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For 41 years, your generosity has ensured that the ASF can provide its athletes with outdoor adaptive sports adventures and fitness and wellness benefits that increase self-esteem, self-acceptance, connection, community, and more! Through the support of our family of donors, volunteers, and community partners, we can continue to enhance our programs and make it possible for even more people with disabilities to access the benefits of adaptive sports.
Athletes Stories
Hear from some of our ASF Athletes and Parents as they tell you how your annual donation changed their lives and the lives of all of our adaptive athletes!
Heather Fitzpatrick
Dear ASF Community,
As you may know, my son, Aidan Fitzpatrick, has been a student at the ASF for two seasons. I want to share with you how the Adaptive Sports Foundation has come to play a paramount role in our lives.
While Aidan was a bright, cheerful, and easy-going child growing up, he did not have the same speech patterns as other children his age. At 3 years old, his vocabulary consisted of less than ten simple words, the most prominent being ‘no.’ He could not put together sentences and had much difficulty trying to communicate at all. It was at this time that he was evaluated and diagnosed with verbal dyspraxia. The doctor described it as a ‘disconnect’ between the brain and the tongue, which caused his speech to be severely affected. Aidan then began taking speech therapy sessions in pre-school. He was 4 years old the first time I heard him say, “Love you, Mom,” and I nearly drove off the roadway in shock and awe.
When Aidan was 5 years old and starting Kindergarten, we realized he had also developed difficulties on a social level. He could not sit in a classroom or stand still in a line and began withdrawing socially from the other children. The school board explained that Kindergarten was not a state-mandated year and that they weren’t requiring Aidan to attend. However, the Principal offered to try removing Aidan from his class to see if he would be better off working one-on-one with a teacher. Thankfully, he was able to excel in working one-on-one with a teacher that year, and he was able to complete Kindergarten accordingly. Aidan was re-evaluated during this time and was officially diagnosed with a high-functioning autism spectrum disorder.
Aidan struggled in school throughout his younger years, having significant difficulties interacting in social settings, taking social cues, and attempting to form friendships. Every year, for his birthday, I would offer him the choice of throwing him a birthday party or going somewhere fun with Mom. And nearly every year, he would choose to go somewhere with me as he did not have friends to invite to his birthday party. This would break my heart yearly, but I still truly valued our special moments together.
Then, in January 2020, I received a call from my son’s speech therapist. Her daughter was a volunteer at the Adaptive Sports Foundation then, and they were looking for participants for the “Ride 2 Live” project they were hosting. I promptly called to sign Aidan up. I figured it was worth pursuing an opportunity that allowed Aidan to be physically active and possibly even excel since this was not your typical “team” sport, which he still struggled to fit into. I had never heard of the ASF before this event, and I was blown away by our experience that day.
Upon our arrival, Aidan was given a swag bag complete with a winter hat, neck gaiter, and card with his name on it, welcoming him to the program. After a fun introduction and sharing some freshly baked goodies, he was brought out onto the snow with his instructors. He was shown how to secure his boots to his snowboard and given a quick lesson before having him take his first trip down the bunny hill. I cannot begin to tell you how big my heart grew seeing that smile on his face when he made it to the bottom without falling on his very first try. This was the first time I’d seen the look of complete confidence in his nine years of life. He continued to do so well that after lunch, the instructors took him up the chair lift to see how far he was willing to go. That day, he was presented with his first medal and was instantly hooked.
Aidan returned for one more winter lesson and continued improving his skills. We were even invited to participate in the Hartman Race at the end of the season. Aidan was so enthralled with the ASF and everyone there that he asked that year if he could have a birthday party at the ASF “with all of his friends” rather than going somewhere with me. Of course, I obliged! I was so happy to finally hear my son say he had friends! Unfortunately, we could not attend as the Hartman Race was canceled that year due to COVID-19. He and I celebrated his birthday that year together in our typical fashion instead.
A few years went by before I could get Aidan back into the ASF. In winter 2022, I started as a volunteer, and Aidan began as a student. Aidan excelled at snowboarding at such an impressive rate that, by his 6th lesson, they made it to the top of the mountain! His confidence levels had grown leaps and bounds. My child, who previously would not speak to anyone but family, could not handle being in large groups or sitting still in lines; he was now taking the lift up to the top of the mountain on a busy holiday weekend and snowboarding down with complete confidence! This was also the season that Aidan finally celebrated his birthday with all his friends at the ASF! And if that was not cool enough, Aidan took first place in his division in the Hartman Race later in the season and conquered his first black diamond — “Because Mom… Why Not?!” It was a great first season, for sure!
Last year, we returned for Aidan’s second season at the ASF. I continued to volunteer, and he continued to take on new challenges. He learned how to slide his snowboard over a box, took first place in the Hartman and Michael Gray races, and ended his season on his first double black diamond, “Upper Wolverine!”
I cannot begin to tell you how much my son has grown over these years with the ASF. Aidan went from being a quiet, shy, and timid little Peanut to a confident and outgoing teenager. We went from being unable to eat out in restaurants because he couldn’t handle being around other people to standing in line waiting to get onto a crowded ski lift. He went from being the kid who kept his head down and struggled to fit in — to being the kid who proudly holds his head up high and is not afraid to talk about his achievements and goals with pride!
We are truly blessed to have become part of the ASF family, and we hold every person supporting this organization close to our hearts. There is no doubt in my mind that my son would not be the person he is today if it weren’t for the crucial role the ASF has played in our lives. I will continue to happily donate my time and what money I can to the ASF as I have seen firsthand how this organization impacts the lives of people like my Peanut. If you feel moved by Aidan’s journey, please consider helping ASF empower more lives.
Thank you for taking the time to read our story. We look forward to seeing you soon!
Heather Fitzpatrick
Abey Weitzman
Dear ASF Community,
I have been a bi-skier for more than ten years. I started when my friend, another wheelchair user, visited me in Windham to mono-ski at the Adaptive Sports Foundation. She told me how much fun it was and reassured my family and me that, yes, a kid with spastic quadriplegia and a movement disorder really can ski!
I’ll never forget my first day on the mountain. The wind on my face caused sensory issues, and I was nervous about having enough physical support in my bi-ski. However, I soon realized that I had nothing to fear.
The ASF lodge at 10 AM has become one of my favorite places in the world. The volunteers and staff always prepare a great day of skiing, from fitting us into specialized equipment to training with us to having the perfect hot cocoa with a bowl of marshmallows standing by. However, it takes the skiers and snowboarders to create the camaraderie that makes the ASF such a special experience. In the rest of my world, I’m different, and my family is different, but at the ASF, we are just kids getting ready for another great day on the slopes.
When coming down Whistler or Wanderer, I know my bi-ski is safely tethered to one of my three volunteer instructors, but I feel free as I lean to carve turns or fly over jumps. The wind is exhilarating, as though the Windham Mountain air magically alters it. As independent as I am, I am not alone. The ASF has allowed me to sometimes ski with my siblings, Melissa and Izzy. My parents can’t keep up, but I know they will meet me in the lodge for lunch.
As a Columbia University senior, I look back on my ski days and see the effort that goes into creating the ASF Winter Program. The equipment is critical to the mission and must be purchased and maintained by the ASF staff. The lodge needs upkeep, utilities must be paid, and volunteer instructors require training. And let’s not forget: We all count on Ginny to keep the operation running smoothly.
The ASF depends on supporters like you to fund its incredible program. This season, I will donate to help give the next generation of adaptive skiers and riders the opportunities I had and continue to enjoy. Please join me in creating another wonderful season at the ASF!
With thanks,
Abey Weitzman
Milagros Rivera
Dear ASF Community,
I am a US Army Veteran who has participated in the ASF Warriors In Motion program for a year. The Adaptive Sports Foundation has improved my spirit and motivated me to embrace sports, and I’m grateful.
In November 2021, I decided to retire from my city government job. The benefit counselor told me to use the ten months of time off I accumulated before retirement. During my time off, I traveled, cleaned, and organized my place, but then I began to feel lonely and depressed, and my PTSD began to get worse for me. Just being by myself and not doing anything was driving me nuts! I spoke to my doctor, who referred me to a recreational therapy program with Mr. William Rios.
Mr. Rios welcomed me to the therapy group and introduced me to other veterans. The group had different events monthly. One day, Mr. Rios emailed me about a program called Warriors In Motion at the ASF. I immediately became interested because it featured different sports I wanted to participate in, like road cycling, kayaking, hiking, etc. Although I have injuries, I knew I had to keep going and trying to move my body because I want to continue living, enjoy life, and make long-lasting friends.
My first time at the ASF Warriors In Motion program was for three great days of road cycling. I went with my veteran friend/brother, Mr. Saul Rojas. Mr. Rojas introduced me to everyone, and everyone was friendly and welcoming. The staff and volunteers were also very nice, and I felt good being there. I was very happy and appreciative of the way everyone treated me.
In May 2023, during a three-day WIM road cycling program, Mr. Tony Vasile gave me a medal that made me proud and grateful. The ASF brought back my enjoyment of sports, which I hadn’t felt in many years. Since then, I told Mr. Tony Vasile that their schedule has to be the first on my list before any other programs.
The ASF staff and volunteers are not just my friends—they are family! I love the ASF program so much that I donated to the 2024 Annual Fund this season to express my gratitude. If you appreciate that the ASF helps veterans like me get back into sports and become social again, I hope you’ll join me and donate today!
Sincerely,
Milagros Rivera-6249
US Army Veteran (retired)