NEWFOUND CHALLENGE FOR AN UNLIKELY ATHELETE
by Patty Welk
I am a fifty-one year old woman who's life took a fateful turn when a young boy, playing with a rifle, rendered me a T-10 paraplegic.

The world was very different the year of my accident. The first day that I got to go home from the rehab hospital was the day Kennedy was shot. There were no ADA laws, no curb cuts, no handicapped parking, no rights at all; just the challenge of fitting into a walking world full of steps.

Through the efforts of many, things have changed. Laws were passed, rights established and rehabilitation moved from merely being "productive" to challenging jobs in an accessible world where low and behold, recreation could be enjoyed by all.

Mark Andrews was an early advocate of the concept that a physical challenge makes one feel better about oneself and makes fitting into society easier. Mark's alpine skiing program started nearly twenty years ago and he has been a part of a remarkable evolution in "adaptive" equipment.

My introduction to downhill skiing came four years ago when my nephew returned from Park City, Utah and told me how he was amazed by the mono-ski race exhibition. He suggested that I should try it. My reply was, "throw myself down a mountain of snow? Are you crazy? I hate the cold."

Months later I started "working out" five days a week at the gym at the hospital where I work. As I grew stronger, the concept of skiing intrigued me. I am a bit prissy though and bulky clothes, long underwear and helmets were not on my fashion list. My brother Paul, an avid skier, knew Mark from Ski Patrol.

I headed for Massanutten prepared for a "single, that was fun, but too darn cold" adventure. One trip down the bunny slope and I was hooked. No matter how many times I fell, Mark was there to give an encouraging word.

The next season, I traveled to Park City. After experiencing poor fitting equipment, I decided to purchase my own. With Mark's advice, I am now the proud owner of a Grove mono-ski and Ski Doctor outriggers. Mark designed a case for my mono-ski for travel and with the help from his wife Teresa, a physical therapist, he made me a custom molded mono-ski seat orthotic in their kitchen of all places. Now I have a perfect fit for my wonderful equipment.

Now if I weren't self supporting, I would be attacking the slopes with more abandon. But alas, I am a "weanie," and getting to the bottom of the slope in one piece, remains my goal; well maybe taking out a snowboarder or two isn't too bad. I am having a blast and I look forward to the ski season each year. To my amazement, I don't even mind "helmet hair."