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News and Information about the People and Programs of SFL International
Skiing. Sharing. LearningThe mission of Ski for Light is to enhance the quality of life and independence of visually or mobility-impaired adults through a program of cross country skiing.
As many of you will recall, when Ski for Light last visited Colorado in 2011, we experienced a week of frigid temperatures and held our race/rally in near blizzard conditions. Thankfully, the temperatures during this year's event were in the 30's and low 40's, and all readings were above zero. The very competent and very friendly staff at Snow Mountain Ranch accommodated all of our needs and the grooming of the trails was immaculate. The combination of solid tracks, abundant sunshine, beautiful surroundings, and enthusiastic participation from more than 250 members of the SFL family, helped to create a joyous celebration for our 40th anniversary.
As an all-volunteer organization, we rely on the commitment and dedication of many. This year we were led by event chair Cara Barnes. Over a period of 10 months, leading up to the International Week, Cara was constantly making necessary arrangements, solving problems, assisting and motivating other members of the planning team, and always leading by example. Thanks Cara and planning committee.
"The joy of skiing" was expressed through the energy and enthusiasm that filled the tracks on the Snow Mountain Ranch trails. Throughout the week, first time visually and mobility impaired participants and guides embraced the SFL philosophy and spirit. SFL veterans greeted one another with hellos and hugs and enthusiastically welcomed first timers into our community. Of course we also experienced plenty of joy off the snow through evening programs and many social activities. One of the highlights was a concert by special long-time friend Jim Salestrom. Jim debuted a new song written in honor of our 40th anniversary. You can listen to this song and view photos from the event by following links on our home page www.sfl.org.
There was one major disappointment. Due to the lack of accessible rooms at our event hotel, members of our mobility impaired group and their guides were housed at the YMCA of the Rockies. Cara and several very dedicated volunteers arranged for and provided special transportation that made it possible for the entire group to be together for dinner and evening programs. However, this was not an ideal arrangement and our leadership learned some important lessons from this experience. Special thanks to Marie Houston for facilitating our housing at the Y and to housing coordinator Nicole Haley for her assistance - and to all of the mobility impaired participants and their guides who accepted this situation.
Looking ahead, plans are underway for SFL 2016 to return to Shanty Creek Resorts in Bellaire, Michigan, January 24 - 31, 2016. Be sure to check our website in mid-July for more details.
Goals for this past year were to increase financial support, continue to improve all aspects of our skiing program, and enhance our relationship with regional programs. While we continued to receive generous support from many of our faithful donors, I had hoped to be more successful in achieving this goal. This year we will increase our efforts. Thanks to Laura Oftedahl for volunteering to coordinate this work.
Under the leadership of Ken Leghorn, and with assistance from guide training coordinators Doug and Lynda Boose, our instructional and technique sessions for guides and visually impaired skiers were significantly expanded and extremely well received. We also added a link on our website to a podcast entitled Preparing to Cross-Country Ski
The goal of enhancing our relationship with regional programs was led by Bob Civiak. During the year, Bob established contact with the president of each of nine regionals. Last fall, Bob and I participated in a productive exchange of ideas through a teleconference with representatives from 7 of the nine regionals. Bob also took the lead in securing a grant from the Gibney Family Foundation. This grant funded new scholarships to support a first time participant or guide from each regional to attend the International Week. Three regionals participated in this new program. Many thanks to the Gibney Family Foundation for generously funding this important project.
Continued work on each of these goals along with work on several new initiatives that were discussed in our annual board meeting in January will guide our work throughout the year.
Here's thanking everyone who contributes time, money and energy to this amazing and life changing organization.
Wishing everyone a happy and safe spring.
Ski for Light Focuses on Abilities Not Disabilities
I knew the day would come when I would have to leave my nursing career as I continued to lose my vision to Retinitis Pigmentosa. The idea of an early retirement was very scary and I wondered what I would do with myself all day. But I was determined to make the most of this transition and re-invent myself. I set out to find opportunities to get physically fit, learn new skills, and explore new interests. Then I learned about Ski For Light from Mary Hiland, a friend who is also keen on new adventures. She has been attending Ski for Light for many years. This opportunity was exciting and affordable and I did not hesitate to sign up.
Though I had never skied before, the website encouraged first-timers and promised we would learn the basics from our guides. I loved the idea of learning a winter sport and visiting a beautiful place. I joined a gym and began to exercise regularly so I would not embarrass myself. Mary and other veteran SFL ladies suggested working on balance, stamina and core strength. They gave me pointers on what to wear, how to pack and just what to expect at the 2015 International Ski for Light event in Granby, Colorado.
SFL 2015 was an amazing week of cross-country skiing under big, blue skies in the Rocky Mountains. We enjoyed well-groomed trails, sunny days, beautiful snow, and crisp mountain air. I am so thrilled to have had this opportunity to ski for the first time in my life. I had no idea whether I would be able to do it but as it turns out, I can ... even at my age (I'm not saying what that is, but I've retired from a nearly 30-year career as a nurse) and with the little bit of vision I have left! It was a memorable week which taught me I can do more than I think I can.
Lynn Cox was my guide. She was so encouraging and patient as she taught me everything from how to put on my skis to how to do the snow plow. In a short time, we became good friends and enjoyed our time on the trails. Lynn has been coming to SFL for many years, volunteering her time at her own expense, to guide and teach visually impaired skiers. The guides are accomplished skiers who are dedicated to the SFL philosophy and trained to work with the visually impaired. We are treated with respect, dignity, and full inclusion. It is easy to forget you are visually impaired while at SFL and that is a wonderful thing!
As it turns out, I have a special talent for falling safely and popping up quickly. While this is an important skill, it was not the one at which I wanted to excel. All week, I tried to fall less and ski more smoothly. I set goals for myself and worked to do my personal best. I improved each day; skiing farther, faster, and with fewer falls with the support and encouragement from Lynn at my side.
By rally day, I was excited about skiing the 5K trail and posting a respectable time. When I crossed the finish line, I could not stop the swell of emotions I felt. Someone placed a beautiful medal around my neck and cheers and cowbells rang out all around me. I was proud of myself for accomplishing this feat, but I was also overcome with gratitude to Lynn and SFL for making it all possible. I completed the rally in my fastest time of the week. That is what it is all about: learning your limits and then pushing past them! I have a lot more to learn and hope to master that darn "snow plow" next year.
I met many inspiring people and was a part of something special at SFL in Granby. Harald Vik is 72 years old, deaf-blind and from Norway. He has been coming to SFL for years. Last summer he was hit by a car while riding a tandem bike with other friends from Ski for Light; he had come to the U.S. specifically for the four-day bike ride and had just set off on the first leg of the trip. He was determined to be at this year's event. I met him out on the trails making his way after months of rehab and therapy. I call him "Amazing Harald." And one day, I was passed up by Charlie Wirth, a 94 year old gentleman who is totally blind and has been coming to SFL for more than 20 years. Way to stay young and active, Charlie!
Yes, the disabled skiers were inspiring to me ... but so were the dedicated guides and volunteers who come back year after year with such a heart of service and passion for this excellent program.
I plan to be in Michigan for next year's event. I will be looking for skis to purchase and keeping up with my fitness routines: tandem cycling, yoga, hiking and gym time. I cannot wait to get out in the snow again! And to think I was worried about retirement ... ha! I am having a blast!
We were thrilled at the great response to our Summer Activities query, especially by the broad range of fun you are all going to have! And these are just the folks who wanted to share - we know there are lots more Ski for Lighters who will be doing lots more all spring, summer and fall. All we ask is that you pursue these activities with the same passion and love of learning and growing that you bring to Ski for Light - and be safe! Have a great summer.
I am training and then traveling to New York City to participate in The Great Saunter on Saturday May 2. This event is a walk around Manhattan Island - all 32 miles of shoreline. You can learn more about it by going to the sponsoring organization's web site at www.shorewalkers.org
Planning to do some fishing in Northern Arizona, on the beautiful Mogollon Rim.
Later this summer (September), Lynnie and I will return to Bimini Island, The Bahamas, for another week-long swim with wild dolphins. We did this last year with a fantastic crew of conscientious, knowledgeable, experienced people from WildQuest www.wildquest.com who do this 30 weeks out of the year. Last year we saw, heard, and snorkeled with spotted and bottlenose dolphins multiple times every day. These creatures are highly evolved, intelligent, and very intuitive of the humans in their midst.
I'm going to be a torch-bearer in Collingwood for the Pan Am/Para Pan Am Games on June 11th. And on June 20th I'm guiding a blind friend in part of the Mayo Midnight Marathon in the Yukon.
Lots of running, including the New York Marathon November 1.
James and I will be spending a week at the Craftsbury Sculling Camp in Vermont in July to celebrate our 10th anniversary. That's where we spent our honeymoon in 2005.
I am in training for my first triathlon. It is a sprint triathlon called the outdoor divas. Last summer, I was the swimmer on an all blind relay team for a triathlon. This experience got me really excited about completing a triathlon on my own.
I am training for the Paralympics. I will be competing in Judo tournaments this summer. I am also signed up to volunteer at a youth Paralympic event in Billings Montana April 25.
May 9 is the Holmenkollen relay in Oslo. Disabled participants will have two teams, one with wheelchairs and one with blind runners. I guide runners.
Hopefully, a 50-mile bike ride but already in April definitely a half marathon.
Two things, I go birding all around South Carolina. I bird by ear and travel with nature photographers who describe the light, colors, scenery, and animals. Second, I will attend a poetry workshop. Thanks to SFL, January 2011, I connected with a Voice Over tutor and now I write easily with my blue tooth headset and wireless keyboard.
White water kayaking. Been practicing staying underwater for a long time for those times when you just can't roll right away. Hoping to paddle around Manhattan, run the Hudson River Gorge and the Quechee Gorge (not far from Bob Civiak's) this year, but also determined not to drown.
Joanne Jorud and I will again coach special Olympic bocce this summer in Alexandria, Minnesota.
I have been selected for a once in a lifetime opportunity to raft the Colorado River through Grand Canyon this spring. The trip is being organized by Daring Adventures, and you can learn more and even help out at www.daring-adventures.org
This summer I am going to Spain for a month and a half to hike the Camino de Santiago de Compostela.
In Seattle, Washington, Vision Loss Connections is partnering with Mt. Baker Rowing and Sailing Center on Sunday, July 12 for a day of rowing for "People who are Visually Impaired"!
Two or three 5k runs; fishing, kayaking on my lake, hiking up North.
Join in the campaign! Now that we've put away our winter gear, it's time for Ski for Light to raise funds to support next year's event. The actual cost of making Ski for Light happen each year greatly exceeds what attendees pay to be there, even though all of us are working for free. We need your help now to keep the event affordable for everyone.
Consider a tax-deductible donation as an investment in the future of SFL. How?
You can go to the Ways to Donate page on the SFL website and make your donation electronically, or you can send a check
to:
Ski for Light, Inc.
1455 West Lake Street
Minneapolis MN 55408
And help us expand our circle of friends by asking friends, families, colleagues and employers to give as well.
Thank you for your support!
I was honored, humbled and extremely surprised when Ski for Light offered me the opportunity to attend the 52nd annual Ridderrenn. I had the pleasure of being with fellow team members Deng Kong, Betty Johnson and Larry Behne along with Astrid Mullen, Bjorg Dunlop, Brenda Seeger, Charlie Wirth, Gunvor Satra and Marion Elmquist. Before and during the trip, Marion did a wonderful job coordinating the myriad of details it takes a group of people to travel, especially internationally.
Throughout the trip, we were treated to amazing hospitality - we met too many generous and kind people to count much less try to mention here. Notably for me, though, were the women and men of the King's Guard who seemed to be everywhere in Beitostolen, the mountain town where the Ridderrenn is held, assisting with all things skiing as well as the volunteers at the Ridderrennet information desk who were still willing to answer my many questions as the week progressed. And, of course, there was all the delicious food - new for me were reindeer meatballs, fish soup and Norwegian hotdogs wrapped in lefse.
During the Ridderweek, both the biathlon and 20k race were new experiences for me. I really enjoyed the challenge of trying to aim the laser-based rifles to hit the audible target but my best efforts resulted in a miss more often than not. A future Ski for Light biathlon, anyone?
The 20k Ridderrenn race was another totally new experience for me. As an admittedly leisurely skier who is still learning some of the basic techniques of skiing, I've never skied that far in one day and had some serious doubts about whether I could. Deng and I were fortunate to be skiing with Betty and Larry (both accomplished and experienced ski racers) who generously shared their advice and encouragement. One of the highlights of the trip for me was actually finishing the race.
For almost the entire week, the skiing conditions (and the weather for the most part) were so wonderful that during the 5k and Ridderrenn races, I literally found myself forgetting that I was competing in a race.
During one of the afternoons early on in the week, a few of us took an impromptu self-guided tour of the Beitostolen Health Sports Center. We wandered into several adaptive sports in-progress, played a few spirited rounds of a game resembling Ping-Pong and discovered an indoor climbing wall (on which some of us couldn't resist climbing just high and long enough to stage a photo). Later in the week, we watched some of the downhill slalom competition and had the chance to talk with some of the competitors -- when they were finished competing and already at the bottom of the hill.
After we returned to Oslo from Beitostolen, we had time to do some sightseeing. We benefited from Marion's experienced and informed tour guiding and Larry's professional expertise as a building contractor - he both verbally and tactilely explained in detail the intricacies of how many of the buildings we encountered were built which was especially helpful as we toured the Folk Museum. I really enjoyed learning more about the history of skiing (including many skis we could touch) while visiting the ski museum and ski jump at Holmenkollen. While some people may disagree with me, I'm glad that someone came up with the idea - back in 1892 - of skiing with two poles instead of just one. We also had the chance to visit the opera house, a stunning work of contemporary architecture by a Norwegian firm, and admire the architecture and artwork in the Oslo City Hall, the building where the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded.
Thank you very much Ski for Light for such a memorable and truly once-in-a-lifetime experience!
The Ridderrenn - the Hidden Story
By Deng Kong
OK, just kidding. Deng wrote such a great summary of the week that we wanted to share it with all. - P.S.
Norway was great - and it was a long, long, long way from Seattle!!! Smile. There were more than 900 people from 12 countries at the Ridderrenn this year, including the ten SFL attendees. The sun shone every day we were there, and we couldn't have asked for better weather or snow conditions for skiing. We skied 10k every day except the last day.
The king's guards were everywhere and more than eager to assist. They built snow benches for folks to have lunch, hang out, served drinks on the trails, waxed skis, helped people get through the food lines, drove people to and from the ski area, carried bags - in other words, they were wonderful. These are students who are required to serve their country for at least 12 months.
During an excursion to the Health Sports Center, we found a chapel which was built from bricks and logs and had a glass ceiling. The logs were very smooth on the inside and quite rough on the outside. It was very quiet and peaceful inside.
On our second day out, we were told to get off the ski area by 2 pm because the snow and wind storms were coming and the mountain race was canceled on that day. To fill our afternoon, we decided to explore Beitostolen, and found a small mountain town with a few shops and restaurants, a pizzeria, a bank, two supermarkets, several hotels, cabins, and a small downhill ski area. Things are very expensive! Their national costume, the bunad, runs as much as 10,000 US dollars.
On day three, we participated in a 5k biathlon, the first of the 3 competitions for the week. It included 2 stops for target shooting with a sound-aimed laser rifle. We skied 2k, stopped to shoot 5 shots, skied 2 more k, then another stop for shooting (5 shots), then skied the last k to finish the competition. To shoot, we had to lie prone with skis on. For those who have never done this and might be wondering how the heck it works, -You form your skis into a v-shape, lower yourself down on your knees, and elbows and then onto your tummy. Using a headset to hear the audio guidance, you move the rifle up/down/left/right looking for a certain sound and when you hear it, you squeeze the trigger. I found out that I can ski but I am a lousy shot! I missed all 10!
One evening, the king's guards were inside the hotel marching up and down the hallways. Larry and I followed them and at one point encountered an impromptu snake dance.
During the Ridderrenn on the final day, I found myself competing in a category that included many Norwegian Paralympics athletes. I decided to ski at a leisurely pace, enjoy the day, the sun, and the snow and let the others kill themselves trying to be the first to finish. I completed the course in 3 hours and 4 minutes - and I have never been so eager in my 30 years of skiing to be rid of my skis and poles!
While I am sure for many participants, that evening's awards ceremony was important because they learned who had skied well in each category; for us, the highlight of this ceremony was a tribute to our own Charlie Wirth for being the oldest participant - 94! However, both he and his guide (Gunvor Satra) were nodding off when the announcer asked him to come up to the podium. When they both awoke, Charlie started to walk in one direction with a smile on his face (even though he had no clue about what was going on) and Gunvor started to walk in another. Once he finally made it to the podium, Charlie was presented with a crystal platter made by a very famous company in Sweden.
For the entire week in Beitostolen, the food was fantastic and the desserts - my-oh-my - to die for! We did not eat, we gorged! But I didn't put on any extra pounds the entire time I was there - the power of exercise!
After leaving Beitostolen, we enjoyed sightseeing in Oslo and the great sense of Norwegian - and cross-country skiing - history that we took in. But it was soon time to return home, and a very long trip it was again back to Seattle. But - Yes! I would do it again!
This summer four or five of the nine SFL Regional affiliates are offering some kind of outdoor activities and programs.
or
Donna GoodmanThey are always looking for new/additional guides as well as blind or visually impaired participants. Check their website at www.nepasfl-sfh.org for the latest information.
For additional information about spring, summer, and fall programs from any of the nine regional SFL organizations, please visit the Regional Round-Up page on the SFL website. For early planners, information about several of next winter's events is already posted or will be soon.
Our thanks go to the following companies that have provided products or services to help support Ski for Light. Many of these companies have stood behind us for years - and we're grateful. Be sure to think of our friends when you're gearing up for your next adventure.
JanSport * Acorn * Blue Ridge Chair Works * Camelbak * Clif Bar * Columbia * Cowbells.com * Crazy Creek * Dansko * Darn Tough Socks * Eagle Creek * Fox River Mills * Haiku * Honey Stinger * Hydro Flask * Kavu * Leki * Live Eyewear * Olly Dog * Patagonia * PEET Shoe Dryers * Peppers Polarized Eyewear * Polar Bottle * Powertraveller * Ruffwear * Sierra Designs * SportHill * Tiger Tail Massagers * Toko US
Special thanks to: Fram Lodge #3-564, Sons of Norway
The SFL Bulletin is published three times a year. It is available in
ink-print or via e-mail. If you wish to change
formats, please send your request to: bulletin@sfl.org
The current as well as past issues of the Bulletin are also available online at www.sfl.org/bulletin. In addition to an online edition that may be read in your browser, you will find a downloadable pdf version of the current issue.
For future Bulletins, remember that your contributions and feedback are always most welcome. You may submit articles as e-mail or as a word attachment; if you do not have e-mail, you may send a typed article through the mail. Send all items to:
Peter SlatinThe deadline for the Summer 2015 Bulletin is July 1, 2015. We look forward to hearing from you.
Ski for Light, Inc. is a registered trademark. All rights reserved.