Last week I had the pleasure of skiing with 12-time Paralympic Gold Medalist, Sarah Will. Sarah was a top up and coming racer in the 80s when she suffered a spinal injury while freeskiing in Aspen. The accident left her paralyzed from the waist down. We grew up in the same neighborhood and were introduced to one another through a mutual friend. Although separated by nearly 20 years in age, we immediately hit it off. I was absolutely blown away by her drive, determination, and optimism. Not only has she become a highly decorated Paralympic athlete, but she is a dedicated advocate for the disabled community. Sarah has been working tirelessly with ski areas around the country to make them far more accessible to those with disabilities. From wheelchairs in both base area and mountain lodges to better training for lift operators helping monoskiers load the chair, Sarah has been the driving force behind these changes. Needless to say, it was a privilege to meet her and spend the day chasing her around Keystone!
