Jason_Spielman

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DISABLED SPORTS USA

Written, Designed, and Photographed

by Jason Spielman

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DEDICATION I dedicate this book to my mom, Susie and my dad, Chuck for always being there for me. Without them driving me up to Tahoe this book would not have been possible.

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ChairLifts outside of Disabled Sports USA

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Acknowledgements This book would not have been possible with out everybody at Disabled Sports USA. A special thanks to Haakon Lang-Ree for everything. He helped me line up all my pictures also and let me interview him.

Thanks to Cindy Smith, head of programs at Alpine Meadows for coordating the visit.

A very special thanks to Teddy, Liz, Ethan, and their families for letting me take their pictures.

Thanks to all the participants that talked to me and gave me stories about there experience.

Huge thanks to the friends that inspired me.

Finally this book would not have been possible with out Freestyle and the help from all of my teachers.

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DSUSA participant, Liz

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Table of Contents Foreword.............................................................................................Page 2 introduction.............................................................................Page 11 Chapter 1: The Ride.........................................................page 12 Chapter 2: snow conditions.........page 18 Chapter 3: A Blue bird day.....................page 24 7

Foreword I love to snowboard. The feeling of flying down the mountain takes all my worries away and the freshness of the crisp air against my cheeks is to me one of the best sensations in the world.

A close family friend returned from their Christmas break with many stories to tell about their autistic son and his remarkable experience skiing. Their 17 year-old son has cerebral palsy and is autistic, making it hard for him to participate in many sports or activities. He had fun skiing, which was not case in a previous attempt.

They had spent the week at Disabled Sports USA based at Alpine Meadows Ski Resort in Lake Tahoe. Disabled kids getting the chance to ski sounded awesome and inspiring. Given my passion for snowboarding, I immediately wanted to learn more.

I eagerly headed up to Tahoe, very excited to learn more about the program. I was really interested to see the equipment they used and how it fit individually to each participant. Also, I wanted to learn about the roots of the program and hear the history firsthand. Everybody that was a part of Disabled Sports USA was so kind and had a love for the program and the students. They were all very willing to talk to me and help me with this project.

On the days I was there, I met so many amazing kids and adults that were participating in the program. Each of their stories was incredibly heartwarming and made me really appreciate Disabled Sports USA. The students all child came down the mountain with confidence. had so much to overcome but I only saw happiness and Disabled Sports USA has turned the slopes at Alpine Meadenthusiasm. I didn’t hear any negativity and was moved ows into a Dream Mountain.

8by the tears of joy falling from the parent’s faces as their

Alpine Meadows

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"if i can do this, i can do anything"

motto of Disabled sports usa

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Introduction Imagine for a minute that you couldn’t play sports with your friends or participate in most activities with your peers. Or imagine as a parent how it feels to see your child sit on the sidelines while other kids are running around having fun. People with disabilities are often wrongly perceived as helpless, confined, and incapable.

They are frequently not able to participate in many sports or various activities due to physical issues or cognitive limitations. They long to be involved and their quality of life can be impacted greatly because of their exclusion from many activities (Lundberg).

Now, as a parent again, imagine seeing your child shine and able to do things that you never thought were possible. Or, imagine skiing down a white powdery mountain on crisp winter day, after being limited to a wheelchair for the majority of your life. Many people with disabilities never dream they can play a sport or do something, especially as extreme as skiing or snowboarding, but one day they are riding the mountain, just like everyone else. This radical transformation is the goal that Disabled Sports USA has tried to achieve for every disabled person that has come through their program since they started in 1967 (DSUSAFW). Disabled Sports USA (DSUSA) provides disabled people with excellent adaptive therapy and the opportunity to be involved in recreational activities that they would not have otherwise been able to experience. In addition to giving the participants confidence, the program inspires their students to believe in their motto, “If I can do this, I can do any thing” (DSUSAFW).

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THE RIDE CHAPTER 1

THE HISTORY OF:

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It

all started back when Jim Winthers along with other WWII veterans in the 10th Mountain Division wanted to help soldiers with limb loss from Vietnam cope with their disabilities. In 1967, the veterans were looking for something to help keep the newly injured soldiers active, and skiing was a good form of rehabilitation.

They believed that sports were a critical means to help these soldiers regain independence and confidence. Doug Pringle, current President of Disabled Sports USA, tells the story how he got

involved. “I was laying in a bed in a military hospital, the end of my stump still an open wound, when a couple of World War II veterans from the 10th mountain division, the ski troops, came in and told us they wanted to teach us to ski - on one leg! I thought they were crazy but I ended up going anyway. Learning to ski on one leg was the first thing that got me to think about what I could do, instead of what I couldn’t” (DSUSAFW). Since then, a lot of research has been done on skiing or adaptive sports and how they

can help with rehabilitation, validating the importance of DSUSA. There was a study conducted through Brigham Young University titled Quality of Life and Mood State Outcomes through Participation in Adaptive Sports. The study’s results indicate that several aspects of life are improved for individuals with disabilities when participating in adaptive sports. They found a reduction of depression symptoms, and that tension and confusion were reduced after participating in the13 physical activities (Lundberg).

The chance to participate in sports gives people with dis-­ abilities confidence to pursue new physical activities (Blinde).

DSUSA shows them they can still have fun even with their disabilities and helps builds self-­esteem and pride. When I was talking to Liz, one of the participants, she told me she loves when people are proud of her and likes showing off her moves. She kept asking me “Did you see me out there?” and “Wasn’t I good?” She bragged to me about how she can do the intermediate runs with ease. DSUSA helps people like Liz meet new challenges and gives

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them the opportunity to do something they never thought was possible.

Disabled Sports USA’s ski program is located at Alpine Meadows in Lake Tahoe, Cali-­ fornia and is a PSIA Member Ski School (Professional Ski Instructors of America) (Dis-­ abled Sports USA, Far West).

The program is run out of a small wood building that sits at the bottom of the bunny hill. As you walk in, you feel the excitement of the partici-­ pants as the enthusiastic staff warmly greets you. Looking down on all the people and commotion,

hanging from the ceiling, is the first mono-­ski ever created.

On a busy Saturday morning, the room was filled with happy kids and adults eagerly wait-­ ing for their coach to arrive, indicating their lesson is about to start. It was amazing, almost overwhelming, to see these individuals with missing limbs and mental disabilities so hap-­ py and excited for their day.

You could tell in some cases the parents were more anxious than the kids. Disabled Sports USA currently has approximate-­ ly 500 unique individuals that come through their program each year (Lang-­Ree).

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The program allows anyone with physical, cognitive or developmental disabilities the chance to ski or snowboard. When I first arrived in the morning, I was speaking with a man who was very kind but I could see he was hiding something behind him. When talking to some people after he left, I learned he was hiding the prototype of the newest mono-ski model. DSUSA is where this inventor chose to test out his new prototype, demonstrating how students of DSUSA are able to take advantage of the newest equipment 16 for adaptive winter sports.

I was able to interview Haakon Lang-Ree, Program Director for DSUSA. He was actually a graduate of Los Altos High School himself. He has an MA in Organizational Behavior from Stanford University and had a career in human resources. LangRee started as a volunteer at DSUSA over thirty years ago and says he couldn’t stay away. LangRee explained, “All of our training is done in house so people will come to us as a volunteer or they can apply online. Pretty much the basic requirements are over 18 and have a passion for

doing this. Once they sign up we will select them through an interview process then there is offseason training and most people learn on the job.” There are six paid staff members and 200 volunteers who work year round on the program (Lang-Ree). The instructors primarily all started as volunteers but have been coming back year after year. The PSIA certified instructors also specially train the volunteers so they can work with all the unique equipment and know how to interact with the participants and their families. The volunteers have two full days of training in disability

awareness and technical training with the equipment before they start. Several instructors have disabilities, primarily those with spinal cord injuries. The Technical Director, Bill “Bones” Bowness, is paralyzed from the waist down and uses a mono-ski. He is a Paralympic medalist and a certified PSIA adaptive skiing instructor (International Paralympic Committee). The staff obviously loves what they do, especially the volunteers that keep coming back each year. The instructors are the foundation of DSUSA. You can feel their empathy, love and kindness the minute you walk in the door. When someone believes in you, it makes it easier to believe in yourself. So these instructors help the participants gain the confidence that goes far beyond their two-hour lesson. One thing that keeps Lang-Ree coming back each year is the attitudes of the volunteers and their ability to empower the students to be independent. “These volunteers come in and change the lives of someone else,” said Lang-Ree.

Program director of DSUSA Haakon lang ree

"Gain the Confidence that goes far beyond Their TWo HOur lesson" --Haakon lang-ree

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SNow Conditions

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Snow conditions vary just like the participants at DSUSA. DSUSA accepts people with any kind of disability, whether it is physical, cognitive or de-­ velopmental. On the day I vis-­ ited DSUSA, I watched Ethan, a blind teen, learn to ski while his dad proudly took pictures, and Teddy, an eight year-­old boy, who sat in a red bi-­ski, guided by an instructor. I also saw Liz, a middle-­aged woman with cognitive and physical dis-­ abilities, ski down the mountain alongside two instructors guid-­ ing her with ropes. Ethan wore a bright orange vest that read “Blind Skier.” His instructor followed closely behind him, steering him down the slope.

Liz was one of the most spirited people I’ve ever met.

Liz uses a Slider, which is like

a walker with skis. She has the biggest smile as she laughs her way down the mountain. On a few runs, all I could hear were her giggles. Liz suffered a trau-­ matic brain injury from a car accident leaving her physically disabled and with the mental capacity of a child (Disabled Sports Program Celebrates TBI Skier). She has been coming to DSUSA for 15 years and ev-­ ery single person in the center knew Liz. As I photographed her while I was snowboarding, I almost fell. She made sure to call me out, yelling, “I hope you picture better than you do that,” referring to my snow-­ boarding. This is a great ex-­ ample of how this program can give happiness and confidence to their participants. She felt comfortable teasing me about my boarding as she skied near-­ by. Liz, who has lost so much, was easily one of the happiest people I have ever been with.

She would laugh, giggle and never once did I hear a negative comment. She wasn’t worried about anything, wasn’t mad about the snow condi-­ tions, she was just happy to be out there. It was very heart-­ warming to see how cheerful she was. It also shows how much we take for granted. She really taught me to take a step back and value everything I have.

I asked Lang-­Ree how he thinks students benefit. He told me how Teddy’s mom had just explained that the week leading up to the lessons she notices better behavior and a more positive attitude because he is so excited to ski. Lang-­ Ree also hears similar feedback from school groups, “When I talk to teachers, they say that the skiing builds their self-­ confidence so they start doing better in the class after it (the lesson), or leading up to it, be-­ cause they know it is going

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to be a fun reward.” He also explained to me that he hears stories all the time about participants that came to the program, “getting confidence to go out and find job, go back to school or start a relationship; the normal things that a lot of people take for granted. Skiing gives them that boost, so they can go give it a shot.”

I was curious if DSUSA helps many veterans, given their history. Lang-Ree explained, “We are getting a lot more veterans, primarily those who were disabled in Iraq coming back with permanent disabilities. So it’s a whole new generation. We first came from the vets from Vietnam and we have come full circle now.

Those guys are teaching their sport and their passion.”

Sam (name changed to protect privacy), a 17 year-old with Autism and Cerebral Palsy, went to DSUSA for the first time in December. Although this was not his first time skiing, this was the first time he enjoyed the experience. “We had taken Sam skiing two years prior to our first visit to Disabled Sports USA. The re-

sort where we enrolled him in an “adaptive” ski program didn’t have a good grasp of what an adaptive program looked like. They put skis on him and put him on the “magic carpet” in the Enchanted Forest. Sam was not happy that he wasn’t skiing or “riding the swings” (the ski lifts), he quickly became bored and unhappy with the whole process. I think he felt

""Teachers say that skiing builds their self confidence so they start doing better in class."'

--Haakon lang-ree

like they didn’t have any confidence in him,” Sam’s father John Ruler explained. Autism is a complex neurobiological, developmental disorder that affects 1 in 110 children today (Facts about Autism). People who are autistic typically have impaired communication skills and also have difficulty relating to others socially.

“Participation in physical activity may be challenging for individuals with autism because of reasons such as limited motor functioning, low motivation, difficulty in planning, and difficulty in self-monitoring. Increased auditory, visual, and tactile stimuli may too prove challenging for affected individuals” (Dawson).

Autism is especially hard to deal with during a lesson, DSUSA acknowledges this and tries to prepare the student before they arrive. On their website they have instructions about how to get your child ready and comfortable for their lesson. DSUSA recognizes there can be sensory overload so they recommend trying on all of the bulky snow clothing that is necessary for safety. “Autism and Cerebral Palsy combine to make it

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it difficult to teach to Sam new activities. His cognitive delays make it difficult to learn new skills,” explained Ruler.

Autistic kids are often isolated because of their inability to socialize. Sam is my age. He could be learning to drive and planning for college. I’ve been really fortunate to take the traditional path, Sam, on the other hand, has a much more limited experience. Sam’s parents first learned about DSUSA from an online Autism group.

They have always looked for new opportunities for Sam, he also participates in a therapeutic riding program at BOK Ranch at the Stanford Horse Park and ice skating with a special skater program. Ruler found the DSUSA team to be extremely positive and said, “The results speak for themselves. They had Sam skiing on his first run down the slope.” To get him started, Sam had the tips of his skis clamped

together with a bungee and Cclamps until he got used to turning and stopping. They also connected straps to the clamps on the front of his skis so his instructors could assist him in turning (Ruler). His dad explained, “It was a great time watch ing him come and go. With each chairlift ride he became more and more comfortable with his instructors.”

It is great that autistic kids have this athletic outlet because research has shown that when Autistic children play sports it can significantly reduce the occurrence of negative behaviors such as body rocking, head-nodding, and hand flapping. Aerobic exercise can also prevent aggressive behavior and improve attention span. “Physical activity can promote self-esteem, increase general levels of happiness, and can lead to positive social outcomes, all highly beneficial outcomes for individuals with autism” (Dawson).

''It was a great time watching him come and go. With each chairlift ride he became more and more comfortable with his instructors.''

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A blue bird day

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A typical day at DSUSA starts at 9:30am with a staff briefing. The lessons start at 10 o’clock. The lessons are all private so the instructors will really connect with their stu-­ dents. I asked Lang-­Ree if the students are fearful and he explained, “We have a lot folks that don’t come here because of pre-­conceived perceptions

of ability or lack of ability…

It is often harder to convince the families, the caregiver, the outside world, that this person can do it. I think the people with disabilities, when they are shown they can try it or see others do it, they are game to try it -­ breaking barriers of preconceived notions.”

The lessons continue until lunch and the students may return for afternoon les-­ sons from 2pm until 4pm. The mission of DUSA is to offer af-­ fordable and inclusive lessons, so the charges are far below an average ski lesson and Al-­ pine Meadows donates all the lift tickets (DSUSAFW). Accord-­

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lift tickets (DSUSAFW). According to Lang-Ree, DSUSA offers scholarship programs and the fees charged cover less than a quarter of the actual cost. They subsidize the program through fundraising, grants, and special events. They also have a lot of volunteer labor.

Lang-Ree explained that “the cost they charge is far less than what an able bodied person would pay for a similar private lesson.”

DSUSA has many different types of equipment that can be rented for the students. Each is specially fitted for each participant. There are mono skis, which have a seat fitted with a single ski.

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A bi ski, has a seat and two skies. The instructors use ropes to guide the skier into turns as they traverse down the slope. There is a lift, right outside the door of the center, so the coaches can help their students easily up the mountain. The mono skies are specially designed to fit correctly to the lift so the students are seated in the ski and can easily get on and off the chair.

When I was observing the lessons, I definitely noticed parents and caretakers getting emotional. I ended up asking LangRee about it, and this is what he told me, “It gets emotional quite a bit actually. And that’s one of the, maybe, not best kept secrets of our staff and volunteers.

say that we get more out of our lessons than the students do. But there have been plenty of times when I’ve been down here at the base and you see the tears coming down the mom’s face because they haven’t seen their child do this kind of thing before or have that freedom or the wind in their face. It’s pretty powerful.” Disabled Sports USA has changed the lives and encouraged the dreams of thousands of people, their students leave feeling empowered and truly believing in their motto, “If I can do this, I can do anything.”

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Works cited Blinde, Elaine M.;McClung, Lisa R. Enhancing the physical and social self through rec reational activity: Accounts of individuals with physical disabilities. Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly, Vol 14(4), Oct 1997, 327-344.

Dawson, Geraldine. "Sports, Exercise, and the Benefits of Physical Activity for Individuals with Autism." Home. Web. 19 Mar. 2012.

"Disabled Sports Program Celebrates TBI Skier." Disaboom. Web. 19 Mar. 2012. .

"Disabled Sports USA, Far West - Located at Alpine Meadows." Alpine Meadows. Web. 19 Mar. 2012. .

"DSUSAFW -- Disabled Sports USA Far West -- Adaptive Recreation for Those with Disabilities." DSUSAFW. Web. 19 Mar. 2012.

"Facts about Autism." Autism Speaks. Web. 19 Mar. 2012. .

"International Paralympic Committee | IPC." International Paralympic Committee. Web. 19 Mar. 2012. .

Lang-Ree, Haakon, personal interview, 21 February 2012 Lundberg, Neil. "Quality of Life and Mood State Outcomes through Participation in Adaptive Sports for Individuals with Physical Disabilities: A Pre-experimental Examination." Annual in Therapeutic Recreation 19 (2010): 104-12. Print.

Ruler, John and Grace, personal interview, 15 March 2012

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