Ski program aims to help kids with disabilities
A group of miniature Yoopers aren’t letting anything stop them from enjoying the sport they love, despite some debilitating physical challenges that might otherwise keep them off the trails.
Jimmy is only seven-years-old but he’s been skiing for years. He not only competed in the Noquemanon Adaptive Race, he took home first place with his mom cheering him on.
“It’s an amazing program for our kids, my son has Spina Bifida and is partially paralyzed, it’s one of the few options in our area for kids like him to get exercise and have a sport that they can get into,” Molly Bennett, Jimmy’s mom, said.
Self-sufficient living for all kids is the objective of the Superior Alliance for Independent Living, or SAIL. Fun and relaxation is also a priority and this specially made and donated “sit-ski” helps them reach that goal.
“The whole thing can be adaptive, get longer, shorter, whatever you would like, take parts off. Then what is really cool is that sit ski can be taken off and go into a kayak, for someone to kayak in the summer,” Leah Ross said, who works at SAIL.
“It’s awesome to see him skiing and to see how much faster he has gotten over the years. He started when he was so little and could hardly make himself move and wasn’t quite big enough for the ski yet and now he just takes off, it’s really exciting,” Bennett said.
Volunteers in a variety of areas and skill sets are always needed in addition to monetary donations.
If you would like to lend a hand, contact the Superior Alliance for Independent Living at 906- 228-5744.