To Ski or Not To Ski: Therapy in the Snow (November 2009).    Blog by Monty Reed March 20 2010

When I was invited to visit the olympics this year in Whistler I was beside myself.   More determined than ever to get back into shape enough to be able to ski.  Over two decades ago my life was almost lost in a parachute accident.  I survived and ended up in a hospital on Fort Ord near Monterey California.  The fourth floor view was nice and it helped a little.  The first four to six months I had myself on suicide watch.  That is kind of like leaving the fox in charge of protecting the hen house.  I was blessed and lucky to not have been able to carry out any sucidal wishes. 

After nine and a half years of recovery I was able to ski once.  I horse back road, water skied, and even parachuted just to be able to say "I did it"  and "I beat those things, they did not beat me".  Two and a half years ago I had a relapse in my health.  I spent many days a week in bed unable to move.  Sometime I just could not walk, others I was in so much pain I could only lay there and cry.  Even with the medications the pain was over whelming. 

Last year I set out on a course of recovery.  I implemented everything I could to improve my health.  Vitamins, juicing, non alchoholic beer, cutting calaries and carbs, massage, chiropractic, acupuncture, yoga, meditation, hypnosis, and good old fashioned excercise.

The swimming pool seemed to be the key to getting the recovery engine running.  I would use my wheelchair or cane to get myself to the pool.  If I could not swim it was okay, I was trying to establish a habit.  The kids did not like the chlorine at the Y so I was on my own to get into the pool.  Many days I would simpy walk in the water with a bunch of senior citizens.  Sometimes I would float for hours.  The water took the weight off of my spine and helped me to relax.  I even started to do the "walking meditation" from the mindfulness class, by walking in the water. 

Knee bends were a big part of the excercise routine to prepare for skiing this year. 

In high school I was a level III (3) skiier.  Muscle memory is amazing and I was counting on it to help me get back into the swing of things.  So, lots of knee bends to get ready.  I would also sit against the wall with my knees bent to work my upper leggs. 

When I first went up to the snow I brought my old skis.  They were straigt and long.  I put them on and skied about twenty feet.... Took them off.... walked up the hill and did it again. After about seven trys I was pretty sure I was ready.  The next week I went up and tried it again.  I chose Snoqualmie because I have enjoyed staying at the www.snoqualmieretreat.com

If I was uncomfortable or unsure of myself I would have selected "Not to ski".   Well I was comfortable and happy on the skies.  Muscle memory worked really well.  I beleive the fact that I was in the water every other day helped a lot with the reconection of muscles and nerves.  Propreaseption is a big factor and one of the reasons we believe the LIFESUIT will come in handy so much. 

I have been using the LIFESUIT to help me get excercise even when I can not walk.  The difference has been amazing. 

Starting out on the bunny hill was the smart thing to do.  I purchased a season pass becuase I knew I was going to go at least six times. 

It was fun to experience the muscle memory doing most of the work.  True, I had done all of the excercises to get myself ready but when it came down to it the muscle memory was the key for me.  I used to be a level III skier before the accident.  On my first time back I was a beginner with a secret weapon, muscle memory.  For those of you who were in great shape before your accident there is hope.  You actually have a leg up on someone else who is skiing for the first time.

Be patient and take it easy.  I had to keep reminding myself that I was a little older now and by doing that it made me a little wiser.

The day ended up great.  I was sourounded by little kids on the bunny hill and a lot of older folks learning for the first time, taking it easy like me or hangning out with thier grand kids. 

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