Day 418 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

Today we got the entire gang up and out so we could have lunch together and take a gondola ride to the top of Mammoth Mountain. He piled into a gondola (it holds six – perfect!) and rode up to the mid-mountain "chalet" also known as McCoy Station. Here we grabbed lunch before the hordes of ravenous skiers and boarders arrived. We enjoyed our lunch together just as the crowd was beginning to fill all of the tables. We then boarded the gondola for the ride the rest of the way to the top. It was a crystal clear day and the view was breathtaking. Here is a picture of our "gang" on top of Mammoth Mountain.

Today Grayson went skiing again with Disabled Sports Eastern Sierra (DSES). I am still amazed that he has stayed with it for four days for the 2 ½ hour lessons. Every day they have had something new for Grayson to try, and every day he kept going until the last minute, even though he was tired. With activities other than television we consider ourselves lucky if he sticks with anything longer than 5 minutes.

Today Grayson spent his time following directions while skiing. Today there were numerous distractions as the beginners out for the first time showed up for a long weekend. There were lots of ski and snowboard novices trying to "self teach" all over the place. Grayson had to avoid them and did so quite successfully. At the top of the chair lift we also had a special visit from Woolly, the Mammoth Mountain mascot. To give you an idea of how far he has gone with skiing in the last few days, here is a video I shot today with Grayson on today's more challenging slalom course.

This was Grayson's last day at DSES as he and Regina are heading back home on a plane tomorrow. He thoroughly enjoyed his time skiing and clearly it was something that he has not lost his love for. The caring people at DSES are doing wonderful work. I look forward to bringing Grayson back for a return visit as soon as it is possible.

Pax!

Brant

Day 417 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

Today was another wonderful day at Mammoth. The weather has been spectacular since Tuesday – blue skies and temperature highs in the mid 30s. Austin and I have gotten into a routine of getting on the mountain first thing and riding and carving until 11:00. Then we head back to the condo to have lunch with the rest of the gang before getting Grayson into his ski duds for an afternoon with Disabled Sports Eastern Sierra (DSES). There, one or more of us ski with Grayson and his instructors on the beginner runs out of Main Lodge from the Discovery Chair until their day is over at 3:30.

Today Grayson was given ski pole handles to give him something to do with his hands. He did a much better job of keeping his hands in front of him with these "things" to hold! The staff then set up a slalom course for him. The course was pretty simple, but he went through it successfully. The nice thing about a course like that is that you can increase the difficulty without changing lifts. Tomorrow I suspect that the course will be set up with the gates tighter and wider! Here is a video that I shot today of Grayson on his slalom course.

Today a few of us made "one more run" after Grayson was done, and then we all went out to dinner in town. A wonderful end to a wonderful day – and no dishes to do either!

Pax!

Brant

Day 416 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

Today Grayson continued his ski lessons at Disabled Sports Eastern Sierra. He was excited about going again and today he started skiing without tethers. The staff was shocked that he got here this quickly but it is clear that he remembers what to do and has the muscle memory to pull it off. Here is a video that I took today of him skiing down the mountain without tethers. Forgive me for shaking – I was shooting the video while skiing behind. It is also rather large – not enough time to edit – so I'm sorry for the long download time!

Enjoy!

Pax!

Brant

Day 415 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

Wow – what a day!

This afternoon we went to the adaptive ski school at the Mammoth main lodge – Disabled Sports Eastern Sierra (DSES) – for the program we had expected to take in yesterday that was delayed by flight issues. We were not sure how Grayson would react to it, if he would stick with it or if the staff was able to deal with him.

They blew our socks off! The staff was very in tune with the needs of someone like Grayson. They asked all of the right questions, knew how to encourage and challenge, and to celebrate success. Everyone at DSES seems to have studied Grayson's paperwork that I had sent in, and they all were aware of his issues and his challenges. They were also determined to make a success of it. They succeeded beyond our wildest dreams!

First they checked to see if Grayson was physically capable of doing several things. Then they took him out to the first time learner area and had him snap into skis for the first time since February 2009. Then they checked that he was able to follow instructions before taking him on the magic carpet. A couple of runs convinced them that he was ready for the "real lift". Here is a picture of the team stopping to see Regina after an early run. Here is a video clip of Grayson after he had taken a few runs this afternoon. Can you believe it?

Grayson kept asking to do another run. This is a first, because he has difficulty maintaining his attention on a topic for more than 5 minutes. The staff was surprised and pleased with Grayson's capability because this shows them that Grayson has muscle memory and remembers how to ski. At the end of the day he had completed 6 runs on the chairlift, was a happy camper, and ready to come back for more tomorrow. Mom and Dad were emotional basket cases but ready for more also!

Wow!

Pax!

Brant

Day 414 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

Austin and I took a few turns on the mountain this morning as soon as the lifts opened. While we were on the slopes, we were informed that Regina and Grayson's flight was again delayed by an hour. But, at just about noon, the Horizon Air plane pulled up to the terminal and we were there to greet them!

We went out to lunch then went about our activities. I took Grayson over to Disabled Sports Eastern Sierra to get him set up for his lesson tomorrow. I was so impressed by the staff – they expected us, warmly welcomed us, and made us feel like we belonged. I am excited about working with them and Grayson tomorrow. Here is a picture of Grayson at the Mammoth Main Lodge.

Tonight we had a wonderful meal together of Cajun Salmon with Ceasar Salad. After dinner, a few of us sat down in the glow of a warm fire to read.

Life is good!

Pax!

Brant

Day 413 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

It was a wild day, but some of us made it to Mammoth.

Grayson and Regina were going to fly up, but their flight was cancelled. They will try again tomorrow.

Stay tuned for more later this week on our Mammoth Mountain Adventure!!

Pax!

Brant

Day 412 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

Happy New Year!

We had a lazy morning drinking our coffee (except for Grayson!) and watching the parade in our bunny slippers. What a fun and relaxed morning!

This evening we had a visit from several angels – friends of Grayson from Flintridge Prep that have been visiting him regularly. (I would have uploaded a picture, but we are having as "service issue" with Charter, I can't upload it!) We had a wonderful visit! It is heartwarming that Grayson's friends are still visiting him after all this time.

We are now packing like mad as we are all leaving for Mammoth in the morning for a week of skiing – check in this week for pictures!

Pax!

Brant