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NEWRY — In a little over a month, on Saturday, March 25, more than 400 Maine Adaptive students, volunteers and community members will gather on the slopes of our host partner Sunday River, for our annual Ski-A-thon and to celebrate the accomplishments and success stories of disabled athletes of all ages, who participate in year-round adaptive sports.
Maine Adaptive provides free adaptive lessons in alpine and Nordic skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, paddling, cycling, tennis, golf, rock climbing, hiking and fishing.
The Ski-A-Thon, in its 32nd year, raises funds to provide equipment and programming to over 400 adults and children annually. For some people, new to Maine Adaptive, the daylong event serves as an introduction to the wonder of an adaptive program and gives people a chance to see the joy and freedom that this community enables, to “touch” the equipment and “feel” the impact of everyone coming together to make experiencing the outdoors a reality.
For others, it is the culmination of a season of effort and progress, from learning how to tackle another section of trail or to paddle to the Eagle’s Nest on Range Pond, or to finish a 10K-ride with the support of a team.
The day represents many different things to each member of the Maine Adaptive Community: an annual meeting, a family reunion, a closing ceremony or a fresh start. In reality, Maine Adaptive is a mosaic, a collection of individual pieces that come together to create joy, freedom and hope for everyone who partakes.
Throughout the winter, groups of up to five commit to supporting Maine Adaptive by securing donations and pledges as a Ski-A-Thon team.
For LINDA LEO, DON POTTER AND SARAH NORRIS of Otisfield, the program is a family affair. Linda led the way, as one of our most beloved volunteers, with more than 33 years under her belt. Her daughter, Sarah, joined the fun as a year-round Maine Adaptive participant in 2005. Not to be left out Linda’s husband, Don, joined the ranks in 2009. The trio has been on the team named “Cuddy’s Cut Ups” for countless years, together raising thousands of dollars. They are honored to represent the team that is named in memory of long-time Maine Adaptive supporter, Cuddy Cohen.
DICK LOVEJOY, 77 of Rumford, first arrived on the scene at Maine Adaptive in 2001. Right away, Dick made use of his connections at the New Page Mill, encouraging us to apply for grants and other means of support that the mill offered. He can always be counted on to offer worthy counsel and continues to be a steadfast advocate for our program (within the mill community and beyond). When the mill changed hands, Dick readily turned his efforts toward our annual Ski-A-Thon and became a member of the A-Team to raise funds which help to support this amazing program that Dick has been so dedicated to over the years.
BRYAN BETTNEY, 51, from Minot, is a year-round member of our adaptive community. Not only is Bryan a winter sport enthusiast, skiing with strength and endless energy since joining the program in 2012, and most recently as a member of our Adaptive Race Team, but he is also an avid summer athlete. He and his wife, Kelly, spend countless hours enjoying the sparkling water at Range Pond as well as luring fish at the Locks of Songo Pond.
When Bryan suffered a traumatic brain injury resulting from a fall in 2008, he thought his time as an outdoorsman was over, but Maine Adaptive has helped him to remain engaged with his sporting community. He shows impressive persistence throughout the year, including as a member of the Sled Dogs, the Ski-A-Thon team he is on with fellow Maine Adaptive participant, Darren Buker of Newry. Together, along with their family members, the two (who met and became friends while at Maine Adaptive) raise awareness and funds for the program that has helped them to remain active. Neither Bryan nor Darren can imagine a season without spending at least a few hours in the positive, life-changing atmosphere of Maine Adaptive.
BRUCE AND JOANNE MASON, from Auburn, are relative newcomers to the Maine Adaptive community. They started volunteering in 2015, and the pair hasn’t looked back since. In addition to driving countless hours along Route 26 to bring our community members to and from Sunday River each week, the couple volunteers their time throughout the year — they can be seen on the slopes together in the winter, and in the summer Joanne can often be found pedaling along Portland’s Back Bay Cove guiding adaptive athletes along the bike path. Joanne has also helped our adaptive athletes test their skills and courage as part of Team Maine Adaptive. Completing the Women’s Ride along with the Maine Adaptive Crew last June was a definite highlight for her.
ANITA EMERY, a 20-year-old from Raymond, started skiing as a participant when she was just 8. In her own words, “Maine Adaptive has helped me become a stronger skier and has encouraged me to be more confident.” Today, Anita is a strong competitor on the Adaptive Race Team and has continued to inspire others during the last three winters. In addition to the Race Team, Anita is a proud member of the Fall Line and Friends Ski-A-Thon Team.
She is joined on the team each year by her Maine Adaptive volunteers, Kathy and Peter Lowe. Anita’s father, Frank, a program volunteer and advocate, has a Ski-A-Thon team, too. The pair delights in taking part in a little family-friendly competition each year in an effort to raise additional dollars to support Maine Adaptive.
This year’s Ski-A-Thon theme is a Randonneé. In addition to hosting the inaugural “Something Bigger” New England Rando Race at the start of the day, Sunday River’s Grand Summit ballroom will be transformed into a picturesque alpine scene, with meals and live music to complete the landscape, including Bethel native Jewel Clark, who will be sharing her impressive yodeling skills throughout the day.
The Ski-A-Thon’s closing celebration, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., will honor the volunteer and participant of the year, and the individuals and businesses whose support allows everyone to experience the thrill of sport and outdoor activity each year.
For more information about volunteering or participating in our program, please visit: www.maineadaptive.org or contact us at info@maineadaptive.org or 800-639-7770.
TEN FUN FACTS ABOUT MAINE ADAPTIVE
* How much does it cost to be a Maine Adaptive participant?
All of our programs are free to the participants. Maine Adaptive raises monies needed through our annual fundraising event, the Ski-A-Thon. Private grants, an annual campaign and other fundraising events also help to supply the necessary equipment and lessons. All instruction is provided by well-trained, extremely generous volunteers.
* Does Maine Adaptive just offer skiing?
No. Maine Adaptive started 35 years ago as just a ski program. Six years ago, Maine Adaptive changed our name from Maine Handicapped Skiing to Maine Adaptive Sports & Recreation; a primary reason for that change was because we DO offer year-round outdoor recreation programs.
* Do you have to be a Maine resident to be involved with Maine Adaptive?
No. There are participants and volunteers from all over the country and a few that join us often from Italy, Switzerlan, and Canada. All who meet the criteria of having a permanent physical disability may participate, even if they come from Mars!
* Can you name six sports that Maine Adaptive offers?
Skiing – Nordic & alpine, snowboarding, hiking, biking, kayaking, fishing, rock climbing, wheelchair tennis, showshoeing and golf.
* How did Maine Adaptive begin?
35 years ago, orthopedic surgeon Chip Crothers, Les Otten, Charlie Stevens and Charles Roscoe realized there were people with physical disabilities that didn’t have the opportunity to enjoy skiing. With some ingenuity they created adaptive pieces of equipment to help a young skier. Since that time, the program, equipment and volunteers have continued to evolve, learn and grow.
* What age group does Maine Adaptive serve?
Anyone 4 years or older can participate with Maine Adaptive. Most recently, we had a participant who celebrated his 93rd birthday. Our volunteers span the generations, too!
* Maine Adaptive offers a few specialized programs that are very popular.
Veterans No Boundaries Adaptive Sports Camp (summer and winter), NEVI*Fest (Blind and Visually Impaired Ski Festival) and mono-ski training clinic/camp.
* Maine Adaptive is always looking at new opportunities and events for our volunteers and participants to achieve together.
Team Maine Adaptive is comprised of participants, volunteers and community members that, to date, have registered and completed: Beach to Beacon 10k (run); Bicycle Coalition of Maine – Women’s Ride & Lobster Ride (ride), The Trek Across Maine (ride), the Independence Run (ride/run), the Source 2 the Sea (paddle) and The Kelly Brush Century Ride (ride).
9. Heard of the Paralympics?
Maine Adaptive has had two of our participants compete internationally: Luba Lowery competed in Vancouver, Canada, and Lindsay Ball competed in Sochi, Russia.
10. Maine Adaptive has a competitive race team.
Fifteen athletes from age 8 to 60+ with multiple disabilities compete against other adaptive sports teams in races throughout the country.
