Atlanta, GA,
03
March
2014
|
09:00 AM
America/New_York

Former Patient Prepares to Compete in Alpine Skiing at the Winter 2014 Paralympics in Sochi

By Jasmin Bambur
Paralympian and Former Shepherd Center Patient

I am excited to share with you my road to competing in the Winter 2014 Paralympics in Sochi, Russia, which will be held from March 7 to 16.

I was a patient at Shepherd Center in 2000 after sustaining a T-10 spinal cord injury in a car accident. Now, I am doing something that makes me feel free from my wheelchair while I live my life to the fullest. I am a Paralympic alpine skier.

It all started when I went with a group from Shepherd Center to Breckenridge, Colorado, for an adapted ski trip in 2002. I thought skiing was the greatest thing I could do, and it got me out of my chair.

Later, my wife, Sarah, and I co-founded the Adaptive Ski Program at Beech Mountain, N.C., so I and others could ski close to home. After a few years of recreational skiing, I knew I wanted to do more and start a career as a skier.

In 2007, I went to the National Sports Center for the Disabled in Winter Park, Colorado, to see if I had what it took to compete. I improved over the years and went on to compete in the 2010 Paralympic Games in Vancouver. My best finish was ninth in downhill.

After four years of intense training, I am proud to be a member on the Alpine Skiing Paralympic Team for the United States of America. My teammates and I have been preparing for the 2014 Paralympics Games in Sochi. We train on the ski hill in the morning, then workout in the gym in the afternoon.

I am overwhelmed with excitement about competing at the games. Tune in to NBC to watch unprecedented coverage of the Paralympics. I will keep you updated on my results. Thanks for your encouragement and support!

To read more about Jasmin Bambur's Paralympic career, see www.teamusa.org/Athletes/BA/Jasmin-Bambur.

About Shepherd Center

Shepherd Center provides world-class clinical care, research, and family support for people experiencing the most complex conditions, including spinal cord and brain injuries, multi-trauma, traumatic amputations, stroke, multiple sclerosis, and pain. An elite center recognized as both Spinal Cord Injury and Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems, Shepherd Center is ranked by U.S. News as one of the nation’s top hospitals for rehabilitation. Shepherd Center treats thousands of patients annually with unmatched expertise and unwavering compassion to help them begin again.