| Mix six inches of fresh
powder over a solid base of snow. Add dozens of superb, disabled
athletes vying for a Paralympics 2002 berth, plus scores
more of "weekend warriors" exchanging corporate
suits for ski togs. Then toss in carloads of kids and young
adults with disabilities eager to master the slip-sliding
difficulties of snowboarding, legions of volunteers helping
them, and a cadre of ski instruction pros determined to expand
access to the nation's slopes.
Just for fun, add in 14 kids from the city of New York, as
new to celebrity status as they were to the breath-taking
mountains of Breckenridge. And a bouncing 15-month-old baby
who set a record for youngest participant.
The Hartford Ski Spectacular just doesn't get any better
than that!
So went the wonderful week of December 2 to 9, as the 14th
annual Ski Spectacular entertained some 610 entrants widely
ranging in age and agility, disability and proficiency. Among
the qualities they shared, however, were delight and determination.
Those two are the stimulus for the most popular event of the
year hosted by Disabled Sports USA.
A perpetual crowd favorite, the elite Level II GS competition
drew even more interest this year as men and women bent on
Paralympic status hurtled through the Sundown race course.
The 14th annual event held on Friday, Dec. 7, constituted
one of the last qualifying races for the 2002 Paralympic Winter
Games that took place March 7-16 in Salt Lake City. The final
opportunity for selection to the U.S. Disabled Ski Team was
the Jan. 4-6 Huntsman Cup held in Park City, Utah.
As always, the Level II GS race was a thriller for participants
and spectators alike. Among the entrants were the entire U.S.
Disabled Ski Team and a host of other top competitors. (See
race results on page 28). Another popular repeat at the Ski
Spectacular was the traditional Corporate Challenge Race in
which teams composed of both able-bodied and disabled skiers
head down the slopes in friendly rivalry.
Clearly the center of attention at this year's gala Ski Spec
were the guests of honor flown in courtesy of United Airlines.
The Hartford Ski Spectacular has in past years built a tradition
of spotlighting survivors of tragic events that occurred across
the world. Previous guests have included landmine victims
from Yugoslavia as well as survivors of the Oklahoma bombing,
Columbine school shooting, Northern Ireland factionalism,
and young cancer patients.
Commented Kirk Bauer, executive director of DS/USA, "No
single organization suffered more from the September 11th
events than the New York City Fire Department. In recognition
of this heroic service to America, we felt it appropriate
to invite department members whose families include a child
with a disability to join us for a week of sports rehabilitation
and fun for the entire family."
Coordinating the participation of New York City firefighter
families was the job of Matt DeMartinis, an NYC firefighter
injured some years ago in an off-duty accident. He took up
mono-skiing in 1983 and has been involved with DS/USA sports
activities ever since.
In addition to the DeMartinis family, visitors included Chief
John Salka, Lieutenant Tom Westman, and firefighters John
Sarubbi and Bob Hillery. Among the lively group of spouses
and offspring were 14 children - the oldest age 14 and the
youngest at 15 months. Of the guest families, four included
a child with a disability. Caitlin Sarubbi, age 11, is legally
blind with congenital facial deformities that have so far
required 40 reconstructive surgeries. Eight-year-old Colleen
Salka has cerebral palsy and is deaf, while Logan Hillery,
four and a half, is battling a brain tumor. A success story
in the group was Meghan Westman, age five, who was profoundly
deaf until a cochlear implant restored her ability to hear
and communicate.
These youngsters, along with their parents and siblings,
were introduced to the fun and spontaneity of Ski Spectacular
amid the beauty of winter in Breckenridge, Colorado. One dad,
second-generation New York City firefighter Lt. Tom Westman
of Engine Company 261, Ladder 116, was so enthusiastic about
DS/USA's ski invitation that he was asked to discuss his family's
reaction at the closing banquet.
Tom related that his wife Bernadette, an occasional skier,
had broken her leg while skiing the year before and wasn't
planning on hitting the Breckenridge slopes. Once there, she
saw the genuine delight skiing was bringing to kids and adults
with far more disabling conditions, and "She didn't have
any excuses any more," he laughed.
What particularly thrilled the Westmans was seeing their
daughter Meghan and her younger brother Declan, age three
and a half, taking off from the top of the mountain only three
days after their first ski lessons.
"Meghan is just beginning to realize that she has something
of a disability. It was great for her to be around other people
who are overcoming their own disabilities and enjoying life
wholeheartedly," he added.
The Westmans' oldest child incurred meningitis at 17 months
and completely lost her hearing. Three months later, she was
fitted with the cochlear implant which, together with continued
therapy, has restored much of her hearing loss, although there
is still some impairment.
"Initially, she was going to school with other kids
who'd had the implant. It's just been this year that she's
been mainstreamed into kindergarten, and she's become aware
that she doesn't hear the same as other kids.
"It was wonderful for us and for all our kids to be
around such terrific people - the DS/USA staff and volunteers,
plus all the people who attended. Like Dede - she's a dwarf
and what a bundle of energy - just the most warm and caring
person!" he continued.
According to DS/USA's program director Kathy Celo, "All
of our New York guests had a terrific time. These are great
families - lots of kids, loving and enthusiastic parents,
and we even had two babies to share!"
Kathy also noted that a highlight of the Saturday Corporate
Challenge Race was a crowd-pleasing demonstration by headline
pro golfer Casey Martin, a disabled player who whacked golf
balls above the spectators' heads from the 10,000-foot elevation
at the top of Peak 9 - minus his controversial golf cart which
couldn't make it up the slope.
As part of the Learn to Ski program for youngsters and adults
with disabilities, there was a greater emphasis this year
on snowboarding instructions, with experts on hand specifically
to take enthusiasts to the next level of skill. Ski Spec offered
a full slate for instructors and winter sports program administrators,
too. Professional sessions included an afternoon devoted to
medical classification, continuing education clinics Monday
through Friday, and a half-day Alpine Competition committee
meeting. Additionally, the Professional Ski Instructors of
America (PSIA) chose The Hartford Ski Spectacular in which
to present its Adaptive Academy to train instructors working
with people with disabilities. The week's schedule included
a full daily lineup of instructional and awareness programs
for which PSIA credits were awarded. Instructor attendance
was even greater than in past years.
"Besides the actual continuing ed credits, we also had
increased participation from ski school staff members wanting
to bring their programs into compliance with ADA requirements
and expand their services to more people with disabilities.
Additionally, they were given lots of information on adaptive
equipment. It was very positive!" emphasized Kathy.
"I'd say this year was without question the best response
we've ever had to Ski Spec. After September 11th, we were
prepared for participation to be lower, but we were happily
surprised. The numbers were right up there!" she reported.
The firefighters and their families were so impressed with
DS/USA's adaptive ski program that they intend to return to
Breckenridge as volunteers and participants in next year's
Ski Spectacular which will be held Dec. 8 to 15. Several of
the adults are also considering volunteering in the future
in adaptive ski programs at Ski Windham, a DS/USA chapter
in New York state.
"We'd love to stay involved with DS/USA and the good
work it does," noted Lt. Tom Westman. Harking back to
the memories of last September, he added somberly, "This
isn't the first time that strangers have reached out and said
'Come on, we'll help you out.' Back then, you thought that
things were as bad as they could be. But then this trip came
along and it was such a nice break. We'd like to show our
thanks by becoming volunteers and possibly instructors in
an adaptive ski program," he added. "Besides, we're
having a great time getting to know these wonderful people!"
  
[ Back to top ] |
