Sisters woman helps disabled skiers

Kevin McCormick, Colleen Dougherty and Toia Nolan raced at Hoodoo Ski Area. photo by Zach Welcker

Sharon Sparrow's mother lost both of her legs in an accident last year. After that, Sharon learned to ski.

Sparrow, a Sisters resident, said her mother used to hike and jog -- and now she can't enjoy those privileges. But she is an inspiration to her daughter, who now that she has learned to ski, volunteers her time at Hoodoo Ski Area each weekend to help people with mental and physical disabilities to ski.

On Saturday, she participated in March Madness --a special event full of ski challenges for the disabled.

"Just being aware of the issue of people's physical challenges is very close to my heart," Sparrow said. "I can't help my mom to ski, but this is my way of helping people do what she used to do."

Sharon, her husband Ben Sparrow and other local volunteers assisted skiers who hit Hoodoo on Saturday to bring a new tradition to Sisters. A new program at Hoodoo, Oregon Adaptive Sports (OAS), is assisting people in wheel chairs, paraplegics, quadriplegics, and those with multiple sclerosis and other disabilities to enjoy the thrill of a crisp ski run on a beautiful day.

"Our goal is to provide the same experience to people with disabilities as we do to people without disabilities, whether in costs or activities," said Amber Atkins, volunteer coordinator for OAS.

The event raised $5,000 and drew a crowd of about 100 people from across Oregon, including 14 skiers and 30 volunteers, Atkins said. The skiers were seven- to 16-year-old children with physical and developmental disabilities from Portland Winners on Wheels and three mono-skiers from Team OAS.

OAS formerly operated as Oregon Adaptive Ski out of Mt. Bachelor, but moved to a small office and equipment space at Hoodoo Ski Area this year. Atkins said the program is expanding to assist people in other sports, such as canoeing, rafting and kayaking. The program currently has 40 members who have paid the $25 joining fee, ranging in age from six to 45.

The members ski to have fun, but on Saturday, they skied to raise money for better equipment, more activities and more fun.

Using bi-skis and mono-skis (skis with chairs and additional support), the contestants dashed around flags and across finish lines for trophies. Donors pledged money per lap for the three mono-skiers who totaled 66 laps in three hours.

Sparrow said she liked the adaptive skiers' race.

"The kids ski all day, and then we put them in a competition and we get to yell and cheer them on and we get to ski beside them and when they get to the finish line, everyone screams and they get a trophy," Sparrow said.

"To me, that is the best part of the whole day to see them get so excited."