We had an incredible, amazingly successful time on our Adaptive Outdoor Adventure Mammoth and Yosemite summer trip (Sept. 15 – 20)! We had 10 participants who are past Rancho patients (and Wellness Center members), with disabilities including spinal cord injury, polio, cerebral palsy, stroke, and brain injury, the majority of whom had never been on an overnight trip with Rancho AOA. We participated in three days of activities with Disabled Sports Eastern Sierra (DSES) in Mammoth including adaptive cycling, adaptive rock climbing, kayaking and adaptive paddleboarding, and a gondola ride to the top of Mammoth Mountain (11,000 feet!). On our last full day of the trip we stopped at the Mammoth visitor center where all 10 participants received lifetime access passes for free entry into any national park. Then we drove into Yosemite National Park where we had a picnic lunch on the valley floor and explored the Yosemite Visitor center and museum, then drove up to Glacier Point for an adaptive trail challenge and breathtaking views!Many thanks to Tiffany Yonemoto (RT) and Dave van Beek (new Rancho volunteer and a GREAT help on the trip!), we all worked together as a team to make this the best experience possible for the participants. Also thanks to Deb Arroyo and the Rancho Foundation, we had funding for the trip without which this trip would not have been possible!
Quotes from participants:
“My favoite memory was Yosemite (brought back memories!) and biking and all the activities. My goals coming into the trip were to meet new people and my goals were met. Now I want to go back for more! On this trip I learned that patience is a good thing and that I’m much more athletic than I thought!”
“My favorite memories were hand cycling, rock climbing, kayaking, and the fellowship. My goal was to participate in all the activities to the best of my ability, and 100% my goals were met. On this trip I learned that when you see someone make the challenge before you it gives you the confidence to go for it 100%. And how much the helpers really care, and how you have their full support.”
“I will always remember cycling because it was my first time cycling upright again [pedaling with feet] since my stroke. My goals for the trip were to meet new people and to participate in every event, and my goals were met. On this trip I learned to keep faith, believe in myself and go for it.”
“The bike [hand cycle] just blew my mind. I never thought I would be riding a bike again. The rock climbing was awesome, I completed the challenge. So many times I wanted to quit but I got to the top! The paddleboarding was another favorite activity, being in the middle of the lake and being independent was awesome. My goals coming into the trip were to do all the sports and activities and to challenge myself and push myself more. I feel that my goals were met. I couldn’t and now I can.”
“My favorite memories from the trip were cycling, kayaking, rock climbing and exploring Yosemite. My goals coming into the trip were to rock climb – it was hard but I did it!; and to try everything and I did it! and will keep doing it! On this trip I got to know everyone, I learned that the activities are exciting and that I can do it!”
“My favorite memory was hand cycling. My goals coming into the trip were to experience new things and push myself, and definitely my goals were met. On this trip I learned how to adapt to new situations.”
“My favorite memories were the views from cycling and riding on the high line. My goals coming into the trip were to test my balance and skills in dirt and to see what it would take to get through a 5 day trip. My goals were met. On this trip I learned it’s a lot easier to travel than I thought and I got a lot of information for when I come back.”
“From the activities my favorite was rock climbing. But overall I really enjoyed all the people in the group and I got to know a lot about them. My goals coming into the trip were to be able to independently take care of all my daily needs and I feel like I did a pretty good job with the equipment I had. On this trip I learned that any outdoor activity can be adapted, and people are always willing to help. And I went a week without wheelie bars!”
“My favorite memory was the day we spent at the lake kayaking. My goals coming into the trip were to try new environments and see if my body could conquer the challenges that these environments gave met, and I feel that my goals were met. On this trip I learned to trust other people.”
“Rock climbing was the highlight of my experience. On this trip I learned tolerance for others and patients, and I really liked meeting new people. Everything about this trip was just great.”
Written by: Rebecca (Becky) Bershtel, CTRS, RTC
Recreation Therapist II
Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center
7601 East Imperial Highway | JPI Bldg Room T2180 | Downey, CA 90242
O: (562) 401-6335 | F: (562) 401-6169
E: rbershtel@dhs.lacounty.gov
The post Adaptive Outdoor Adventure Mammoth Summer Trip by Becky Bershtel appeared first on Disabled Sports Eastern Sierra.