Quinte Sailability’s Blog

Battling MS made easier by program at Batawa Ski Hill

Finding new ways to do the old things is a continuous challenge for disabled people in the community. Ask Belleville’s Jennifer Smith, who was
diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in 2002; an autoimmune condition in which the immune system attacks the central nervous system, causing impairment in sensation and movement. In a two-year period she went from a limp, to a cane, to a walker, to a wheelchair and then to a “seat ski”. “Having a disease like MS is like grieving the loss of the able bodied person I was before MS,” says Smith. “Making the transition from walking to a wheelchair was a big deal for me. It’s a whole new world in a wheelchair. Now I have to worry about things like accessibility. Before I could go anywhere, do anything. Now I have to check the place out first before I can go there, make sure there are no steps and the washrooms
are accessible. Not too much stops me though. I always try.” The only treatment available for someone like Smith, who has progressive MS, was
chemo therapy which was offered at the MS specialized clinic based at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto. “Chemo isn’t an easy medicine to take but the benefits are amazing. I have been doing the chemo therapy as a treatment for four years. It has put me in remission and while I am in remission I plan on living each day to the fullest,” Smith said. Indeed, just because Smith has a disability doesn’t mean that her life is over. She has sparks in her eyes and her smile is contagious. Smith is living life more now than ever and has found different ways to do the old things. As of last summer she started the sailing program offered by Quinte SailAbility. It was really the beginning of a new adventure for her. “What keeps me going is the fact that I am still very much alive,” said the enthusiastic young woman. “I think I am living life more now than ever. I find new ways to do things I was doing before I got my disability.” Quinte SailAbility is a sailing school for persons with a physical or developmental disability, regardless of age or degree of disability. Founded in 2001 and serving the greater Quinte area, the school has grown to be one of the largest in
Ontario. It operates out of the CFB Trenton Yacht Club. In the beginning, when Smith was first hit with MS, she was afraid to go out in public. “Being hit with progressive MS and in a wheelchair, I had problems with confidence,” she said. “I was used to getting help with most things and this was one thing that I was able to learn and do on my own. The first time taking the accessible bus and doing the sailing on my own was like being on a roller coaster ride. The sense of independence and confidence I developed from sailing has carried over to the other areas of my life,”
Smith said. The 31-year-old woman moved from Stirling to Belleville where she now lives more independently away from the close support of her family. Her life has become more accessible but she was looking for something to fill her free time in the winter. The sensation she experienced during the sailing program brought her to start a program at Batawa Ski Hill for skiing for people with disabilities. “The sense of independence and confidence I developed from sailing, has carried over to the other areas of my life,” Smith said. A few months ago she contacted the ski hill’s general manager, Steve Spiessman, as well as Henk Engles, executive director of the Toronto based ski association OntarioTrack 3. A pilot program was born this year and Smith went downhill aboard a seat ski for the first time on Jan. 24. After a couple runs she described her experience as “unbelievable” and was asking for more. “You’re literally on the point that you can almost loose control,” explained Smith. “I had that feeling of being scared but I liked it at the same time, that was just great.” When Smith contacted Ontario Track 3 for the first time, Engles was amazed by her enthusiasm and positive outlook. “She told me she wanted to try the seat ski and would like to start a
program here at Batawa,” said Engles. “Jennifer is an amazing young woman and I think she will do great to help us to provide the best possible program for youngsters with disabilities in the community.” Ontario Track 3 is a volunteer non-profit organization that teaches children and youth with disabilities to downhill ski and snowboard. The program started in 1972, with a few amputee students and some hand me down equipment. The name Track 3 comes from the three tracks left in the snow by an amputee skiing with one ski and two outriggers. The program was funded by the Easter Seal Society, but is operated by a group of dedicated volunteers. “We are based in Toronto and we need volunteers to help us to run our programs throughout Ontario,” said Engles. “And we especially need volunteers to start new programs like here at Batawa.” Batawa Ski Hill’s Meredith Bowers was impressed and pleased with Smith’s positive attitude when the two women first met. “She is so great,” said Bowers. “We are so glad to help her with starting a program here and we hope it will snowball so we can welcome disable people to enjoy the seat ski.” According to Ontario Track 3 a seat ski like Smith uses costs up to $4,000. Smith would like to see Batawa Ski Hill acquire a seat ski through donations so she could cocordinate the program and give the opportunity to other people with disabilities in the community. “Because I have a disease that is always changing, some days are good and some days are bad. I think it is important to do what I can when I have good days,” said
Smith. “I try to set goals and achieve them, give myself a sense of purpose to get up every day and live and fight my disease.” Currently Track 3 has 16 programs at 16 different locations throughout Ontario. Over 450 volunteers actively participate in these programs, to ensure the students get the best instruction available. If you would like to volunteer your time please fill out the online application form at www.track3.org
or contact the head office at 416-233-3872 for more information.

Jerome Lessard — The Trentonian