Outdoors for All Foundationās Learn to Ride a Bike program is one of the new programs introduced in Fall 2015. It is also one of the more popular and successful programs with two sessions at two locations throughout the Ā this Spring. Outdoors for Allās volunteer cycle instructors share their knowledge and use helpful tools to aid participants of all ages into becoming successful riders of…
Growth is important to any business ā and certainly to nonprofits. Iām pleased to note that Outdoors for All is growing. Weāre offering more activities and life-enriching experiences for children and adults with disabilities than ever before. But with that growth also come some growing pains. Can we continue to fulfill current programming while we respond to new requests? Can we bring aboard new staff…
The Outdoors for All volunteer community exudes calm, quiet passion. Yes, there are real challenges to confront each day, whether that means loading a sit ski, skier and all, onto a moving chairlift or helping a young participant with Down syndrome ride a bike for the very first time. Yet there is a sense that these volunteers are ready, and willing, to help immediately with…
Soren Oquist (pictured in the red jacket) was born with a rare genetic disorder called Trisomy 8, so rare it only has 74 documented cases in the world. Due to this disorder he has struggled with low tone and developmental delays. āThe expert geneticist at Children’s Hospital told us to hope for the best but to prepare for the worst , predicting that Soren might…
As many will recall, the āwinterā of 2015 weather-wise was a huge disappointment. A year ago we were struggling to deliver as many of our seven weeks series of lessons as we could. Lack of snow delayed our operations by weeks in 2015. First, we moved our Nordic operations to Stevens Pass. Then as the season continued we tried our best to deliver lessons at…
Can you imagine being active all your life — and then one day, out of the blue, having an infection attack your spinal cord, paralyzing you? Can you imagine the struggles necessary to live and tackle even daily tasks? Two years ago this happened to Chuck Bode. He and his wife Connie had been lifelong skiers prior to his paralysis. He’d been dreaming and hoping…
Quinn Croteau joined Outdoors for Allās Day Camps for the first time for a one week session.Ā During Quinnās time in camp, his father, Tom, served as his one-on-one attendant.Ā That week in camp saw them kayaking, sailing, hiking and biking.Ā They were able to do all of these activities together, many for the first time, including the day spent cycling around Magnuson Park where…
It can be difficult for families with children, young and grown, with special needs to find activities that can bring them together. Thatās where Outdoors for All activitiesĀ came in for the Willaford family. Julie, Patrickās mother, describes how the family used to try activities together, the challenges faced with standard cycling equipment and the positive turn around and encouragement after finding the adaptive options…
We’re proud each year to send staff and volunteers to the Disabled Sports USA Ski Spectacular in Breckenridge, CO. This annual event could not be more aptly named. Hundreds of people gather each year for this spectacular week: individuals with disabilities, professional staff and volunteers in the field of rehabilitation, ski instructors and others gather together to learn from each other, teach, compete, network and…
Rock Climbing can be an intimidating activity for some, but itās the exhilaration and confidence gained from each line climbed that keeps Outdoors for All Participant, Courtney Holsted, coming back for more. Courtney has weak muscle tone, including in her upper body, but has been climbing with Outdoors for All programs for five years.Ā Not only has the activity improved her strength and balance, but…
