Oregon Adaptive Sports instructor named NW ‘Rookie of Year’

The Professional Snowsports Instructors of America – Northwest, a ski association comprised of professional skiers throughout the Northwest has recognized one of Oregon Adaptive Sports’ very own, Kellie Standish as Rookie of the Year.

This very active division provides high quality educational resources and standards towards improving ones teaching skills to better satisfy the needs and expectations of customers.

Oregon Adaptive Sports (OAS) is extremely proud to have Standish receive this high level of recognition as this reflects her dedication to OAS and commitment to providing the best experience possible for our clients.

Through Standish’s focus on education and commitment to proficiency in adaptive ski instructions, she has assisted OAS students across the spectrum of ability from adults with spinal cord injuries, learning to mono-ski, to younger children with developmental disabilities finding balance and movement on snow.

Choosing Standish is especially exciting not only because this award reflects the entire PSIA-NW membership base, not just adaptive specific programs, but also all ski schools throughout the region.

OAS nominated Standish for the award by specifically highlighting her work with local Bend resident Jana Sherry.

Jana and her family relocated to Bend in January 2015 and made it a goal to ski as much as possible this winter. Jana has Dystonia, a disorder that impairs balance, muscle control, and coordination.

Regardless of her disability, Jana’s goal was to ski standing up, something she hadn’t done in over a decade. Through persistence and training Standish was able to help Jana to stand-up and ski with the assistance of a piece of equipment called the “snow-slider” and the two shared many smiles and turns all season long.

Though unable to attend, Standish will be recognized at the PSIA-NW Symposium Awards Banquet in Sun Valley this April to recognize her accomplishments