(click on any photo to enlarge) So I'm out on my morning training ski after a huge Sierra storm dumped 4+ feet in Tahoe. I have had a nagging injury to my neck/trap area that is making me grouchy and feeling sorry for myself. I had to miss The Great Ski Race for the first time in a long time because I haven't been able to train consistently and it seemed every time I skied hard I would be in pain for three days afterward. Blah Blah Whine Whine. Anyway I'm out on a ski and really have the whole Euer Valley to myself when I come upon Jon Arnow.
Jon had a terrible skiing accident about 4-5 years ago. He slid down an icy couliour and hit a tree at mach speed. He shattered his pelvis and many other things. He came very close to dying a few times as he became septic from his intestinal matter dispersing itself throughout his body. He was paralysed from the neck down at the time. After his first surgery and a lengthy rehab he regained the use of his arms and became mobile via a wheelchair. He stayed that way for a year or two. Recently he had a second surgery to straighten his spine somewhat to try to relieve some of his constant pain. I don't need to tell you that this guy is tough. Prior to his accident he was a stud in just about every sport he tried. An excellent cyclist, runner, mountaineer and one of the best tele skiers I have ever seen. Anyway last fall he came into my shop after I hadn't seen him for a while and he was out of his wheelchair. I about shit myself! He was using canes in both hands but he was walking! It choked me up. For the past few years Jon has taken to skiing in a sled with just arm power and he moves right along. When I say he moves right along I mean he can drop most recreational skiers with ease and can keep up with racers for short periods of time. I told you the guy is a stud. Anyway I have gotten used to seeing him and Mark Wellman (another super stud) out skiing in their sleds and hauling ass all around Tahoe Donner.
So when I came upon this SKIER in Euer Valley I really didn't think much of it. As I casually said "on your left" to pass him, I almost fell over when I recognized Jon was without sled and skiing in the valley. I had to stop as I felt a huge surge of emotion welling up in me. We chatted for a few minutes and took a few photos as he was glad to see someone he knew to take a quick video of him skiing. I happily obliged. After I left Jon to continue on with my ski, I really felt like a whining douchebag. Here I was complaining that my neck hurt and that I couldn't race because I wasn't in top condition. What a line of crap. I saw our friends John and Kim Kennedy and skied with them for the rest of the morning. Funny that my neck didn't bother me for the rest of my ski. A dose of humble pie cured me instantly. Get out and enjoy yourself. Learn from me and don't let you hold yourself back. Cheers, Easty
