Skater with scoliosis rallies others with the disease


When Ashley Moran was 10 years old, she was di-


agnosed with scoliosis, a musculoskeletal disorder in which a person’s spine is curved signifi cantly. Accord- ing to the American Chiropractic Association, fi ve to seven million Americans are aff ected by the disorder. Without a doubt, having scoliosis has changed


the way the now-14-year-old Moran has approached her skating, but not in the way you might think. “I have taught myself new ways of doing things


related to skating,” she said. “I have to work around my limitations.” Moran, who is a member of the Starlights syn-


chronized skating team and Skokie Valley Skating Club in Buff alo Grove, Ill., began skating at age 3. Scoliosis caused her spine to be shaped like the letter S. The disorder created problems for Moran when it came to skating, particularly when she jumped. “It would always be hard to land a jump due to


being tilted to one side,” she said. She eventually had surgery in November 2011


to correct the problem. Moran had two metal rods installed in her spine, along with 22 screws and two hooks. The surgery was emotionally and physically diffi cult, but one thing helped her through the ordeal. “Skating was my main motivation to get out of


my hospital bed and recover faster,” she said. While recovering in the hospital, Moran started


a nonprofi t organization to help other patients — Stand Tall for Scoliosis. “My mission is help others with scoliosis through


support, awareness, education and fundraising,” she said.


Moran’s personal experiences help her to un-


derstand the pain and frustration others are going through. “I go back to the hospital where I had my sur-


gery to visit spinal fusion patients to off er my support and friendship,” she said. “I feel I can encourage these patients since I can relate to them, as well as inspire them that they too will be fi ne one day soon.” Moran isn’t allowing her physical challenges to


hold her back in skating or in life. And no matter what diffi culties she encounters, she has a simple, yet eff ec- tive, plan to deal. “Positive thought, motivation and perseverance


can get you through everything,” she said. To learn more


about Moran’s nonprofi t organi- zation, please visit: Facebook.com/ StandTallForScol iosis.


— Kama Korvela


rinkside


Members of the Fort Dupont Ice Arena’s Kids On Ice P.L.U.S. (Positive Learning Using Skating) program toured the White House in late February. Fort Dupont Ice Arena Executive Director Ty Newberry and Program Di-


rector Leticia Moreno Enos accompanied the children to the White House. Speed skating, synchronized skating and hockey were represented by Fort Dupont. The highlight for the kids was seeing Bo (the dog) a couple of times.


Members of the Hudson Mohawk


Figure Skating Club were treated to a weekend with Paul Wylie at the end of 2012.


Despite a major storm that blan-


keted the region in snow, skaters turned out in force to listen to and learn from the 1992 Olympic silver medalist. Many club skaters enjoyed one-on-one instruction with the U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Famer at Troy’s Knickerbacker Rink. Wylie also led groups of skat-


ers through warm-ups and a variety of skill-building activities. While off the ice, skaters took part in yoga and Zumba classes.


At lunchtime, Wylie talked about


his skating experiences and love for the sport. “In an especially moving mo-


ment, he described the choice he had to make after being chosen for the U.S. Olympic Team by a mere .10 of a point,” club board member Mary Beth Earley said. “Rather than regard him- self as the skater who really didn’t be- long on the team, he decided instead to rise to the occasion.” In Albertville, France, he captured


the Olympic silver medal and was also awarded the U.S. Olympic Spirit Award for sportsmanship.


SKATING 41


Hudson Mohawk FSC enjoys visit from Wylie


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