As the season wraps up one of our participants - Deborah wanted to share her story. A big Shout Out to #baldymountainresort for all of your support and of course our amazing Volunteers.
Deborah's Story...
Seven years ago, Parkinson’s entered my life and now my world is very different.
I am now struggling with dyskinesia (involuntary movements of the body) and unpredictable times when my medication stops working which results in anxiety and dystonia (involuntary painful contraction of muscles). What does dystonia look like for me - my toes on my left foot curl-under, it is very painful and I find it extremely difficult to walk. This has resulted in challenges for me to participate in a lot of activities like walking, hiking, and swimming.
I used to be a Ski Patrol and I wondered if I could still down-hill ski because the mechanics of skiing are very different than walking. I had stopped down-hill skiing because I was very anxious that my left leg would not do what I wanted it to do and anxiety is not your friend when you are skiing down a mountain.
In March of 2023 - I joined the Baldy Blue Jays Adaptive Snow Program. I reached out to Louise, the administrator of the Baldy Blue Jays Adaptive Snow Program who talked to me about my fears and how the ski instructor would help me overcome these challenges.
On my first lesson, my ski instructor Ralph took me out for a 2-hour lesson and was very encouraging and patient. The powder snow was deep and I fell down many times. Ralph was right there beside me and patiently waited for me to ask for help.
On my second lesson I could feel my confidence building. Ralph gave me lots of tips about what to do about my left leg that kept wandering. On my third lesson Nancy, another Baldy Blue Jays Adaptive Snow Program instructor joined Ralph to ski with us and she was also very encouraging. I told Ralph and Nancy how my goal was to ski a black diamond run on my next lesson.
On my fourth lesson, Ralph supported me to ski in snow conditions that were not ideal (wind blown and crusty). I told Ralph that I was anxious about the ski conditions and that I would not be skiing a black diamond run. Ralph was patient and encouraging, and on my last run I conquered a black diamond run!!!
Thank you, Mount Baldy, for sponsoring the Baldy Blue Jays Adaptive Snow Program - I will be encouraging more people with Parkinson's to register next year!
And most importantly, thank you Ralph for your patience, skill and encouragement - this experience has really enriched the quality of my life.
Warm regards, Deborah
#baldymountainresort #adaptivesnowsports #adaptiverecreation #peopleinmotionkelowna #osoyoosconnect
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