Last year I asked you to help the "Dream Makers" become the top fundraising team at the  annual Ski-a-thon and we did it thanks to you! This year our team has set the most ambitious team goal yet - to raise more money than any other team in the 27 year history of the Ski-a-thon. 

Why such an ambitious goal?  Because I believe this program is needed now more than ever before.

With tens of thousands of service men and women returning from war with disabilities; and with advances in medicine and technology that now allow people with disabilities to live more active lives, programs like Maine Adaptive Sports and Recreation (formerly Maine Handicapped Skiing) are a crucial part of helping people lead healthier and more productive lives. 

One reason the name of our organization changed to Maine Adaptive Sports & Recreation was to recognize the growth of our programs to include both winter and summer sports such as recreational and competitive downhill skiing, cross country skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, paddling, bicycling, fishing and golf.  In the last few years we've also established the Veterans No Boundaries program, and are expanding the winter sports program to other mountains in Maine . These changes are exciting, but we need extra support to help meet the demand for these initiatives.

Another reason for the name change was to acknowledge that "adapting" is what this program is all about.  Life may present you with some big challenges and perceived barriers, and you can choose to either let them stop you, or you can choose to adapt and move forward.  You can re-frame your thinking and re-define yourself by what you can do, and not by what you can't.  Our participants are proving what is possible every day they are out on a ski-slope, paddling a kayak, or swinging a golf club. 

These are good and powerful lessons for everyone, disabled or not.

As a disabled participant, a volunteer, a coach and a Board member for Maine Adaptive, I can you tell you that for me personally it has changed not only my life, but the lives of people around me.  I try to live my life as an example of what is possible, and this program has allowed me to do just that. 

I think that's worth fundraising for.

The video clip to the right gives you a sense of how important this program is for people. It is a little long but worth watching!