Friday, February 17, 2017

Casting My Crown in the Snow

It's been a little over two years since posted on this blog last, with the announcement that after being blessed with the opportunity to meet the amazingly fearless Jennifer Adams (Ms. Wheelchair America 2014), I was inspired to start my own business while competing for Ms. Wheelchair Arizona 2015. But, I never really wrote about the outcome. So much came out of that experience, not including a title and crown. Truth be told, I've been declared runner-up twice now. Though the loss still stings at times, I wouldn't change it. God used it to reveal my calling and to give me a friend who could ignite my desire for adventure.

Over the last two years, Jennifer has constantly encouraged me to take leaps of faith not only with my talents, but in life as well. So, once she started Making Dreams Come True, Inc., and asked me to be one of the first people to actually go on an adaptive sports adventure with her, I had to say yes! Early in the planning stages, I realized I only really had one choice. It was time I faced cold weather on my own terms and learned to make my muscles bend to MY will instead of vise vera. At the time I had no idea just how incredibly apt that decision would turn out to be (God definitely had a plan for the whole thing). Therefore, we decided I'd go skiing with Higher Ground in Sun Valley, Idaho January 29-Febuary 4.

The crazy thing was just as the holidays were approaching and we were making the final arrangements for the trip, I found myself in the hospital two separate times for different emergencies. They both made me feel even more trapped in my own body. But, I trusted God would give me the strength to make this trip happen and He did, abundantly. I wanted to have control over my muscles, which is exactly what I got.

At the start of my first run down Dollar Mountain (Quarter Dollar), I discovered it would take my entire core to steer the bi-ski and nothing else... no hands. I internally panicked for a second: Am I still too weak for this? We would find out soon enough. Fortunately, I was given two of the coolest instructors ever! Anders and Neil never missed a beat in terms of grasping my intelligence and knew exactly what cues my body needed. Plus, they were both just really kind in general. By the time I finished my second run, all fear was gone, the fire was lit... And I WAS BACK. I just wanted to fly! So I did. I skied the entire 3-hour lesson without a break. "Brooke, you're hard core!" was all the guys could say. You bet I am! Anders and Neil were both very impressed with my balance. That was a first. By the end of my second day, I'd conquered the Half Dollar run and my instructors decided I was ready to take on Bald Mountian at River Run– where the experienced skiers go. I was a little sore, but I was totally game and the cold wasn't bothering me!

My final runs down Bald Mountain were completely exhilarating! Withh each one, my focus got shaper and I felt powerful, like Elsa from "Frozen." Everyone at Higher Ground is so encouraging!

And to top the week off, I was invited to share the spotlight with Jennifer as a guest speaker at the Supper Club fundraising dinner for Higher Ground. Jennifer understands my passion for sharing my story and wants to help bless more people with it. The vision of Making Dreams Come True, Inc. isn't just about adaptive sports, but also supporting people's life dreams. Thank you, my fiercely beautiful friend, it was an extremely blessed week skiing with you. I found my way back to life on those mountains.