Faith's Adaptive Skiing Adventure

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I am usually all for Faith trying something new. Years ago, though, I drew the line at adaptive skiing. I knew that Dreams in Motion does an annual event at Huff Hills (North Dakota's largest ski area), but I was too afraid to let Faith try it. I just didn't know how she would do being strapped down so tightly, especially with her high tone and issues with her left hip.  At her day program, some of her friends had been going for years and Faith thought it sounded like so much fun. So, this year, I decided we should give it a try. Since there are only 20 spots available for this event, I got her registered the morning it opened up.  Lots of fresh powder at Huff Hills  As the event drew near, I knew I needed to get snow pants for her (since she had none) and make sure I had all the right winter apparel to keep her warm. That was also one of my biggest concerns is her getting too cold, which can cause her tone to increase even more.  As the day approached, she was...
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Having A Blast Playing Wheelchair Soccer

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I guess after Saturday's wheelchair soccer game in which Faith took part, I could easily see myself as a wheelchair soccer mom. She had such a blast, and with the help of a soccer player from the University of Mary, she made some great plays and even scored some goals! 

The faster her helper pushed her chair around up and down the gym, the bigger she smiled. Her dad watched from the sidelines praying her driver wasn't going to crash her into the wall.
 
Faith flies across the gym to help her teammates on the other side

check out the gigantic "soccer ball"


Are soccer balls supposed to go up in the air like that?

While it was called wheelchair soccer, it was sort of a tossup between soccer and beach volleyball. The kids couldn't use their feet but instead used their hands and upper body to get the ball up and down the "soccer field." And the ball wasn't a soccer ball, instead it was a huge blow-up beach ball.

The kids were divided according to age and one age group played three games and the other age group played three as well. This gave the chair drivers a chance a take a much-needed rest. Brennan, Faith's driver wasn't too embarrassed to say that this was his cardio workout for the day.

Faith's driver was a real college soccer player! So great of these soccer players from the University of Mary to help the kids play!

This all took place at Centennial Elementary's school gym, which was very convenient for us. We also had our University of Mary students with us who are taking part in the family as trainers program. One is a physical therapy student and the other a nursing student. As usual, we were very impressed by their professionalism and how good they were with Faith.

Faith with her new friends from the University of Mary family mentor program

We're so glad that Dreams in Motion is holding these events for kids who have mobility challenges. If it wasn't for them, we would never know how much Faith loves wheelchair soccer!

The wheelchair soccer players gathered together at the end and were all told what a great job they did!

Comments

  1. Chantel TausendMarch 25, 2012 at 9:50 PM

    We've got to get a pic of Faith and Anthony together next weekend!! :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousMarch 27, 2012 at 10:59 PM

    Faith is beautiful. What joy you can see in her smile!
    Annette Kaip

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousMarch 28, 2012 at 10:59 AM

    I had the pleasure of helping Faith during curling. I'm so glad she's enjoying Dreams In Motion. Hope she comes for dance!!!!
    Jennie Kuller
    PS - LOVE this blog page!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Mobility ScootersJune 19, 2012 at 10:19 PM

    Wow! Your story is very inspiring. It is great to hear that even children who are in wheelchairs, like Faith, are still able to enjoy life by playing soccer.

    ReplyDelete

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Faith's Adaptive Skiing Adventure

-
Image
I am usually all for Faith trying something new. Years ago, though, I drew the line at adaptive skiing. I knew that Dreams in Motion does an annual event at Huff Hills (North Dakota's largest ski area), but I was too afraid to let Faith try it. I just didn't know how she would do being strapped down so tightly, especially with her high tone and issues with her left hip.  At her day program, some of her friends had been going for years and Faith thought it sounded like so much fun. So, this year, I decided we should give it a try. Since there are only 20 spots available for this event, I got her registered the morning it opened up.  Lots of fresh powder at Huff Hills  As the event drew near, I knew I needed to get snow pants for her (since she had none) and make sure I had all the right winter apparel to keep her warm. That was also one of my biggest concerns is her getting too cold, which can cause her tone to increase even more.  As the day approached, she was...
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