Image of HOC2 Glide from SpokesNMotion.com
Yes you can ski.
Wouldn't that be a great thing to see?
As I searched online for ski equipment for the disabled, I've found many, many remarkable stories of disabled people who have managed to ski despite the circumstances. One of these remarkable people is Alex Frol of Ashland High School in Oregon.
I could almost imagine her peering from the tint of her ski goggles. She takes a deep breath, clenches her fist, waits for the right moment and then moves. She glides with the speed of the wind, like she was the grandchild of gravity and the cousin of friction, yet smoothly married to the ice. With only one leg, she manages to balance herself through the weaves.
She weaves through the snow, like the movement of the symphony conductor's hand. Snow sprays to the left, then to the right and she narrowly misses an obstacle. The adrenaline rush gets the blood pumping even though I know that I'm only watching.
At the rate she is going, she's bound to make it to her dream of attending the 2018 Paralympic Games in South Korea.
But for many, dreams of Paralympic glory is a world away. What matters most is that feeling, that sublime feeling of living, feeling, breathing, touching and sometimes even rolling. That's the whole point of these equipment. There are many variants to be sure and the exciting thing about these all is their uniqueness and customizability to suit different people's specific needs.
There are Many More Variants of Ski Equipment for the Disabled or Adaptive Sports Equipment
Here's a short list I've compiled:
- Monoskis
- Bi-Skis Bi-Unique
- Outriggers
- Rider Bar Snowboards
- Snow Sliders
- Sno Wings
Every individual has different needs for different circumstances. Some may be averse to the risks involved in skiing and to some it may not be recommened at all. It would be best to consult a qualified medical professional before engaging in these.
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