Everyone Likes New and Shiny Things

McCarthy Brothers Bond Dynamique Bi-Ski

We have been patiently waiting for this day to be able to share our news and to show you the gift that Mike, Colin and I made to the New England Healing Sports Association at Mt. Sunapee in Shane's memory.

May I introduce to you the McCarthy Brothers Bond Dynamique Bi Ski

I have yet to see it in person as it just arrived last night but the photos Carly sent sure look good!

Pulling information from the manufactures page- Enabling Technologies from Denver, CO

"The Dynamique has proven itself as the ultimate bi ski and bridges the divide between the Bi-Unique and mono skis. Skiers and instructors alike are enjoying the unparalleled design of the Dynamique. An unprecedented load height, unique tension-ed load system, and performance suspension are just a few of the features that make the Dynamique an unbounded bi ski!"

"Mega III Bi Skis use the same proven shape, side cut and camber as the Mega II's, but with a new and improved flex pattern.  A stiffer core throughout adds stability and performance. It also makes loading and unloading the chair easier. "

We also added a special seating system that is perfect for skiers like Colin.

"The NRG Seating System is an option for skiers that require a high level of upper body and head support. The seat measures approximately 16" wide at the waist.

Each seat is finished with over the shoulder / waist / thigh straps for security and side handles for instructors.  The seat comes predrilled for the Dynamique Bi Ski and includes the adjustable dump bracket. "

We will be thrilled when we can soon add the McCarthy Brothers Bond logo to this sled and Colin can take it for it's first ride down the mountain. It may need to be the beginner hill as Colin has not skied since his major back surgery in March of 2016- when he had T2 to pelvis spinal fusion to correct a nasty S curve that was beginning to compromise heart and lungs. It was a big operation and our stay in the hospital was much longer than anticipated. But Colin in true superhero fashion made his way back home. Needless to say we did not think about him skiing again at the time.

Mike, Colin and I decided in December to make this donation to NEHSA at Mt. Sunapee in Shane’s memory, this is a donation from our family that will be supported by the foundation for hopefully many years to come. In just a few short weeks on March 1st and 2nd our foundation will be sponsoring the lessons for about 30 participants hitting the hill.  It will be the first year in what we hope will become an annual tradition.  We are hoping to have as many people as possible come and join us at Sunapee that weekend. Spend a day on the slopes in Shane's memory- witness the NEHSA program and be amazed by all that they do for the special community that just needs a little bit of assistance to ski.

Please keep reading to understand a little more about why we reached out to inquire about collaborating with NEHSA.

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We made trips to Mt. Sunapee 9 winters in a row so that Colin could ski with the New England Healing Sports Association.  In the early years Shane would take a lesson at the Learning Center so that he too would have a memorable day and that his ski skills would continue to improve.   It was not many winters before Shane was able to navigate the mountain with his Dad and brother.  Making memories as 2 McCarthy boys and their Dad- just as Mike has many ski memories of his own from trips with his brother Glenn and his own father.  

Not only are we looking forward to Colin returning to the ski slopes after a 9 year hiatus, but we know that this shiny new green sled with amazing new technology and a specialized seating system will provide heartwarming memories for other families.   This is another way that we can make something good come from the tragedy of losing Shane to acute bacterial meningitis at the young age of 21. Shane loved to ski and has many memories of trips with family and friends to many ski areas. This is a beautiful way that we can honor a place that holds special memories for our family.  

I recently came across a letter I sent to NEHSA that captures my emotions from that first day that this non-skier entrusted this amazing organization with her boy and I think it is the perfect way to sum up why NEHSA- even after 9 years- still holds a space in our hearts. 

LEARNING TO FLY

By Angela McCarthy

Greenfield, MA

I do not ski- so when my son Colin’s physical therapist recommended we take our nonverbal, non ambulatory 6 year old to Mt. Sunapee to go downhill skiing, I thought she was crazy.  My husband, who has been skiing for 35 plus years happened to think it was a great idea and wanted to learn more about it.  Meg- Colin’s physical therapist- began to tell us about NEHSA -the New England Handicapped Sports Association at Mt. Sunapee in near by New Hampshire.  Meg had been a volunteer for many years, skiing mostly with the blind but assured us that the volunteers of the program were top notch and would fit Colin with a sit ski that he would ride in down the mountain.  I wasn’t real sure what she was talking about, I could not imagine how a child like Colin could ski. Meg suggested I watch the video on the NEHSA website and I would maybe understand a bit more.  Well, once I watched the video and saw the paralyzed people, blind people, amputees, war veterans, stroke victims, young, old, male, female all skiing- it did not matter what Colin’s disability was NEHSA would find a way to make this happen. My husband had skied many mountains with his Dad and his brother- memories he would always cherish.  Was there really a way that Mike could also ski with his two boys, even though one of them was severely disabled, could this actually happen?

Colin was born with a brain abnormality called semi-lobar holoprosencephaly which is a slight fusion of the frontal lobes of his brain. When this was discovered on day 5 of his life the neurologists could not tell us what his future would hold. The brain is such an intricate thing that it was too soon to know exactly how he would be affected.   They told us he may have developmental delays and that we should take him home and treat him like we would any other child.  Since Colin was our first child- we did just that.  We got Colin involved with early intervention services right away and loved him with all of our heart and soul.  His beautiful blue eyes always told us he loved us and that he was doing his best. By the time Colin reached his first birthday he was not speaking at all, he could not sit up on his own or even hold his head up while on his tummy.  He was able to bear weight while you held him standing but that was because his whole body was so rigid.  We knew we were in for a roller coaster of a ride that would definitely have some peaks and valleys.  When Colin turned 3 he entered the Greenfield, MA public school system and began school on an IEP (individual education plan), this included speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy -that is when we met Meg.  Little did we know then what a difference she would make in not only our sons life- but ours and his little brother Shane’s as well.

I think it was that second winter that Meg began telling us we should take him skiing, she volunteered at this wonderful place.  At that time I was not ready to listen- Colin had a hard enough time in the winter with colds that would turn quickly into pneumonia let alone all the other medical diagnosis’s that had turned up- Lennox Gastut Syndrome which is a severe form of epilepsy, acid reflux, diabetes insipidus which is a problem regulating his sodium level in his system which leads to excessive thirst and urination regulation problems.  All of these things were controlled by medication but still- skiing, in the middle of a cold New England winter- I was not ready.

The next winter was out of the question as Colin underwent bilateral femoral osteotomies and tenotomies (hip surgery due to dislocations caused by his high tone).  We would spend December 8th – December 22nd at Children’s Hospital in Boston with Colin in a chest to toe body cast.  This was followed by 14 more weeks at home in the cast – a long and difficult period that included several bouts of pneumonia and the flu.  Once out of the cast Colin spent many hours in physical therapy.

But when the next winter arrived- Colin was healthy and I was a little less stressed by all his medical complications and knew that we could trust Meg.  So on March 16th, 2007 we made our first journey to Mt. Sunapee.  The boys were all ready for this adventure- but was I?   As soon as we entered the NEHSA building we were warmly welcomed and some of my anxiety was put to ease.  They showed us the sled they would use which they carefully adjusted to fit him, they fit Colin with an extra bootie to keep his feet warm, they must have tried 10 helmets before they found one that was just right to fit his small head.  We met Colin’s driver- Lou and of course Meg was there reassuring me that it was going to be great. Meg would be the lead skier making sure the way was clear for Colin and Lou.  We brought Colin outside still in his wheelchair to the spot he would get in his sled- I will never forget the image in my mind of this big guy in his red and black ski jacket with NEHSA volunteer on the back, ever so gently scooping Colin up from his wheelchair and placing him in this sled- it was as if he was placing an egg in a nest. Lou tucked Colin in, strapped him in tight, double checked all the straps and boldly stated, “looks like we’re ready to go.”  I still wasn’t ready- but at this point he was already out of my hands.  As I walked behind them over to the beginner ski area I looked back over my shoulder and saw Colin’s wheelchair- empty- and thought to myself, we don’t need you today- today Colin learns to fly.

So over to the beginner area we went, Shane went off with his instructor to the teaching area while Lou, Mike (Colin’s Dad), Meg and Colin headed for the quad chairlift- wait a minute I thought- you are not putting him on a chairlift are you?  I don’t know how I thought he would get to the top of the mountain- but I certainly did not picture this big 4 seat chairlift taking my baby away.  Too late- they were already getting in position for Colin’s sled to be attached to the chairlift and scooped up to go to the top.  Mike loaded up in the next chair and said to me- “don’t worry; he’ll be fine, I am right here.”  Well within seconds the tears were freezing to my face and they were out of sight- gone.  I was not ready- but it was really too late now. One of the many red and black jacketed NEHSA volunteers came up to me- put her arm around me and said” He’ll be back- he is in great hands.” An eternity of 11 minutes and 7 seconds passed by before my baby came into sight again and it was simply magical.  There he was- with Lou guiding him ever so gracefully back and forth across the mountain over the glistening snow.  They were making large swirling turns as if painting a picture on a canvas of white.  It took my breath away, more tears- but tears of joy- it was really happening- Colin was skiing- leaning his body with the sled from side to side and gliding across the snow.  Soon Lou drove Colin over in front of me- Colin had a smirk on his face and a gleam in his eye- I knew he liked it- he had time for one quick kiss from Mom and then they were back on that chairlift for another run.  Mike also had a smirk on his face and a gleam in his eye- he was skiing with his son.

 Colin took four runs that afternoon down the beginner area of the mountain -each one amazed me- they would appear from the wooded trail and ever so effortlessly make their way down the mountain in front of me as I stood in awe as to what Colin had accomplished.  As we made our 2 hour journey home in a nasty snow storm there were a lot more tears from me- tears of joy and amazement- and there were also a lot of giggles and squeals from the backseat.  Shane too was amazed that his brother could ski just like he could.

Every time we enter the NEHSA building I get chills down my spine- as I stand in awe surrounded by the many volunteers that truly love what they are doing and I watch with more awe at the participants that are defying the odds- that are doing what they were probably told at least once that they could not do- but NEHSA makes it happen. 

The winter of 2009 we made two trips to the mountain each time we go Colin covers more trails, they do not just stay on the beginner side anymore- and Shane now skis along with them on some of the runs.  We make a whole day of it they ski in the morning and afternoon.   I even have a photo of Colin and Shane with their Dad on the summit of Mt. Sunapee.

Now I mentioned the peaks and valleys earlier- but that is not a peak I could have ever dreamed of.  But NEHSA made it happen- NEHSA makes dreams come true. 

This will be our eighth winter skiing with NEHSA at Mt. Sunapee- and we look forward to being a part of this wonderful family for many more years.

And now a few photos from that first trip when my boys were so little. And a few more from over the years and also from our last trip we took.

I think I better put a bit of a disclaimer in here about Colin's hands- LOL. This kid can throw mittens, gloves, muffs, you name out a sled faster than you can imagine- and he also does not like to keep his hands" in the bus" . So over the years many different strategies were used to keep his hands warm and safe!

I can not wait until we can post new photos here from when we make new magic on the mountain and when Colin will again fly- this time with his brother Shane flying along beside him because I have no doubt that Shane will be taking every run with him.

Mark your calendar- March 1st or 2nd come fly with our boys.