Andrew has been in ski training since he was born. During this time, an early intervention program provided physical and occupational therapies. One of my tasks was to make a list of goals for Andrew. I listed only ‘one’, and that was skiing. I think there was some surprise when I skipped listing the normal milestones as goals. When questioned, I told ’em that if he could ski then any other milestone must have been accomplished. I didn’t care if Andrew skied in a bucket chair, we would at least be out on the slopes. If we were going to share a lot of time together then my son might as well share the same hobbies as me. Selfish, maybe, but it made the future less daunting for me and in the end, healthier for Andrew.
Ski Training Comes in all Styles
When Andrew was about 18 months, I gave him a huge cup in the bathtub and watched him struggle to lift it up to pour water out. He was having a great time but I could see all the little muscles that were at work. He was having fun and had no idea that he was lifting weights. After that, I made an effort to watch what could be considered fun and strength training.
About age two, Andrew discovered that it was fun (?!) to drag the hose through the yard. Now, that takes some effort and muscles! The first time cold weather hit, I wiped down the hose and brought it indoors. Andrew’s physical therapist walked into the house and had to step over the pile of hose and then dumbfounded watched Andrew proudly dragged it around like a pet snake. He would drag part of the hose to one end of the hallway, hike back to pick up another section of hose, drag it to where the first half waited. He had to keep these steps up to get the entire hose in one spot. Then, he would decide he wanted it somewhere else. Never dreamed that I might one day, house a hose!
flying a low-tone Andrew in the air.
The Logistics
I was still skiing alone when Andrew started walking. I watched other parents skiing with their toddlers but with my back issues, I had no idea how I was going to lift Andrew up onto a chair lift. He was layered in winter clothes, had one end weighted with boots and skis and I still had to maneuver my own ski poles. I contemplated this problem for several more years. If anything, I was learning patience while Andrew was gaining coordination and height.
The weight stabilized the tower too!
Ski Training Patience Pays Off
I started looking for methods to help me get Andrew out skiing. Andrew turned eight at the beginning of winter which is also the starting age to join Special Olympics. Our county chapter had a ski program! We worked hard all those years and our goal from infancy was finally realized. Andrew, the youngest skier, at Special Olympics competed in Winter Games, at age eight. I made contact with the therapists who had worked with Andrew as an infant, just to let them know that our goal was realized! After all, they were part of this adventure too.
Think Long Term
It is true that anything is possible, if you think long term and step out of the norm. Dreams for our special kids might take a long time; I certainly hadn’t planned on our goal taking eight long years. Goals and dreams might come in ways that we hadn’t thought about, but you will never know unless you try. One of the ingredients in mountain moving faith is ‘patience’.
Sometimes it takes a community to raise our special kids.
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What goals are you working on with your children?
