Last Monday was one of the best days of the season at Shawnee Peak. For 11 students in the Adaptive Ski Program sponsored by Shawnee Peak, this was the last day of their 7-week program and they were all headed to Rabbit Run. This was the first slope they had tried that had a chair lift.
The program got new life in the RSU four
years ago when physical therapist Blake agreed to take the program over.
Students at Windham Middle School, Jordan-Small Middle School and Windham High
School who are involved in the Life skills and in the Autism programs hit the
slopes on Mondays for two and a half hours.
The program is paid for by the special
education department at RSU14. “It’s really inexpensive for what they get,”
said Blake. For the 7-weeks, including volunteers and rentals, a lift ticket
and use of the lodge, the cost is $50 per student.
“It’s
not just about the skiing. It’s about ethics, behavior and posture. They put on
the equipment and it’s a multi-faceted life skill,” said Blake. “We’re doing
more than going down the mountain.”
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“It
gets these kids out in the fresh air. It’s physical activity and socialization.
Doctors have said a lot of these kids have improved balance greatly since
starting this program,” said co-director Charles Scribner. “Before kids like
this were institutionalized and never had the opportunity.” The other director,
who was also supervising, is Ross Graham.
The students all started on the magic
carpet slope that uses a conveyer belt to move the skiers to the top of a small
hill.
The goals of the program are to be
independent, have fun and stay safe,” said Scribner.
“The non-skiers are invaluable,” Blake
said of the two staff members who attended the program to help the skiers on
and off the chairlift as well as assist with equipment issues.
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“I liked fun and being outside, and a
day off from school,” said Ben Silva, 13, from Windham Middle School.
Shawnee Peak’s Adaptive Ski Program sees
16 different groups Monday through Friday, with three groups each day. The
non-profit sees 100 skiers from elementary school to adults who take advantage
of the program. Ten to 13 volunteers supplement the school departments that
can’t find enough adults to ski with the students.
Although no one used one from RSU14, the
program also has a bi-ski for wheelchair bound skiers in addition to the other
adaptive equipment.
Volunteer Glenn Yale joined the program
two years ago. Some of the skiers are apprehensive, but we tell them “I won’t
let you get hurt. It’s about building up trust,” he said. “I’m thankful for the
program.”
“At first it was pretty scary, but then
it turned out to be okay,” said Cameron Malone, 13, from Windham Middle School,
who said his favorite part of skiing was the chair lift.
Not all of the students stayed on the
Rabbit Run, choosing to head to the top of the mountain to show off their
skills.
Fifteen-year-old Lucas Maloney-Spiller
from Windham High School had a fun ski day. “We went all the way to the top. We
had the best time. We laughed. I hit jumps,” he said. He has been involved in
the program for two or three years and said that he gets better every year. The
best part of skiing for him, “Going all the way to the top to see the mountains
and the view.”
The program at Shawnee Peak is 25 years
old, said Scribner. “Most of these kids look forward to coming,” he added. Some
students continue to ski after the program is over. “I’m sorry that most won’t
have an opportunity to do it on their own.”
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“We measure the progress with smiles
here,” Curns said.
The next adventure for these students is
getting ready for the Special Olympics swim meet April 3 and then the Special
Olympics track meet at Bonny Eagle on May 1. This year they will also attend
the state meet at Orono from June 5 to 7.
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