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SALT LAKE CITY — A group of kids with amputations had the chance to go skiing Wednesday as part of a unique sports camp.
Ben Steinfeldt, 5, had his first experience with skiing Wednesday because of the Un-Limb-ited Program at Shriner's Hospital.
Eleshia Steinfeldt and her husband "were all about it" when Ben was offered a chance to go skiing at Park City Mountain Resort.
"We want to get him into doing anything he can, any experiences he can have," the boy's mother said.
Ski lessons can be difficult for any 5-year-old, but Ben has a unique challenge. Two years ago, doctors had to amputate his right leg below the knee.
"He was in an accident, so it was something we had to do," Eleshia Steinfeldt said.
That hasn't kept Ben off the soccer field or the wrestling mat, or prevented him from holding his own with his three brothers. His first ski lesson came courtesy of the Un-Limb-ited Amputee Camp run by Shriners Hospital for Children in Salt Lake City.
"The goal is just to have these kids realize that they can do whatever they want, and that they don't have any limitations," said Mark Lange, a physical therapist at Shriners.
In the past, the program had only been open to kids in junior high and high school. This year, however, organizers decided to invite younger kids, like Ben.
"We hated seeing these kids wait until they were teenagers to really kind of explore what life has to offer them," Lange said.
The goal is just to have these kids realize that they can do whatever they want, and that they don't have any limitations.
–Mark Lange, a physical therapist at Shriners
The National Ability Center, based in Park City, has been a partner for nine of the camp's 10 years in existence. It provides certified ski and snowboard instructors, along with the specialized equipment needed to get the kids on the slopes.
"One of our prominent coaches has a great saying, 'Gravity doesn't discriminate,' and I think that really resonates with a lot of the folks here," said Brian Castillo, assistant manager of the National Ability Center's ski and snowboard program.
Both the National Ability Center and the Un-LIMB-ited Amputee Camp rely largely on donations, fundraisers and grants to run their programs. They also count on people who donate their time to help others pursue new forms of recreation.
"Being able to share those inaugural moments, to folks who are really experienced, you know, is really joyous," Castillo said.
Kids from Arizona, Georgia, Idaho, Pennsylvania and Chile attended this year's weeklong camp. In addition to receiving ski lessons, Lange said the older kids also participate in socialization and support activities, where they discuss common issues that face teen amputees, like relationships, body image and self-esteem.
Like any first-time skiier, Ben had a few falls Wednesday. What mattered to his mom though, was that he always got back up.
"It's a little hard to watch him fall and struggle, but he's awesome," she said, "He's willing to try anything and it doesn't matter, he's going to go out and give it his best and do it."
