Hart Ford

Ski for Light

ROSCOMMON – The ‘swoosh’ sound of cross country skis on the snow is a common sound in Northern Michigan. But for many visually impaired skiers, it’ a sound they would never get to hear.

But the Roscommon-Higgins Lake Lions Club and the Ski for Light program strive each year to make it possible for skiers and their guides to get outside and enjoy the experience.

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More than 80 skiers traveled to the RAM Center in Higgins Lake recently for a weekend of skiing, eating and socializing, including 32 who are visually impaired.

The event started with pizza donated in part by the Grayling Moose lodge the Friday before the event. But Saturday was the big day. Although weather was not the best with temps in the mid 1930s, a touch of rain Friday night kept the runs fast, according to the participants. But it was damp and at times, skiers huddled around fires maintained by Lions Club members.

About 10 Lions turned out to volunteer for the event. Skis were donated by Cross Country Ski Headquarters in Roscommon. Scott’s Excavating donated much of the wood to get the fires going.

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This is the 39th year the Lions have coordinated the event. The event was started by founding member Ed Kurtzal.

The event is based around guide/skier pairings. A visually- impaired skier was paired with a guide; and Mobility- impaired skiers were provided with a sit ski and a guide for instructions. The skiers and their guides will navigate the different ski areas, depending on the ability of the skier.

The skiers are able to participate because of a special two-track sled that cuts two separate paths: One for the guide who normally skis on the left, and the other for the skier. College students created the sled about 30 years ago, and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources stores and maintains it.

Ski for Light, Inc. is a nonprofit organization founded in 1975 by Olav Pederson to promote the physical fitness of visually and mobility impaired adults, in an environment where “we can’t” is replaced with “we can.” Disabled and able bodied people join together in a one on one partnership to learn from each other through physically demanding activities.

In Michigan at about the same time, 1978 Harold Brunvand began a “Fun in the Snow” weekend with the help of his friends including the Sons of Norway. They had volunteers teach cross country skiing to students from the Michigan School for the Blind. One of the volunteers was the Governor’s wife Helen Milliken.

In 1981 the event was moved to the Higgins Lake area and renamed Michigan Ski for Light as a regional event.

 

 

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