Finding freedom on skis-Breaking Boundaries

Finding freedom on skis
BREAKING BOUNDARIES
Posted By NICKI CRUICKSHANK
Posted 19 days ago

One area organization is helping residents with disabilities find freedom on the ski hill.

The Canadian Association of Disabled Skiing (CADS) Huronia has people strapping on some skis no matter what their limitations

"We'll help people with all types of disabilities to learn to ski," said David O'Brien, the association's executive director. "Every one of our students finds enjoyment in their ski experience. By getting them out in winter, it's breaking that barrier and giving them some freedom during the season."

The program can help those with an amputation, spinal cord injuries, visual or auditory impairment or even cognitive issues enjoy the winter sport.

The students are given skiing lessons from mid January until March at one of three locations: Snow Valley, Horseshoe Resort and Heights at Horseshoe.

"For some, it's a rehabilitation thing if they've been injured, or for those born with a disability, this might be their first time able to try skiing," O'Brien said.

The association has existed locally since 1991, but has been an national organization for more than 30 years.

"We deal with about 35 people with disabilities with our program each year, and we often have our regular participants come back," O'Brien said.

"But we're getting more and more new requests for our services."

So many requests, in fact, that the program is crying for volunteers.

"We have waiting lists for this program, so we desperately need more volunteers this year," O'Brien said.
"With each disabled person we need two or three volunteers to help them."

The association is holding its orientation day for volunteers on Saturday at Horseshoe Resort.

Registration starts at 8:30 a. m. at the portable at the bottom of the beginner's hill.

The cost is $35, which includes membership and liability insurance.

"We'll go through all the training and wrap up by 3:30 p. m.," O'Brien said.

"You should be a strong skier to volunteer, and we're looking for a commitment of eight Saturdays or Sundays."

To sign up for orientation, call Jessica at 719-9196, and visit www.disabledskiingontario for more program information.

ncruickshank @ thebarrieexaminer.com