Gaining Insight

BY JOHN STEVENSON

I met Wendie and Larry this summer when they showed up for waterskiing lessons on Lake Sammamish. Both Wendie and Larry are cross country and downhill skiers, and both had water-skied years ago. The sun was out, the lake was warm and the water was flat. After introductions, we started by letting them check out the gear and try on the skis while on the grass. Next we talked about the correct position for starting and getting up; using snow sports analogies for reference. We spent a while practicing the starting sequence on the grass. Next we went over our signals. We would use a whistle. Then we took some time meeting the coaches that would be helping in the boat and in the water. We had them check out the boat, where the prop was, the ladder etc. I sent them out on to the lake while I went to prep for the next participants and their session. After about forty minutes I checked in with the coaches to see how the session was going. The report was that Wendie got up right away and Larry took a few more pulls, but both were doing well and having fun. They would be heading for shore in about ten minutes.

When they got to back to shore, Wendie and Larry were all smiles and relaxing in the back of the boat. They both had a great time and were looking forward to the next weekend. I sent the next two participants out for their session. This gave me some time to talk with Wendie and Larry while they waited for their ride to come pick them up. Just before they left, they wanted to know if it was all right if some friends from out of town came with them next weekend to hang out with us while they skied. I said I would be happy to meet some of their friends and would look forward to it. Their ride showed up, and we all said our goodbyes.

What I needed to know to provide a safe learning environment for Wendie and Larry, amongst other things, was that they are both visually impaired. So when I made time to engage them about other aspects of their lives I found out that Larry is retired from sales with a large company, is the current national president of Ski for Light (a cross country ski program), likes to sit in the shade as apposed to the hot sun. I know that Wendie is “Dr”. Wendie, she is currently on staff at a major local University, likes to spend time in the hot sun as apposed to the shade, likes to polka and wants to make a few runs on the downhill slopes with me this winter.

Adaptive sports instructors give a great deal of attention to the systems that keep students and themselves safe. We are also charged with having an appropriate level of knowledge about various disabilities. It is not surprising that getting to know the person beyond the disability sometimes gets left out of the equation. It has been a combination of time and experience that has helped me with this important aspect of the student instructor relationship. By looking at personal connections as a goal and not a luxury I have had a chance to get to know some really cool people and make some great friends, like Wendie and Larry.