ADAPTIVE


MARY ELLEN WHITNEY Adaptive Instructor Ronnie McTiernan relishes being part of the adaptive instruction crew at Catamount Mountain.


‘JUST DO IT’ ATTITUDE HELPS SKIER WITH MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS BECOME A CONFIDENT INSTRUCTOR


By Derek Nunner and Mary Ellen Whitney I


don’t necessarily have large, overarching goals; I see, day by day, what I can do best.” A simple creed, but one that has launched PSIA-AASI member Veronica “Ronnie” McTiernan from wistfully dreaming of winter sports to learning how to


instruct her own ski lessons, armed with her outriggers and a go-get-it attitude. While Ronnie enjoyed her previous attempts at alpine skiing, it wasn’t until after she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2004 that she experienced the heart-gripping fear of falling – coupled with the unbridled joy of speed – that create the challenge of four-track skiing with New England’s STRIDE Adaptive Sports program. “Te speed was just startling to me, says


McTiernan. “When I finally did stop, I would start tearing up.” Tese tears came from air stinging her


eyes as she zipped down the mountain, and the sheer wonderment and liberation of reaching high speeds on her own two feet, which had not happened since her diagnosis.


92 | 32 DEGREES • FALL 2016


EQUIPMENT HELPS SURMOUNT EARLY HURDLE McTiernan was not a natural at first; her initial lesson with STRIDE Adaptive Sports at New York’s Catamount Mountain was 2.5 hours on just two runs in the learning area. An early hurdle may have been her faltering confidence in the recommended four-track skiing setup using outriggers for balance. Going into the lesson, she was convinced she would be most comfortable in a sit-ski. Despite McTeirnan’s frustration, her instructor was persistent that she would be more independent and capable as a four-track skier, citing two main reasons: 1) McTiernan should use the least-restrictive equipment possible that provides the most independence, and 2) She would benefit from using therapeutic equipment that would


help improve her condition, by building muscle strength and muscle memory through repetition of movement. Now, after years of hard work and countless slopes under her belt, McTiernan has found that her only deterrent is fatigue caused by MS. So, after attending seminars and training with STRIDE Adaptive Sports, she’s found that she’s able to reduce fatigue by using Constant-force Articulated Dynamic Struts (CADS), which is a device attached to her boots and worn on the back of her legs that helps her get upright after each turn. McTiernan is grateful and proud to have continued with the initially challenging four-track setup, which allowed her to push her limits and test her independence. However insignificant those first two runs may seem now, they mark the start of her craving for challenge, personal betterment, and meaningful contribution to others. She was determined to not allow a singular experience limit her future and to follow her mantra of “just keep coming back.”


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