Wednesday, January 21, 2009

My Daddy Use To Always Say...

"Don't let anyone ever tell you you can't."

(My dad's probably reading this, brow furrowed wondering when exactly he ever said this. Honestly, I'm not sure he ever did...but it did make for a SWEET title, didn't it?)

Thanks to the good people at The Adaptive Adventure Sports Coalition (TAASC), Bryson took a chance in the single digit weather (probably sub-freezing with the windchill) of last Saturday to do something I never considered as I lay in the rock-hard-imitation la-z-boy chair in the waiting room of Nationwide Children's Hospital as his leg was being amputated: SKIING. TAASC, based out of Columbus, Ohio, offers opportunities to individuals with disabilities to "enhance their quality of life" through adventure sports (kayaking, skiing, water skiing, cycling, sailing and ice skating). In English, we paid $40 for a family membership so that on select 2 hour segments through the week, we pay $15 for ski lesson, ski rentals, and lift tickets...DID YOU HEAR THAT!?! $15!!! Thank you TAASC! (You can check them out at www.taasc.org.)

The plan was simple: because of the weather, take 2 or 3 trips down the slopes, go in and warm up for a few minutes, and repeat for an hour or so. After 3 trips down, and an average of four falls per trip, Gary, Bryson's below-knee amputee ski instructor, and the other five observers asked Bryson, "Are you hands cold?" ("No.") "Are your feet cold?" ("No.") "Do you want to go again?" ("Yes" with a smile.) And so again he went...for 1 hour and 15 minutes straight!

The first several trips down the slope he was putting most of his weight on his left (real) leg, so every time he'd try to turn to the right (you do so by putting pressure on the left ski), he had too much weight to begin with and he'd biff. It was pretty cute as he lay there in his bulky size 6 ski coat as 5 adults gather to pick him up. (He couldn't move at all in that coat.) They'd pop him up on his skis and, with little hesitation, continued down the slope. By the end of the day, with a grin frozen on his face, this is what you would have seen...

Again, after 1 hour and 15 minutes on the slopes, a cup of hot chocolate, and a call home to mom (see below)...

Home we went. On the way home my dad (the wise one not necessarily quoted above who accompanied me, he with the camera and I with the camcorder), he turned to me and said, "I needed to see that." According to dad, it was one of the first things he's seen that's convinced him that there's more to Bryson's future than we can possibly begin to imagine at this moment.

I agree...what a day.

12 comments:

Kelley said...

That is so awesome! I have tears! Bryson is going to amaze us all!

amy said...

Your post brought tears to my eyes too...my family has been following Bryson's journey since the start (Dr.Trent requested prayers at some of the Christian message boards I participate on) and we continue to pray for him.

God's blessings are abundant! What joys and answered prayers to see Bryson enjoying an afternoon of skiing!!

Kudos to you parents for your patience, your perseverance and Christian witness. You probably inspire more people than you could ever imagine.

May God continue to shine His face upon you all-

amy

Anonymous said...

Way to go Bryson...seriously, and not just for skiing, but doing it that horrible cold with a big smile!

B,P,R,S & L said...

Tears here too! Every time I read something about Bryson, I know that everything is possible if put our trust in God and never give up. Thank you for sharing!!

Tracy Anne said...

Tears of sheer JOY!!! You ROCK Bryson!!!

Osborne Business Solutions said...

Bryson I am totally amazed at your progress every thime that I see you. Can't wait to see you on the slopes!

Love Grandpa O

MariahT said...

I went skiing a few years ago with some of my college buddies. I stayed on the "bunny slopes" and ended up on the bottom of a 3 person pile-up on the rope pull/lift. I couldn't turn or stop. I went screaming down the hill once and stopped when I hit the fence at the bottom. Wish I'd had a guy behind me with ropes tied to my skis!

Way to go Bryson!!!!

I've followed your story since your grandparents (Charles and Sue) told us of your accident. You have been an inspiration to me! You remind me how to LIVE and LOVE LIFE!

May God continue to bless you and your family and may you have many more amazing adventures!

twin power mommy ♥ said...

I have been following Brysons' story since the accident. I am a "friend" of JoEllens.

I see you guys started a blog...that video of Bryson skiing just made me cry. Our God is SOOOO good!

To think that your child may never have the ability to do these things, and look...he's doing it and he got to enjoy it!
What a blessing!

twin power mommy ♥ said...

oh...and i meant to mention that my Caitlyn was almost an amputee. We struggled with making a decision that would affect her for the rest of her life (as i know you guys had to with Bryson).

We chose (and God chose) to keep her leg. But we thought about the many possibilites of what life would be like for a little girl and young adult with a prosthetic.

My family prayed for yours many times during those first few difficult months.

I can't say we know what you've gone through with that little guy of yours, but it's amazing how so many people have stories to tell...
similar stories of hope, courage, strength, hard decisions and continued faith in our one true God.

Jenna said...

Absolutly amazing!!!!I cant wait to get my little guy on the mountain!LEt me know any tips/modifications that were made!

Pamela @ Frugal Vet Tech said...

That is awesome! I, too, have tears in my eyes. I've been reading about Bryson for a long time (I don't remember exactly how long) and am thrilled to see he's doing so well. God is good.

Anonymous said...

Its awesome,Bryson is talented like his father.
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