by Sandy Kiyomura, Board Member-at-Large
Editor’s comment: Nisei Ski Club has once again made a donation to this great organization, so this article is being reprinted from last year.
There is a very special ski school located at Alpine Meadows. The “Tahoe Adaptive Ski School” was started 52 years ago by a few Vietnam War Vets who were learning to cope with their disabilities. (most amputees). They were taught to ski by Jim Winthers, a World War II Veteran of the 10th Mountain Division and Director of the Soda Springs ski school. They use specialized adaptive equipment and teaching methods to offer persons with any disability the experience of being on the snow. Many of their students are “Wounded Warriors”. Their mission is “to provide affordable inclusive physical and recreational activities that build health and confidence.”
Achieve Tahoe is the parent organization of Disabled Sports USA with over 100 chapters in the US. They offer activities off the snow as well, such as cycling, swimming, golf, tennis. My son worked for DSUSA in their Maryland office and had amazing experiences there. One of his tasks was to organize their events. Once he ran a marathon with an amputee and helped him finish. He played floor hockey on sleds with amputees. They have an annual convention in Breckenridge where 600 Wounded Warriors go for a week of ski instruction and races. (My son was the dealer at their poker night event). Kirk Bauer, the executive director and a Vietnam war amputee, said in his speech that he had never before seen so many “multiple” amputees. In previous wars, many soldiers were killed. Nowadays, the injured can survive although they may be missing (multiple) limbs. Achieve Tahoe works with many Wounded Warriors.
I had the privilege of working as a volunteer ski instructor with Achieve Tahoe for over ten years. Although I had taught skiing before, working with disabled skiers gave me lessons in patience, gratitude and humility that I may not have learned anywhere else. I learned to appreciate things I often take for granted. When I have a sore knee, I remember that “at least I have a leg.” When I’m having a bad day, I remember all the challenges my students have in daily life. Some of the students are visually impaired. Many have cognitive challenges as well as physical challenges. Skiing brought them great joy and teaching them brought me great satisfaction.
For those of you that might be planning an October visit to the Tahoe area, Achieve Tahoe is having a Covid-friendly “Foam Fest” event for the entire month. For a $49 donation, you get a Foam Fest glass and a 16 ounce beer at each of five locations in Truckee. This is in lieu of their annual beer tasting and music festival.
Their motto is: if I can do this, I can do anything.
