People recovering from traumatic injuries hit the slopes on Adaptive Ski Day

HERSHEY, Pa. — About a dozen patients who have suffered traumatic injuries, including stroke, spinal cord injury, brain injury and amputation, were able to experience the thrill of cruising down the slopes on Adaptive Ski Day on Feb. 9 at Roundtop Mountain Resort in Lewisberry, Pennsylvania. Their friends and families watched and cheered from the sidelines.

“It takes a little bit of practice to get your balance right, but eventually once you get it, it feels pretty cool,” said Lily Jordan, Four Diamonds champion who lost a leg to cancer.

The Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Penn State Health Rehabilitation Hospital, Ability Prosthetics and Orthotics, Inc., and Baltimore Adaptive Recreation and Sports (BARS) came together to host the event.

Current and former Penn State Health rehabilitation patients were matched with adaptive recreational equipment, along with coaching from BARS instructors, for a day of fun.

“This was an awesome, successful day,” said Nancy Lokey, nurse coordinator with the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, who helped organize the event. “Everyone involved had a smile on their face and a look of accomplishment. An event well done!”

This is the third year that Penn State Health and partners hosted Adaptive Ski Day.