"Get Stoked on Skydiving"

We (Rosanna and I) arrived in Lake Elsinore the night before the dive. Filled with a sense of adventure and excitement, that flowed into the next morning, when we awoke. I think it’s one thing, when it comes to skydiving, but another thing to bring a couple more wheelchair users. I thought a couple more people would like to come along and share the experience too. We had two other wheelchair users that made the commitment to live life to the fullest, as well. This is what the Threus Foundation is all about; stepping out of your comfort zone and not letting your disability dictate what you can or cannot do!

 Leah O. and Oswaldo H., with their families, came to enjoy this life changing experience.

The dive was an interesting mind freak. First we faced the flight to 12,000 feet. Watching the ground get smaller and smaller. I went through various thoughts as the time to jump got closer. The main thought was my fear of falling. I had a surge of adrenaline and had arguments within my head that needed to be comforted. I was reassured by my instructor throughout the journey. The way I dealt with my thoughts were reminded that this is “Safe”. Hundreds of people enjoy this each weekend with no problems to fight the fears. My mind was racing as we approached 12,000 feet.

We got to the appropriate altitude and opened the sliding door. We inched over to the opening and the inevitable happened, we exited the safety of the plane doing a front flip. We made it through the toughest part, exiting the plane. As we descended, it felt more like floating with the camera woman. Time seemed to stand still. I had time to think and thought “So this is what skydiving feels like!”

Then BAM, Mike pulled the chute and we had time to enjoy the view from 5000 feet. We sailed down slowly to the awaiting landing pad. Once we landed, it was hard to put any words to this experience. Motivating, empowering and exhilarating are the words I could use. I think a person should experience it for themselves.

You can see Leah here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4KhYzQrzw4

You can see Joe here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_037gCl82Yk

You can see Rosanna here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xFYOVZI99o

The people who, also use wheelchairs, went with us had dreams fulfilled and had this to say:

“Hi how are you and Rosanna weird because I was just thinking about you guys yesterday and now I get a message from you ... good to hear from you... Of course you can put my video up... Everyone in my family couldn't believe I jumped out of the plane. I told everyone about ur foundation... I told them that you guys made it happen for me and it's Best experience I've ever had I can't believe I did it.. I want to go again are you serious.??? Yayyyyy 1 thank U !

Leah Ortiz via Facebook

“ Joe, I thank you from the bottom of my heart!”

Oswaldo Hernandez via Facebook

Our experiences were life changing for the better, you may see more of this in fall, around my 40^th birthday. More importantly we fulfilled our mission as an organization, “Improving the lives of wheelchair users through adventure sports.”
We can now check sky diving off the list.

“Get Stoked on Skydiving”

“Get Stoked on Skydiving”

Join us for an afternoon of disabled sky diving in Lake Elsinore May 24^th at 11:00 AM.

http://www.skydiveelsinore.com/Tandem-Skydive/disabled.html

Tandem Jump - Only	$189
SPECIAL!! Tandem Skydive + Video DVD + Photos NOTE: This tandem special is not conjoinable with the other discounts	$279

A 25$ deposit is required and will be applied to the total cost of the jump the day we go!

Disabled participants must get a note from your doctor clearing you to safely skydive and weigh less than 190 lbs. 

Call 1-877-843-5867 (877-THE-JUMP) and mention the date 5-24 to come along with us!!

AB’s(Able Bodies) are welcome to join us! So come on out and make some memories with us!!

What are we going to do now the ski season is over?

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV

Its official, the 2011 ski season is over for adaptive skiing. I take a look back at some of the memories that are created over the past year and it warms my heart because of the people we helped. One person in particular, Lisa Marie Johnson, who suffers with cerebral palsy from birth, found the wonderful adventures of Disabled Sports of the Eastern Sierra (DSES) at Mammoth Mountain. The adaptive skiing really lit a spark that was in her heart and she's looking forward to going again next year.

Rosanna and I frequently went to the mountain to soak in some clean-air and some fresh snow. I remember many surprise trips that Rosanna put together with an unpredictable work schedule. We remember the hard work of DSES’s staff, volunteers and supporters. We skied with Zachary Ergish, a level II adaptive instructor and many volunteers over the seven or eight trips to the mountain.

Now it's time to look towards the summer activities. Having MS, it's time to be careful of extreme heat. Now, adaptive water sports get all the attention. Swimming, kayaking and white water rafting with trained professionals from Disabled Sports USA. I can't wait to get back on the river. I remember I was introduced to the sports as an able body and absolutely fell in love with them.

It's time to get wet!!

Here is a video of our laast trip:

With much adnmiration and respect,
Joseph DeVere
The Threus Foundation
Founder and President
501(c)3 Charity

Sulpher Mountain Trail Wheelchair Friendly

The day started off with a ride with my precious sister, Marie. We arrived at the location about a half hour late but, my sister said a prayer before she left to pick me up. She prayed asking that “We arrive with perfect timing”. We expected that we would have to catch up with the group, being late.

We arrived when the group encountered a problem with opening the entrance gate. We were greeted by my uncle, Lanny Kaufer, the leader of the walk. After warm greetings from Lanny and his wife Rondia we formed a consensus about carrying me over the gate that blocked my entrance in a wheelchair. The very moment I agreed to let them take me over, a car arrived, leaving the trail and opening the gate for us. Perfect timing.

Having Multiple Sclerosis, The weather was perfect. A gentle drizzle and fog that obscured to view. We began our trek with everyone introducing ourselves, taking a couple rolls; Lanny began his talk pointing out plants to avoid like poison oak.

The terrain was a firm ground covered with gravel. I found in difficult to maneuver yet doable with a little extra effort and a person like my sister to help on hills. Our group was more than willing to take a turn pushing me when I needed help.

I  was extraordinarily impressed with Lanny’s knowledge of our local plants and their uses for food and medicine. He possesses the courage to make his other “Herb Walks” accessible for the disabled  with coordination with the Threus Foundation, and taking the time for consideration of other disabled participants regarding future events. This walk is considered Threus Approved.

Nightmare on Sesame Street

I am writing this today to report my experiences during the Paralympic Sport Camp at Mammoth Mountain with Disabled Sports of the Eastern Sierra (DSES). The weather was unbelievable, spring like conditions. We got prepared by putting on my snow tires for my wheelchair, getting medications packed and selecting 5 days worth of clothing minus the cigarettes. Rosanna packed it all into our Subaru Forester and we headed out for our 6 hour drive as we had several times before.

We arrived at the Best Western around 2AM and quickly settled in for some well needed rest. While rolling into the hotel, my sweatpants ripped open and my snow-tires scraped up my thighs on both sides. I hoped it wouldn’t lead to an ulcer. We noticed a small shower chair in a standard bathtub. When we woke up, we requested a roll in shower. I went to use the bathroom and BAM!! I flipped backwards and found myself on the bathroom floor. These problems set the tone of our Valentine trip from hell. 

Thank God for Rosanna who spent all day Friday looking for a new set of tires that wouldn’t rub my thighs raw. I used nicotine lozenges to curb the cravings. I waited in the hotel room for Rosanna to return. She called several times to let me know that her one hour drive to Bishop was unsuccessful. Our Friday was toast.

DSES had a standard wheelchair handy to help solve that problem. I regretfully missed the action of skiing Saturday due to excessive stress. I did not want to flare up Multiple Sclerosis. We stayed in contact with Laurel and Maggie of DSES. I came close to cancelling my spot on Sunday as well. Between, changing rooms, new wheelchair and not smoking, my stress level was peaking.

Sunday came and Rosanna went snowboarding. After a shower and freshening up, I felt ready to hit the slopes. We headed over to DSES and at least got a few runs with the Bi-ski. I have had lessons with Rick before and was glad to see him with us. I am grateful for how all of DSES helped us with our issues. We always have a bright spot at the end of our trip. We faced some racing techniques and being on the snow was a great way to finish our trip.

"Get Stoked on Skiing" 2011

“Get Stoked on Skiing” 2011



The Threus Foundation Presents
“Get Stoked on Skiing” 3/3/2011
                Phone (805) 760-6361
www.threus.org
Schedule
    8:30-11:30 Group “A”
    11:30 - 12:00 Lunch/Group Photos
    12:30 -3 Group “B”

Reserve an adaptive ski lesson.
First-time skiers ride at no charge. Honor system. Register at www.threus.org
Others ski at normal Mountain High rates of 80$ for a half day. Group rates apply for companions.
All participants must meet Mountain High guidelines as follows:

Our students must meet the following guidelines for participation in this program:
Students must be over the age of 5.
Students must be able to "hold head upright" through jerking motions.
Students must maintain breathing on their own.
Maximum weight restrictions:
185 lbs. to participate in a "sit down" program.
195 lbs. If totally independent when self loading device as a "sit down" participant.
200 lbs. to participate as a "stand up" skier.

All students must register  at www.threus.org  by 2/22/2011

Early Season Mono-Ski Adventure at Mammoth Mountain

It was early in the week and Rosanna and I decided to enjoy the early season opened at Mammoth Mountain for skiing and snowboarding. We called ahead to Disabled Sports of the Eastern Sierra (DSES) to arrange for a mono-ski lesson with one of their instructors. We left late on Tuesday and drove through the night to be there at 1:00 pm. We arrived early around 3:00 am and checked into a disabled friendly room at the Motel 6 and got some sleep before our appointment. Through the night I encountered a fever of 102 and rendered my body helpless. I was going everywhere in my mind, “Will I have to cancel my lesson? “After all the hard work that DSES did to make this come to life, would I chalk this up as a disappointment? My limbs froze as the fever pulsed through my body. Rosanna covered my chest, neck and head with ice and cool rags to inhibit the fever. I fought to move my legs as the fever diminished. With the help of Tylenol and ice, step by step I arose from the bed. 

    We then loaded up for our adventure on the slopes. We met Rick, who remembered us from a previous trip, Alan and Brent from DSES which was doing a volunteer training. We ran into Kimberley who was there at the Life Rolls On event a couple years back. Our arrival had the feeling of a reunion as we saw Maggie and Zachary, who did the training for me when we skied with Life Rolls On’s “They will Ski Again” in 2009. 
                                     We focused on getting some skiing done with the mono-ski as we finished all of our greetings with friends from the past. Rick, Brent and Alan assisted me into the mono-ski and the lesson began.  I learned that I was being taught to try to be as independent as possible so that meant I was too hold myself up with the help of my out riggers. We went through a battery of exercises in order to challenge my balance with the mono-ski on dry ground. We then moved out to a small flat area where we practiced going down the bunny slope without falling over. I had previously skied with a bi-ski where you turned by shifting your hips. Mono-skiing was the exact opposite. When you shift your hips on a mono-ski, you simply fall over. Rick then, after the lesson ended, gave me an accurate and honest appraisal of my abilities. He said that I am a long way off from becoming fully independent on the mono-ski and after work on my upper body strength that it would be possible. I appreciated his appraisal and he left me with a glimmer of hope. Rosanna and I took in his words and developed a routine to work with my nurse aides to develop my strength.
    Day 2 started with some Starbucks coffee provided by the Westin Resort. We changed our accommodations to the Westin Resort after we finished my lesson the previous day. Rosanna did some snowboarding while I waited at the Westin.
    1:00 clock began to draw near and Rosanna met me at the hotel to bring me to DSES for my lesson. Rick quickly got me started doing drills balancing on the mono-ski.
We then headed to the lifts and began learning more basics of doing independent mono-skiing. I learned how to load and depart the lift which required significant triceps strength. The first run when we unloaded from the chair lift. It went perfect as I skied down the hill with Rick and Brent.
    I fully recommend and support DSES for your winter adventure needs. Their staff was helpful and welcoming. If this is your first-time mono or bi-skiing let The Threus Foundation cover the cost of a half day of skiing in order to give the prospective skier a taste of what we are doing.