KUMV-TV News Stories

Hope`s Vision | Video

Van Tieu | 2/23/2013

Saturday`s weather was a great excuse to get outside and enjoy the outdoors. The Huff Hills Ski area was bustling with skiers and snowboarders. But for a group of kids with disabilities, it was extra special to get moving.

"I wasn`t too sure what that was going to be like, you never in know in North Dakota, do ya?"

Lee Seaworth knows. He`s a huge weather fanatic and spends his free time tracking storms with radar. Hey, Henry Blakes, you better watch out! His dad says you can name any city, and he`ll give you the weather. And today`s forecast at Huff Hills Ski area:

"It`s sunny right now, and it`s supposed to get up to 35."

Lee is 13 years old and lives with cerebral palsy, which limits his mobility. But today, he says, is a great day to go skiing. Lee will be hitting the slopes with the help of the Huff Hills ski patrol. The ski patrol volunteer team is guiding Lee and three other students with disabilities down the slopes with everyone else. It`s part of event called Hope`s Vision.

This is Hope Reis, and this is her vision:

"I was skiing a few years ago, and I had a lot of fun and wanted to bring it to other kids with disabilities, to give them the same chance that I had."

After raising more than $3,000 for vests, helmets and pick tags, this is the second year Hope organized the event, so kids like Lee could enjoy the snow.

Strapping him into a sit ski, and boarding him onto the lift, Lee said he was nervous to hang 30 feet in the air but was excited for the ride down.

"I could see Lee smiling and everybody starts cheering for him. And it`s a nice feeling knowing you got to help with that."

The thrill of speed and danger had Lee back on the ski lift in no time.

Hope`s Vision used to be called Day on the Hill, but she and Huff Hills want to make the event a seasonal tradition, instead of just one day.

They are asking for more volunteers and funding for equipment.

COMMENT ON THIS STORY

BACK TO NEWS | BACK TO BISMARCK STORIES

Share Story

TrinityNowOpen
FEATURES AND PROMOTIONS
Toys for Tots Decision 2012 Mobile Weather App Meet The News Team Mr. Food Off The Beaten Path