 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi to everyone, new forum member here with a disabled son. I am trying to find a supplier of the metal ski bra shown in another thread in this forum, the one in which tethers can be attached via the metal loop on the bra.
I'm teaching my son to ski, but with cerebral palsy he has difficulty in keeping a snow plough position which is preventing him from progressing and is extremely frustrating - for him and me!
I'm an old BASI 3 who did his course at Cairngorm when there was no such thing as an adaptive course - that shows my age now!!
Would be very grateful for any info.
Thanks in advance 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Hi Sara,
Thanks for that. He's a 16-year-old, approx 5-10" at 7 and a half stone, so light but tall. I have been using a "Try-Ski" but it's not strong enough and simply breaks apart at the pivot point continually, so is almost useless. I suspect it would be much better with smaller and lighter children. Also tried the "Edgy-Wedgy" but it doesn't give enough control as he is nowhere near proficient in snowploughing yet.
Did speak to DSUK at Aviemore, but as we ski Glencoe they couldn't help as they have no kit based there.
I saw a pic of the ski bra (metal one with tether hooks attached) and think that will be much better given the previous problems, it also allows me to have an element of safety and control over speed by using the tether straps.
He has been finding it difficult as he has no power or motor control in the right arm and shoulder, and similarly limited in the right leg and foot, making left turning and control of that direction difficult.
I am very grateful to you for the link to spokesnmotion, as I had no idea where to start sourcing one. Even a google search brought no results other than some very spurious ones as you might imagine!! 
Best wishes
John
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Hi again Sara,
Found this item called a "Ski-Trainer" which also seems to be using a ski tip connector on a charity website for ski holidays for disabled children.
http://www.katiesskitracks.org/tiptoe.html
It looks ideal, and it even appears that it's being used by someone with the same disability as my son, a one-sided weakness, and allows for full control as well. Appears that it was developed by one of the charities and then taken up and further developed by some group called "Demand", who unfortunately I cannot find anywhere.
I've emailed the charity Katies Ski Tracks in the hope that they can give me some further info on it.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Hi again Sara,
Found this item called a "Ski-Trainer" which also seems to be using a ski tip connector on a charity website for ski holidays for disabled children.
http://www.katiesskitracks.org/tiptoe.html
It looks ideal, and it even appears that it's being used by someone with the same disability as my son, a one-sided weakness, and allows for full control as well. Appears that it was developed by one of the charities and then taken up and further developed by some group called "Demand", who unfortunately I cannot find anywhere.
I've emailed the charity Katies Ski Tracks in the hope that they can give me some further info on it.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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sherlock,
Hi John,
I've never used the Ski Trainer that you saw on Katie's Ski Tracks. It would be interesting to see it in use. However, my first thought was that it could be very restrictive. With links and tethers, the instructor can have as much or as little control over the skier as the skier needs.
If it's possible for you, I'd suggest that you go to see DSUK on Cairngorm for a day. They would be able to give you some tips and ideas of how best to help your son and also, show you the most effective way of using links and tethers... It's not rocket science but there are a few things that would make it easier for you. I would also suggest that before you put the tethers on your son, practice first with someone who has good balance. It is very easy to pull people off their feet using tethers if you aren't being subtle.
A very important safety point: Don't let him slide backwards with the tips attached together - he could end up with dislocated hips... And on a similar note, take the links off before using a drag lift.
And... Something else to look into... See how he is standing in his ski boots. It's common with cerebral palsy for feet not to be flat on the floor, put ski boots and skis on and the result is skis on edge which would make it difficult for him to manoeuvre.
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DSUK have an instructor based at Xscape in Braehead (that will be closer to you than Aviemore, won't it?) - might be worth talking to him.
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sherlock, Have you thought about taking the BASI L1 Adaptive course? I've done it myself, hugely enjoyable course and you will evidently have an immediate benefit from it! It's run over 5 days, includes modules in bi-ski and learning difficulties so. At the moment the only course listed is Hintertux in April, but they may run courses indoors over the summer
http://www.basi.org.uk/module_info.aspx?mid=201
A group of us on Snowheads got together and organised dates direct with BASI.
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