Winter sports are for everyone
Shared experiences in Savoie and Haute-Savoie
Although winter sports may seem out of reach, they have brought joy to a great many disabled people, most of whom have become addicts!
Martine Soide, mother of Aurélien, a 16-year old with multiple disabilities:
"At last... seated skiing got to the Grand Massif... We first tried it in 2004, at Morillon. Now things have really taken off. Skiing is an activity Aurélien can do and he loves it! When you can ski, you mustn't stop. With professional help, it is a sport we can do as a family and it has been a joy to introduce Aurélien to the pleasures of skiing and the sensation of speed, and, most of all, to share the experience with him.
Roll-on winter and the arrival of the snow. Aurélien is always asking if he can go skiing, even in summer!"
Cathy, 40 years old, mother and one-legged skier
"After years of watching others go off, it was an unforgettable experience to get onto the slopes and enjoy the thrills of swooshing over the snow. And the memories kept me going all year long! With each new season I am improving and learning new things, as well as revelling in the joy of being out on the slopes in winter. It is a pleasure that should be made available to as many people as possible."
Corinne Muris, 30 years old, seated skier
"I thought I would never enjoy the unforgettable sensations that skiing gives: the silence of the mountains, the sublime scenery... I organised my holiday through the "Loisirs Assis Evasion" organisation in Passy, in Haute Savoie. I started with bi-skiing, which allows disabled skiers to do everything an able-bodied skier can do, and then I discovered seated skiing. On the slopes we are just like able-bodied skiers and people look at us differently from the way they do in daily life. The time flew by, between bi-skiing and seated skiing. I had a really enjoyable time with my instructor and I completely forgot my physical disability. During that week, I grew taller! I can't wait until next winter to do it all again."
