For 30 years Rick Reuter had dreamed of moving to Colorado to be a ski bum, and when it finally became a reality on a majestic blue-sky morning last week at Eldora Mountain Resort, it felt like a miracle. Rick and his wife, Traci, remembered the days when he was unable to dress himself, feed himself or roll over in bed without her help because of Parkinson’s disease. And that wasn’t such a long time ago.
Read the full article at the Denver Post>>
Beech Mountain Resort
33rd DS USA Adaptive Learn to Ski Event
Press Release Date: Nov-12-2013
Download Application Form
Download Volunteer Form
Event dates: January 20-24, 2014
This is the oldest adaptive ski clinic being the first of a group of national instructional clinics started by Disabled Sports USA which in its history was known as National Handicap Sports. The Atlanta Chapter of NHS assisted to develop the first clinic in 1981 and continued with it through 2004. The Disabled Sports USA host sponsor is now SPARC (Sports, Parks, Arts, and Recreation of Chattanooga). The clinic functions as a cooperative effort amongst programs all interested in the benefits of sports for individuals with disabilities with Beech Mountain Resort continuing to be our host with help from the Costin family. Two national acclaimed physical rehabilitation centers partner to assist in sponsoring the event: Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Center Innovative Recreation Cooperative (IRC) in Knoxville, TN and Carolina Rehabilitation Adaptive Sports and Adventure Program (ASAP) in Charlotte, NC. The sponsors of this event donate to bring together the instructors, equipment, and resources necessary to teach skiing/snowboarding to individuals with disabilities in the southeast region.
Sponsors
We wish to thank all of our friends and sponsors for the Beech Mt. Resort DSUSA Adaptive Learn to Ski Event including: Beech Mountain Resort, Disabled Sports USA Chapter – SPARC of Chattanooga, Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Center IRC Program of Knoxville, Ft. Sanders Foundation, Carolinas Rehabilitation ASAP Program, DSUSA Warfighters Project, Beech Meadows Ski Shop, Pinnacle Inn, and the Board Room. Over $50,000 of adaptive equipment is brought to the event so we can provide a multitude of snow experiences for the participants.
Instructors
The instructional team for the event is from all over the US and all PSIA Adaptive certified instructors with over 60 years of combined experience. The instructional team includes individuals from: Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center, Crested Butte Adaptive Programs, Winter Park Adaptive Program, and Cataloochee Adaptive Program. The team is composed of experienced instructors in monoski, biski, twin ski, 2, 3, & 4 tracking, slider, visually impaired and snowboard instruction.
Participants
The participants come from all over the southeast region including: NC, SC, GA, TN, AL, and FL. Ages range from age 4 into their 70’s with a variety of diagnoses to include: brain and spinal injured, amputees, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, developmental delayed, spinal muscular atrophy, multiple sclerosis, visually impaired, and a whole host of other neurological and orthopedic challenges. We are supportive of our military and work with veterans and active military in our region. We try to focus on family and have families participate in the event as much as possible. The motto of DSUSA is, “If I can do this, I can do anything,” inspires many to give alpine sport a try.
Gene Baron Award
Each year an award is given in honor of Gene Baron who was an amputee who skied at Beech Mt. He was very supportive of teaching individuals with disabilities the sport of alpine skiing. His efforts, energy, and love of snow skiing are an inspiration for many at the clinic. He passed away while at the world’s disabled event in Colorado. In his memory, a lifetime achievement award has been given each year to an individual or entity involved in helping with the event with Beech Mountain Resort being a proud recipient of the award.
Schedule of Events
Monday, Jan 20th
Noon – 4PM – Volunteer Safety Training Beech Mt. Resort
Tuesday, Jan 21st
8:30AM – 4PM Lessons
Wednesday, Jan 22nd
8:30AM – 4PM Lessons
Thursday, Jan 23rd
8:30AM – 4PM Lessons
7:00 PM Instructors Appreciation Banquet , Gene Baron Award Presentation in Banner Elk
Friday, Jan 24th
8:30 AM – 4 PM Lessons
More Information
Al Kaye, M.S., CTRS
Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Center
Recreation Therapy Services
1901 Clinch Avenue
Knoxville, TN 37916
Office: (865) 541-1353
(865) 541-2469 or email: akaye@covhlth.com
Downloads
Application Form
Volunteer Form
