SPORTS 'N SPOKES

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Back to the Slopes - Hitting the Slopes

Hitting the slopes in Vermont for the first time since her accident.

A few weeks ago I was invited to Stowe, Vermont for the Tour De Snow. Jared drove us 4 hours after we got out of work to get to Vermont in the snow (thank you).  We got to the Commodores Inn hotel and crashed for the night. I always look at the bathrooms first in accessible hotel rooms. This one surprised me because I could actually get in the shower and use it. Kudos! The hotel was nice with a restaurant on site, a pool and jacuzzi- I could transfer straight across because the jacuzzi was raised up.
 

The next day we drove to Stowe mountain; we went up the winding road and then the mountains poked out of the mist. It was surreal. I started snapping pictures because I haven’t been to a ski resort since my accident 6 years ago. We got out of the car and headed to the lodge, let’s just say the snow is not wheelchair accessible! Jared had to push me through the rivets and dips of the packed snow, it instantly was not like I remember when I used to ski. I got really quiet once we got the lodge. I started thinking about how I used to teetering on the snow in ski boots, then clipping into the bindings and skate skiing to the lift.  We then went to look at the gondola and when I stared up at the runs is when I started to tear up. I explain to Jared how skiing was such a huge part of my life every winter and how I have done it since I was 4. I really needed to come to terms with my paralysis and skiing, it was  a healing experience.
 
Later that day, there was an event in the Ski Museum that Pascale planned as a Meet and Greet for disabled athletes.  Erik Condo and Patrick Standen explained how the monoskis work and answered questions. I talked about my story briefly as being a disabled skier and my journey to where I am now. I liked that the event promoted inclusion with disabled and non-disabled skiers in attendance. Then on Sunday we went adaptive cross country skiing at the Tour De Snow event. It was cold, but we bundled up and tried the course. I enjoyed it so much I went around the track twice; it was definitely an upper body workout! Thanks to Pascale and the community of Stowe for the hospitality provided. It was a great event and I look forward to next year.
 
I really enjoyed the cross country skiing, now I just need to gain some courage to try the downhill… stay tuned!

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