Vail Training

It is my 3rd trip with the United States Paralympic team and right now we are training in Vail, Colorado before our NorAm races next week. We have been training Super G, GS, and SL for the past four days. I'm really excited because I'm progressing everyday. Everyday I find a new comfort zone and can work on different techniques. I'm really pushing to keep up with everyone else because the Paralympics are in two years! It's not a lot of time. But with a combination of my training at home with Ernie, and my training out here with the team, I think I will keep a good pace. Ernie has helped me build my strength and endurance up for the last two years and it is paying off. I cant wait to race next week to put everything up to the test!

A Phone Call That Will Change My Life Forever

I just got a phone call from Kevin Jardine who is the head coach and director of the US Ski team and he informed me that I am now an official member of the United States Ski Team. The US Ski team consists of three teams A, B, and C. The A and B teams are athletes that have points low enough to be world cup qualified racers. The C team is the development team. I am on the B team. Which means I will now travel with the best racers in the country with the best coaches. I will travel across the world with them now. I have been training and hoping for the last six years to become a part of this team to represent the United States of America in World Cups and the Paralympics. I have waited and worked so hard for this that for a while i thought it was just unrealistic for it to actually happen.
Well it did. Kevin called me and I started shaking as he told me this. " I want to help you get a bite out of the world and make it on the podium" was what he said. I will never forget those words and the feeling in my stomach I got from it.
But I will never forget the one person that brought me to here, right now. Mau. She was the first person I shook hands with when I was 9 years old at Camelback. From that day, to 6 years later, she has built me from a little 9 year old Pennsylvania girl, to an athlete which is now on the US National team. She shaped me and formed me into a strong, independent ski racer. She brought me this far, and I will never forget that as long as I live.

Mom away from Mom : )

Hey it's mom, Deb....

I must add to this saga. Yes Mau, you are Stephanie's mom when she's away. I believe this is trip #3 to the hospital this season? Coach, sister, friend or however you choose to refer her as, it's obvious she is like a mother to Stephanie.

When I first learned of her surgery Tuesday evening I frantically made flight arrangements to arrive in Denver the next morning to be with her. But knowing Mau was by Stephanie's side, a sudden calm came over me and gave me a sense of comfort.

Once I landed in Denver, the two and 1/2 hour drive to Vail was excruciating! I knew time was ticking and I had hoped to be there before they took her into surgery, but realized it was getting late and they had to move forward. Giving consent over the phone to the surgeon and anesthesiologist was so surreal. I began to get nervous. I then asked to speak with Stephanie. A little voice, but brave and confident assuring me that she will be okay. Who was comforting who here?? I told her how much I loved her and I assured her that I would be there when she woke up... Now my only hope was to get there in time... As the shuttle pulled up to the hospital, I received a text from Mau telling me Stephanie was out of surgery and everything went well. Charlie met me in the lobby and brought me to Stephanie's room. Stephanie was still very groggy from the anesthesia and as I walked up to her bed she looked at me and tears started to flow. I too was overwhelmed with relief and, once again so very proud of her.

It was that moment I realized Mau needed a break. LOL, she was like a walking zombie. After all, she hasn't slept since before the red-eye flight back from Alaska the night before. Stephanie stayed in the hospital that night. We were all relieved that the surgery was a success and over! The next day she started therapy. Dr. Sterrett and strength trainer back home, Ernie Baul discussed post-surgery plans.

And last..we cannot forget those who held up the fort back home. Thank you Bob Wineman for stepping up and helping Sarah take care of the animals etc back home.

I've said it before and I'll say it again....Stephanie's determination in proceeding to the Paralympics continues because of your love and support behind her.

Professional

Hey, It's Mau again. My mind wondered all night long, by 6:30am, I had to get up. Sneaked out of the room with Charlie to grab some coffee. Charlie helped me to make a list of last minute questions to the Dr.

10:30am, we wheeled into the Vail Surgery Center as we were told last night. As we checked in with the administration staff, I found out that they were not expecting us, which I wasn't too surprised. I didn't even know till 5pm yesterday! I told her I would be happy to start any necessary paperwork to start the process.

Her first question, "Are you her mom?"

No, do I really look old enough for her mom?!? Maybe. They needed her mom's consent to initiate the surgery process, but she started to talked to her senior staff and nurses, and figured out we could start with her mom's verbal consent over the phone. Very smooth and comfortable correspondence despite the rushed arrangement. Deb was just landed in Denver airport at that time and trying to get on the shuttle bus to Vail.

Charlie came into the room with two cups of coffee.

Administration staff asked, "Are you her dad?"

"No, thank God..."

Nurse came out from the preops room and called Stephanie in. I was still working on the paperworks with Deb on the phone. She asked me, "This is it? Am I going in for good? Should I go pee now?!?" They don't make a set time for surgery, which I thought it was interesting. They just start the operation when the patient is ready. Well, we were not, but somehow I didn't feel rushed nor pushed. Again, very comforting response from the staff.

Dr. Sterett came into her bed with his surgeon dress. He looked much handsome than his Dr. dress. He asked to Stephanie, "Well, which knee are we operating on today?" I knew this was a common ritual questions for all the Ortho surgeries to prevent accident, but Stephanie thought it was funny. "Right and the only one!" I'm sure it was a joke of the OR that day. Dr. Sterett wrote 'Yes' and initialed his name on her right leg.

As Deb passing by Idaho Springs on her shuttle, OR Nurse, Anesthesia Dr. and Recovery Nurse took turn on the phone to explain what they will do and read all the waiver of liability for the surgery. Nurse explained,"... understand there are risk of blood loss, joint damage, blood clot, brain injury.... are you doing ok, Deb?.... and possible limb loss.... " I'm sure she was freaking out!!!!! But it was very thorough job by all the Drs and Nurses. I had to talk myself into that it was a good decision last night. All the conversation with their staff made me comfortable and confident about this big decision. They are definitely professional who proud about what they do everyday.

Stephanie did well during the preparation, which made me very proud. She asked questions honestly, responded nurses questions well with her cheerful charm. I added some more medical history and her ski racing experiences to her answers as needed.

"You girls are like sisters! Must known each other for a long time."

Sisters, yeah, that's more like it. I've know Stephanie for 6 years and I was thinking about last 6 years of great adventures with her while she was in the OR. Stephanie went in the OR 12:05. A nurse called me as she came back to the room around 12:50, when I received Deb's TXT "I'm here." Everything went well. It was a well orchestrated procedure by dedicated professionals.

I drove Charlie back home in the afternoon. We bought a lottery ticket at the gas station.

Synchronicity

Hey, it's Mau. I'm writing today & tomorrow's entry for Stephanie, and you will see why I'm writing it......

So, right after the SL race on Sunday the 27th, we had a wonderful banquet dinner and then we took a shuttle to the Anchorage airport. Got in around 9:30pm, it was earlier than we planned, but we wanted to check in our luggages ahead of big team like CAN team and NSCD team. Our flight left 00:30, which is technically next morning and we flew red-eye flight to Seattle and then to Denver. With her knee hurting from the fall from the SL race on Sunday, I'm sure it was uncomfortable flight for her, but we hanged on the long flight because we had a 'hope'.

The 'hope' was provided by Gwynn & Ray. They have been recognizing Stephanie's needs to see Ortho Dr. to figure out what's really causing her knee pain. Ray arranged an appointment for consultation with Dr. Sterett at The Steadman Clinic who is the head physician for the US Women's Ski Team. Yeap, he is the Dr. who evaluated Lindsey Vonn after her concussion this February. We were hoping this world-class knee Dr. would tell us what the best thing to do.

Our flight landed on time 10:30 am. I called my husband Charlie as soon as I got out of the gate to arrange our pick up. He answered, "I'm still in George Town......" Because of the snow, they closed the Barthoud Pass in the morning, so he had to go around through Klemmling back on I-70 from Silverthon. Our appointment with Dr. Sterett was 2pm, so I knew we would be late at this moment. I panicked a little, yet I was so tired that all I could think about is just keep going. Charlie picked us up noon and we were on our way to Vail. Of course our car's side window broke, so I had to drive with the window open for a while, then the snow started, so we had to tape a paint cloth..... AUGH!!!

Despite an hour delay to our original appointment, the team of Dr. Sterett accepted us and gave us a clear crisp diagnosis for her knee condition. She has medial plica syndrome, which is caused by repetitive use of the knee joint, the tissue in the knee joint folded over and wrinkled at medial side of the knee by the femoral condyle. This gives her irritation from over use and creates swelling and knee pain. Most of us have this condition in different degree, but Dr. Sterett told us that it will be beneficial for her to surgically remove it.

Dr. Sterett, "So, how soon would you like to have this surgery done?"

Me & Stephanie thinking about the summer training camp, "As soon as possible! Even tomorrow!"

Dr. Sterett looked at his PA and said, "Ok, will do it tomorrow then!"

We looked each other, "Really? Well, really?!?"

My brain started to run 100miles/hour after this conversation. Well, how soon can I bring her mom to fly from PA? How should I explain to her mom anyways? Where should we stay tonight? What should I do with Charlie? (he has been patiently waiting out side of office for 2 hours, ready to go back home) Does she have enough time to start PT here? What should she do for SkiTAM? Well, CAN I GO HOME TONIGHT?!?

While Dr. Sterett team arranging the surgery for tomorrow, I went out to the lobby to ask Charlie' "Can you take a day off tomorrow?" "What do you mean?" Fair thing for him to ask, but he already knew he had to take tomorrow off, didn't need to understand why. Dr. Sterett called OR, Charlie called his boss, and I called Stephanie's mom.

Thanks to my friend Jimi & Ryoko, we found a place to settle in Avon tonight. After we stumbled into the motel in a sleep-deprived stupor, I had just a enough energy left to think and wonder, "Somebody must have planned our day. This must be the synchronicity!" Stephanie started to ask random teenager questions about her surgery. I didn't have energy left to answer them. I'm sure she won't sleep well tonight..... It was a long day.

SL

GS

Alaksan Super G Combined race.

2nd place :)

Junior medal

The Super G combine Race that was canceled yesterday was held today. It snowed alot last night so it was tough conditions. And a very long day. Super G Combined is a mix between a Super G race and a Slalom race. Switching from a speed event to a tech event could be very difficult. You go from an 8 ft ski to a 5 foot ski in 45 minutes...then race. I place 2nd overall and 1st in the Junior. It was a good day and i felt like i accomplished alot for my first combined race. :) Tomorrow is GS, my favorite. :)

Almost a Super G Combined

Can you tell the sky from the ground? i cant.
It was a complete white out at the top of the mountain today so the race was called off. So now the day off will be used to make up this race. What did i say about being ready for anything???

Alaska US Nationals: Super G

Junior Gold Medal

Up-side-down :)

Me and Mau flew into Anchorage, Alaska for the Adaptive US National Championships. We both planned on today being a day off. I got a concussion this past Saturday from taking a good fall in Steamboat, Co. So we were looking forward to kicking back and relaxing. But, as we soon learned last night, i had to race today. The original plan was to have the Downhill race today which i wasn't going to participate in, and the super G tomorrow. But there was a change in plans and the Super G was today.

Going from that fantastic thought of being lazy for one full day, to having to be in race mode by the next morning, can be pretty tough... and a let down :( But a race is a race and obviously very unpredictable.. Me and Mau had to work together to organize how we were going to do this the next morning and be ready to get on the hill on time, with lift passes, and registration forms filled out and turned in. We both made it to the start with just one last step to complete our eventful day.... To race. I didn't have the best run of my life but i stayed standing and i finished with a pretty good time for a "little girl". I came in 4th, which hopefully i can make it better tomorrow. But all in all it turned out to be a good day. I learned one valuable thing today. Be ready for anything. ( i also learned that Kiwi is a type of bird :) )

Day 4 in Park City: GS Race

2nd GS race!!! it was a little bit sunnier today than yesterday and deffinatly a lot warmer. we weren't even cold in our race suits. we actually couldn't wait to strip! ( taking everything off but the race suit. Stripping is what you do at the start) The course set was a little simpler too. I place gold again in the womens stand up. Again it was a very good race and tomorrow should be even better!

Day 3 in Park City: GS Race

From left to right, Aurthur, Big Tom, And Toms friend :)

That's how Shabu Shabu is done. You each have a boiling pot and u put the raw meat in it to cook. Its really tasty!

1st Race in GS for the Huntsmen Cup. I got up early to stretch and get ready for the day. I had my oat meal with strawberries and orange juice. Yummy. Then at 9:00 am i got onto the lift for the first inspection. It was a bit cloudy so it was flat light which makes it harder to see. But all in all every body had the same conditions, and it was a good race. i took gold against a girl named Jill. She very new to ski racing and she said she likes it a lot. She is a wounded soldier. I'm hoping she stays with it.

Night time came and Tom, Tom, Tom, Aurthur, Me , and Mau went to a Shabu Shabu restaurant. It was really neat. we all had a good time.

Day 2 in Park City: Slalom & GS

No pictures today but we trained for slalom and GS. We ran Slalom gates in the morning and GS in the afternoon. We got alot of snow last night so the conditions were pretty soft but it was really sunny. Also very warm. I was told that this type of beautiful weather is common for this ski area.
I noticed a big change in how my ski turns now that I have that support. It makes it easier to transition one turn to the next. I have a few things to work on , like not getting backseat ( when u lean backwards) and to look ahead all the time. I have a bad habit of looking down when i race and that just causes problems. Mau told me that you have to change that the day before the race. That the race starts now, and to get your train of thought in gear. It helps to be ready for whats coming next. I have to get a good nights sleep for tomorrows GS race. Wish me luck!

Day 1 in Park City: Slalom

Slalom training! Its a huge difference going from a 201 to a 155 ski. My slalom ski turns so much easier. But i was having a little bit of trouble making my left turns and Mau said I might need a boot insert for my foot. Like a custom made one for my arch so I'd have more leverage in turning my ski. So Sue, a Park City coach, recommended a place in Salt Lake City called Lift House. They make custom foot supports called Super Feet. Its really neat how they do it. They soften a flat piece of cork in an oven and mold it to the bottom of the support, then put it on the bottom of your foot while its dangling, then put a plastic bag over your foot, tighten it, and suck all the air out. The reason they do it this way is because if you are standing then it doesn't put your foot in the shape its supposed to be in. But if its dangling then they can mold it as to how your foot is shaped. I will see if it helps tomorrow.

Arriving In Park City, Utah

7 hours and 55 minutes on the same plane to get to Utah. The plane had to stop twice to pick up and drop off passengers. I arrived in Salt Lake City at 5:45 and Tom Godowski ( or big tom as we call him) and Steve.... he never told me his last name... picked me up and brought me to Park City. We drove threw a pretty bad storm which is why the trees are covered in ice and snow. Those are the trees we see out of our back deck of the condo. Pretty.

There are a few other people staying in this condo. 3 toms... big tom, little tom, and toms friend, and Mau, and Arthur, an able body world cup champion. cool guy! Can't wait to ski again!

Super G Race.. And Im Alive!

Me and Mau on the Kimberley podium with my Bronse medal.
Canada, Nederland, and USA (me) on the podium
Very sleepy with my birthday crutch.....
Mau and Sue chillin on a ski rack... odd but comfy..
Im Alive!
I wasnt going as fast as i could have been going... and thank god. I was on a slower part of the hill when something went wrong and i hit the ground. Hard enough, though, to rip my goggles off my head and pretty much impail myself with the bar of my outrigger. I was taken down the mountian in a taboggan and then into an ambulance... To make a long story short, i walked away with a soar wrist, which we thought was fractured, a very tight and bruised chest, where they thought i ruptured my spleen ( i dont have all my ribs on my left side so where my outrigger got me worried the doc.) and a very soar neck, back, and knee. Waking up did not feel good. But.. i did anyway and raced the Super G race that was held today. I was only able to finish one race run because when i got to the bottom i could barely breath, because it hurt to inhail. My run wasn't anything i was proud of...at that moment... Later on me and Mau went to the award ceramony and i was standing in the crowed when they were calling off the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners of the womens stand up. And i got 3rd! i didnt know that out of the 6 women who raced in that catagory, only 3 made it down the course. I was one of them. I was in complete shock when they said my name. That medal was one of my most acheived. I went threw alot to get it, and i was proud of myself :) Deffinatly a great way to end an amazing trip!

Kimberley DH

In the start gate...

Warming hut at the start gate..

Teddy woof and Golby came with us...

1st ever downhill race was a big step forward for me. I needed good points for this race to make it to next years World Cups in Europe. And so far with my point average, from this race, i'll make it. I was able to train for 2 days on the same hill and same coarse which helped alot in helping me understand the rules and technique. Racing down hill is a little different then tech events like Slalom and GS. Its alot longer turns.. and fewer turns. you need to be relaxed and dynamic to finish it. There are two runs but each run is a seperate race. So u can average those two runs and get a final race result. Usually you have two runs but you combine the times and its one race result. But since down hill is a tough race to compete in and to prep for, they make it all in one day. My first race run was the best i had all week. But the second...... At one point seeing red blurs representing gates fly by me at about 45 miles an hour...then the next seeing white... and trouble breathing........ To be continued...

2nd Downhill Training

The gate in DH are very far apart...

My teddy woof... Love you Aaron!

Okay... Big difference between todays and yesterdays training. Today, unlike yesterday, i was able to test around with my line and technique. I wasn't as terrified of the speed and coarse like i was yesterday. It only took about 2 runs to get over the fear of speed. Now it was just fun! You go so fast that you jump over the rolls of the hill. Well really, you have no choice. You more or less get launched off of them. Then when you land you just better be ready to turn to make the next gate. All in all, down hill can be pretty fun, once you stop thinking about what your actually doing. If you keep the thought in your head that you are flying down a mountian on flat pieces of wood around gates that arent very forgiving, with some people going 101 km an hour.... you can really enjoy it. :) Cant wait for the race tomarrow!

My First DownHill!!!

My ski is much longer than me... It even looks taller than the mountains!

Early morning chairlift ride...
1st pitch on the downhill course... its so steep you cant even see most of the ground after the drop off.... Inspecting with Rip from Park City Team.
Fancy little stool..
The French Have Arrived! My first downhill run... Today was my first down hill training. I either wanted to cry, or just get it over with, I wasn't quite sure. Getting a quick look at the course from inspection, i got the butterflies beyond belief. But its really neat to be at the top of the course and see the peaks of the mountains above the clouds, then when your at the bottom you see only the bottom half of the mountains under the clouds. And its not even that long of a run... which just goes to show how steep it is. I was working on keeping a tight line, the shortest line threw the gates, and positioning myself into a good tuck to cut off some extra time. I used to find myself gazing off when i'm supposed to be listening but when your coaches tell you to make "no sudden movements" then you ask why and they say "because it could kill you"..... you tend to pay attention a little more closely. Although a scary, but exciting experience, i learned a lot and i cant wait for tomarrow. Downhill might just be my new favorite event.. :)

Day Off In Kimberley

Thats the view from my balcony.....

Bootleg Sled Dog Races being held soon!

Handy-dandy pully carts!!!
A great day off in downtown... or whats said to be down town.... Kimberley. Me and Mau went down to a Chinese Resturant for lunch then went walking around to find a wild deer. Sounds funny but in this little town there are tons of deer that will walk right up to you for food and stick there heads inside of doors. They look fuzzy and cute.... but the 8 point antlers dont look to welcoming. We also went to the gym to practice tuck positioning to go faster while in a course. Tomarrow i will start my Downhill training for the race this weekend.

SG Training Day 2 at Kimberley

13 different countries will be here to race this Saturday and Sunday. As of right now I met the Swiss, or Suisse, also Canada, British, and Nederland. The last picture is of me and mau at the top of the race hill. Kimberley is definatly one beautifull place. Full of nice people and amazing sights. I cant wait to see what is coming next. :)