March 9, 2007

Erin Brady Worsham to conquer a new mountain – skiing

Ned Andrew Solomon, Tennessee Register

Erin Brady Worsham is an oft-published writer, an accomplished artist, a sought-after speaker, a devoted Catholic, a loving wife and mom to Curry and Daniel. On March 19 she is about to add another role to her extensive resume: downhill skier.

And lest we forget to mention, 12 years ago Worsham was diagnosed with ALS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease.

Having ALS means she has lost, slowly over time, her speech, her ability to breathe independently, and the functionality of most of her body. She has around the clock care, a power wheelchair for mobility, a respirator to breathe and an augmentative communication device linked to a computer for talking, writing articles, sending and receiving e-mails, and creating her gorgeous, intricate, artistic statements.

She also has a razor-sharp intellect and a positive attitude that never quits, which is a major part of the reason she’s decided to go on this daring athletic adventure.

“Curry and I have seen a lot of wonderful people come and go in the ALS community,” said Worsham. “My friend, Kathie Hormby, who had ALS longer than me, passed very unexpectedly last year. She was a gutsy dame and would’ve done this in a heartbeat. So, too, would our friend, Jane McEvoy, who passed from cancer over five years ago. So we three are going to do it together. I’m going to have Curry put their names on my shoulders and we’re going to go down that mountain together, in spirit. I hope one of them knows how to ski, because I sure as hell don’t!”

About this point, you’re probably thinking, “Wheelchair? Respirator? Downhill skiing?” Enter the Bretton Woods Adaptive Program in New Hampshire, an entity established to give individuals with all kinds of disabilities the skiing experience by using extensively trained instructors and adaptive equipment.

The idea hit about a year ago, while Worsham was watching an alpine skiing event during the Winter Olympics.

“For someone who spends all their time sitting still in a wheelchair, watching something like alpine skiing can be mesmerizing,” said Worsham “It’s not just the speed, it’s the power. These ski racers, especially those who race the Downhill and Super-G (events), must have incredible power in their legs to hold their line down the mountain. Not having any muscle in my legs, I admire that. They can reach speeds of 80 mph.

“Even more than power, it takes courage. I admire that too. I have no wish to go that fast myself, but it’s exciting to hitch a mental ride down the mountain with these guys!”

Intrigued and, as always, thirsting for more knowledge, Worsham wound up Google-ing the U.S. Ski Team, and discovered that one of the skiers, Bode Miller, supports the Bretton Woods Adaptive Program.

Bode had a friend, Cam Shaw-Doran, who was in a car accident on his way to see Bode in 1999, and was paralyzed from the waist down. Another friend encouraged Shaw-Doran to use adaptive equipment to continue skiing and cycling. On Aug. 1, 2005, he became the first person in a wheelchair to “climb” the Mt. Washington Auto Road.

Worsham has been communicating for the last year with Cris Criswell, the acting head of the program, who invited her and her family to Bretton Woods as the program’s guests.

Erin may not be breaking any new ground, but the feat will still be impressive. This is how it will work: she’ll be using a bi-ski, a small sit-up sled on two runners. One or more experienced instructors tether the bi-ski down the slope from behind. At the same time – for moral support and their own thrill-seeking tendencies – Curry and Daniel will travel down the slope alongside Erin on their own steam.

Sounds good on paper, but given her circumstances, is Worsham even the slightest bit apprehensive?

“Of course I have fears about this adventure, but they’re more about the logistics of getting there,” said Worsham. “I haven’t really thought much about being nervous about the actual experience, probably because I trust my team up there implicitly. It’s like when I was in theater. I would have these terrible dreams as opening night approached, dreams where I was reciting lines from the wrong play and no one onstage could follow me. But when opening night arrived, I was totally engaged and on! That’s how I hope this will be.”

Worsham is hoping for something else too. Two weeks after she and her family invade New Hampshire, Bretton Woods will hold its annual Bodefest Skifest, a fund-raising event for the adaptive program. Worsham intends to leave a donation for the Bodefest and is inviting others to join her to help Bretton Woods provide opportunities for other adventurers with disabilities. 

“I’m all for supporting research for cures for the terrible diseases and disabilities out there, but after 12 years of ALS, I’m convinced it’s even more important to support programs like Bretton Woods,” said Worsham. “They keep our hearts, minds and souls alive while we’re waiting for those elusive cures. These adaptive sports programs around the country are largely staffed by volunteers and they depend on donations and fundraisers to purchase the specialized equipment.”

If you’d like to donate, make your check out to the Bretton Woods Adaptive Program, and mail your check to Erin Brady Worsham, C/O “Send Erin’s Tush Down the Mountain,” 929 Cahal Ave., Nashville, TN 37206.

And just for the record, is this the start of a long line of “gotta do’s before I die” for Worsham?

“I have no plans to take up sky diving or water ballet, but I’m keeping an open mind,” said Worsham. “My hero, Dr. Stephen Hawking, who has had ALS for some 40 years, is making plans to go into space. Looks like the sky’s the limit!”