
All of this was possible due to the local non-profit EDD Fund, an organization that provides recreational and competitive sports programs for young people with disabilities. Their goal is to level the playing field by making sports accessible and fun for children and young adults with disabilities. EDD programs encourage kids to get out and play by offering sports and recreation opportunities that focus on the fun, while adapting to each athlete’s unique abilities. It was founded in memory of Eric Douglas Dettenrieder, a young man who had a passion for skiing who unfortunately passed away at the age of 23 from a skiing accident. Prior to his death he had the opportunity to teach a group of terminally ill children how to ski, an experience that moved him deeply and became the inspiration to create the EDD Memorial Fund. The EDD Fund offers several programs throughout the year to encourage young people with disabilities to engage in sports. They offer 4 clinics in Vermont during the year at St. Michael’s college and Castleton State College.
EDD is definitely a great resource for the community. Another amazing program that caters to children with special needs and the community as a whole! Check them out when they hold another clinic in the fall! Their web-site is http://www.eddfund.org.