HUNTSVILLE — While the opening ceremonies for the Paralympic Games in Italy were underway, volunteers and instructors with Ogden Valley Adaptive were celebrating by helping many of its athletes get on the slopes at Snowbasin. And just as much as anyone else there, program coordinator “Feet” Jensen understands how the slopes can provide opportunities and help regain confidence.
“I got blown up in Iraq 17 years ago,” Jensen explained. “I first learned to snowboard on two prosthetics, which is very hard. I’m an above-the-knee amputation on one side and a below the knee on the other. So, it was very hard.”
“Feet” Jensen, Program Manager at Ogden Valley Adaptive, was injured in an explosion in Iraq. (Mike Anderson, KSL)
But Jensen said Ogden Valley Adaptive helped him find another way to become more active.
“When my friends suggested skiing, I had a lot of doubts,” Jensen said. “But I after learning how to do it, I kind of got the snow bug, and he convinced me to sit down in the ski, and it’s just been downhill ever since.”
On Friday afternoon, the nonprofit’s instructors and volunteers helped several clients race against their own best times — some of them with hopes of eventually competing for the Paralympic Games. Alicia Wilson, who couldn’t even leave her house during the pandemic, said skiing has changed her life.
“I have a few rare diseases. Two of them are neuromuscular, and so I have a lot of weakness in my legs, and stamina doesn’t come easy,” Wilson explained. “It has been spectacular to get out in the outdoors and be able to do things that I didn’t think were ever possible.”
Alicia Wilson is beaming as she heads to the lifts for a run Friday afternoon. (Mike Anderson, KSL)
Initially, Wilson needed help and guidance to stay up. Nowadays, she skis mostly on her own, enjoying a newfound stamina and sense of independence.
“I have the biggest grin when I’m skiing,” Wilson said. “And I don’t think the grin leaves for like, a month. I’m just grinning from ear to ear.”
Brandon Flint, Executive Director at Ogden Valley Adaptive said skiing is just one small piece of its mission, as it works to help people with disabilities get out and get active year-round, in a wide variety of sports and activities.
“We believe that everybody belongs in the outdoors, whether it be skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing or in the summertime, mountain biking or just playing outside,” Flint said.
An instructor with Ogden Valley Adaptive guides a client on a sit-ski, Friday. (Mike Anderson, KSL)