I ride to support the kids in the Adaptive Recreation for Childhood Health (ARCH) at Childrens Hospital, we call ourselves Rehab Riders Cycling Club (formerly Team Courage). ---keep them skiing, keep the bus rolling, lifelong childhood health. As an ARCH Winter Ski Program Volunteer for about 15 years now, the program, the kids, our instructors and our staff are all near and dear to my heart and I am passionately-passionate about everything our program delivers by encouraging and building on abilities our participants have on the ski slopes of Winter Park, CO.
-In July 2021, I had an extremely severe case of COVID resulting in some rare complications and long term diagnosis. The condition required 8 complex surgeries and an extended stay in the ICU. The surgeries were successful, they caused me to have permanent mobility issues. I was told it was unlikely that I would ski again (my favorite thing to do). I told the docs and therapists there are SO MANY WAYS TO SKI-sit ski, bike ski, four track, use outriggers and that I had to ski again, it was my passion. Note--I knew from our program and kids!
-In March of last year, I took my first adaptive ski lesson, extremely nervous and not really knowing if it was even a possibility. I worked extremely hard to solve equipment and balance issues--I did it-(ok, fell on the lift for the first time in 40 years). I experienced the SHEER JOY that our ARCH kids feel in the depths of their soul and the adrenaline of moving like everyone else, same speed, same ability. Please join me in my support for ARCH--Keep our kids skiing, it is that important! Ability, Joy, Life, Adrenaline--woo hoo!
