In 1997, a little girl with a level four brain bleed, and right-sided hemiplegia from Cerebral Palsy came into the world. A world that put expectations on her before she could take her first breath. With a definitive spirit and a wonderful support system, she continued to exceed her own and other’s expectations of how her future would go. One step at a time, many milestones were accomplished. Receiving a high school diploma raised the common question: What does she want to do with her life? Though in reality, it was more of a question of: What can she do? Learning about the Adaptive Sports Center (ASC) through her brother changed the trajectory of her whole life. She had a deep desire to learn how to snowboard, and finally, through the ASC, a once-pipe dream became a reality. Experiencing a dream come true was better than she could have ever imagined. The warm embrace she experienced from the instructors awakened a new dream of being a part of the ASC as a staff member. She was determined to accomplish this goal, one step at a time. Receiving a college degree in marketing and outdoor recreation gave her the opportunity to apply to, and be offered, the winter marketing internship with the ASC. The blessing of witnessing and capturing participants’ breakthroughs lets her experience once again the freedom she felt when she was a participant herself, confirming her unwavering belief that she is where she is meant to be. - Kristen Van Loo
