Blogger world. Do my sweet friend Amy a favor and read her post about an amazing organization she's become very involved in this year. Amy's a military wife and you may remember her from this previous guest post. Wounded warriors are near and dear to me and Amy's upcoming event will help support them and other disabled athletes. Read, help spread the word. Go cheer them on if you're in the D.C. area and if donate if you can.
Last May, a ski-patrol friend of mine, Tricia Hines, underwent an operation that would change her life forever: Her leg was amputated below the knee to end years of suffering from a serious joint condition.
As the snow began to fall this winter, Tricia worked with Two Top Adaptive Sports Foundation, a nonprofit based at Whitetail Resort in Mercersburg, Penn., to hit the slopes again with the help of a special prosthesis fitted to her ski boot. Two Top provides adaptive ski and snowboard lessons to disabled athletes, the majority of whom are wounded warriors recovering at nearby Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
On Feb. 10, Tricia will participate in the 100K Vertical Challenge, an endurance event in which 40-some skiers and boarders will descend 100,000 vertical feet in a day. That's 107 runs at Whitetail. She'll be part of a relay team with three other adaptive skiers—one using a prosthesis, two in monoskis—to attempt the feat, which aims to raise funds for and awareness of Two Top.
As the snow began to fall this winter, Tricia worked with Two Top Adaptive Sports Foundation, a nonprofit based at Whitetail Resort in Mercersburg, Penn., to hit the slopes again with the help of a special prosthesis fitted to her ski boot. Two Top provides adaptive ski and snowboard lessons to disabled athletes, the majority of whom are wounded warriors recovering at nearby Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
On Feb. 10, Tricia will participate in the 100K Vertical Challenge, an endurance event in which 40-some skiers and boarders will descend 100,000 vertical feet in a day. That's 107 runs at Whitetail. She'll be part of a relay team with three other adaptive skiers—one using a prosthesis, two in monoskis—to attempt the feat, which aims to raise funds for and awareness of Two Top.
Air Force Lt. Nathan Rimpf, a bilateral amputee, skis with Two Top. Photo courtesy of Two Top Adaptive Sports Foundation.
Tricia's group is one of many incredible stories to come out of the event. Her team is one of 10 foursomes attempting the relay—other participants include an all-military team, groups from D.C.-area ski shops, and many groups of D.C.-based ski patrollers. Thirty individuals will attempt to ski the entire 100,000 vertical feet this year, the third annual iteration of the event.
The first group of 100K challengers before the inaugural event in 2012. Photo courtesy of Two Top Adaptive Sports Foundation.
The first year I participated in the 100K Vertical Challenge, during the event's inaugural year in 2012, I did so for mostly selfish reasons—it sounded like an incredible challenge, and a great excuse to spend a work day making turns. But on the day of the 100K, my perspective changed when I saw Todd Love, a Marine who lost both his legs in Afghanistan, carving gorgeous turns on his sit-ski with us. Love learned to ski through Two Top, and to see the look of joy and freedom on his face—the same feelings that spurred me to participate in the first place—I found myself drawn to do everything I could to support this amazing, volunteer-run nonprofit.
Please take a moment to learn about Two Top and the incredible work it does for wounded warriors recovering at Walter Reed, and other amazing disabled athletes, such as my friend Tricia, by visiting its website. Also, take a minute to follow us on Twitter and to "like" us on Facebook. And if you're in a position to give, a tax-deductible donation to Two Top goes a long way—$320 pays for a wounded warrior to receive a full-day lesson, room and board and other services during a weekend with Two Top.
Amy Reinink is a freelance writer and volunteer ski patroller who splits her time between Washington, D.C., and Upstate New York. You can read more of her work at amyreinink.com, and can donate to her 100K effort by visiting the 100K website and clicking on "Team DYD."
Amy Reinink is a freelance writer and volunteer ski patroller who splits her time between Washington, D.C., and Upstate New York. You can read more of her work at amyreinink.com, and can donate to her 100K effort by visiting the 100K website and clicking on "Team DYD."
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