CADS Winter Contest Winner: Shon Thomas
Hello all!
My story is pretty simple - and likely similar to most - I became an adaptive snow sports volunteer with CADS and SSASS (Silver Star Adaptive Snow Sports) because of family.
My son has Angelman Syndrome and ASD, but more importantly, he has joie de vivre!
A decade ago we met one of Canada’s greatest volunteers - Andy Mather.
He was at a street event in Vernon, promoting SSASS or the Military Tattoo, or any number of organizations he helps and approached Edison (our son) to talk about skiing.
By the time we hit the mountain the following January, Andy had it all figured out to use a new-to-SSASS piece of equipment called the Snow Slider. With unparalleled determination to get Edison up on skis; and his relentless willingness to work around Edison's mobility, seizures, and vision issues; Andy was able to get Edison on the hill on day 1.
For 8 more seasons, it was Andy, myself, and a rotating third instructor for 10 weekends each year. Over the last four years with Andy, I was training with the slider on how to take on the lift duties. We also added Edison’s younger sister to our crew. Last year, we committed to adding Edison’s mom to the fold, and this coincided with Andy having to take a break for health reasons. Last year I was the pivot, with another SSASS instructor helper, along with my spouse and daughter learning how to support Edison on the chair.
This season, it was going to be impossible for another SSASS instructor to help us as Edison requires physical contact for support.
Serendipity played a hand as we were, the four of us, ready to take on the hill on our own. We have added our youngest son to the team - he has a couple of little jobs that help keep us rested - and as a result, the Thomas family has been able to ski as a unit, independently together, safely, and successfully, for an entire season.
We still have on-hill support from other SSASS instructors and strong guidance from Lars, but we can pick our runs and make sure Edison, a kid who deserves every joy he eeks out. He gets to keep his joie de vivre even when our world has shrunk so severely.
So, I became a volunteer for family - for love - and have felt so supported and respected and trusted by my peers at SSASS, and the extended family of CADS, that I’ve been proud to bring my daughter and wife on board. Next year, when we may, we’ll be out there with Edison (of course), but we also hope to take on another student or two who also deserves the chance to fly over the snow and feel free... and able.
-Shon Thomas
