The annual visit to Colorado by the senior class of Tennessee School For The Blind has become a cherished tradition for Challenge Aspen staff, volunteers and instructors for the past seven years. The ski and snowboard trip is unforgettable for all involved and, for many of the students, the adventure is their first time to travel in an airplane. It’s powerful to watch each one of them overcome fears and to see their self-esteem and confidence grow, first hand. Challenge Aspen’s PSIA certified instructors who are specifically trained to teach the Blind and Visually Impaired, work with the students for four days. A “Ski or Snowboard Buddy” volunteer accompanies each student, so that everyone can safely enjoy days packed full of safe and fun ski and boarding instruction. Après-ski time includes ice-skating, visits to the Glenwood Hot Springs, memorable dinners at local restaurants and plenty of laughter. The smiles are absolutely contagious and the boost in self-esteem and self-confidence are powerful, natural bi-products of overcoming fears and taking on new challenges…just a few of the personal rewards the students take home with them from Aspen. For more information, please contact Bill Schenk or Wayne Soben at TSB – (615) 231 7321.
Via Christi Rehabilitation Center
During the past three winters, a wonderful relationship has grown between Challenge Aspen and Wichita’s Via Christi Rehabilitation Center. Each year VCRC works feverishly to raise funds so that they can provide scholarships for a week of fun and skiing for their clients. The participants who come to the mountain from Kansas are predominantly learning to work with physical disabilities like Cerebral Palsy and spinal cord injuries (paraplegics, quadriplegics). They enjoy safe, challenging ski/boarding lessons and some will participate in the Challenge Aspen Mono Ski & Snowboard Camp. The week always ends with great stories from participants and volunteers…and the brilliant smiles are unforgettable. It’s the hope of Challenge Aspen, that one day the Via Christi Rehabilitation Center will be able to participate in some of the fun summer camps offered. For more information about the VCRC, please contact Barney Hoss at VCRC at (316) 634-3404.
The Shepherd Center (Atlanta)
Last winter, Challenge Aspen introduced skiing and snowboarding to the patients of The Shepherd Center in Atlanta, for the first time. The Shepherd Center is a renowned physical rehabilitation center and Challenge Aspen will work with more than a dozen participants this winter, teaching every level of sit skier and boarder, from beginning to advanced. Challenge Aspen staff hopes to hand-tool a summer program specifically for the Shepherd Center, so that participants will return for the stunning warmer weather and outdoor adventurous activities that Colorado offers. For more information, please contact John Patterson at (404) 915 5335.
