Coaching Special Olympic Skiers Keeps Coach Motivated

Dick Doughty was training with the U.S. Olympic cross-country ski team when treatment for a hip problem backfired.

A too-tight cast paralyzed his right leg, dashing his dreams of an Olympic medal.

“I was really very good,” he says, a shadow crossing his face nearly 40 years later. “My legs were everything I had.”

Eventually, use of his leg returned. But Doughty, 58, who lives on West Boone in a house overlooking the Spokane River, didn’t ski again for 17 years. It was gentle, but persistent begging by a young mentally retarded woman - “Please Doughty, teach us to ski. I know you can do it.” - that changed his mind.

This year, he celebrates 25 years coaching the Mt. Spokane Powder Hounds, a Special Olympics downhill ski team.

Doughty will lead the group of 33 skiers and 17 coaches to Wenatchee for the Winter Special Olympics for three days beginning Feb. 28.

“The Wenatchee ski team is our biggest rivalry,” Doughty says with a smile.

For the Special Olympians, skiing is just the half of it. It’s also two nights in a motel, meals at restaurants, the excitement of opening ceremonies, and a dance.

Doughty has worked with people with mental disabilities for nearly 40 years. For the last five years he has worked at Lakeland Village as the adult training director, helping develop jobs for the disabled.

Lori Hale, 41, has been skiing with the Powder Hounds almost 15 years.

“He’s a good coach, he helps a lot,” says Hale, who has Down’s syndrome. “I wanted to ski. I decided to go for it.”

Alice Busch, specialized recreation supervisor for the Spokane Parks and Recreation Department, says Doughty’s success with the ski program encouraged the city to provide more programs for people with disabilities.

“I don’t know if the skiers know everything he has been through, but they do know that he is always there for them, and that he wants them to do the very best they can.”

Doughty has been skiing since he was four. He grew up in Jackson Hole, Wyo., and was captain of the ski team at the University of Wyoming.

But in the Special Olympics, “coaching” has a whole new meaning.

“Just getting the participants to the runs on time is a big effort,” says Doughty.

After 25 years, four of the original six Powder Hounds still ski with the team. The group ranges in age from 8 to 50. He recalls one determined athlete who struggled year after year, until finally, after five winters, something clicked and he skied like a champ.

Doughty estimates he’s taught almost 200 athletes how to ski.

But, it’s about more than skiing, says Doughty. It’s about relationships, bonding, building confidence and independence.

At night, the Powder Hounds phone Doughty - or “Coach” as they call him - to talk about their day, their struggles or to hear a friendly voice.

“Being a volunteer is a lot of work and a lot of time. And it’s all year round,” he says.

At least the way Doughty does it.

He takes his skiers out to dinner or invites them to his house to watch videos.

Five years ago, while on a fishing trip in Alaska, disaster struck again. Doughty tumbled down a cliff and fell into a rushing, frigid stream. Clinging to a twig for more than two hours he waited for help.

Again, his right leg was damaged. He struggled through three years of pain, determined to keep the leg.

He lost the fight. He now wears a prosthesis. This time, he kept right on skiing with the Powder Hounds.

“Skiing helps me through this. It’s a great motivator working with these people,” he says.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo