Water Therapy Ski Fest Gives Physically Challenged Another Chance At Recreation

For some, water skiing was the chance of a lifetime. For others it was a second chance.

But for all, it was a lot of fun.

Pontoon and ski boats shuttled and towed physically challenged water skiers around Clear Lake during Saturday’s Ski Fest, sponsored by St. Luke’s Rehabilitation Center.

“I’ve never had so much fun in my life,” Michael Howell said. “I’ve been waiting all my life to do something like that and I finally got the opportunity to do it.”

Cerebral palsy put Howell in a wheelchair, but has not confined his life. Howell, 18, delivers food for Taco Time at NorthTown Mall four or five times a week.

Ski Fest participants suffer from a variety of conditions, including spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis and spina bifida. But, they were not slowed down at all.

The 17 or so skiers took turns bouncing over waves and dodging the spray during the all-day event west of Spokane.

“The thrill of going that fast behind a boat,” Howell said. “The waves bouncing you around. It’s just exciting. I can’t put all of it into words.”

Skis of varying widths permitted skiers of all abilities to try. A notch in the tip of the skis caught the ski rope for those without the arm strength to hang on.

Like Howell, Elizabeth Behrendt was a first-time skier. A wide ski stabilized by a pair of narrower skis allowed the 66-year-old grandmother to zip through the wake with the youngest of the skiers.

“I will tell my grandchildren,” Behrendt said through a wide grin. She battles post polio syndrome, which has drained her strength.

Now in its eighth year, Ski Fest is just one of the workshops St. Luke’s Rehabilitation Center sponsors through its community outreach program. Fishing and golfing are among other activities on the list.

The events offer a second chance at recreation.

“Our specialty is helping other people do things they haven’t before to substitute for things they’ve had to give up,” said St. Luke’s recreational therapist Peggy Michalski.

A logging accident left Frank Traver a paraplegic 12 years ago, but his perseverance has kept him active.

Traver plays wheelchair basketball and does wheelchair racing. He clocked a personal Bloomsday best last May. Saturday, he was on the lake.

“It’s just a ball out there,” Traver said.

And the water?

“It was (cold) if you weren’t used to it,” Howell said.

Sunny skies warmed wet skiers and a cool breeze kept temperatures bearable for their families and more than 30 volunteers.

A Mastercraft boat dealer donated the ski boats, ski equipment and a couple of drivers for the day. Two pontoon boats provided a floating station for the participants to rest close to the action at the east end of the lake.

“A lot don’t have the means to purchase (the equipment), so this is a first opportunity for them with the water sports,” Michalski said.

Like most, Howell’s first opportunity was a success.

“I can guarantee next year I will be back,” he said.

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