Please join me in providing opportunities for people with disabilities that build health, confidence and independence!

On July 28, 2017, my physical body and life trajectory were forever altered. A disciplined athlete in martial arts, watersports, wrestling, and snowboarding, I also Ioved working out and pushing my muscles to their limits. That fateful night, while attempting a back flip, I suffered a spinal cord injury to my neck at the C4/C5 vertebrae level. Today, I am paralyzed from the chest down, with use of my shoulders and arms only down to my biceps; I have no grip or use of my fingers. After almost six months away from family and friends while rehabilitating in Colorado, I returned home a year ago to adapt in my "new normal". I graduated on time with my high school Class of 2018, and I started at Folsom Lake College last fall getting all A's in my classes. This term I am carrying 15 credits, while spending several of my Fridays learning to navigate my way down a mountain at Alpine Meadows through Achieve Tahoe. I am fortunate to have this opportunity in my "back yard" and especially blessed this winter to be able to demo brand new technology with the "tetra ski". There are only three tetra skis in existence, and Achieve Tahoe is able to offer it this entire ski season!

Achieve Tahoe is a nonprofit that builds health, confidence and independence through recreational sports for children and adults with disabilities. The organization serves over 500 people a year through one-on-one snowsports lessons, waterskiing, paddle sports and more. Achieve Tahoe's highly trained instructors and specialized, adaptive equipment allow the organization to serve just about anyone with any disability. Achieve Tahoe participants and family members often say that their experience with Achieve Tahoe goes on to affect other areas of their life such as gaining confidence to try other sports, becoming more social, and breaking down perceived barriers showing them that they can do things they perhaps never thought they could before.

I am asking you to join me in supporting this cause and provide life-changing experiences for children and adults with disabilities! All donations go directly to Achieve Tahoe, to support their winter and summer programs and adaptive equipment. I will be participating in Achieve Tahoe's Ability Challenge on March 30th, skiing with my family, and my recreational therapist Danielle and some friends from Craig Hospital. If everyone reading this would merely contribute $5-$10, I know I can reach my goal of $1500. Thank you so much for your prayers and support! ~ Ashton