“It is hard to find the words to describe how I felt yesterday. It reminded me of the first time I walked (again) and the powerful emotions it created. There were times yesterday and Friday when I truly felt free and not confined to prosthetic legs.
I can’t say enough about the incredibly positive experience Melissa and I had with CAF and Higher Ground. The generosity, the competence, and the care was just all top shelf. I truly feel blessed to have come into your collective orbit.
Honestly I didn’t know what to expect of myself. Although I was trying to maintain a positive attitude, occasional doubts crept in, and I questioned if (especially as a bilateral BKA) I could really ski as before. But I had seen videos on YouTube with clips of bilateral BKAs being able to ski the first day they tried. I thought, if others could do, why not me?
My prosthetist (Brian Greer, owner of Mobility Prosthetics in SLC) was absolutely amazing! He helped me find the BioDaptive Alpine foot and even found a way to bill it to my insurance. Not only was he extremely supportive but on Wednesday (my first lesson) he drove 5 hours to be in Sun Valley, helping me with any adjustments, and being there to support me. His use of technology to create extremely well fitting sockets, along with his complete attentiveness and responsiveness to ALL my questions (days, nights, weekends, even while he’s on vacation) and all my text messages. I would seriously consider investing in his company because of the unique approach which is seen with distain by many experienced prosthetists (although Brian has 20 years experience himself). He’s got a product and process like no other!
So, Wednesday Brian met me at the hotel, adjusted my sockets and feet to three different lengths of skis (I came prepared!), and then joined me at the hill. Cheyanne and Benji from Higher Ground were patient, experienced, and highly competent instructors. I do have to say my first hour or so of trying to go up the very gradual incline on the magic carpet and then trying to ski back down was discouraging. Getting up was SO hard and it seemed to take all my strength. But all were very encouraging and I wasn’t about to quit!
By the end of day one I was able to successfully get on and off the ski lift and actually ski down a very basic slope. Regardless of how much it hurt, it felt amazing good, just to know that I could make it down the run.
Thursday Cheyanne suggested I try outriggers instead of ski poles. That made all the difference. I wasn’t putting so much pressure on my limbs and it improved my posture, my confidence, and my capability! By the end of Thursday Melissa and I were skiing together from the top of Dollar Mountain. We were both emotional at the ability to regain that part of our lives we had boxed up, put in a corner, and tried not to mourn its loss. At the end of Thursday Cheyanne and Benji quietly consulted and then proposed I meet them at the main mountain on Friday, asking if I thought I could do it. I honestly had no idea but wasn’t going to stop!
The weather Friday was perfect blue skies, no wind, and temps in the mid to upper 20’s. We took the lift which went about 1/4 of the way up the mountain and was just a longer, slightly steeper, beginner’s run. Alan, I was able to ski it! I was able to handle steeper terrain, make my turns, and not fall down quite as much.
Cheyanne and Benji asked how my legs were feeling and how many more runs I had in me. In response to my reply of two or three, I was challenged to leave it all on the field and go to the top top of the mountain (over 9,000’ elevation, with a 3,000’ vertical drop, over about 1.5 miles). I couldn’t say no but my apprehension increased as we went up, up, up, up…much, much farther than I imagined!
I got off the lift, we took some great pictures at the summit, and started down. I was so tired but equally thrilled. I kept going, they quit coaching, and we just skied! The feeling of gratitude for all the people who’s support got me to that point is extremely humbling! By the tine we made it down, the lifts had closed, and we called it a day. But oh, what a day! Within 72 hours I went from the most basic of beginners, with waning confidence, and pain because of injured pride and body, to a skier that went to the top of the mountain.
Again, I can’t say enough positive about the gift of the CAF grant, the quality of the Higher Ground program, and a prosthetist who helped make it happen.
(I’m attaching a couple pictures and videos of the experience.)
Alan, thank you for being such a source of encouragement and support. Melissa and I are now preparing for the bucket list trip, using my frequent flyer miles, to ski the Alps at the end of the month.
Although I know there are always set backs, the forward momentum is picking up speed. I will continue to press my limits and take calculated chances on my course to personal satisfaction and a renewed, full life with Melissa.” – Russ
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Russ
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