Adventure Scholarship Report- Ice Climbing with Katrina Toucke

We are so excited to share this story with you. It truly exemplifies what our Adventure Scholarship program is all about. The meaningful experiences shared by OM members help transform how people perceive their neurological challenges, and find ways to overcome them. Our hope is to grow our outdoor-focused community full of shared experiences just like this!

I had so many physical challenges that accompanied my diagnosis of MS in 2011, which left me without a lot of hope for the future. One afternoon while dreaming of hiking (something I no longer could do) I ran across the nonprofit Outdoor Mindset (OM). This organization gave me hope! Their mission was to unite and empower people affected by neurological challenges through a common passion of the outdoors. People just like me! This was not the sedentary support group that I was used to.  These were people that wanted to keep experiencing nature and activities while being part of a supportive community. I have remained active with this organization since 2012.  When I moved to Ouray in October 2018, I contacted them to see if I could start a OM group here in Ouray County. Shortly thereafter, a new meet up group was born!

As people I met in Ouray realized I was reinventing my life from a disabling relapse of MS, they encouraged me to check out a cool organization called Paradox Sports in Boulder, which organizes an annual adaptive climbing program here in Ouray! The program started for amputees, but expanded to other diagnosis and challenges. I am normally afraid of heights, but since my disabling relapse and medications my attitude has changed to “FEEL THE FEAR AND DO IT ANYWAYS”!  Although I was excited at the opportunity, various circumstances limited my budget! I learned that OM had an Adventure Scholarship program, which allows members to identify empowering outdoor opportunities, and request scholarship funding to pursue them. I applied, and was fortunate to receive funding to participate in the upcoming Paradox Sports Ice Climbing event.

The weekend event began at a hotel, where we received our schedule for the weekend, and a briefing of what we were in store for.  I was nervous not knowing anyone and being new to ice climbing, but excited for the experience. Paradox Sports welcomed me, and provided me climbing gear. Many participants had been coming year after year for this event. Despite our challenges (amputee, blindness, deafness, MS, Seizures) we all were excited to feel the fear and DO IT ANYWAY! Outside a storm moved in, blanketing Ouray with fresh snow.

We met the next morning at a local coffee shop for breakfast and drove to the trail head. It was cold and snowing, but that didn’t dampen the spirit. I was told to bring a back pack that could fit all my climbing gear plus warm clothes and a thermos with hot water to stay hydrated.  I swear my pack weighed at least 30 lbs! I soon realized this was a MISTAKE.

The guides helped me as I struggled through 1.5 miles in the snow. Easy is not always rewarding, but I didn’t really think ahead. We were hiking on the perimeter trail, up above the canyon in which we would climb. The technical descent was anchored with ropes to support us as we dropped into the canyon. The Paradox crew had set up warming tents, snacks and water! I admit this was extremely challenging for me, despite my regular hiking since October. The other participants facing their own challenges inspired me. We were all one TRIBE helping each other out this weekend!

Many world-renowned ice climbers had come to teach and guide us all. IT WAS JUST SO COOL TO SEE! We all looked like ants climbing the huge icicles that clung to the cliff walls.  As I watched in awe, my name was called. “Katrina, are you ready?” EEEK…..my adrenaline rushed. Yet, I had no fear, just total excitement for this new experience. I unfortunately (due to short term memory issues) can not remember names, but my guide was AMAZING!  He was kind, patient and funny! I was taught the technique of ‘kick, kick, swing, pull, and squat’. Of course, this new movement took some practice. My being tired from the hike was quickly forgotten as I climbed higher and higher. THEN THE BURN CAME!!! Hanging off the huge icicles caused intense burning in my feet and legs.  My guide laughed and made jokes to take my mind off it. I later learned I was experiencing what climbers call ‘screaming barfies’.

As I hung in the air high above, my guide suggested “plant your heals, stretch your legs, lean back and take in the beauty of it all”.  Down below my belayer and campers looked so small! The canyon was filled with ice formations and other climbers, and the sun poked out making everything glisten and sparkle.  THIS WAS INCREDIBLE!!!! I wished I had my phone for pictures, but didn’t dare. Even though I have short term memory loss, (names and such) I will never forget this amazing experience!  

After a pause, I continued to the top of the canyon wall. I screamed down to my guide who stayed attentive to me hanging on the huge icicles. At my request, he belayed me back down to the valley floor. When I had rock climbed, this was always my favorite, although some people hate it.  Being lowered takes a lot of trust in others. Are they paying attention to catch me if I jump out and fall too quickly? This was a huge lesson for me, as in my past I lost a lot of trust in people. Later that evening at the hotel I visited with participants and listened to their experiences.  I knew somehow this would end up being a sport I would enjoy year after year! I love the combination of pushing myself physically and mentally to reach new heights!  

The next morning I made sure to pack much less gear, which made the hike way easier! The rope climbing into the canyon was fun too. It was a shorter day of climbing. We were scheduled to hit the hot springs that afternoon, which I opted out of due to my MS symptoms. I did enjoy further conversation with other participants. While we each had our own physical and emotional challenges, the common thread between us was to have the best experiences with our own lives!

Driving home, I felt so blessed.  I had just met the most amazing angels, each overcoming their own challenges. Spending a weekend physically and mentally pushing myself with others was a once in a life time experience. I will climb again, and the camaraderie I felt that weekend was a true gift never to be forgotten.

Announcing the OM Adventure Scholarship Winner

We are more than excited to announce the 2017 Winter OM Adventure Scholarship Winner - Marie! 

Marie is an adventurous OM member who enjoys living with an #outdoormindset.

With a passion for an active lifestyle, Marie has experienced so many adventures - not letting her diagnosis with MS slow her down. Between gardening, dancing, Crossfit, and so much more. She is an inspiration to all of us! 

Marie's trip will consist of helicopter hiking in the Canadian Rockies in July! She will be staying at the Bugaboo Mountain Lodge and waking every morning surrounded by glorious mountains. The days will consist of cruising across via ferratas, meandering through flowered mountain valleys, and trekking across glaciers.

We are so excited for you, Marie! (And you may catch a couple of us trying to stow away in your suitcase.) 

Member Highlight: Bryn

When Bryn Overton was 10 years old, she began suffering from her first petite mal seizures. It began in gymnastics when her father noticed that Bryn kept zoning out. It was a scary time for Bryn and her family... But she grew out of the seizures by the age of 16 and epilepsy seemed to have become a thing of Bryn's past. Until she experienced another petite mal seizure while driving, leading to a car accident that scared Bryn and her entire family. Then, about a month after the accident, Bryn experienced her first grand mal seizure. 

"I got really depressed as a kid, I was different. I was so excited when I got off the medications, so getting re-diagnosed with epilepsy really took a toll on me. But it taught me to cope with everything, just deal with what happens. It is what it is, you can't change it. I mean, it definitely takes a sense of humor to deal with what you've been handed, so I just try to keep positive.

It could have been worse."

Who has been your biggest supporter in this? 

"My parents have been there for all of it. They've shared laughs and tears with me. My brother has been a huge support. I talk to him about my travels, when I'm really nervous. He always responds with "It's going to be fine. We're going to take care of you." My best friend, Heather, too. She's luckily never seen me go through it, but she always makes sure I'm okay. 

They're my rocks."

Favorite adventure you have embarked on since your diagnosis? 

"Being a heli-ski guide in Valdeez, Alaska. I get to go out and spend time 30 miles outside of town, working in a lodge and skiing in the backcountry. Getting to

go in a helicopter and ski runs that only a couple of thousand people have skied before is pretty amazing. Best job perks ever. I also got to take a summit flight of Denali in a 10-person plane and fly around the summit. Now, I'm in the Grand Tetons, kayaking, rafting, and horseback riding."

When you get scared or overwhelmed, what do you think to push past that fear?

"Other people can do it, why can't I? If anything happens, I have friends and family that care about me. I just have to do what makes me happy. Becuase I know that the feeling at the bottom of this mountain is going to make me so high. Total adrenaline junkie."

Do you have any dream adventures?

"Oh yeah! Heliskiing is checked off the list. Southeast Asia is on my list, which I actually just got my passport for. 2-3 months of backpacking. I want to go to Italy and eat pizza and pasta. Oh and see the Alps, and climb in Yosemite. A big wall climb, like El Capitan."

What would you say to others living with epilepsy?

"Whether you have your seizures under control

or not, just work to get through every day. Remember the good times and cherish every minute you live without a seizure. You can lose it any day. But every day is a new day."

Bryn is currently preparing for an extended backpacking trip through Southeast Asia and living big every day. 

Happy trails, Bryn!

Introducing the OM Adventure Scholarship!

Happy New Year!

The year end gives us time to reflect on the year, and take a big breath to settle the mind and return to a positive state of being; whether we experienced something tragic, enlightening, or downright dull. 



With the New Year, comes the view of the horizon. It’s time to look forward to a better future and plan to take action.
 


At OM we look at the New Year as an opportunity to reengage, reignite, and re-imagine the future.
 


To start, I and the Executive and Advisory Boards will be having a retreat on MLK weekend. We will be reflecting on our accomplishments, examining our current state, and planning for a big future! These are exciting times at OM! And in the spirit of reigniting the spirit, I am excited to introduce a brand new program:
 


Introducing the Outdoor Mindset Adventure Scholarship

!


The power of the outdoors to lift our spirits, to clear our thoughts and center our state of being, in history, was a gift that only gods could give. For many of us, the time we spend outside and in nature defines our character and how we view the world. We may dream of climbing that special peak, travelling to that amazing place and living that once in a lifetime experience. These experiences bring strangers together and friends closer, with memories and feelings that will be shared for the rest of their lives. It is at these precise moments when you take a deep breath and say, “this is what life is all about”!
 


Outdoor Mindset thrives on those moments and understands that the impact these extraordinary experiences have on our health and wellbeing is priceless! OM never intends to compete with the gods, but perhaps we can help provide the funding for you and a friend to get closer to experiencing a special peak, an amazing place and a once in a lifetime experience – an item on your bucket list that you have always wanted to complete.
 


Our goal with the

new Adventure Scholarship

is to help support OM’s mission to enhance the quality of life of our members, engage our members and encourage our community to connect with one another and get outside and live big!
 


El Chalten, Patagonia. Put it on your Adventure Scholarship

bucket list!

OM will be awarding at least one Adventure Scholarship per quarter. We will be awarding

at least $500

per Adventure Scholarship! Applications will be accepted starting today, and applicants will be given u

ntil February 12th

, to submit. Applicants must be an OM member, and the Adventure Scholarship must be used for an outdoor activity with at least one other OM member. Keep in mind, anyone can become an OM member and it’s FREE! And most importantly, the Adventure Scholarship awardee must have a great time!!!
 


Please click here to view the official rules and apply. Good luck!

 

Don’t forget to Participate, Engage and Promote! 
 


I can’t wait to see you outside and look forward to sharing more exciting news in the coming months!


~Sean

Meet-Up Spotlight: Ohio's Maggie

Meet Maggie, our Ohio Meet-Up group leader. Her connection to Outdoor Mindset runs deep and we're fortunate to have her as part of the OM family. Here she tells her story about her neurological history that has an amazing outcome... because it brought her to our organization!

"I remember one day when I was probably a junior or senior in high school. I came home from school in severe pain and instead of going straight to bed or taking a hot bath, my anger got the better of me and I decided to go for a run. I was so sick and tired of the constant pain and the feeling that I couldn't really be myself. I was fed up and pissed off. So I put on my running shoes and ran.

I don't remember running, but I do remember stumbling into the house about twenty minutes later, doubled over, pressing the palms of my hands into my forehead as hard as I could to keep myself from vomiting. I could hardly see; everything was too bright and blurry. I couldn't talk, because my own voice triggered a chain reaction, starting with the nerves behind my right eye and radiating down my spine. I couldn't eat, because the nausea made it impossible to swallow. At that point, there was nothing I could do but crawl in bed and wait it out. The next day would be the same, but about 15 hours of sleep might give me the energy it would take to make it through school the next day.

It's strange to look back over the last 10-15 years and realize how much has changed. In the days before I found an effective treatment, it was hard to even imagine spending more than a day without pain or nausea. Now, my bad days are few and far between, and I feel like I finally have the ability to be myself and do the things I want to do.

I was finally diagnosed with migraine after my family doctor put the pieces of my genetic puzzle together: my dad had mostly recovered, but had suffered from severe migraine when he was younger, and while my symptoms presented differently, they all pointed to migraine. At the time, I didn't really understand what that meant. I later learned that migraine is actually a brain disease that affects the entire central nervous system, and it explained the severe stomach pain and nausea I'd experienced when I was younger, as well as the cognitive impairment and other symptoms. Several years later, when I was in college in Kentucky, I was also diagnosed with seasonal affective disorder (SAD), which could have a connection to migraine and contributed to the severe fatigue.

During the two years I was in Kentucky, I struggled with pain, nausea, fatigue and sometimes even cognitive impairment, making it difficult to have a normal social life and succeed in school. Medications I had tried before just made me sick, and I didn't know if I would ever find a treatment that would help me be "normal," whatever that meant for me. At the time, I just wanted to be free from the pain. But I didn't realize how many areas of my life were affected until I got better.

When I transferred to go to school back home, I spent the summer working with my doctor to find a treatment. Around the time school started, I was beginning to adjust to the medication that would change my life. I was starting at a new school, with a new major and hoping and praying that this time things would be different. I didn't really like high school, so I had always looked forward to college: the chance to start over, study things I actually cared about and get the real "college experience." Kentucky had been a bust, but going into my junior year armed with a medication that actually worked, I knew things could be different.

And things

were

very different. I was no longer afraid to be around people, worried of what they would think when I couldn't keep up with the conversation or it took me an unusually long time to respond to a question. I could go to events and meet new people, because I was there to have fun, not to merely survive until I could get back into bed. I could run for fun; I could go to parties; I could even speak up in class discussions, because I was able to follow them. That's when I realized how much I had been missing out on. It wasn't just the physical pain and limitations that had made things so difficult, I had also lost my personality, my passion and my ability to make connections with other people. I literally didn't know who I was. It was almost like meeting myself for the first time; I learned that I was actually an extrovert and loved meeting new people. I found a passion for fitness, running, biking and other outdoor activities. I joined a sorority and found out that event planning and fundraising was another passion of mine. I learned photography and picked it up as a minor, because why not? I took advantage of every opportunity I could, and I wasn't afraid to try new things.

When I ran across the Outdoor Mindset

website, I had no idea there was already an organization that combined some of the things I care about most. I am now a trainer for Planet Fitness and I'd eventually like to specialize in working with clients who have neurological challenges and mental illnesses. I feel like I can relate to some of the challenges that those with neurological diseases face, and I know from experience how exercise can change lives.

I also know how important it is to be surrounded by people who care and support each other, especially when you're facing a chronic illness or disability. I was lucky to have my family and a few close friends by my side while I struggled with my illness, and I don't know what I would've done without them. That's why I'm so excited to be a part of Outdoor Mindset and grow a community in Ohio. Through outdoor activity and social connections, we CAN make a difference in the lives of those with neurological challenges!"

Super Woman Sally

Sally is an old friend and colleague of many of us at Outdoor Mindset. A few years ago, she scared us all senseless when she was in a serious backcountry skiing accident in Jackson, WY. We, along with her 8 billion other friends and admirers, have had the pleasure of rallying around her and watching her come-back from this accident. 

She is a true inspiration and rock star, and it's an honor to have her be a part of the Outdoor Mindset family.

Raised in Colorado, I started skiing at age three. (But I went in my dad’s backpack in the backcountry at six months old!) My family has a cabin in Leadville, so when I was young, I skied at Ski Cooper. Once my brother and I “graduated” from Ski Cooper, at about age 12, I went over to Copper Mountain. I skied there for most of my younger years, and at age 15, I started the Junior Ski Patrol program. While I was in college, and for a few years after, I was a volunteer patroller, with skills as an EMT.

After college, I worked many ski-related jobs in Boulder, including being the online editor for SKI Magazine. I worked there for a couple years, considering it my “dream job.” I skied in places like Canada, New Zealand and Chile, and trips like these were fully paid for- but I was laid off from that job. That was a Wednesday, and by Friday, I had another offer on the table.

I accepted that job, and within two week, I packed everything I needed in my car, and headed to Jackson, Wyoming. I absolutely loved it there: the PR company I got a job with,

Denny, ink.

, had major ski industry clients like Arc’teryx, Dynafit and Nordica, so I went skiing for part of the day and it was considered “work.”

Skiing with three of my Jackson friends one Saturday, we rode the tram up at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, and hiked to where we wanted to ski. We were going to ski “Once is Enough,” but we had to ski another, narrower run to get there. When we got to the top of our run, we clicked in, and my friend went first. He gave me two thumbs up, telling me it was safe to go. I started downhill, took a few turns, and then my ski fell off. I crashed, and slid downhill for 550 feet. I came to a stop by bashing my head on a rock. I was unconscious, but everything else was fine. My one friend who went first hiked up to me, and my other two friends skied down.

Once I got off the slope (which took a really long time), I was airlifted to a hospital in Idaho Falls, where I was placed in an induced coma. Even though I was only in Jackson for a short time, a lot of friends I had came to visit me. I stayed there for three weeks, and then was okay to fly back home, to Colorado.

I had multiple injuries—a broken back, neck, and ankle, and I had to have back surgery to fix that break. I wore a neck collar for a long time in the hospital so that my neck would heal. And I still have foot problems from the break. I wasn’t eating at that time, so I have a belly scar from where they put in the feeding tube. I lost a ton of weight- 30 pounds- so they gave me a smoothie with stuff that made me gain weight.  I remember when I first got to eat by myself, and I forgot how great that was.

A few months after I lived at home, I got to go back to Jackson and thank all the people I knew there. Since the PR company I worked for had some clients in the ski industry, a lot of ski stuff was donated, which gave people another reason to come.

There were a lot of things I had to go through to recover- physical, occupational, and speech therapy. And even though I was 25 (and I turned 26), I lived at home. Living in Colorado Springs wasn’t great, because most of my friends were in Denver or Boulder. But I needed that time to still recover- I wasn’t able to live on my own.

Now that I live in Boulder in a condo that my parents helped me buy, I’m in a much better spot- I can see friends more often, and since I don’t drive, I can take the bus everywhere. Getting back to the life I used to have will never happen, so I struggle with loneliness. My friends from before my accident are finding new jobs, getting promoted, and/or having kids, but I feel like I’m stuck in the same place. I used to have a great job, and was doing really well at it, so this injury has stopped that. I just have to find a new way to gain happiness, beyond my job. I haven’t gotten there yet, but I’m still working on it.

I am so glad that I have come this far, when I was so very close to death during my accident. But the way my friends acted during my accident saved my life, and luckily, worse things didn’t happen with the bones I broke. My life will never be the same as it used to be, but I’m lucky to be alive so I can adapt to the changes.

Post accident, there are a lot of things that are important to me now, that I never used to consider important. Balance is one of them- I still have trouble walking. I don’t ski like I used to, and that was so important to me that even my job revolved around that. Riding bikes is a problem- I never realized how balance plays into that. My parents have kept their tandem, though, so I can still get my biking “fix.”

Yes, things aren’t how they used to be, but I’m learning new ways to do them and find other things that make me happy. I’ve now realized that the sports I used to do were the main source of my happiness. Now that I can’t do them the same way, I’m trying to learn other things that make me happy.

Outdoor Mindset

has really shown me that there are more people who struggle with the same things I do, so it’s good to know that I’m not alone. It’s the simple things like having coffee with another

Outdoor Mindset

 member that matter the most. I find pleasure in the simple things now, because I’ve realized how important they are. Before my accident, I thought bigger things were more important—like traveling, being a bridesmaid in someone’s wedding, or having success at work. Now, it’s the little things that matter the most to me, and Outdoor Mindset helps with that.