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Disabled Sports Eastern Sierra is successful because of many people and organizations.

We Get Letters

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We receive letters from people telling how the programs at Disabled Sports Eastern Sierra have had positive effects on them and their families.

You will find additional stories on our News And Events page.


  Ariana Sandoval writes - "I have made new dreams
    and memories in Mammoth… YOU ALL ROCK!!!!"

Ariana Sandoval

Thank you for getting me up on the chair lift. All of the face plants made me feel so strong. I know that sounds strange but the more I fell the more I grew in confidence.

I did not die! I lived. I am not just living anymore. Once I came off the snow, I can say for certain that I am now truly ALIVE. I want to try so many things. I want to climb and ride again. I will drive again. I hope to see all of you every break I get. I look forward to all my winters, springs, falls and summers! I thank you all for your friendships. I feel that I have met people of greatness.
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  Sara Chavez Writes About Her DSES Experience

I have recently moved to Mammoth Lakes and started working as a physical therapist at Mammoth S.P.O.R.T. Clinic. I had the opportunity to ride with the support crew for Terry Smutney on the High Sierra Fall Century. We spent about 12 1/2 hours on our bikes as Terry made his way through the tough Sierra terrain on his hand cycle.
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  By 10 Year Old Student, Grant Dewey

Grant Dewey

I was born with a mild form of spina bifida with my spinal cord tethered to my spine. I had my first surgery when I was 7 months old to remove the tumor around my spinal cord.

The doctors told me that I should not play sports like soccer and baseball as I could break my leg. They did say that it was OK for me to learn how to ski on a bi-ski as my legs should not break if I was sitting in a chair on skis.

I learned to bi-ski with the Disabled Sports Eastern Sierra gang at Mammoth Mountain 3 years ago. They always told me that I could do it. And I learned, after falling a lot at first, that I actually could and that I was pretty good at it.
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  Tyler and Sean Stern Have Success At DSES

Letter from the Stern family - July 2006 - "I am writing this letter to thank you for all that you and your volunteers at DSES do for our children. As you know, both of my sons started attending DSES this winter. My son Tyler, who is 6 years old and has the diagnosis of herpatic encephalomenegitis with a seizure disorder, had immediate impact from attending your program. Tyler had approximately 15 ski lessons at DSES this winter, where you fitted him with skis and the apparatus called the slider. When Tyler started with the program, he could not even walk in his ski boots without falling with every step."
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  Alexander Asawa - Super Success Story!

Letter from the Asawa family - January 2006 - "My husband and I are avid skiers and had hoped that someday we would be able to ski together as a family. Because of the challenges with sensory integration disorder, skiing was extremely difficult for our son. Everything about skiing seemed to trigger his condition. After last year when we attempted to have him take a group ski lesson, we had all but given up on the dream of skiing together as a family. The lesson was a disaster and left him completely insecure about his ability to ski and depleted of his self-esteem. He was sad that he could not keep up with the class and was scared to make new friends and try new trails on the mountain. After we picked him up at lunch completely in tears, he declared that he would never take another ski lesson, ever!"
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  Thank You Letter from Thomas Rakow

I wanted to take a moment and share a few experiences I recently had with members of your staff. Usually when customers send letters there is often pause for concern. In this case, I want to share with you the graciousness, warmth and encouragement I received while at your facility last weekend.
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