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Show IhH ivimwuV. ,&!3abV ,il;kuvi0 dial! Tfce Daily Utsli Oveskb, tfcdscsday, HavcsST Pae Sixteen M -- lieO dT 14, Iw Hobby develops irtto teiniDeappsdl sM progirsim by AUrva Dickie Chronicle stafT A special program at Snowbird Resort gives handicapped people the chance to learn to ski. The program began seven years ago and was the rainchild of Peter Mandler, who is die director of the handicapped skier program. In the beginning it was a hobby for Mandler, but as the the program caught on, he decided to branch out. "Last year the program doubled in size, and this year it has really gone nuts said Mandler. With 22 instructors, he says he'll barely get by. The oiain purpose of our program is to work with the kids in an open atmosphere, he said. Even though learning to ski is a major goal, Mandler says letting them get out and enjoy themselves in an open, mainstream atmosphere is the number one goal. "We deal with all types of disabilities at any age level. We don't turn anybody away," said Mandler. They have worked with developmental disabled students, blind students, deaf students, students who have cerebral palsy, students with spina bifida as well as one autistic child. He said they also have many paraplegic and amputee students. Many of these special skiers require unique equipment designed to compensate for their disability. Mandler has sleds for people with no use of their lower body. The sleds are designed to be maneuvered like skis. This equipment is specially made and usually very expensive. Private donations help purchase some of the necessary equipment. Another piece of equipment, called the outrigger, is for amputee skiers. An outrigger is like a crutch with a short ski attached to the end to give the skier support and stability. "We also have devices to keep the tips of the skis together for those students who don't have the strength to do it themselves,' said Mandler. The handicapped ski program has been a rewarding and exciting experience for Mandler. "There are a lot of personal rewards, like the looks on the kids faces when they accomplish something they never thought they could.' J person. The instruction is one on one, meaning one student to one ski instructor. The instructors use a teaching method very similar to the one used for regular ski school students. Mandler says the handicapped person starts out at the same level as the regular skier and progresses. "Some skied off the Tram last year,' be said. Classes begin this Saturday and they'll be working with about SO handicapped students a week, he said. "The sessions usually go for eight weeks, but students can continue for as long as they want." On Saturdays, Mandler said the students participate in the handicapped division of the Coca Cola Cup sponsored by KSL Television and Coca Cola. "They get a big kick out of that,'' said Marjdler. 'They're all hams and they love being on television and they can even watch themselves on the news later." For handicapped people who may want to learn to ski, but can't afford it, Mandler says hell work something out. "Anyone who wants to learn to ski will not be turned away." Mandler's students come from two places. First, agencies contact him to teach handicapped people to ski. He contracts with agencies like Easter Seals and the United Cerebral Palsy Association of Utah. Second, handicapped people or parents of handicapped children can contact him for private lessons. 4 TcJ"j ! Mandler says the program is open to any handicapped b.t3 l r ir;lT ' Wf i i r Ihd Sssii -L- - Future Ute ! I H X t!CD dliii X X X iSmmi $.C0 i w X X S ' our Labor Day Ski Sale was fantastic! And. so many of you asked to have another chance at those low, low prices... we're ) . ft II X w X y tne advantage s$ssequipment, clothing, or in The response to "Ski-A-Ra- lowest and prices m town on sra accessories when we concert thursday nov. 15,8:00 p.m. special events center fi y Jo 5 an frooeioer i dan A J tickets $13.50, $11.50 with i.d. (2 tickets per i.d., 10 ticket limit) available at datatix and s.e.c. sponsored by asuu and s.e.c. |