Article: Oliver Vaughan-Jones Has Big Plans For Improvement to the Adaptive Ski Industry -Dec 2019

[Sly Saint]

In 2008 Oliver’s heart and soul grew ever stronger, however not by choice but rather in the form of answering to his greatest challenge. That year, Vaughan-Jones was diagnosed with a neurological disease called Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, or ME. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, ME is more commonly known as chronic fatigue syndrome. Patients may notice its effects on their sleep patterns, the stress it places on the brain to complete simple tasks such as reading or writing, and it cannot be relieved by simply just catching up on rest. Just 5 years after his diagnosis, Oliver was usually restricted to his bed and wheelchair almost all of the time.

After having an opportunity to ride a sit-ski in Andora last year, Oliver not only realized how much he longed to get out on the snow more often but also how expensive it could be to rent or buy the equipment for himself. Coming from a background as an artist and an engineer, Vaughan-Jones decided that he would attempt to build a sit-ski of his own. He hopes that he will come up with something more affordable and lighter than current designs.

full article:
https://snowbrains.com/oliver-vaugh...for-improvement-to-the-adaptive-ski-industry/

 

[TiredSam]

Predictably:

Oliver’s drive and determination are staggering. If all of us could learn to be better each and every day like Mr. Vaughan-Jones, the world would simply be a better place. Don’t forget to stop by his GoFundMe page and help him achieve his goal if you are able or feel inspired to do so. Let’s all try to be a little more like Oliver!

 

[TiredSam]

This is a better article:

https://www.planetski.eu/news/12288

I wish him well, of course. It's the journalist of the first article that really annoyed me by finishing it with that inspirobabble paragraph at the end.

 

[ladycatlover]

You can get skis for the Hippocampe. This page is for the front wheel, but there's another picture on the same page of skis fitted instead of the rear wheels too. There doesn't appear to be a page for the rear skis yet.

Though having read the article above, he's looking for a mono ski. I think that would be beyond most people with ME - the photo of him leaning over, it looks like hard physical work!

 

[Mij]

He's says he's bedbound 80% of the time. What am I missing here?

 

[Mij]

He is a resident of Llandyssil, Cardiganshire, Wales and travels down to France to ski? I'm sorry, but just 'travelling' to the grocery store in a car driven by my friend takes some out of me and I'm not 80% bedbound.

 

[MEMarge]

Trying out an adapted monoski is high on my list of pipe dreams.

I don't have ME (my daughter does), but a spine that cannot tolerate standing. I would love to ski downhill again.