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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Great GABR Moments

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First of all, I'd like to thank the 2012 Faith's Fantastic 12 GABR Team: Becky Eske, Beth Kaylor, Cassie Brazell, Gwen Barone, Julie Jensen, Katie Huizinga, Kent Kaylor, Krysta Wrath, Rob Bousfield, Sarah Hoffman, Tanya Steckler and Brooke Schaff.  

Thanks for riding and for fundraising!

Also, a huge Thank You to all of you who donated to Faith's Fantastic 12:
  • Mike and Deone Lawlar (Grandpa and Grandma)
  • Cousin Vicki Hammond
  • Fran Dwelle
  • The Bitz Family
  • Tom & Diane Hahn
  • Michelle Stahl
  • The Sago Family
  • Peg Walth
  • Sandy Bauer
  • My dear college friends Janee Anez, Resa Hartl, Kristi Holzer and family
  • Faith's cousins, Sydnee and Kenzie Lawlar
  • Faith's auntie of sorts, Nicole Samuelson and family
  • Coworker Blaine Kincaid
  • Barrett Pharmacy & Variety of Watford City
  • Centennial Elementary School's staff and students
  • The mystery man from Marathon Oil
Also, thanks to my brother Todd of Todd's Consulting, Inc. - Onsite Oil Well Supervision and Directional Drilling, who sponsors our T-shirts every year!

One of my favorite parts about GABR is seeing many of those we have met along the way in our journey with Faith. I can see why many of the kids with CP and other disabilities compare this day to Christmas because it is like one big get-together with all of their favorite people! 

It is such a wonderful day and as always, we made many wonderful memories and had some great GABR moments including the announcement at the end of the race that they had already beat last year's total amount raised of $300,000!

Captain Cari, Faith and Coworkers from Coventry

Faith and friends from school, Ashley and Paige

The crowd got bigger and bigger throughout the day

Faith and Paige cheer on their kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Steckler

Cousin Beth her husband and Benjamin who loved the bike!

Hey Katie, isn't there a rule about riding and texting?

GABR Stars, Nathan Zent and Tyler Schwab getting interviewed on live TV

Faith's friend Brooklyn stops by to say hi

Rob pedaled the most miles on our team 7.44 which put him in the top 10%!

Faith and Dr. Kevin Murphy, her physiotherapist and GABR founder

Brittnee couldn't ride but drove all the way to Bismarck to show her support!

Krysta gets fanned to cool off after her ride

Thanks for a great day! Peace out!

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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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An Unforgettable February!

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February started out as it typically does: very cold! This year, my parents and sister braved the weather to have a small get together for my birthday. Faith thought I needed another party like I had last year, but I told her 51 just wasn't as exciting! She also asked if her Auntie Tesa was going to fly up again.  Faith really does love a good party!  Accurate!  Dawn, Faith, and Me Dad practicing holding his arm for after shoulder surgery The next day, my parents took me to IHOP , which had recently opened here in Bismarck, but I hadn't had a chance to go yet. It did not disappoint. My pancakes, eggs, hashbrowns and coffee were all perfect!  I was glad to have gotten this meal in with my parents as two days later, my dad would be going through shoulder replacement surgery. We were all expecting him to be in and out on the same day, which is exactly what happened a couple of years ago when he had knee replacement surgery.  I, along with my siblings, was shocked t...
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We are right in the middle of Congenital Hearts Defect (CHD) Awareness Week, which runs from February 7th through 14th. I am glad to see so many posts on social media to help draw awareness! Many of those posts center around children with CHD, which is good as heart defects are the most common birth defect in the United States. But many people are unaware of how CHD affects adults. Hence, this blog post!  In 2010, there were 1.4 million adults in the United States living with congenital heart defects (CHD). Due to increased survival, this number increases by about 5% every year. These numbers are significant considering that at one time babies born with CHD had virtually no chance of becoming an adult. Thanks to surgical advances and research in pediatric cardiology in the past 50 years, most congenital heart defects have been able to be corrected. Today, babies born with heart defects have a much better outlook than they did 50, or even 15 years ago. February 7-14th is CHD Awar...
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Faith's 4 Year Day Program Anniversary

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