Adam
Adam has been a member of the NSCD Alpine Ski Team for over 8 years. Adam was born in New Zealand and is a member of the New Zealand Disabled Ski Team. Adam trains in Winter Park Colorado and during our summer he trains full-time in New Zealand. He is the son of a New Zealand dairy farmer and also works the farm when he is not training. In 2006 he participated in the Torino Paralympics and won Gold in Slalom at the 2010 Paralympics.
Alana
Alana was involved in a snowboarding accident during her high school senior year. In 2002, Nichols got back on the mountain at Santa Fe Ski Resort to learn how to momo-ski. In 2004 she became a member of the U.S. Women’s Paralympic basketball team and made her Paralympic debut in Beijing where she helped the U.S. woman’s team win the gold medal. In 2010 Alana was named to the 2010 U.S. Paralympic Team and brought home 2 gold, 1 silver and 1 bronze medal for the U.S.
Austin
Austin Clark is an enthusiastic 11 year old born with Spina Bifida. Austin enjoys participating in all kinds of sports. Skiing at Winter Park, playing sled hockey, and wheelchair basketball are some of his favorite. Austin loves the variety of programs that the NSCD offers year around but he especially likes the professional athlete appearances at the NSCD SportCamps. His mom enjoys watching Austin at these camps and the variety of sports he is exposed to. With so many financial constraints that come with a child with disabilities, the opportunities to participate in these free camps is extremely important to Austin’s family. Austin has been involved with the NSCD for at least 5 years and recently guest starred in a commercial about the NSCD with local Sports Reporter Vic Lombardi. He loved seeing himself on tv and the is grateful for the experiences he wouldn’t have had without the NSCD. Thank you for supporting the NSCD so that Austin and other athletes like him can continue to participate in their favorite sports!
Bekah
Bekah Wingo is 10 years old and the second of five children in her family. She was born with Hypotonia which results in low muscle tone and is Cognitively Delayed. She has participated in the ski program in Winter Park with the National Sports Center for the Disabled the past two years and recently began competing in the giant slalom and the slalom. She is joyful and full of life and in addition to her love of skiing Bekah enjoys playing the piano, riding her bike and playing board games with her family. She makes friends very easily and loves to give hugs. Bekah is thankful to the NSCD for all the opportunities they have given her and she hopes to use those skills to work with preschool kids when she grows up. Thank you for supporting the NSCD so that Bekah and other athletes like her can continue to participate in their favorite sports!
Gail
Gail Goepfert had skied all her life but in 1995 she sustained a T 10-11 Spinal Cord Injury while skiing that left her paralyzed. As a self proclaimed adrenalin junkie, Gail couldn’t give up her passion for skiing so she contacted the NSCD and discovered the sport of sit skiing. Since her accident, learning to sit ski was one of the hardest and scariest things she’s ever had to do. But now she skis in a very laid back fashion and is able to enjoy it like never before. Originally from Florida, in 1990 she purchased a condo in Winter Park, Colorado and travels every year to take advantage of the beautiful mountains and skiing in Colorado. Thank you for supporting the NSCD so that Gail and other athletes like her can continue to participate in their favorite sports!
Ibsen
Ibsen Ojeda is an enthusiastic 15 year old who was born with Down Syndrome. Although he lives with this disability every day, Ibsen lives as much as a normal life as possible. He will be heading into his sophomore year this fall at West High School and is very excited to no longer be a freshman. He really enjoys playing guitar and practicing soccer and basketball. He has more of a musical side to himself and enjoys spending hours and hours listening and singing to music. Ibsen has been involved with the National Sports Center for the Disabled for about 3 years now and has been participating in every activity he can. His favorite part about the NSCD is the summer camps and skiing in the winter up in Winter Park. His family says that being able to participate in the activities proved by the NSCD truly make a difference in Ibsen’s life. Thank you for supporting the NSCD so that Ibsen and other athletes like him can continue to participate in their favorite sports!
Zach
Zac Parsons is a typical 8 year old boy but at the age of 2 he was diagnosed with Morquio's Syndrome and has since endured 8 surgeries. Morquio's Syndrome is a condition caused by one missing enzyme, but without this one enzyme the cells in his body cannot clean themselves out. This causes bony abnormalities throughout his body, shortened height, narrow airway, etc. He loves music, playing all sports in his wheelchair, and being with his friends. The NSCD has given him the opportunity to be with other kids with physical disabilities too and learn to play sports on his own level. He gets to feel part of a team which is not something he gets to experience with other peers and has helped boost his self esteem and confidence beyond words. Thank you for supporting the NSCD so that Zac and other athletes like him can continue to participate in their favorite sports!
