You Don't Have to Stand Up to Step Up

LOCAL NEEDS

I need SKI BOOTS MENS 30.5.

My friend John Espinoza needs some ski boots.

We met a few years ago while skiing with DREAM. I was a volunteer and he was with the Eureka School Group.

It was right after the war started and we were upstairs at the Outpost looking out the window watching the snowstorm that brought us inside off the mountain.

John looked at me and said "I know there are people in I-R-A-Q (he spelled it out) and they're going to come back like you with no legs and no one to help them."

I said "yes, some will."

He said "I'm scared" and I said "I think we all are"

Then we started talking about skiing.

He told me he'd been skiing for eight years so I suggested he "share his skills with new skiers" and he told me he couldn't because he was with DREAM and I said "so am I".

He said "I fall down a lot" and I said "so you must be really good at getting up then - you could teach new skiers how to do that" and it went from there.

Over the winter more details came out and it turns out the reason he falls is his ski boots are three sizes too small and rather than complain, he just accepted it.

Because they are so small, his mom puts them on at home and they drive the sixty miles to the resort with his feet being squashed all the while.

Then a fifteen minute lift ride and a twenty foot ski ride till he falls in pain. All without saying a word about it.

So, I originally had a pair donated but they're too small so now I'm trying to get him a pair.

If you can help, please contact me at kb@bigsky.net.

One of the incredibly supportive BLAST merchants Sportsman & Ski Haus has said they'll help out with the price by lowering it for us, so that's a great step forward.

They've ALWAYS helped us out so if you ever find yourself in our area please go in and see for yourself how great they are.

Opening Day is November 25 and I'd LOVE to see him ski in properly fitted boots for the first time in his life.

Thanks for reading.

If you know of a program or person who should be featured here, please contact me at kb@bigksy.net.