Skiing, Curling Offered through Spaulding Adaptive Sports Centers
January 16, 2012
Persons living with disabling conditions can still feel the rush of downhill skiing or the sensation of gliding across the ice thanks to the adaptive sports programs of Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital Cape Cod, the Spaulding Rehabilitation Network and their adaptive sports partners.
Spaulding has expanded its adaptive sports offerings into the winter with an adaptive downhill ski club that goes to Loon Mountain in New Hampshire, cross country skiing in Weston, MA, and curling through the Cape Cod Curling Club in Falmouth. A cardiac conditioning and strength training class will be offered at Spaulding Cape Cod beginning in February.
“Our sport clubs are based on an inclusive model, where we bring together persons with limitations and able-bodied athletes who are united by their love for the sport,” says Mary Patstone of Sandwich, Director of the Spaulding Adaptive Sports Centers. “As a result, the barriers people with disabilities face in everyday life are minimized, and everyone benefits from the exercise and camaraderie.”
Curling has become increasingly popular over the last 30 years. A team sport played on the ice, curling became an Olympic sport in 1998 and a Paralympic sport in 2006. The game, which requires strategy and the ability to maneuver stones that can weigh up to 44 pounds, can readily be adapted for wheelchair players. The Cape Cod Curling Club in Falmouth is one of the few accessible clubs in the state. It hosts a wheelchair curling club match on Wednesday evenings throughout the winter. To join a team, contact the team coach, Tony Colacchio at 617-529-4533.
Skiers can head north to the slopes by participating in Spaulding Ski Club Saturdays, a program offered in collaboration with New England Disabled Sports (NEDS). Coaches from NEDS are trained in the latest teaching techniques and work closely with Spaulding staff and volunteers to provide fun and safe activities for persons with limiting conditions, from stroke and spinal cord injury to amputation and chronic disease. The program is an activity of the Spaulding Ski Club, a community-based ski group for skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels.
Spaulding Ski Club Saturdays take place at Loon Mountain in Lincoln, NH. The next excursions are scheduled for February 14 and 28, March 10 and 24. Cost is $65 per person for a full day of skiing (9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.). For information and registration, contact Mary Patstone at 508-833-4004 or mpatstone@partners.org. Car pools will leave from Spaulding Hospital Cambridge at 6 a.m. Skiers who would like to volunteer to drive other participants may contact Mary as well.
Those who would like to try out cross country skiing can also contact Mary about Nordic skiing clinics in Weston, MA on February 7 or 14.
