SKIERS SHARE THEIR SPORT WITH THE BLIND

When a friend offered a day of skiing at a discounted rate, Woodstock resident Beth Zange jumped at the chance. Little did she know the outing would influence her life for years to come.

An avid skier, Zange was excited for the opportunity to get a deal for a day on the slopes. The only catch was that her friend was a guide with the American Blind Skiing Federation, and the day was an outing for the group.

Admittedly, her first impression was that this was a bizarre combination. But after a go-round on the ski lift, she quickly changed her mind.

"From the chair lift I saw a skier and a guide in action in beautiful unison," Zange said, "and I was hooked."

She joined the association and trained to be a guide.

According to its website, ABSF was founded in 1971 and is a nonprofit, tax-exempt (501)(c)3 national organization chartered in the state of Illinois. The purpose of the organization is to provide an educational skiing program that is open to any blind or visually impaired person in the hope of providing both physical and psychological therapeutic value.

In a world where "a picture is worth a thousand words," it’s easy to understand the barriers that confront the blind and visually impaired who can see no pictures.

Each year at the beginning of the ski season, the association offers a training clinic for new guides and recertification of existing guides. Candidates train with veteran guides in a classroom before moving out to the slopes to apply what they learned.

Each pairing begins with a brief question-and-answer session to discuss the skier’s experience and visual status. Then, outfitted with bright-orange vests with reflective tape identifying guides and skiers, the pairs head for the hills.

The guides adjust their positioning depending on how experienced skiers are and how much they can see, but safety always comes first. Verbal communication is the primary form of direction with guides calling out turns and positions.

Zange said guides also help skiers to navigate the ski lodge and the lunch stop for the day. She noted that getting skiers on the chairlift is one of the most challenging elements.

"We work one-on-one with the skiers," Zange said. "Sometimes they want to improve, and some just want to get down the hill."

She participated in a weekend outing at Alpine Valley in late February. Saturday was a regular day with association members, but Sunday was spent with kids from Lighthouse for the Blind.

"I was paired up with a 17-year-old girl who had some visual impairment and mild cerebral palsy on her left side," Zange said. "Working with this girl and another instructor was one of the absolute coolest things I've ever done."

"Watching her progress was amazing. By the end of the day, she wanted the bigger bunny hill."

In addition to the local ski outings, ABSF plans a week at a resort out West each year. Last week they enjoyed skiing in Lake Tahoe.

After her first season of guiding, Zange was recruited to be on the board of directors and serve as secretary. Over the years, she has also served as vice president and continues to be heavily involved in fundraising.

"This is an amazing community," said Zange. "I will always be involved."

She suggested that volunteers are welcome and anyone can help. This year’s fundraiser will be a luau pig roast to be held on June 27 in Des Plaines.