Embracing the challenge, by Ben Johnson

Snowbird, Utah – 252 days. It’s been 252 days since I broke my neck. 252 days since I last skied with friends. The last 252 days were stacked with challenges. With much work still ahead, I wanted to take a moment and celebrate the goals I’ve reached. On the same day that I returned to my skis, I had the great opportunity to present a $3,000 donation to Peter Mandler and Laura Cantin of the Wasatch Adaptive Sports program at Snowbird.

I broke my neck in three places while competing at the World Telemark Freeskiing competition in Girdwood Alaska. My neck slipped at C-4, bent in half, pinched the spinal cord and was irreparably damaged. 252 days of relearning how to live. How to move. How to shit. But I also learned that what is impossible one day can be achieved the next. Sitting up in bed. Standing on my feet. Making a fist. Curling a 1 lb dumb bell. Lifting my arms above my head. Walking without aid. Hiking on a mountain trail. Running a mile, and at long last…. skiing on my home mountain at Snowbird Utah.

Through a series of private donations and fund raisers the $3,000 was raised and donated to help Wasatch Adaptive Sports buy a much needed sit ski for people less fortunate than myself. I’ve been able to get back on my feet and ski free again. Many people never have that opportunity to begin with. This was money that I was able to raise with the help of Allan Warren, and the Athletes with a Cause charity program sponsored by Allan’s website, LifeMoreNatural.com.

Thanks to Denali Outdoor Center for their kind donation.

Wasatch Adaptive Sports, a 501 (c)(3) charitable foundation, was established in 1977 to help fill the need for affordable recreational and educational programs for children and adults with special needs. Most programs available today are financially out of reach for many families and individuals. WAS does not turn anyone away, requires no initial fee, and provides full or partial scholarships so all can participate.

Their programs build strength, stamina and self-esteem while enhancing the quality of life for all their participants. WAS operates year-round and provides many rewarding activities including skiing, snowshoeing and adaptive hockey in the winter; hiking, fishing, orienteering, bicycling and tram rides during the summer.

Thanks to Too-loo-uk River Guides for their kind donation.

Peter and Laura hope to have enough adaptive sports equipment to be able to work with more than one skier at a time. As we all know, skiing with friends is much more fun than skiing alone. I am honored to have been able to work with Athletes with a Cause, Life More Natural, and Wasatch Adaptive Sports in this fund raising effort. The ironic twist of breaking my own neck and subsequent spinal cord injury only makes this effort and donation all the more important to Allan and myself.

Thanks for all of your continued support,

Ben Johnson.

To Build Off What Ben’s Efforts Started, LMN.com Has Added New Athletes And Is Now Working To Raise Money For The American Cancer Society. Help Us Move Things Forward and Benefit More People In Need.

Learn more about Ben’s efforts here: Sharing the Joy of Skiing, What Can I do to Make a Difference?, Going Huge, Ben Johnson Blows Up, Road to Recovery, Fun Hogging on the Killik River.