MD Anderson Slide Show

Here is the MD Anderson group from Texas and a slide show of their experience. We had a great time with this group in early January. The group took part in everything from standard stand up skiing, sit skiing, cart skiing, three track skiing and four track skiing.



We look forward to this group coming again next year. If you would like more information about the programs that you see in this slide show, please visit our website at www.discovernac.org

Cancer Survivors from South Hit the Slopes (again!)

Cancer survivors from M.D. Anderson Cancer Center (MDA) in Texas joined the National Ability Center for a week of skiing, snowboarding and winter recreation last week. MDA has been bringing cancer survivors to the National Ability Center since 1989. Last week 12 people came to learn how to ski/board or perfect their skills on the mountain.

The individuals who came through M.D. Anderson went through treatments at the hospital. Some of the treatments have involved the individuals losing a limb in their fight with cancer. I talked to some of the group members, and they have not let the fact of a lost limb or cancer slow them down. They are instead stepping forward and taking advantage of the adaptive ways to stay on the mountain.

Most individuals went three-tracking, which means they ski with one ski and hold outriggers on their arms for balance and steering. A few individuals skied on the bi-ski, which involves sitting in a bucket seat while using the outriggers for balance. I also saw one person on our new KartSki. This is a rig that uses handles that are attached to the ski to steer while in a sitting position.

Hayden is nine years old and lost his leg a year-and-a-half ago. Hayden and his instructor, Amanda, where sitting on the bench outside the National Ability Center and Hayden did not want to be done for the day. Amanda explained to him that once you start skiing, it is good to end the day on a good run and give your body rest in order for you to be ready to tackle the next day of skiing. Hayden really wanted to stay out and ski the night away. It was neat to see his desire to keep learning and practicing to get better. I later heard that Hayden is continuing to get better, and he never seems tired.

The group will be skied for a full week before returning home to the South. Look for pictures on our Facebook page next week to see the group and the things they enjoyed here in Park City.

Happy New Year!

The snow is falling fast in Park City, and our programs are in full swing during the winter months. The National Ability Center's Ski & Snowboard Center is gearing up for Session II on January 9th. The equestrian program started Winter Session II today.

If you know of individuals who would benefit from participating in our programs please refer them to our website at www.DiscoverNAC.org.

We thrive thanks to our great volunteers, so if you have an interest in volunteering please let us know and we'll give your more information. Look at www.DiscoverNAC.org for a list of programs where you might use your talents to benefit individuals with disabilities who participate at the National Ability Center.

I would like to ask for some help in this new of 2011. I am looking for stories about participants, volunteers or even stories from the staff at the National Ability Center. I would like to highlight some of the individuals that participate in programs or make our programs possible. If you have a funny, serious, or inspirational story that you would like to share, please e-mail me at benh@DiscoverNAC.org. I am working on making this blog something that highlights individuals and a place we can learn about the people we work for and with. I look forward to hearing and posting some great stories in the coming months.

Thank you for your help, and Happy New Year.

-Ben
National Ability Center
AmeriCorps Member

National Ability Center Ski and Snowboard Center

The National Ability Center had its staff BBQ at the Ski & Snowboard Center a couple of weeks ago. The BBQ was in celebration of the renovations and hard work that many people put into the off season to make the Ski & Snowboard Center a little better.

The equipment room is more space efficient with new places to store ski equipment.

The ski team now has its own locker room to help store its equipment, a place where the team can have meetings, and a separate place for the coaches and team members to hang out.

There is a new locker room that they are calling the Education Locker Space. Instructors will now have more room to store their personal skis, snowboards and different gear that they will be using to teach participants.

The main desk area has been opened up. There is now more desk room and more room in general area where the couches are.

Thank you to all of those who put in long hours to make the Ski & Snowboard Center renovations a success. I am sure the participants and their families will notice the changes and the new feel of a renovated Ski & Snowboard Center.

We are looking forward to a great season together. The returning volunteer training has now taken place at Park City Mountain Resort, and we look forward to seeing many familiar and new faces on mountain this season.

If you are an individual or know of an individual that would like to take part in lessons at the National Ability Center's Ski and Snowboard Center please log onto our website, and check out the programs and the different adaptive equipment we use to teach participants on mountain at DiscoverNAC.org.

If you have a friend that would like to volunteer with the National Ability Center's Ski & Snowboard Center please have them look at our website for the opportunities available at DiscoverNAC.org.