March 18, 2017

DAVID GETS HIS TRACK CHAIR! David has been trying to raise money for over two years. This past January he had only gotten 1/3 of way to the $15,000 he needed to get a Track Chair. The good people at Granite Gorge took up his cause and put on a full court press to raise money and make it happen before the end of the ski season. Success, the money was raised, the chair was ordered and Dave was told it would take a long while to build the chair. He was under the impression he wouldn't see it until June. In reality it only took 4 weeks to build and David was very surprised to receive the chair in-front of family and friends this past Saturday morning.

From the age of 10 Granite Gorge was David's second home.. He was and is an awesome skier, a natural competitor, and loved to be on snow as well as being Above snow competing in Big Air Competitions.

This past February he tried out a chair from Chappell Tractor at Granite Gorge. He went straight to the top with three of his friends. It was the first time he had been to the top of the lift since his accident. Upon his return he commented to the Mountain Manager, Dave Morin, "This is the first time I have felt normal in five years".

For the past five years David would only be able to park his wheelchair on the deck at GG and watch everyone else play in the snow. Not any more!

Pictures I have attached include Dave Morin presenting to David. David overcome with emotion. Group picture of the David's family including Dave Morin, Dawn, John, and Fred Baybutt of Granite Gorge, Jobe of Chappell Tractor. Dave is pictured getting strapped in for his first flight, Instructions and then he is gone. He had a Blast!

A Big THANK YOU Goes out to Granite Gorge, Dave Morin, Dawn, John and Fred, Jobe and Chappel Tractor and many, many others who did fund raisers and donated to this fund raising effort.

You have made a Huge Impact on David as he works to increase his mobility.

THANK YOU!

~ Paul Hudgik