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CRESTED BUTTE’S ADAPTIVE SPORTS CENTER
TRANSFORMING LIVES Empowering People Through New Experiences Words By Kimberly Nicoletti | Photo courtesy of Adaptive Sports Center Crested Butte
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Challenged Ski Program. That year, they
trapped in a room where you can’t see over,
provided ski equipment and lessons to 33 people
under, around or through the walls. He lost his
with disabilities. The following year, President
eyesight in 1997 in a hunting accident when a
Jimmy Carter and his wife, who spent a lot of
friend shot him in a dense forest. Two months
time in Crested Butte fishing, gave the nonprofit
after losing his sight, he was lying on his couch
seed money to expand the program, now called
in Indiana, fighting back tears and wondering
the Adaptive Sports Center (ASC). These days,
how he could be a single dad to his three young
ASC offers adaptive activities ranging from
daughters. The former Navy Petty Officer was
skiing and snowboarding to mountain biking,
scared to even mow the lawn, until his 5-year-
ice climbing and kayaking for nearly 800
old daughter Taylor said, “I’ll help ya.”
individuals annually.
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onnie Bedwell describes blindness as being
Her innocent offer was just the beginning
of Bedwell’s appreciation of what an enormous
NEW SUMMITS
difference a little assistance and compassion
In 2012, Bedwell was one of those individuals.
can make.
He entered Ride the Rockies with ASC, which
In 1987, a small group of Crested Butte locals
provided support, including a pilot who
recognized how far lending a hand could go
happened to be an Armed Forces national
when they founded the Crested Butte Physically
champion rider.
