Colorado Discover Ability

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Colorado Discover Ability | CDA

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Colorado Discover Ability, (CDA), was incorporated in 1980 as the Powderhorn Handicapped Ski Program, Ltd., a non-profit corporation. CDA was initially established to provide educational and therapeutic outdoor experiences to the disabled population in western Colorado, solely through alpine skiing at Powderhorn Ski Resort.

Prior to CDA’s existence, disabled individuals in the Grand Valley had no local options for proper training and guidance in adaptive outdoor recreation. In 1987, our name was changed to reflect our vision to provide recreational opportunities in other sports as well. CDA continues to be responsible for the delivery of all adaptive ski and snowboard instruction at Powderhorn.

We began in 2001 to expand into year-round recreational programs and updated our mission to reflect the inclusion of our client’s families and friends. During the summer, CDA’s focus shifts to providing water-based recreation, such as river rafting and related camping activities. CDA has been offering summer Day Camps for children and teens since 2001.

With the collaboration of St. Mary’s Hospital and Rocky Mountain Orthopaedics’ therapy staff, a multi-day Camp Freedom for children age 6-12 was added in 2004. Besides the regular programs, various clinics like adaptive cycling have offered locals an access to popular activities on the western slope.

Activities

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Adaptive Skiing

Since the first Paralympic Games in Rome in 1960, swimming has been one of the Games’ main sports. The thrill of competition aside, swimming offers many benefits including strengthening the cardiovascular systems and the major muscle groups of both the upper and lower body. It also develops flexibility in the muscles and joints as…