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Whether he hits the slopes on a mono- or cross-country , Bob Vogel can escape into otherwise inaccessible places.

CHRIS COLLARD PHOTO

Adaptive Resources • www.dsusa.org/chapter Local chapters of Disabled Sports USA (DSUSA) for info on local adaptive alpine and Nordic ski programs. • www.dsusafw.org Adaptive alpine ski instruction in North Lake Tahoe, Calif. • www.turningpointnation.org/tahoe Adaptive Nordic ski instruction in North Lake Tahoe, Calif. •www.sitski.com Information on adaptive ski equipment and other resources.

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SPECIAL SECTION: WhenWhen thethe SNOWSNOW flies…flies…

For people with mobility impairments, winter weather can be one of the most challenging environments to navigate. But it also provides many fun and invigorating sports and rec opportunities.

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Brad Carr shreds the snow as he comes down the mountain on his dual ski.

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ABOVE: Robert Witherell (circa 1984) enjoys a trip up the chairlift in his Arroya, SPECIAL SECTION: the first downhill sit ski.

creation in the evolutionary process of by Matt Strugar-Fritsch sit-down adaptive skiing, and it changed a lot of people’s lives.” The next step in the evolution of adap- tive snow skiing was the invention of the mono-ski, another Axelson creation. The Whether it’s downhill or cross country, adaptive skiing mono-ski incorporates a linkage system and single shock absorber similar to the offers the ideal environment for ability and challenge to suspension on many . This gives people who can’t ski standing up, intersect and create an adventure of a lifetime. but who have excellent balance and coor- dination, the ability to independently ski everything from beginner to expert ter- ost people with go the influx of returning veterans with dis- rain. Participants use outriggers, which to great lengths to avoid winter abilities from the Vietnam War. are a short type of Canadian with conditions, and when it snows In 1978, the U.S.’s first downhill sit-ski, ski tips on the end for balance, timing, M they usually stay inside or the Arroya, was invented by paraplegic and basic control movements. migrate to a more moderate environ- Peter Axelson while he was a product- Perhaps the single biggest benefit of ment. Although getting to the mountain design and stu- the mono-ski is that it allows people to can be a great challenge, skiing on it can dent at Stanford University. independently load and unload from be one of life’s great opportunities. Robert Witherell (Fair Oaks, Calif.), a T6 chairlifts. Most mono-skiers have dis- Today, with the use of specialized adap- paraplegic and Arroya owner, distinctly abilities below the T6 level, but with tive equipment, nearly anyone with any remembers the good, bad, and scary patience, practice, and instruction, high- can access the slopes. However, times he had with this ski. er-level paraplegics and quadriplegics can this wasn’t always the case. When the “The Arroya was the first and only learn to mono-ski independently as well. U.S.’s first adaptive ski school was creat- option for paraplegics and quadriplegics “The first time I mono-skied with Dis- ed 41 years ago on the slopes of Donner to get on top of the mountain and get the abled Sports USA Far West, it was incredi- Summit in northern , a group of thrill of going downhill fast,” he says. “It ble!” says Jackson McBrayer, who has cere- World War II veterans invented a way for didn’t matter what its strengths or limi- bral palsy and uses a part-time. single-leg amputees to ski . Over the next tations were, because it was the only “I never thought I would be so mobile on 11 years, adaptive ski technology and thing available besides sliding down the such challenging terrain, but the mono-ski instructional programs advanced due to hill on a garbage-can lid. It was the first has taken me places I never dreamed I

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CHRIS COLLARD PHOTO

Feeling the need for speed, Jackson McBrayer cruises into overdrive on the Alpine Meadows/Lake Tahoe ski slopes.

would go. Once I’m in my mono-ski, my ple amputations, and those with severe there that they can avail themselves of disability becomes irrelevant and I’m free cognitive and developmental disabilities. than maybe they’ve been told.” to go where I want to go, see what I want A bi-ski has two independently articu- Disabled Sports’ one-liner slogan con- to see, and ski where I want to ski.” lating on its undercarriage and sits denses this entire philosophy: “If I Can Do “Helping participants transition from lower to the ground than a mono-ski to This, I Can Do Anything!” dependence to independence on the increase stability. Participants use the mountain is what keeps me excited about same style outriggers as mono-skiers, Freedom from Disability my job year in and year out,” says Haakon which aid in turning, stopping, and push- Lisa Kus (Reno, Nev.) has muscular Lang-Ree, program director at Disabled ing around the mountain. Initially, able- dystrophy and has been an avid bi-skier Sports USA Far West. “It’s incredibly pow- bodied instructors use a tether to safely since 2006. She uses a Mountain Man bi- erful for the participants, their families, control direction and speed. The bi-ski’s ski on a tether and skis with an instruc- our volunteers, and our staff to be a part main downfall is there is no suspension tor and volunteer. of this exciting experience.” system and it can’t be loaded on and off “My favorite things about skiing can be the chairlift independently. However, once summed up in two ways. First, freedom Changing Mind-set on the mountain, users can independ- from disability. Skiing makes me feel phys- The bi-ski, invented by Mike “Milty” ently ski beginner to advanced terrain. ically strong, powerful, and free from any Miltner (Reno, Nev.) in 1986 after he spent “The invention of the bi-ski really limitations. Skiing is a true vacation from a year volunteering with Disabled Sports changed the mind-set of people with muscular dystrophy. My boyfriend told me USA Far West, was created to open up the high-level disabilities,” Miltner says. “It once, ‘Lisa, you’re never more beautiful mountain to potential sit-down skiers affords skiers with independence, which than when you are on the slopes.’ who had more highly involved balance is key to the whole experience.” “Second, I can’t ski at all without the and coordination issues. These include Miltner’s major motivation for teaching help of other people. What irony! Some- people with muscular dystrophy, high- skiers and instructors is to use the expe- times the dependency that accompa- level paraplegics and quadriplegics, spina rience of learning and success to show nies disability is such a curse. The fact bifida, , triple and quadru- people “there is a whole lot more out that I need other people to ski has

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helped me let my guard down, to take week, learned to ski with Disabled Sports Adaptive XC Skiing risks, and to ask the very best of myself. seven years ago and now skis at Mt. As strange as it may seem, adaptive The instructor and assistant who give so Hood, Ore., on the weekends. cross-country skiing is an excellent out- freely of their time and skill to make it “I don’t have the balance to carve a side winter activity for people with mobil- possible for me to ski connect me to mono-ski, and I wanted to be able to ski ity impairments. While the thought of human beings in their finest, most self- independently with my friends, so the pushing through the snow may seem less moments of brotherhood. How I staff at Disabled Sports took this into con- exhausting or even impossible, it is actu- would have missed that were I able to sideration and taught me to ski using a ally quite fast, and even first-timers can ski independently.” dual ski,” he says. “Now I live for skiing keep up with intermediate able-bodied The dual ski bridges the gap between fast, deep snow and cold face shots of skiers. Adaptive Nordic equipment, which a mono-ski and a bi-ski. It uses mono- fresh powder. The equipment needs to is very primitive, simple, and minimalis- ski-like suspension but has two skis progress more, especially developing a tic in design, allows anyone with a strong instead of one for more stability on the better suspension system for the dual ski. upper body to glide across the snow and snow. For skiers like T3 paraplegic Brad But in the meantime, I will continue rid- into the pristine winter wilderness. Carr, this is the ski of choice. Carr, who ing hard and pushing the limits of myself While adaptive Nordic skis have been works as a civil engineer during the and my dual ski.” around for more than 20 years, little CHRIS COLLARD PHOTO

Using a tether, Nick Deffterios and Alva Gardner ski Alpine Meadows in North Lake Tahoe, Calif. People of all abilities can enjoy the ski slopes.

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Greg Mallory shows what it takes to maneuver an adaptive Nordic cross-country ski.

product innovation has occurred because of the sport’s minimalist nature. Almost universal in its design, sit-down Nordic skis feature a fabric or molded bucket seat on a lightweight frame. Two cross- country skis are mounted parallel to each other, allowing them to fit into the groomed tracks at a cross-country . Ski poles are strapped to your hands, and a style movement is used to propel the ski. To save weight, there is no brake, and all propulsion, turning, and stopping is done through learned technique. Stopping is accom- plished by turning the ski sideways and sliding to a stop or by leaning down and digging the ski-pole handle into the snow. If the technique seems sketchy and if it sounds like the equipment is dated and an improved lightweight design is manual wheelchair builds the chest mus- and a desire to get your heart pumping, ready to be created, it’s because it is. cles and pushes the shoulders forward, Mother Nature puts a big white accessible Despite its challenges, adaptive Nordic propelling an adaptive cross-country ski ramp into the great outdoors,” he says. skiing is one of the best exercises for para- uses the exact anterior muscles as pushing Cross-country skiing is also a great plegics and quadriplegics. While pushing a a wheelchair. This opens up the chest and family sport, and Vogel, who has a young strengthens the mus- daughter, attaches a saucer to the back of cles of the back and his ski and pulls her through the woods the backs of the shoul- with his dog as a healthy escape into oth- ders, pulling the erwise inaccessible places. shoulders back and Rick Mason (Davis, Calif.), a C6 quad, strengthening the first tried adaptive cross-country skiing in muscles, which actu- Crested Butte, Colo., 15 years ago. “I ally helps prevent thought it was going to be very hard,” he shoulder injury. says. “But it didn’t end up being nearly as “Adaptive cross- hard as I’d imagined. As an avid swimmer country skiing is a and handcyclist, I love the great cardio- blast; it’s absolutely vascular workout and the ability to enjoy addicting, and you getting into the woods in the winter simply won’t believe under my own power. how much fun it is “As a C6 quad, adapting most sports to until you try it,” says my needs generally requires a fair amount Bob Vogel, a T10 para of taping things to my hands, but in cross- from Loomis, Calif. country skiing, the poles are strapped to “With this very simple your hands anyway, so no further adapta- piece of equipment tions are generally required. I will some- times add one small piece of duct tape to When the snow further secure the straps to the back of my melts, Bob Vogel hands, but other than that I can just get in mounts his Nordic the equipment and go!” ski frame on a World champion adaptive Nordic skier mountain board for Candace Cable (T9, Truckee, Calif.) enjoys year-round fun. introducing her sport to people with dis-

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During a cross-country adventure in Lake Tahoe, Calif., Candace Cable takes in all the beautiful winter scenery while getting a good workout.

abilities. Through her organization, Turn- and winter adventures. In the winter, doesn’t matter what your disability is, ing Point Tahoe, she has made five adap- cross-country skis and ice blades attach with the specialized adaptive equipment tive sit skis available at Tahoe Donner to the frame, making snow and ice an available today, the beauty, serenity, Resort in Truckee for anyone with a dis- accessible playground. In the summer, smells, and excitement of winter can be ability to use—free of charge. the frame can be mounted to a mountain yours to enjoy. See you outside! S’NS “For me, cross-country skiing is like board (which includes a hand brake) to being able to hike again,” she says. “While allow for cross-training and an exciting I’m happily retired from competition, I’m way to get into the woods and back onto Matt Strugar-Fritsch, more enthusiastic than ever about the single-track trails where expanding awareness and education can’t always go. 24, is a Michigan about this sport to people of all abilities.” This winter when the snow flies, State University instead of hiding indoors and wasting graduate and lives, Let It Snow time on the couch, take a risk, take a works, and plays in Adaptive Nordic ski frames are sim- chance. Go outside and try something Sacramento, Calif. plistic and highly versatile. An adaptive new. An active body leads to a healthy cross-country ski frame is a piece of mind, and winter weather should no equipment that can be used for summer longer trigger thoughts of cabin fever. It

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SPECIAL SECTION:

CONQUERING the SlopesSlopes by Phil DeMeo

After a near-fatal accident, a young athlete sets her sights on the ski slopes and fulfilling her Paralympic dreams.

very afternoon, strength and condi- core and improve stability. Finally, sets of viving a near-fatal car crash that left her tioning exercises are followed by a simulated ski movements and training paralyzed below the waist and enduring multitude of balance drills. Exercis- techniques conclude the workout. a grueling rehabilitation, the easygoing E es that pinpoint the back and upper- Sylvie Fadrhonc, like any other athlete, and friendly Fadrhonc is prepared for any body muscles come first, followed by trains with a purpose, and her mind is set challenge. That is why, on a beautiful, push-ups, sit-ups, and -ball rep- on achieving her goals and fulfilling her crisp afternoon in Telluride, Colo., after a etitions. Next, carefully planned move- aspirations. Yet, her fearlessness and day of work at her full-time job, she push- ments on the physio ball strengthen the determination set her apart. After sur- es through another workout. With a promising ski career ahead of her and a series of trying obstacles behind her, Fadrhonc is focused on making it to the starting gate in Vancouver, the site of the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games.

High Achiever In spring 2007, Fadrhonc graduated from Colorado College (Colorado Springs), where she majored in geology and was pre-med also. A student trainer and a member of the tennis team, Fadrhonc was always active and a well-known part of the college community. Shortly after graduating, she moved to Telluride, Colo., to continue her active lifestyle as a rock- climbing and hiking guide. In the early hours of the morning of September 13, 2007, Fadrhonc was driving from Colorado Springs to Telluride to make it in time for the start of her shift at her second job at a local outdoor store. Around 7:30 a.m., she fell asleep at the . “I did the whole head-nod thing,” Fadrhonc recalls. Before she could react, her vehicle rolled down an embankment and came to rest nearly 50 yards off the side of the road. Conscious but bleeding profusely from a gash on the top of her head, Fadrhonc leaned on the horn—her only

Sylvie Fadrhonc and her dog Raglan enjoy a beautiful day exploring the wilds of Telluride, Colo.

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Sylvie Fadrhonc hopes to compete at the 2010 Winter in Vancouver as a member of the U.S. Paralympic Alpine Team.

chance for survival. Luckily, just 15 min- Each weekday for more than two Competitive Edge utes passed before a cyclist heard the months Fadrhonc endured a regimen that The difficult rehabilitation paid off. horn, flagged down with cell phones, consistently tested her will. Each time Upon entering the , Fadrhonc had and called emergency crews. After being she was challenged, she overcame the trouble sitting up and balancing on her pulled from the wreckage, Fadrhonc was adversity with striking resiliency. own. A few months later, she was per- airlifted to St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Monday through Friday, Fadrhonc forming stability exercises on a physio Junction where she underwent surgery began her day with one hour of strength ball. Not only was she much stronger, but for 8½ hours to repair a fractured L1 ver- and conditioning in the weight room, Fadrhonc could function on her own and tebra and a partially torn spinal cord. Fol- where she focused on explosive power set goals without compromise. lowing the surgery, doctors told and agility exercises. The next hour was After leaving the hospital the day Fadrhonc’s parents there was less than a dedicated to a mat class, where she before Thanksgiving 2007, Fadrhonc con- 10% chance she would walk again. worked on balance and transfer skills. tinued to test her limits. In early January, Shortly thereafter, Fadrhonc began her Then, to finish her day, Fadrhonc worked just four months removed from her acci- rehabilitation at Craig Hospital (Engle- through a physical-therapy session in the dent and against the wishes of her doc- wood, Colo.). Although her time at Craig pool, the occasional bike ride, a wheel- tors, she joined her brothers for some fun was exhausting, it was extremely reward- class devoted to endurance and on the ski slopes. The entire day, spent ing. She was surrounded by others simi- everyday skills, acupuncture, and some- darting down the mountain time after lar in age and injury, and the facility times a massage. The six-hour routine, in time, was confirmation for Fadrhonc that allowed her to feel comfortable despite addition to all the blood tests, CT scans, her athletic abilities had not left her. her struggles. and MRIs, added up to a long day. As winter turned to spring, Fadrhonc “There was a pack of four of us,” “It was really tough, but it taught us remained active in her athletic endeavors Fadrhonc says. “There was a lot of work- drive and work ethic,” Fadrhonc says. and within her community. In May 2008, ing together, and we were able to push “We figured out how to get going again she and a friend established The Over- and pace each other.” and be independent.” come Foundation, a nonprofit organiza-

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Name Change her chances of making it to Vancouver are minimal. One of the longest-standing teams in the Paralympics is changing its name “I’m still the new guy on the block,” to better reflect the high level of athleticism of its members. Formerly known Fadrhonc jokes. “I’m not an elite athlete as the U.S. Disabled Ski Team, the new U.S. Adaptive Ski Team includes alpine yet.” and cross-country skiing in a program managed under the U.S. Ski and Snow- Others are not as quick to dismiss her board Association (USSA), the parent organization of the U.S. Ski Team. chances. From many perspectives, “The athletes of the U.S. Adaptive Ski Team are anything but disabled,” said Fadrhonc’s resolve is something that USSA President and CEO Bill Marolt. “These are some of the most physically should not be overlooked. fit and technically skilled athletes in the world. They have adapted themselves to “From what I have seen, Sylvie is very their physical situation and have become true world-class athletes. The new name motivated,” notes Challenge Aspen Direc- represents a much more accurate depiction of what they have accomplished.” tor of Skiing Kevin Jardine. “And she obvi- The program has a long history, dating back to 1986 when the USSA first ously is a highly athletic person.” named what was then the U.S. Disabled Ski Team. The Team was showcased Stacey Wooley, associate director of at a demonstration event at the 1988 Olympics in Calgary, then went on to Winter Programs, U.S. Paralympics, become one of the leaders in the Paralympics and began its medal competi- agrees: “We love supporting enthusiastic tion in 1992 in Albertville, . athletes like Sylvie. Her determination to Similar to its able-bodied counterparts, the U.S. Adaptive Ski Team competes get to the starting gate in Vancouver is every year in a season-long World Cup circuit for alpine and cross country, which truly an inspiration to winter sport.” is organized under the International Paralympic Committee (IPC). The sport is Following her first race in December also recognized by the International Ski Federation (FIS). Alpine and cross coun- 2008 at the Ski Spectacular in Colorado, try will have World Championships in the 2008–09 season, as well as compe- Fadrhonc expected her workload to tition at the Paralympics in Vancouver in 2010. increase. She will train through April, The U.S. Adaptive Alpine Ski Team opened its season December 5–7 at The when she will have an opportunity to ski Hartford Ski Spectacular with races in Copper Mountain, Colo. The cross-coun- alongside some of the most decorated U.S. try team’s season began with the ConocoPhillips U.S. Cross Country Ski Paralympians at the 2009 U.S. Disabled Ski Championships in Anchorage in early January. Championships in Winter Park, Colo. “I’m taking it very slowly,” says Contact: www.ussa.org. Fadrhonc. “I’m looking forward to just being at the same races as some of the great skiers.” Until then, Fadrhonc takes it one day at tion promoting active, healthy lifestyles to make it to Vancouver. Now she just a time. Just over a year removed from her for women with spinal-cord injuries. needed a sport that would allow her to injury, she trains with hopes of making it Later that month, Fadrhonc entered the accomplish her latest objective. to the top of Vancouver’s pristine snow- Denver-area Colfax , participat- covered slopes, ready to launch herself ing on a team from Craig Hospital. During Not Such a Long Shot downhill and beyond yet another obsta- her portion of the race, a 5km leg, her Admittedly, Fadrhonc had a difficult cle. Although it is a lofty goal, she is sim- competitive edge emerged. time returning to the sports in which ply excited to be out on the snow doing “My two friends knew it was my first she competed prior to her injury. Devot- something she loves. race, and said, ‘Don’t worry, Sylvie, we’ll ing her time to or “I just want to get back into competitive hang back with you so you can keep hockey was much more mentally sports and be recognized as an athlete pace,’ and that really motivated me to frustrating. Growing up, she had skied just as much as the next guy,” Fadrhonc keep up,” she recalls. “So I did my best, recreationally but never on an advanced says. “It’s really just for love of the sport.” and I finished strong.” level. With the next Paralympic Winter Contact: U.S. Paralympics, www.uspara After she crossed the finish line with her Games less than two years away, lympics.org. S’NS opposition far behind, Fadrhonc’s compet- Fadrhonc decided to pursue her dream itiveness resurfaced when she met some through skiing. Although she consid- friends who were traveling to Beijing to ered herself a long shot to make the Phil DeMeo is an participate in the 2008 Paralympic Games. U.S. Disabled Ski Team (see sidebar, intern with the U.S. She was intrigued—and envious. “Name Change”), Fadrhonc knew she Paralympic Division I want to do that, Fadrhonc thought. “So had the discipline and determination of the United States I came up with a plan that might get me to give it a shot. Olympic Committee to the Paralympics one day,” she says. After months of training, Fadrhonc (USOC). Just like that, Fadrhonc had a new goal: still has modest expectations, believing

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