QR.Final GMAS Impact Report - Flipbook - Page 9
Wounded Warrior Project
This year, GMAS hosted Veterans of Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) at Stowe Mountain Resort for
two days of instruction in adaptive skiing, snowboarding, and rock climbing. Warriors were able to
explore new skills utilizing adaptive equipment, including bi-skis, mono-skis, sliders, outriggers, and
custom rock-climbing harnesses to meet the needs of individuals
with a variety of injuries and abilities. The collaboration between
the two organizations resulted in lots of laughter and cheering on
both sides.
Marc Hoffmeister, adaptive sports director at WWP shared: “The
purpose of Wounded Warrior Project’s Adaptive Sports program is
to maximize the quality of life of our most severely injured warriors
by empowering their independence in adaptive sports. At this event,
Warriors rediscovered the camaraderie and excitement that come
with sports and learned that injuries do not prevent participation.”
GMAS board president Cynthia Needham said, “We’re thrilled to
team up with WWP. We hope this is the 昀椀rst of many memories we make together.”
Paul (U.S. Navy) said, “I have muscle in my leg and arm – I just can’t feel it.” After climbing to the top of
one of the more challenging walls, belayed by Dillon Garvey of Stowe Rocks, Paul said simply, “I never
thought this would be possible for me.” His words capture the spirit of adaptive athletics for us all.
TetraSki
WATCH
OUR VIDEO!
Asked to rate his experience in the TetraSki, Jack does not hesitate
for a second,
“I rate it a 10! It was completely different learning for my body.”
Comparing his new experience to using the bi-ski Jack explains, “The
TetraSki is de昀椀nitely more mental, having to stay focused on my control of the joystick and visually
where I am going. The bi-ski is more physical with my body making the turns. I think it would be
great to do both each ski season because they both bene昀椀t me.”
For the second year, GMAS hosted two days of skiing for four athletes in the Tetra Ski at Stowe
Mountain Resort. The Tetra Ski is the world’s 昀椀rst alpine sit-ski to provide independent turning and
speed variability through the use of a joystick and/or breath control, allowing the skier with limited
strength and dexterity to operate the sit ski safely and with a high degree of performance and
independence.
9