While some of the world’s greatest athletes continue to accomplish breathtaking feats at the Winter Olympics in the Italian Alps, another group of athletes shined at an event in Ohio for veterans with disabilities.
Adaptive Sports Connection (ASC) held its 27th annual Boundless Hopes on the Slopes event at Snow Trails in Mansfield, Ohio earlier this month, offering free opportunities for veterans and their families to try skiing and snowboarding, lessons provided. About 60 athletes took part, including Gayle-Jayne Allyson, a 10-year Army and Coast Guard veteran who lost use of her legs after the military, leading to amputations of a leg and hip.
Allyson’s disabilities didn’t stop her from having a blast at Boundless Hopes on the Slops, sloshing down Mount Mansfield in a bi-ski. An Operation Desert Storm veteran, Allyson served several roles in the military, from truck driver to firefighter.
The veteran said events like this allow her to embrace freedom, something she fought for. Through adaptive sports, athletes with physical, cognitive or visual disabilities can use modifications and specialized equipment to participate in sports. ASC, based in Powell, Ohio, works to provide more opportunities for disabled veterans to enjoy athletics throughout the state.
Disabilities Shouldn’t Be Barrier
Allyson told the Richland Source that people with disabilities should not be underestimated.
“We can do stuff. I do more than I ever did when I was ambulatory. I’m throwing discus, shot put, javelin. I bowl,” she said. “I’m doing what you guys are doing. I just do it differently. That’s the whole thing about adaptive sports — you adapt.”
Adaptive sports not only help people with disabilities compete in athletics, but it also helps foster connections, said ASC CEO and President Doug Wolf.
“It’s about building community and bringing folks together, particularly our veterans,” Wolf said.
Melissa Maley said the event brought joy back into her husband, Josh’s, life. An Air Force veteran, Josh Maley, is paralyzed and legally blind. But with help from a friend and program volunteer, who ventured downhill following him, Maley could enjoy the thrill of skiing. Maley’s friend helped the veteran steer his skis with the aid of tethers.
“It’s incredible to see him back out, doing something, feeling able,” his wife said. “It means a lot to him to get out of the house and do anything at all …. just to have fun again.”
Using bi-skis, ski bikes and mono-skis, athletes used adaptive equipment as volunteers lent a helping hand.
The event meant so much to volunteer Stephanie Blair that she took off work, traveling three hours from her West Virginia home to chip in.
“I love giving back. They give as much to us as we give to them,” Blair said. “I’ve skied with kids before who all their life they’ve been told they can’t do this, they can’t do that and then they come out here, and they’re like, ‘Oh my gosh, I can do this.’”
Better mental and physical health
Some of the athletes participating had quite an extensive sports background, having been involved in additional activities through ASC and other adaptive clubs.
Based on studies, adaptive sports have been shown to increase physical health, quality of life, provide a greater sense of belonging, leading to higher self-esteem and more satisfaction out of life.
From a 2025 survey to gauge comments from ASC participants, 90 percent said they felt more confident, while 80 percent noted better physical health. Even more impressive, 97 percent said their mental health has improved and 89 percent reported experiencing better social well-being.
Just Try It
For Chris Briggs, adaptive sports have helped him do things he never thought he could do.
After suffering a spinal cord Injury 10 years ago, Briggs took up skiing two years later.
“It’s an outlet,” he said. “I don’t even feel disabled when I’m out here. I’m just like everybody else, riding the mountain, dealing with the same conditions. It has pushed me to do things with my disability that I never thought I’d be able to.”
But some disabled veterans still struggle with barriers, like poor transportation, financial struggles, and limited access. Some might not even know there are adaptive sports programs in their areas. That’s why ASC set up a scholarship program to help fund accessible events throughout the year, not just winter.
For disabled veterans considering adaptive sports but are skeptical, Allyson said just trying something new often leads to finding activities they enjoy.
“You’re not going to like everything,” she said. “I’ve tried basketball. I hated it, to be honest. But I’m pretty good at pickleball.”
