Casually Kristen

BRECKENRIDGE, Colorado — Watch out, pro skiers coming through! Decked out in their winter best, 18 Florida children enjoyed the thrill of a lifetime when visiting Breckenridge on Monday.

The trip, hosted by an organization based in Tampa Bay, “Wheelchairs 4 Kids,” focuses on creating fun experiences for their kids, all of whom use wheelchairs or other mobility aids. Last year, the non-profit won a Southwest Airlines competition, which gave them free round-trip tickets.

“Wheelchair 4 Kids is a non-profit that helps children with pysical disabilities. We provide wheelchairs, home modifications, vehicle modifications, and other equipment at no charge to the families,” said Madeline Robison, Co-founder of the non-profit, ” We also have another program called wheely fun days, and that’s where we take the kids out to do fun events. You know, our kids don’t get invited to birthday parties, they don’t get to go to the mall or go to the movies with their peers.”

To make the ski trip happen, the group partnered with the Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center for all of the specialized equipment, and Beaver Run Resort for discounted places to stay.

“Getting into this new chair and being able to propel themselves, go places they never thought they could go, you can see their posture change, you can see their attitude change. and the world just opens up for them,” said Robison.

The kids got to enjoy four nights of fun in Breckenridge, where they not only enjoyed skiing for the first time, but also experienced things like sleigh rides at Breckenridge Stables.

It’s safe to say there were snow tears, and lots of smiles! Happy feel-good Friday!