AccessMyLibrary provides FREE access to over 30 million articles from top publications available through your library.

Fireside.

Cross Country Skier

| November 01, 2003 | Devlin, Katy | COPYRIGHT 2003 Cross Country Skier LLC. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan.  All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)Copyright

For 43-year-old Kathy Strahan, learning how to cross country ski meant more than just overcoming the normal frustration beginners experience. In her quest to ski, the California native tackled chronic knee problems, complete blindness and her own fears. Blind since age two and physically active all her life, Strahan knew she had the determination necessary to participate in the weeklong international Ski For Light program.

Held in a different location every year, the annual Ski For Light program pairs visually- and mobility-impaired skiers with experienced guides for optimum learning. The goal at the end of the week? Skier and guide complete a 5 km course together.

Despite the challenges in front of her, Strahan confronted her fears to attend the 2002 Ski For Light camp held in Granby, Colorado. Skiing and Ski For Light have been a part of her life ever since.

? What convinced you to participate in Ski For Light?

I heard about Ski For Light from other blind people who either knew of someone who did it or participated themselves. The program attracted me. Since we don't have much snow in California, I really didn't know that much about skiing, except it would be a brand new experience from top to bottom.

? Did you have any hesitations?

For eight or nine years, I hadn't done anything very physically challenging partially due to a chronic knee problem. I was concerned that skiing would be too strenuous. I would have started in the program five years ago had it not been for my knees. Finally, I decided to ignore my knees, go for it anyway and see what skiing was all about. The experience was very difficult, but definitely worth it.

Related articles from newspapers, magazines, journals, and more
Word of mouth promotes Ski for Light.(volunteer organization offering cross...
Magazine article from: Cross Country Skier Barnes, Cara January 1, 2002 700+ words
...mobility-impaired adults called Ski for Light (SFL). "So who do I call...adventures lay ahead. Each year, Ski for Light, an all--volunteer nonprofit...southern California, heard about Ski For Light from a man whose daughter attended...
Ski for light to celebrate 30th anniversary.(nordic News)
Magazine article from: Cross Country Skier November 1, 2004 700+ words
Ski for Light, Inc. is an all-volunteer, nonprofit...world will celebrate the 30th annual Ski for Light International Week event in Granby...Ranch, the "YMCA of the Rockies." Ski for Light is always seeking new skiers and guides...
Ski For Light seeks volunteers.(Nordic News)
Magazine article from: Cross Country Skier December 1, 2003 700+ words
Ski For Light (SFL) is a weeklong cross country skiing...with visual and mobility impairments. Ski For Light draws more than 250 adults from all age...15, 2004, in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Ski For Light is always in need more sighted guides...
Skiing program.(Sports & Recreation)(29th Annual Ski For Light International...
Magazine article from: Paraplegia News October 1, 2003 700+ words
...apply to attend the 29th Annual Ski For Light International Week, scheduled...Reforestation Camp. For 28 years, Ski For Light, Inc., an all-volunteer...country skiing a real try. At Ski For Light, skiers with mobility impairments...
Ski For Light annual shindig. (West).(Brief Article)
Magazine article from: Cross Country Skier Lohr, Roger January 1, 2003 700+ words
...hills blindfolded or without the use of your legs. If you could do that, you could accomplish just about anything. Ski For Light is a nonprofit organization that exposes people with disabilities (visual or mobility impairments) to the benefits...
AvaLung Ski-Safety Device Evolves into Lighter, More Affordable Product.
Newspaper article from: The Denver Post (Denver, Colorado) (via Knight-Ridder/Tribune Business News) October 13, 2002 700+ words
...came from Tom Crowley, a physician at the University of Colorado. A design team led by Jordy Margid, then group manager of ski products, helped turned the idea into a product. The task included first determining whether buried skiers died of suffocation...
U.S. listing sheds light on ski firm. (Intrawest Corp.)
Magazine article from: Denver Business Journal Moore, Paula May 30, 1997 700+ words
...new owner of Colorado's Copper Mountain ski resort, always thought coming to America...million purchase of Copper Mountain gave the ski resort developer and operator its best nine...discounting could come to an end, according to ski industry insiders. Wall Street appears...
UNITED INTRODUCES SKI HANDLING PROGRAM ALLOWING SKIERS TO TRAVEL LIGHT
Press release article from: PR Newswire November 2, 1992 700+ words
UNITED INTRODUCES SKI HANDLING PROGRAM ALLOWING SKIERS TO TRAVEL LIGHT CHICAGO, Nov. 2 /PRNewswire...designed to let skiers travel light. With United's "Up...flexibility of checking bags and ski equipment prior to their...ticket along with their skis, ski equipment or baggage...
Light snow lightens Sun Valley ski totals 2006-07.
Magazine article from: Idaho Business Review, Boise April 16, 2007 700+ words
...the drive market that shrank for the Sun Valley ski resort in response to below-average snowfall in...skier visits came from among those who drove to ski for two or three days, he said. Ski traffic among destination visitors who fly in from...
A new light in Kaspi. (Sports, Recreation, & Play).(National Ski Center for the...
Magazine article from: The Exceptional Parent Kiefel, Darcy May 1, 2001 700+ words
...disabilities--to partake in the ski program. Learning how to ski brought the children joy as they...skiers, including two in mono skis, up the mountain, time after...Alongside the NSCD staff were Georgian ski instructors from the Guadri Ski...
For more facts and information, see all results
©2009 Gale, a part of Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.
About us | FAQs | Contact us | Privacy policy | Terms and conditions
Other Gale sites: Encyclopedia.com | HighBeam Research | Acquire Content | Books & Authors | Goliath | MovieRetriever | Smart QandA