Disabled Sports Eastern Sierra
-spreading like wildfire

By Lara Kirkner in the Mammoth Times

Trevor with student Charles Jenkins

The word about Disabled Sports Eastern Sierra (DSES) is out. The nonprofit organization has doubled its number of students every year since it began three years ago, and now the program is bursting at the seams, according to Volunteer Coordinator Diana Proemm.

DSES's April newsletter, Good Vibrations, said it best: "DSES is experiencing some major growing pains!" Their numbers have doubled from last year, with more than 200 lessons in January, and now there are as many people on the waiting list as there are going out on lessons, Proemm said.

DSES is a volunteer-based program, and therefore they cannot grow anymore until they have more volunteers.

"We have about 40-50 steady volunteers and then another 40-50 who help out here and there," Proemm said. "They are all doing a rockin' job."

Paid instructors would be ideal, but DSES does not have a ton of funds to put into instructors. They were only recently able to hire their first paid instructor, Trevor Hildebrand, who according to DSES Executive Director Kathy Copeland, is a "God-send."

"It's great to have someone that you can count on five days a week and we hope to hire more instructors in the future," she said.

The hardest part for the people running DSES is not being able to get everyone out on the hill.

"All we can do is take people's names and numbers, put them on the wait list and encourage them to keep checking to see if space becomes available," Copeland said. "It all comes down to money and personnel."

Copeland believes that the reason DSES is so successful is because the whole family can get involved. Instead of having to leave your disabled loved one at home while you go recreate, they can go with you, she said.

If you are interested in being a volunteer for DSES, check the volunteer information here or call 760.934.0791 for more information. Even if you only have a few spare hours, your help will be appreciated.

Other DSES news

DSES is excited to be offering a multitude of summer activities for people with disabilities. With the addition of cycling to their program, DSES was concerned about not being adequately equipped for people who have limited use of their legs. When a gentleman by the name of Fred Liebel of Athletes Helping Athletes and Road Runner Sports came into the DSES office and donated four handcycles for the upcoming summer activities, all their dreams came true! The weekly rides in July and August will surely be successful with these handcycles.

DSES sends a huge THANKS to Fred Liebel for assisting the Disabled Sports Eastern Sierra Summer Program off to a smooth "rolling" start! For more information contact Diana Proemm, Summer Program Manager at 760.934.0791 or the volunteer information here.

Disabled Sports Eastern Sierra is a volunteer-based nonprofit dedicated to changing the lives of children and adults with disabilities and their families. Their mission states that they "believe the freedom and exhilaration of outdoor challenges changes lives. No one should be left behind simply because of a disability!"