TAHOE/TRUCKEE, Calif. — Disabled Sports USA Far West hosted an adaptive ski event Jan. 24-26 for Team Semper Fi, a group of disabled service men and women.

Team Semper Fi members received high-level training from former and current Olympic and Paralympic athletes through a partnership with the US Paralympic Club.

Disabled Sports Technical Director and former Paralympian Bill Bowness coached Team Semper Fi members, who were training for competition level skiing and perhaps a future spot on the US Paralympic Ski Team.

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Other team members received private adaptive ski instruction from the specially trained and dedicated volunteer instructors at Disabled Sports.

Team Semper Fi skied with Disabled Sports USA Far West instructors at Northstar California resort on Friday, Jan. 24; Alpine Meadows on Saturday, Jan. 25; and Squaw Valley on Sunday, Jan. 26.

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“We are very proud of the work we do with military service men and women,” said Haakon Lang-Ree, executive director of Disabled Sports USA Far West. “It is an honor to establish a relationship with Team Semper Fi and support the inspiring work of their organization.”

After three days of ski lessons with Disabled Sports USA Far West USMC SSGT Felipe Tremillo, a member of Team Semper Fi, said, “It gave me confidence to know I can be active in winter sports. Something I never thought or expected I would ever be able to do after my injury.”

MILITARY CAMP

Disabled Sports USA Far West hosts an annual Military Snowsports Camp for disabled service men and women each spring at various resorts in North Lake Tahoe. Twenty disabled service members and their spouses will enjoy four days of adaptive ski and snowboard instruction, hotel accommodations at the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe, as well as meals and transportation provided by generous donors and sponsors contributing to the event.

To become a sponsor, contact Doug Pringle, President Emeritus at doug@disabledsports.net; Haakon Lang-Ree at Haakon@disabledsports.net; or Cindy Smith at cindy@disabledsports.net.

This year’s event, the 8th annual “Ability Celebration” will take place April 1-4, 2014.

The Ability Bash is the culmination of the Military Winter Sports Camp, an evening of celebration and tribute to these service men and women who have sacrificed so much for our freedom. The fundraising event includes: Gourmet buffet dinner; fine wines and craft beer; silent auction and raffle; and music and dancing. Cost is $100 per person or table of 10 for $1,000. For tickets and information call Mary at 530-581-4161, ext. 205; Marilyn at 916-722-6447, ext.103.

The Ability Challenge is a fundraising event to raise awareness and support for Disabled Sports USA Far West. It ends in a celebration of skiing and riding for all abilities at Squaw Valley resort on Saturday, April 5, 2014.

Invite family and friends to join you in supporting Disabled Sports USA Far West. Your participation in this event will directly benefit children, adults and wounded warriors living with a disabilities like autism, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injuries or limb loss.

For more information go to http://www.abilitychallenge.net.

ABOUT DISABLED SPORTS USA FAR WEST

Disabled Sports USA Far West is the founding chapter of the national organization (Disabled Sports USA) and has led the way in adaptive sports and recreation for people with disabilities for more than 40 years. With more than 90 chapters serving more than 60,000 people nationwide, Disabled Sports USA is the nation’s largest nonprofit, multi-sport and multi-disability organization For more information visit http://www.disabledsports.net.

Disabled Sports motto is “If I Can Do This, I Can Do Anything!”

About Team Semper Fi

Made up of more than 600 service members, Team Semper Fi is the heart and inspiration of the Semper Fi Fund’s rehabilitative Athletic Program, and is an extension of the assistance the Semper Fi Fund provides. The idea for Team Semper Fi was inspired by those wounded Marines and Sailors who refused to let their challenges prevent them from competing in athletic events, and whose drive and determination is truly inspirational.

The team is made up of servicemen and women who have overcome significant challenges in their service to our country, and have embraced the fighting, athletic spirit on their road to recovery. They are an inspiration to us all but, more importantly, they are an inspiration to their fellow service members who are also traveling down the road to recovery.

For more information visit http://www.semperfifund.org.