Jacque Keith Dubois has cerebral palsy but he isn’t letting his mobility hold him back from enjoying the outdoors.
- Man with cerebral palsy finds freedom through adaptive snow sports
- Ski resort is hiring more adaptive ski instructors to increase participation
- Instructors enjoy opportunity to give back by assisting skiers with disabilities
“I just love having the freedom of being like everyone else,” Dubois said.
He’s been using an adaptive bi-ski with Mountain High’s adaptive lessons program for the last five years. It costs him $119 per session but he said it’s worth it, because it allows him to enjoy snow sports, despite his disability, and gives him a chance to take control.
“As I’m getting older, I’m falling a lot more. But I still do this stuff to stay active,” Dubois said.
Dubois said it means a lot to him to have the option to take on this sport with the help of Ken Bisson and the new adaptive ski instructors. Recently, the resort hired six additional adaptive instructors to take more participants like Dubois safely up the mountain.
Bisson said it’s an opportunity for him to bring more joy to the sport.
“It’s kind of like giving back a little bit. You know? It’s really rewarding seeing the smile on the folks that, are guests that take advantage of the program,” Bisson said.
Back on the adaptive bi-ski, Bisson makes sure to make a few sharp turns to give Dubois the adrenaline rush he’s looking for. It’s an experience that reminds Dubois of what he’s capable of.
“Anything is possible. If you want to do something, you can do it. There are no limitations. The only limitations that people have are the ones that they put on themselves,” Dubois said.
Dubois said he plans to come back every season, and continue to push his limits all in pursuit of feeling that adrenaline rush over and over again.