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Mentally Challenged Skiers

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Pickles.
Posts: 63 - Karma: 61
My dads friend at works son helps mentally challenged kids with skiing, and my dad asked me if I wanted to do it, and of course I said yes (I'm an intermediate-advanced skier, been doing it since I was 2-3, We live in PA so the mountain is relatively small ect, ect). But what I would like to know is what exactly will I be doing to help them? Will I be helping with the actual skiing, just getting on the lift, teaching them how to ski, trying to advance them in their skiing level... or all of that? Theres going to be adults there too, and also I get some skiing time to myself after I'm done helping. Has anyone ever done something similar before? My dad only got limited information, and I start next thursday, and I'm sure they'll explain everything there, but I'm just asking if theres anything I need to know before going?
Jan 8 2013 9:16PM
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skibeest
Posts: 419 - Karma: 103
I did this with soccer and it's really not that bad at all. You will probably feel "awkward" around them at the begging, or at least that's how I felt, but when you get to know them they're actually pretty cool and funny (not in an insulting way). Just relax and be yourself.
And since there are other adults around there, you will probably just have to help them by giving examples of skiing and helping them on and off the lift.
Jan 8 2013 9:20PM
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.Roockley.
Posts: 3866 - Karma: 4,092
you'll be there to help pick people up probably, or if someone didn't hear something repeat it to them. help them load onto and off the chair

just general helping out

if you can, get a ski instructor quali and get the adaptive ski quali too, sometimes it can be hard work but its so rewarding
Jan 8 2013 9:21PM
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El_Barto.
Posts: 11661 - Karma: 24,343
Thought this was gonna be about Henrik :/
Jan 8 2013 9:22PM
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Dan_Frockington
Posts: 52 - Karma: 65
Ya I've done it to. It's not that bad and it's a great way to get service hours if you need them. The kids aren't actually as messed up as you think. On another note you'll get hella poon if you do it. Chicks think your all kind/sensative and shit
Jan 8 2013 9:25PM
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UncleGerry
Posts: 1291 - Karma: 1,378
You should take advantage of them. Sexually.
Jan 8 2013 9:27PM
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Pickles.
Posts: 63 - Karma: 61
Maybe if I was a priest
Jan 8 2013 9:28PM
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Pickles.
Posts: 63 - Karma: 61
Thanks man. Thats basically what I'd thought it would be. And just to clarify, one of my good friends at my old school was slightly mentally handicapped, so its not the awkwardness or whatever that I'm worried about, I just wanted to know what I'd be doing to help them.
Jan 8 2013 9:30PM
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Dan_Frockington
Posts: 52 - Karma: 65
Not the disabled kids.... They're your wingmen
Jan 8 2013 9:31PM
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UncleGerry
Posts: 1291 - Karma: 1,378
haha true
Jan 8 2013 10:14PM
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Winterski
Posts: 136 - Karma: 41
Basically you are just there so they stay safe and have fun with it. My public school system is very welcoming to students with special needs and so I know a lot of kids who are mentally handicapped. Whether you are helping them find their class or skiing, you just need to make sure they stay calm and collected and stay happy.
Jan 8 2013 10:16PM
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volvotom
Posts: 2045 - Karma: 712
I've taught swimming/sailing/lifeguard as well as skiing in a youth environment for many years. I've worked with many children with various disabilities. The key is to make sure they have fun and not to work yourself up when they don't exactly accomplish what you think they should. What a normal child may be able to accomplish in a single lap might take these children days.

Have fun with it.

And yes, it will be everything. Helping get (and stay) on the lift, getting up, keeping in control, keeping their attention at you.

If you like it definitely try for your PSIA level 1 or adaptive level 1. There are also a lot of non-profits that work with resorts such that so many volunteer hours gets you a free pass (not a bad deal).


Jan 9 2013 1:23AM
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RudyGarmisch
Posts: 25443 - Karma: 13,844
I've done it at skiforall up in Seattle, but they had great instructors and people to shadow. Every student I had was different, the biggest thing was watching and learning from them while you're teaching. Keep an eye out and just observe, everyone is different, and the only hard part about my experience was just being able to communicate effectively - you just need to stay adaptable to anything, and if all else fails, it's fine to take a break or freeski!
Jan 9 2013 1:56AM
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Stickity
Posts: 7750 - Karma: 769
this.
ladies dig sensitive guys
Jan 9 2013 2:21AM
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volvotom
Posts: 2045 - Karma: 712
lots and LOTS of these
Jan 9 2013 3:05AM
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I_Am_Mod
Posts: 13214 - Karma: 3,753
i've been thinking about something similar, i've just finished my instructors course and they asked me to proceed with a sitskiing specialization so i can teach and support handicapped people in a sit ski, it looks like such a rewarding job !
Jan 9 2013 5:43AM
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MaxBerkowitz
Posts: 440 - Karma: 2,611
You'll be fine.
Seriously, disabled people are the nicest guys ever. Hope you enjoy yourself, while helping others try out skiing!

On another note, last season I was in the terrain garden (kiddie park) with a few friends. We were sessioning the last box just for shits and giggles, a snowboard instructor comes down and hits the box nbd, he then waits below the landing for someone, obviously his student. Anyways, this snowboard kid comes along so slow, he gets stuck on the lip for the box. Remember, this isn't a gap on box, or even a hop, you can slide onto it. This kid keeps trying to hop onto the box, and fails each time. This goes on for 5 minutes or so, and we're almost pissing ourselves. We're getting a little antsy to hit the box and get on with our day, so I head down to the box, give the kid my pole's end, and slingshot him over the box. We head down after this, and it's only then that we realize the instructor was an instructor for special needs kids.
Jan 9 2013 5:45AM
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