I first witnessed OAS in action when I saw athletes with disabilities skiing, with instructors, down a Mt. Bachelor runs, followed by volunteers with bright orange "OAS" vests. These were volunteer supporting the skier. I found out more about the organization and its mission and I said "I'm In!" I volunteered, then became a Board member and now Vice-President
It's a great organization to represent as OAS has such a compelling story.
I am most impressed by the passion of the Instructors, and volunteers who make the whole experience so positive for the athletes.
I learned about OAS through a chance encounter with one of the OAS athletes. At the time I was living in Los Angeles and preparing to retire. When I moved to Bend I started volunteering at Mt. Bachelor as well as their summer cycling program. I have been continually amazed at the bravery and gumption of the athletes and dedication of the volunteers and staff. I decided to pursue a position on their Board of Directors and have been serving for two years. I feel fortunate to be involved with this high quality organization.
I began volunteering for OAS over 15 years ago. Since I'm retired, I volunteer for several nonprofit organizations and enjoy my time spent giving to others. I have more satisfaction and gratification in my OAS volunteer time than any other organization I have ever participated with or joined. OAS is so well organized and the spirit of giving and respecting is prominent. The participants that OAS serves show such joy and progress in their abilities. It is an organization that is needed in our culture and the staff and instructors are stepping up and filling that need magnificently. The smiles, high-fives, and exuberance displayed in the smiles of the participants is all you need to feel wonderful about your volunteer time with OAS!
OAS has been a critical partner in the continuum of care for many of patients. This organization has helped so many individuals reintegrate back into the community with increased self esteem and confidence, regardless of ability. OAS has allowed continued access to outdoor recreation regardless of ability. OAS has helped make the impossible, possible for hundreds of individuals. Amazing work!
I want to share my history as a blind athlete/participant and more recently as a volunteer member on OAS’ Board of Directors. For 7 years I participated in OAS’ amazing programs. These experiences provided me the adaptive techniques, training and opportunities to resume the outdoor activities that I love and yet had mostly abandoned: Hiking, Bicycling and Nordic skiing. These helped me regain my confidence, rebuilt my self-esteem and independence, making an immeasurable improvement in the quality of my life. This is the mission of OAS. In pursuit of this mission, OAS also strives to break down physical and economic barriers to the outdoors. As a friend of mine said, OAS makes the difference between just surviving and thriving. So, I agreed, without hesitation, to join the Board of Directors when the opportunity came up in early 2020.
For more than two decades OAS has changed the lives of thousands of individuals with disabilities by providing low- or no-cost access to empowering experiences in Oregon’s mountains, lakes and trails. Pre-COVID, OAS annually provided over 1500 outdoor recreational experiences to over 450 individuals with disabilities. OAS participants range in ages and a full spectrum of disabilities, and many of the programs are customized accordingly.
A sample of OAS’ programs that I am particularly proud of include:
1. A partnership with the Wounded Warriors Project (WWP). OAS provides training in mountain biking, rock climbing, and paddling for veterans during three week-long mental health workshops facilitated by WWP. These workshops serve veterans with PTSD and other service-related disabilities throughout the country.
2. A partnership with Craig Hospital-Denver. OAS provides training in mountain biking, rock climbing and kayaking to individuals with traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and spinal cord injuries. This program is offered to patients from Craig Hospital-Denver, the foremost spinal injury rehab facility in the US.
The robust year-round activities can be seen by visiting the OAS website at:
https://www.oregonadaptivesports.org/