Many families I know that have children with special needs are eager to get their children out skiing. There are many wonderful programs that are well-known in the Vermont area: Vermont Adaptive, Bart Adaptive Sports, Stowe Adaptive Sports, and Smugglers Notch Adaptive Ski. All of these programs are wonderful at working with children with special needs and accommodating their needs.
For the past two years, Kayla has skied through Vermont Adaptive, but at the start of this season, still hadn’t mastered independence. This year she really wanted to master some independence. I decided to try a different program with Kayla and see if we could get some improvement. Due to Kayla’s muscle fatigue, she needed someone to work with her for 30-45 minutes at the most. I contacted a local ski area and asked if they would be able to provide private ski lesson to a child who has neuromuscular difficulties and is on the autism spectrum. Immediately, I received an email saying they would love to work with her!
Off we were to Cochran’s in Richmond to begin our work with Sue Carpenter. We have had an incredible experience! Cochran’s is small, which is ideal for kids like Kayla who get overstimulated with lots of people and activity. The lodge is small and welcoming, parking is a readily available, and there are no long lines on the rope tow. But what really makes Cochran’s the best is the sense of community.
Sue has taken Kayla under her wing from the first lesson. She has the patience of a saint when Kayla is “mentally” stuck on her routine or is not socially engaging with her instructor. Sue has an amazing sense of humor and does her best to distract Kayla when she is struggling. Her empathy allows Kayla to feel safe and to try new things when they seem scary. Her phenomenal teaching skills have enabled Kayla to ski independently for the first time ever! Sue’s friendliness has connected Kayla to other children skiing on the mountain. But what is most touching is the compassion she has for making a child feel like they belong.
There is nothing more upsetting than going somewhere and having staff not be respectful, people staring at your child when they are having difficulty behaving appropriately, or kids not engaging with your child. Social connections, relationships, and a sense of belonging are important for any child, but for a child with special needs and their family they are essential. The sense of warmth, acceptance, and love that Kayla has received at Cochran’s is amazing.
When Kayla is at Cochran’s, people from the rope tow will tell her she is doing a good job and other kids will join Kayla in skiing. One lesson, the ski adventure camp even roasted her some marshmallows! From the lodge and the instruction, to the staff members, parking, and the wonderful families that ski there, there is no other place that I would want Kayla to be. She has a wonderful relationship with Sue, is making a lot of connections with kids and peers, is learning to ski independently, is developing confidence, and, most importantly, she feels like she belongs!
Thank you Sue Carpenter, Barbara Cochran, and the community at Cochran’s for allowing us to be part of a magical place!