Below are the responses to the patient that wanted to snow ski. Thanks for
all the good info and interest. I hope this info will be helpful to many.
The best ski program in the world for all types of disability is the National
Sports Center for the Disabled in Winter Park, CO. I’m a BK amputee, and
they’ve made me into an avid skier.
Teaching an AK to ski on two skis is a difficult task, much more so than for
a BK. But it is done with the use of an innovative device. I’m copying this
message to Ralph Fowler, an ACA Board Member who is an AK and who has
successfully used this device. He can tell you much more about how its done.
try contacting Bill Bieswinger in Colorado.ABC would have his number
Check with Michael Freeman at
He will be able to help or at least refer you to someone who can.
Where is the patient located? There are many Adaptive Ski programs all over
the country. My first thought is that he will probably do better with one
ski once he learns the proper technique, but there are Professionally
Certified Adaptive Ski Instructors that specialize in different disciplines.
For more information you can go to this link
http://www.parkcitymountain.com/winter/menu_06/06_National_Ability_Center/
If you have any other questions, I would be happy to help!
There is a ski school for amputees and folks with other disabilities at
Winter Park, CO. The adaptive skiing capitol of the world. My wife had a
great instructor at Indianhead in upper MI as well.
Ron Harding, bilateral amputee and ski instructor at Bear Mountain in Big
Bear, California. He can be reached on his mobile phone 909 217-6305. He is
also a Freedom Innovations representative which produces a Ski Foot. I’m
attaching a news release for your information. Good luck,
Has the patient considered a mono ski design both ski boots are attached
to one wide ski, after he masters its use then introduce two skis.
Jim Lagerstrom may be a good contact. He is a para-olompic BK skier.
He is also a sales representative for Becker and Ohio Willow Wood. His
e-mail address is [email protected] and his cell number is
1-313-598-0888.
I do not know where your patient lives, but there are several adaptive ski
programs around at different ski schools. In Southern California, there is one
at Big Bear mountain that is pretty good. They help any one from BK to AK to
paraplegics.
The only possible way your client could snow ski with two skis would be to
have the skis mechanically linked with an adjustable metal bar, attached to
each ski near the tips via a ball and socket joint on each ski. This would
prevent the ski tips from crossing or diverging. The best knee for this
purpose would be an Otto Bock C-Leg, adjusted to limit knee flexion to about
40 degrees. Outrigger poles may still be necessary. Good luck!
have taught a number of Above-Knee amputees, unilateral and bilateral to
Alpine skiover the past 30 years. I learned from the GURU of teachers and
teaching the physically challenged person – Hal O’Leary, PSIA, a
Professional Certified Ski Instructor and founder of the largest most
successful teaching for the physically challenged in the world. He is in
Winter Park Colorado, and his non-profit organization is the National Sports
Center for the Disabled is at the famed Winter Park Resort Ski Area.
Depending on her geographical location, there are a number of other trained
teachers that Hal or his staff at Winter Park could offer.
I suggest you contact him directly at [email protected] – he will be
able to direct you to the most advantageous instruction.
Yours in health and Prosthetics,
I am the prosthetist for OPGA and visit
independent practices in our membership for patient care clinics so we can
network our experiences throughout the US. I had the privilege of meeting a
gentleman that should be able to help you out. Former para-olympian skier
named GREG MANNINO. I met Greg at our patient care clinic in Albuquerque
last year. He actually works as a sales rep for Endolite and was there to
show the patients the benefits of their microprocessor knee. Spent the week
with him and he is one of the nicest and knowledgeable patient reps you
would want to work with. He lives in Eagle Colorado (Kobe Bryant trial
country!). Contact Greg and see if he has the ability to work with your
patient directly, or if not, I know he will hook him up with someone
qualified who can. He is a tremendous guy and would love to at least talk
with your patient. I call directly to Endolite and ask them how to contact
Greg. He wears both the Mercury Knee and the Adaptive. He perspectives on
both were very helpful to me clinically. I do not know if you are one of our
members or not. If there is anything OPGA could do for your practice, just
let me know. Good luck and happy skiing to your patient.
Beech mountain ski resort has an excellent adaptive ski school. Beech
mountain is in North Carolina and has artificial snow for those snowless
days. Dee Thomas is the head instructor and probably one of the nicest person
you will meet. Hope this is helpful.
Contact the Ability Center in Park City Utah. Or Winter Park. Both have
good disabled ski programs. Usually Trans femorals use out riggers but I
have never known of any that ski with 2 skis. That includes the most
athletic in the world.
I know there is an amputee ski program in the East at Snowshoe in West
Virginia and I believe there is s program at Winterplace in Colorado.
You might try Ron Harding, who is a bilateral BK, but also a certified
instructor. You can reach him through Freedom Innovations at (888)
818-6777.
It is either at Snow Valley or Snow Summit in the San Bernardino
Mountains in California. The adaptive rehabilitation Recreation center
is located there. I have the number at my office, if this will help
There is a wonderful disabled ski program at Winter Park in Colorado. I know
they do a lot with amputees.
Thanks,
Glen Waldner, LPO
