to many of them in their continued participation with NAC activities and programs.

Thank you,
Kim Milikan
Program Manager – Adventure Learning Program & AmeriCorps

Summit Challenge

It was a great success. Thank you for all the riders, those of you who raised money, volunteers who helped make the day a success, vendors for coming to help tune bikes, food vendors for helping replenish energy after long rides, music after the event and the great weather. It was a fantastic day at the National Ability Center.



In the group of riders we had teams of cyclist from town who pulled and drafted with each other over the long 100 mile course, recreational cyclists who wanted a challenge on the 50 mile ride, hancycles, recumbents, tandem bikes and even those riding an event like this for the first time on the 15 mile ride. Overall everyone challenged their abilities and goals.







I think one of the biggest stories of the day was the story of Teague. Teague did the 100 mile course with one leg pumping in his recumbent bike. I saw Teague near the end of the 15 mile course at about 6:30 am. He had started before 6:00 a.m. bound and determined to make it the whole 100 mile course. He made it back to the NAC a little before 6:00 p.m. What a day for Teague. I can't even imagine what that hill was like coming back out of Heber City towards Kamas. He has my respect and it is neat to see in Teague's case and in the case of many adaptive athletes the goals that are set and then the accomplishment of those goals. I believe this is Teague's third attempt at the 100 miles and he did it. Way to go man!



We had nearly 400 riders this year. We had 40 adaptive riders and each and every person had a goal. It did not matter the ability or disability but it was the goal and the accomplishment of that goal at the end of the day.

Thank you for every person that made this event a success and we hope to see you all back out for Summit Challenge 2012.

If you would like more information on the National Ability Center and its programs and mission, visit discovernac.org

Bigger than Life

Last April Nicole Carollo made the decision to start volunteering in her community. After learning about the National Ability Center through a friend, Nicole decided to attend volunteer orientation and learn more about the organization. Having taught swimming lessons in the past, Nicole decided the Aquatics program was a great place to start her volunteer experience. “As a young child I was first terrified of the water, but soon after, it became my passion and I competed for most of my youth and young adulthood. I'm happy to get back to that and show others that swimming can be fun!” A year later you will find Nicole not only sharing her passion for swimming, but also belaying participants on our indoor climbing wall.

Discovering her own abilities has allowed Nicole the opportunity to grow not only in a volunteer position, but also a recreation enthusiast because prior to volunteering Nicole did not having any climbing experience. “Seeing the determination, persistence and courage from the people that come through the doors of the NAC to take on the climbing wall has been very inspiring”. Nicole is also very thankful for the time Kim Millikan set aside to teach her how to climb.

The energy from NAC staff, together with the participants’ joy and enthusiasm, motivates Nicole to continue her support of the NAC. “Thanks to the staff at the NAC, I feel that I am part of something amazing and bigger than life.”