PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — TAMC has joined in the effort to bring adaptive winter recreation opportunities to people in the area with physical disabilities.
NO LIMITS, an innovative collaboration of the Nordic Heritage Sport Club and Maine Adaptive Sports and Recreation, will officially launch a Nordic ski and snowshoe program this winter season thanks to the drive of committed volunteers and support of lead community partners, including TAMC.
“People in Aroostook County cherish recreational opportunities,” said Dr. Jacqui Lowman, founder of NO LIMITS. “Up until now, a segment of the population has been left out: people with physical disabilities. Not anymore. Through the partnership of TAMC and other leading county organizations, coupled with the efforts of our dedicated volunteers, hundreds of people in Aroostook County and surrounding regions of Canada with some form of disability will now have a local venue where they can enjoy winter recreation opportunities.”
According to Lowman, accessing recreation opportunities like this has always meant traveling hundreds of miles.
“When you factor in family, friends and those whose lives they touch, this is an issue that reaches everyone,” she said. “Most are unaware of the possibilities or unable to travel so far to take advantage of them.”
The collaborative effort is made possible through the partnership that NO LIMITS and the Nordic Heritage Sport Club have developed with Maine Adaptive, which brings more than 30 years of experience to the table. Maine Adaptive will train volunteers and screen/schedule participants. Use of the Nordic Heritage Center site means that adaptive winter recreation will finally be easily available in Aroostook County.
“TAMC could not be more pleased to join in partnership with NO LIMITS to expand opportunities to all county residents to be active, especially during the winter months,” said TAMC President/CEO Sylvia Getman. “This extends our ongoing commitment to support such initiatives across the region and in all four seasons. As is frequently the case in The County, the work of NO LIMITS is the result of a group of individuals coming together, identifying a need, dedicating their time and talent to make it happen, and partnering with others to realize a dream.”
The rollout in winter/spring 2015 is the result of several years’ work. It started in the fall of 2012 as a project for a University of Maine at Presque Isle class taught by Lowman. Along the way, it has continued to build momentum.
Every Friday afternoon this snow season, participants will have free Nordic skiing or snowshoeing lessons. Afterward, all those involved will gather for a meal in the main lodge.
