Testimonials

Weezee and Megan: Seattle Cycling

Jon Calvo (Outdoors for All Volunteer since 2006)
Last year,  after 32 straight years of teaching skiing and coaching youngsters in ski racing,  I thought I would pursue a "newer' challenge.  Being aware of Outdoors for All, for  a few years,  I thought I would try out this new experience.  At first I felt that my talents were not being utilized.  I was working with a 10 year old CP athelete who was a second year beginner.  
Little Michael,  whom I named "Little Bonsai"  turned out to be one of the biggest joys  in my ski career.  First of all,  I never saw his "disabilities".  Secondly,  there was so much that this association and experience taught me.  It was truly a major "AH HA" in my life.  We had fun,  we connected,  he improved hugely,  and I made a great friend.   About one month after ski season I came home to see a gift box on the front steps of my home.  Upon opening the box,  I found a beautiful Bonsai Plant.  Every time I look at this plant,  I think of Michael yelling out  "Bonsai"  as he would leave the starting gate of the racing course. Tomorrow, Sept. 2nd,  we continue our friendship as I take Michael and his father Darren  out on my boat for a day of boating and salmon fishing. So, my wonderful and rewarding  Skiforall  experience  will be one that goes beyond my passion for skiing, but onto my summer passion of salmon fishing as well.

Jim Bevan (Outdoors for All Volunteer since 2005)
I first got involved with Outdoors for All because a good friend of mine who is disabled has been telling me about Outdoors for All for a couple of years now. He teaches people with mobility issues how to use a Sit-ski to get down the hill. An interesting note is that he was an alpine ski instructor even before he was injured.

I had such a moving experience my first day teaching kids with developmental disabilities how to downhill snow ski. When the day started, I was worried that I would have difficulty communicating, or the kids wouldn’t like me and as a result I would not be an effective instructor. Well, neither of those fears came true. By the end of the first day, I was able to communicate effectively and bonded with both of my students quite well. When my students smile after learning something new or making a run, it completely makes my day. Everyone I have met through Outdoorsforall has been wonderful to work with or learn from. Outdoors for All is where good things happen everyday!

I hope to be involved with Outdoors for All for several years to come. 

Barb Dolliver (Mother of Outdoors for All participant)
Outdoors for All truly is such an amazing organization - I'm always passing on to others your name and mission, and how amazing Outdoors for All has been for our family.  If it wasn't for you and all the amazing volunteers who have worked with Lucas the past couple of years (most recently Nolan - what an amazing, and patient, skier!), he certainly wouldn't have the confidence he does on the snow right now.  It's been so much fun for Keith and I to be able to ski with him.  The dream of skiing as a family has already come true!

Paul Anliker
I am just sending my annual appreciation of your dedication to Outdoors for All and all the clients that are involved with your agency.  You continue to show your caring nature and talent for working with people and surpass the expectation set in your mission statement. As always, it's a pleasure to have you support us at our picnic.  Hope you had a good time and had a chance to get something to eat.  Oh, I almost forgot, we had a couple new people ride this year, which was their first time.  Another set of successes!  

Bob E.
Last year my student was a 36 year old autistic man, who even from the first week proved himself a competent if limited cross country skier. He was so wooden and unresponsive during that first lesson that I was afraid he was having a terrible time. Then, after lunch it was time for him to board the van that would take him home. As he sat there slightly rocking back and forth, I said "see you next week, Phil". He looked straight at me and huge smile spread across his face. At that moment I knew Phil had loved every moment of his time skiing.

Danny Levine - winter volunteer since 2002
There is nothing quite like the look of my athlete winning a gold at the Special Olympics at Mission Ridge...I guess that's the true meaning of "Special" Olympics!

Anonymous
As a first year volunteer, working with people with disabilities was a new experience for me. My most memorable moments were in the lodge - eating lunch and seeing how much fun the students were having by kidding each other and joking around. I was also impressed how my student came EVERY week - even in the driving rain! That shows how important Outdoors for All is for the participants.

Kristine Sorensen - winter and summer volunteer since 2001
One of my most memorable moments was with my ski participant, Abbie, last winter. Abbie was a hesitant skier who had some nice skills. The beauty of the season was watching Abbie take more and more risks (like skiing Pacific Crest) and become more confident in her abilities. I felt successful as an instructor when her parents told me they had noticed a definite increase in her confidence in other areas of her life! Abbie really worked hard and challenged herself that season.

Anonymous
48 instructors on the ski to Hyak Trip. Waahoo!

Ray Konecke -winter volunteer since 1997
I have taught SKIHAWKS students for years and enjoy the special days where we just take a day to ski. Last year I took my 3 students to Summit Central for a day in the powder. What Fun! We had a great time just skiing and sharing the day.

Donna O'Meara - winter volunteer since 1998
The first year of Skihawks I was a little nervous about my fist race with my student. All the way up the chair before the race, she lectured me on the fact that I would be fine. All I had to worry about was to not miss a gate, take my time and be careful not to fall or we would be disqualified. After a successful run through the course (I didn't fall or miss a gate) she said I did okay, but we now needed to work on my speed! I think we received a gold medal for the run, lucky for me since I apparently was too slow!

Julie
I had a student/participant for a few years in a row. The first year he won student of the year, but that wasn't the most memorable thing. The first couple of years he depended on his crutches, but after awhile he had increased his strength so much that he could walk independently! Skiing also opened doors for him, to other recreational activities. He also picked up weight lifting, which helped his strength. He went from Little Thunder to Thunderbird over the years.

Anonymous
My story with Outdoors for All is ongoing. I joined because a friend convinced me to try it out, and have continued to volunteer because of the joy, challenge, and encouragement displayed every year by other volunteers and athletes. It's a wonderful way to "be there" for others, as well as an excellent way to be with folks that really care. How much better does it get?

Rachel Wyrick - winter and summer volunteer since 2001
Two years ago I met a skier, who I helped, … She was so enthusiastic. She even sent me a postcard and a letter in appreciation.

John Olds - winter volunteer since 2000
At the last Friday in my 1st year, after certificates and awards were given to participants, a young man in his 20's stood up with support from a wall shelf to express his gratitude. Gratitude to the organization and his instructors who got him, after seven lessons, independently to ski down Dodge on a sit ski.

Kelley Gast - winter volunteer since 2002
It was amazing to work with my students with ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) and watch them be so excited about this sport. I assumed with their cognitive challenges that their interest levels in schoolwork, etc might not be stellar. However, when it came to snowboarding, it was something that my students AND I were excited to do and it showed! They listened, had fun, learned a lot and accomplished all the basics and more within a few lessons - AWESOME!

Anonymous
I have been skiing with my disabled daughter with Outdoors for All for 3 years. She started in a sit ski and progressed to a bi-ski. But nothing was so amazing, almost miraculous, to see her move to stand up! She couldn't coordinate a wedge, so she went straight into learning parallel turns. Her determination and spirit continues to be an ongoing inspiration for me.

Anonymous
No one story, but a collection of individual experiences keep me coming back. Working with a group of fellow volunteers who truly care about the well being of the participants and seeing an athlete improve in their ability. Participating in the winter games as a unified team and seeing the athletes "go for the gold". I also improved my own skills through the on-snow clinics as well as free-skiing with the other coaches. The friendship with staff, coaches and athletes.

Chris Lund - winter volunteer since 1998
Getting to teach Chuck Coffie, that there is another way to approach life since his car accident. He now is a ski patroller from a mono-ski!

C. Bell
My student was angry, frustrated, and mad at the world. His T.B.I. (Traumatic Brain Injury) had left him learning to ski all over again. But he was determined to re-learn the skills he once had as a ski instructor. Placed with me, we would go out every week and work on skills. Every week he would get frustrated with himself and take it out on me. You would think that I would want to quit, but I believed in the power of patience. Every week he got a little better and better. We got closer and closer in our understanding of each other and became friends. As he learned to trust me he learned to trust himself and his skiing as well. His increasing skiing coordination began to show in other areas of his life. The last week of lessons he came to the hill all excited...He wanted to show me that he had a new Subaru! He was driving it! He and his father told me that the work we had been doing together had contributed to his confidence to take the driving test. The coordination skills paid off too! His Outdoors for All experience paid off - he came angry and frustrated but left that day happy, driving and talking about how he felt he could now ski alone with friends and family, thanks to Outdoors for All!