PRLog (Press Release) - May 08, 2009 -
A group of teenagers recently attended < a href="http://www. www.tsrhc.org">Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children's 28th Annual Amputee Ski Trip in Winter Park, Colo. The week-long trip began with a send-off party at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, hosted by American Airlines and the Admirals Club.
http://www.tsrhc.org
In a continuing effort to improve the lives of patients, TSRHC recognized that snow skiing is well suited for amputees, and with special equipment, they quickly become competitive and often excel at the sport. For the last 28 years, the hospital has taken 14 teenagers to Winter Park to learn to ski.
This year's Amputee Ski Trip participants included:
• Eric Hmielewski, 16-year-old Little Elm resident
• Candace Darden, 15-year-old Garland resident
• Jordyn Downey, 17-year-old Bedford resident
• Justin Montemayor, Richardson resident
• Kiara Marshall, 16-year-old Georgetown resident
• William “Skeeter” Phillips, 14-year-old Forney resident
• Alexander “Sasha” Djamoos, 17-year-old Fairview resident
• Brandon Harp, 17-year-old Hawley resident
• Jessica “Jessie” Constancio, 15-year-old Austin resident
• Tamlynn Niemietz, 17-year-old San Antonio resident
• Tayler Bates, 17-year-old Houston resident
• Andrea Meza,18-year-
• Kathryn McCravey, 17-year-olf Glen Rose resident
• David Barcenas, 18-year-old Ennis resident
Skiing at the renowned National Sports Center for the Disabled creates a focus for the trip, but the personal growth and challenges the teens overcome are often more life changing than the actual accomplishment of skiing. The goal of the trip is to foster a sense of self-confidence, discovery and independence for these special children.
“I am certain that although these kids have faced challenges beyond their years, each of them has returned changed in some positive way by this experience,”
Thanks to generous friends of TSRHC, the trip is available at no charge to patient families. American Airlines and their partners provided transportation for the patients, medical staff and chaperones for this extraordinary experience.
Hospital Information
Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children is one of the nation's leading pediatric centers for the treatment of orthopedic conditions, certain related neurological disorders and learning disorders, such as dyslexia. There is no charge to patient families for treatment at the hospital, and admission is open to Texas children from birth to 18 years of age. For more information, to volunteer or to make a donation, please call (214) 559-5000 or (800) 421-1121 or visit www.tsrhc.org.
