SNOWSPORTS SCHOOL OPENING DECEMBER 16TH

ADAPTIVE SKI AND SNOWBOARD INSTRUCTION FOR ALL ABILITIES.

Open daily from December 16, 2011 through April 14, 2012.  The Disabled Sports Program Center is located at Alpine Meadows Resort in the North Lake Tahoe area of Northern California.
We are a PSIA Member Ski School (Professional Ski Instructors of America). Our PSIA certified instructors and trained volunteers make skiing or snowboarding possible for anyone with physical, cognitive or developmental disabilities.

Alpine Meadows Resort and Squaw Valley USA
Daily 10:00am-12:30pm or 1:30pm-4:00pm

$75 Disabled Sports members with an annual participant membership fee of $30; non-member cost for lessons $200
Includes 2.5 hr private lesson and lift ticket.
Mono-ski, Bi-ski, standard skis or snowboard not included.

Equipment rentals:
Mono-ski, Bi-ski rentals from Disabled Sports: $10 half day, $20 all day.
Standard ski or snowboard rentals are ½ price at ski area rental shops or Tahoe Dave’s (Alpine Meadows Rental Shop 530-581-8244, Tahoe Dave’s 530-583-6415)
More information on our website includes:
Driving directions to Alpine Meadows Resort. First-timer Guide and Checklist.
Preparing your child with Autism for their snowsport lesson

Reservations are required and are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. We suggest calling two to four weeks in advance starting November 1st to reserve the dates you desire.
Scholarships are available through the Katherine Hayes Rodriguez Scholarship Fund. Please visit our Reservations Page for more information at www.disabledsports.net
Contact us for more information:
Ph: (530) 581-4161
Email: reservations@disabledsports.net

GREAT GOURMET DINNER and BEER PAIRING

 22nd Annual Foam Fest

 

THANK YOU to all who made the 22nd Annual Foam Fest a huge success!

 

The evening began with a delicious dinner of Ginger-marinated White Shrimp, Thai-flavored Butternut Squash Soup, Red Wine Braised Buffalo Shortribs followed by a delectable dessert of Caramel & Chocolate Brownies with fresh raspberries.  Dinner guests enjoyed a brewmaster presentation about each of the carefully selected micro-brews that was paired with each course.  If you love great food and beer, don't miss next year's Foam Fest Dinner!

 

The main event featured live music by Marble Party, micro-brew tasting and yummy food prepared by Full Belly Deli.  Love those Pig Pops!  Many great prizes were raffled off during the "Hit the Slopes Raffle" including season passes to Alpine Meadows, Homewood, Northstar, Squaw Valley and Sugar Bowl ski resorts.

 

We especially want to thank Quality Automotive for being our presenting sponsor two years in a row and Chef Sean Conry for another wonderful dinner.  Our thanks and appreciation go out to all of our sponsors, the breweries, and volunteers that helped make this night such a success!  We couldn't do it without you!

JOIN ME FOR A GOURMET DINNER AT FOAMFEST OCT 15th

Back this year!
Gourmet Dinner & Specialty Tasting with Brewmaster Presentation
5:30-7:00pm then join the fun until 10:30pm
Gourmet Dinner prepared by Award-Winning Chef Sean Conry of Longboard’s Bar & Grill – Gold Medal Winner at the 2010 Tahoe Autumn Food & Wine Festival!

Last year’s menu:
Blackened Hawaiian Blue Prawns
Louisiana-style Gumbo
Asian Pork Ribs
Shepherd’s Pie
Imported Valrhona Chocolate Sample
(each course paired with a specialty microbrew)
Last year’s dinner was a sell out!

The NEW Truckee Community Recreation Center
8924 Donner Pass Rd., Truckee, CA

Purchase tickets at www.disabledsports.net or call 530.581.4161
Must be 21 or Older
Discounted Lodging Rates Available!
Hampton Inn, Truckee - 888.587.1197
Larkspur Hotel, Truckee – 530.587.4525
Ask for the Special Foam Fest Rate!

FINAL SUMMER PROGRAMS

Summer is coming to a close and so are our great summer programs. But there is still time for you and your family to  join the fun. How about a whitewater raft trip??

Experienced guides and trained volunteers safely guide rafts through the waters of the scenic South Fork of the American River, site of the gold discovery that triggered the gold rush. While you are in the area, visit Coloma and Gold Discovery State  Park. Turn it into a great day in the Sierra foothills.

Our raft trips are for people with disabilities and their families or friends. Our fees are considerably less than those charged by the commercial outfitters for the same experience. Beginning white water provides challenge and thrills while building camaraderie, confidence, and teamwork.

See you on the river!

BUSY SUMMER AT DISABLED SPORTS USA FAR WEST

Our summer programs are going strong but there is still time for you to join in. Here are some of the upcoming events. Don't miss out.

Whitewater rafting: Aug 12,13,14 and Sept 2,3,4. More dates available by request.This is a great family outing in beginning whitewater.

Water-ski instruction:  Aug 26,27. adaptive equipment allows almost anyone with any disability to participate.

Cycling: Aug 6 and Oct 22. Another great family activity.

4-WD Adventures: Rubicon overnight trip Aug 12,13,14. Familes welcome.

visit our website www.disabledsports.net for details and to make reservations.

JOIN ME FOR DINNER JULY 31st

 as a sponsor, participant or volunteer at our special events.

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Cottonwood Restaurant & Bar
Fundraiser Dinner

Sunday, July 31st
Cottonwood Restaurant & Bar
10142 Rue Hilltop Road, Truckee, CA
Cost:  $40 (includes tax and gratuity)
Time:  7PM

Enjoy a relaxing dinner and an evening of musical entertainment overlooking scenic downtown Truckee from one of the nation’s oldest ski lodges.  Proceeds from this fundraiser benefit the programs of Disabled Sports USA Far West.

Menu:
Chopped Caesar Salad
Your choice of 1 entrée:

• Pine nut crusted Southeast Asian basa (mild white fish) with a tomato-dill Beurre blanc, rice and house vegetables
• Linguini with grilled chicken breast, diced tomatoes and a chipotle cream sauce
• Butternut squash enchiladas with Ancho chile mole, cilantro and white cheddar cheese, sprinkled with toasted pumpkin seeds

Dessert – chef’s choice
Soda, coffee and iced tea

Dinner tickets may be purchased  on our websit www.disabledsports.net  through Thursday, July 28th or by calling 530-581-4161.

SUPPORT DISABLED SPORTS USA FAR WEST

Art-Wine-Music Festival ~ Squaw Valley USA

 

July 16 & 17 ~ 11 AM to 5 PM     

    Wine Tasting:  2 PM to 5 PM both days

   $25 Donation includes Commemorative Glass

   Benefits Disabled Sports USA Far West

   Artists:  30 Local and Regional Fine Artists & Crafters

   Classical Guitar Music:  2 Full Days of Music on

   2 Performance Stages.  In Partnership with the Sierra

   Nevada Classical Guitar Society

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY

All of us at Disabled sports USA Far West wish you a happy holiday. We hope you enjoy some great times with your loved ones.

We'd also like to remind you that now is the time to reserve your family whitewater raft day or fourwheel adventure. Waterski lessons are filling quickly so get your time reserved as soon as possible. We look foward to seeing you!!

SUMMER PROGRAMS UP AND RUNNING

Our integrated summer programs serve about 400 people with disabilities and approximately the same number of their families and friends.

Water Ski Instruction: We teach water-skiing at various venues. Adaptive equipment allows us to accommodate those unable to ski in a standing position including paraplegics and some quadriplegics.

Adaptive Cycling: Disabled Sports USA Far West holds outings at various regional locations for families to participate in entry-level physical activities by using adaptive hand cycles and tandem bicycles.

White Water Rafting: Experienced guides and trained volunteers safely guide rafts through the waters of the scenic South Fork of the American River, site of the gold discovery that triggered the gold rush. The raft trips are for people with disabilities and their families or friends. Beginning white water provides challenge and thrills while building camaraderie, confidence, and teamwork.

4-Wheel Drive Adventures: This program is designed to teach individuals with disabilities how to safely and independently access Off-Highway Motor Vehicle trails. This includes environmental responsibility, camping and fire safety, and related recreation and safety skills. One day and overnight trips are available in this family activity. Those who want more are treated to some "bouldering" in rugged terrain.

Watersports: Activities include kayaking, boating, sailing and canoeing. Both one and two day events are scheduled.

For details visit www.disabledsports.net

DISABLED SPORTS HOSTS 20 WOUNDED WARRIORS AT SUMMER SPORTS CAMP

They will arrive at the Sacramento airport next Tuesday from all over the country. Wounded warriors disabled in Iraq and Afghanistan will attend a sports camp designed to play a vital role in their continued recovery. 

 

Wounded Warrior Sports Rehabilitation Camp, June 7-11

Their Spirit Inspires Dinner, Friday, June 10

th

This event celebrates the accomplishments of Disabled Sports USA Far West, our participants, volunteers and honored guests. The "Their Spirit Inspires" Dinner is the culmination of a four-day event highlighting the abilities of people with disabilities and the powerful positive health and confidence building effects of our programs.

The week starts with a Sports Rehabilitation Camp for 25 soldiers and marines disabled in Iraq and Afghanistan. They will receive specialized instruction in waterskiing, whitewater rafting, paddle sports, adapted cycling and sled hockey. This program is designed as part of their therapy and re-integration into the community.  

 

Please join us in celebrating the abilities of our honored guests. For more information, please visit our website www.disabledsports.net

"If I Can Do This, I Can Do Anything!"

 

DISABLED SPORTS THANKS VETERANS

Our organization was originally incorporated in 1967 by World War II veterans of the Tenth Mountain Division, the ski troops. They had experimented all through the 50's with ways to continue skiing despite the loss of limbs. The name they gave the organization back then was "National Amputee Skiers Association". It was one of three amputee ski clubs in the country. The others being the "Flying Outriggers" of Oregon and the "Three Trackers of Ohio'. There are 100 chapters today.

As the Viet Nam war continued, a good number of VN vets were recruited out of the military hospitals on the west coast. We learned to ski at the Donner Summit. I united the three clubs and a few new adaptive ski programs into one organization in the early 70's and VN vets going home to other states helped form new chapters. So it was VN vets who carried the organization across the nation and later, the world. Kirk Bauer, our National CEO, came from our program here in the Sierra's. Kirk and I are the last of the VN vets still leading this organization and neither one of us would prefer to do anything else. It's our life's work.

For the last seven years Kirk and other representatives of DSUSA have walked the wards in military hospitals reaching out to Wounded Warriors disabled in Iraq and Afghanistan bringing full circle our sevice to those who served our nation. Many of DSUSA's chapters conduct sports camps for Wounded Warriors. They are our brothers and sisters.

Disabled Sports USA Far West is proud of our heritage and grateful to those who serve !!

DISABLED SPORTS HOSTING WOUNDED WARRIOR SUMMER SPORTS CAMP

Disabled Sports USA Far West

June 7-11, 2011

Sacramento, CA

Honoring Wounded Warriors

Disabled in the Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan

Wounded Warrior Sports Rehabilitation Camp, June 7-11

Their Spirit Inspires Dinner, Friday, June 10

th

This event celebrates the accomplishments of Disabled Sports USA Far West, our participants, volunteers and honored guests. The "Their Spirit Inspires" Dinner is the culmination of a four-day event highlighting the abilities of people with disabilities and the powerful positive health and confidence building effects of our programs.

The week starts with a Sports Rehabilitation Camp for 25 soldiers and marines disabled in Iraq and Afghanistan. They will receive specialized instruction in waterskiing, whitewater rafting, paddle sports, adapted cycling and sled hockey. This program is designed as part of their therapy and re-integration into the community.

Please join us in celebrating the abilities of our honored guests. For more information, please visit our website at www.disabledsports.net.

"If I Can Do This, I Can Do Anything!"

sm

DISABLED SPORTS WARRIOR SPIRIT AWARD

I was privileged to spend the week with the Wounded Warriors during our Ability Celebration and I saw first hand the healing and the growth both physically and mentally that your support makes happen. Most of the Wounded Warriors who attend our events are still on active duty and still in the military hospital. The doctors and rehabilitation staff view participation in our sports rehabilitation camps as an important part of the rehab process.

I was deeply touched at the Bash when I gave Trey the Warrior Spirit Award for his determination to adapt and overcome. He lost a leg to a rocket propelled grenadea a few months ago and nearly lost both legs. His other wounds hadn’t healed enough for him to try a prosthesis yet so he was in a wheelchair

With us he learned to monoski, and it was truly a miracle on the mountain. He told me that his mom cried when he called her to tell her he had skied. I thought he would make a short, eloquent speech when I gave him the award. He cried. Couldn’t talk. His fiancé said, "He never cries."

Those were tears of joy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DISABLED SPORTS BEYOND ABILITY AWARD

At our annual Ability Bash  on March 26th I presented an award to an outstanding individual who exemplifies the motto of Disavled Sports USA, "If I can do this, I can do anything". It is given to individuals who exhibit unusual determination.

The Beyond Ability Award went to Jake Gibbons. Jake worked in Greenland and Antartica setting up base camps for scientists. Two winters ago he got caught out in a storm and was written off for dead by his team. But Jake survived and made it back to the rest of the crew. However, frostnite took both of his legs and an arm.

When I met Jake he was in pretty bad shape both physically and mentally. Of course, I encouraged him and tried my best to help him come to terms with his situation. I got him to go up to the school for a ski lesson. The last two months Jake has been a member of our High Performance Team, learning to race on two prosthetic legs. Recently, he went to an elementary school with me. We showed the kids our artificial legs and Jake showed them how his hook works.

Jake is going to be just fine, Thank you.

 

WOUNDED WARRIORS ARRIVE AT DISABLED SPORTS

We are all excited at Disabled Sports. Tomorrow our Ability Celebration begins with the arrival of soldiers and marines disabled in Iraq and Afghanistan. We are hosting them for a winter sports camp at Alpine Meadows Resort and other venues in Tahoe. They'll receive ski and snowboard lessons and have the opportunity to try another Paralympic sport, sled hockey. It's all designed as part of their rehabilitation and reintegration into our communities.

On Friday we'll have twenty-five teams of four donors running a fun race in support of our event. The Ability Challenge couples each team with a disabled skier and each has a Wounded warrior as an honorary team member. At the end of the day a flag lowering ceremony will be conducted as we observe a moment of silence to honor our fallen warriors. The flag will be presented to the parents of an 82nd Airborne soldier who lost his life in Afghanistan.

On Saturday night the 17th Annual Ability Bash will be held in the main lodge at Alpine Meadows Resort. This is one of the regions premier fundraising events which includes a silent auction, raffle, dinner and dancing!

For more information: www.disabledsports.net

AL AND RENEE TWO DISABLED SPORTS HEROES

During my 42 years with Disabled Sports USA I have met many people with disabilities. A good number of them  achieved greatness in their chosen sport. Some became ski instructors or race coaches. Some started chapters of Disabled Sports USA. Many have been wonderful role models.

Over the years we have developed a bunch of adaptive equipment and teaching techniques that allow almost anyone with any disability to participate in skiing. But there was a time when we could not accommodate people in wheelchairs. If a person could not ski standing up, we couldn't involve them. By the mid-eighties we solved that problem but in the early days of adaptive skiing it was "sorry my friend". That leads me to my first hero.

His name was Renee. We called him "the handman". You see, he was born with a birth defect that left him with virtually unusable legs. He ambulated with crutches but often set them down and walked on his hands for short distances. And he skied that way! This young man was so determined to ski that he would put his hands down into ski boots attached to skis. His upper body was so strong that he would ski in a front leaning rest (push up) position dragging his short defomed legs behind him. In fact, he learned how to use his legs as rudders to help him steer. He ran race courses that way. The Handman was the ultimate example of determination and adaptation.

Al was a Viet Nam vet who lost both of his legs above the knees and he lost his right hand and all but a few fingers on his left. Al learned to ski standing up on his two artificial legs and in those days the knees in above knee prosthetics would collapse when bent. So Al had to learn to ski on stilts that would collapse in the middle, basically. And he had to try to hold on to outriggers with what was left of his hands. Al also became proficient enough to run race courses. Al refused to use a wheelchair despite the fact that it would have been easier for him to get around. Al's determination was something I admired greatly. He found a way to adapt and overcome!

The history of Disabled Sports USA is repleat with stories of determination, adaptation and achievement despite great odds. They represent the driving force of our organization.

 

 

Hyatt Lake Tahoe to Host Disabled Sports Wounded Warrior Event

On March 22nd thirty Wounded Warriors disabled in Iraq and Afghanistan will arrive at the Hyatt Lake Tahoe to spend the week with Disabled Sports at Alpine Meadows Resort. The Hyatt is donating rooms for the warriors and their hospital staff for the fifth year. We are extremely gratefull for their support.

I recently met with the new Hyatt GM who renewed their pledge to support our event. He has a great appreciation of the sacrifice these American heroes have made and he understands the need for all of us to express our gratitude. I was pleased to find out that he has an understanding of the extreme stress endured by men at arms. As I'm fond of saying, "in armed combat there are no unwounded warriors". Physically wounded or not, they all have to deal with they experienced, saw, heard, felt. As a disabled Viet Nam vet I can tell you it's a heavy load that takes years to work through.

Being active in our programs is a great start. It helps end isolation. It keeps you involved with other people who often have greater physical challenges. And, if you become an instructor or volunteer as I did, you are outwardly focused rather than dwelling on yourself. I can wait to meet this new group of soldiers and marines.

For more information visit www.disabledsports.net

Thank you Hyatt Lake Tahoe!!

DISABLED SPORTS' WOUNDED WARRIOR EVENT AT ALPINE MEADOWS

Our week long event "The Ability Celebration" is fast approaching. Our special guests, Wounded Warriors disabled in Iraq and Afghanistan, will arrive in Reno on March 22nd. You can find information about the event at www.disabledsports.net

Yesterday I had a heart warming experience. Last week we decided to take the Warriors to dinner in Reno after they arrive. So I called an old buddy, Rick Riley, one of the worlds top prosthetists who's shop is over that way and I asked him if his Rotary Club would sponsor the dinner. He called the club President and they invited me to their weekly meeting. Rick told me that they usually consider things like this well in advance but that they would make a pitch at the meeting. He was pretty sure there would be a good responce.

Durring the meeting announcements the President said, "I do this every once in a while. I am asking you to stand up if you will donate $100 dollars so we can host a dinner for soldiers and marines disabled in Iraq and Afghanistan". He chocked up as he said, "they'll be coming right off the hospital wards to attend an event being held by Disabled Sports. I need 10 of you to help so we'll have $1000." Twenty-nine people stood up ! The extra funds will help pay for several other meals.

As a Viet Nam vet, I can tell you that I am very proud of our citizens today for they respect they give those who serve. They deserve it.

Great Skiing at Disabled Sports

There is plenty of snow at Alpine Meadows Resort and our Snowspots program is in full swing daily. Disabled Sports provides instruction in both snow skiing and boarding. The vast inventory of specialized adaptive equipment we maintaoin allows almost anyone with any disability to participate.
Our high performance team is ramping up for those interested in improving their skills and exploring racing. the team is lead by Bill Bowness a nationally recognized instructor and clinicia. Join the team and let 'er rip!