DREAM Adaptive athletes test their limits on Echo Lake

Leanne Shephard gripped the training boom that hung to the side of a speedboat on Echo Lake. Treading water beside her was volunteer Amanda Maslanka, who offered instruction and a helping hand as Shephard prepared to waterski. Once her skis were aligned, driver Jim Fleischer cranked the throttle, propelling the boat forward. Shephard held fast to the boom, but just as she started to rise out of the water, she fell forward with a splash, still smiling.

At DREAM Adaptive’s water sports week, success wasn’t defined by getting up on two skis — each day on the water was all about the try. Were the athletes, who had either physical or intellectual disabilities, willing to try something new? And did they give it their all, no matter what the end result? Over four days, from July 20-23, DREAM Adaptive Recreation provided opportunities for people living with disabilities to try anything from a pontoon ride or tubing to kayaking and waterskiing. The Whitefish-based nonprofit welcomed families from the Flathead Valley and beyond, with the final day of programming being reserved for military veterans. DREAM has been offering water sports activities for 13 years and for the past 11 years, have hosted their event on Echo Lake in cooperation with property owners Mike and Julie Thompson.

“Our whole mission is to provide access to the great outdoors and all the benefits that come with that,” said DREAM program coordinator Julie Tickle. “Really, all of our programming is about breaking down barriers so people with physical disabilities, cognitive disabilities or sensory disabilities can enjoy this beautiful space.”

She loves watching participants overcome their fears on the water — they might start out afraid to even dip a toe in the lake and end up on a pair of skis by the end of the week.

“I think the magic really happens because of our volunteers — the people that donate their time to make it a comfortable, safe, fun environment for people to really push their limits, whatever that looks like for each individual,” Tickle noted.

For water sports week, up to 30 volunteers were on site each day, and many of them gave the entire week to the organization.

Volunteer Jim Fleischer, of Whitefish, has been working with DREAM’s winter program since 2017 and their summer activities since 2018. During water sports week, he offered the use of his boat, outfitted with a specialized training boom, to DREAM along with his expertise as an adaptive ski instructor.

Fleischer said it’s important to have patience and to focus on the things a person can do, versus their limitations when working with people living with disabilities.

“We’ve worked year over year with a couple of clients. They do progress year after year and that’s very gratifying,” he said.

What keeps him coming back are “the smiles of the clients and their sense of accomplishment — and just sharing our passions for the sports with those who may not have those opportunities.”

The training boom helped Fleischer and his partner Amanda Maslanka take their instruction to the next level.

“It puts the client within arms reach and vocal reach of the boat so instruction during the activity is much easier because you’re able to communicate,” Fleischer explained. “It’s also a very stable handle that gets the client up out of the water very easily and controlled.”

During the afternoon of Wednesday, July 21, athletes Shephard and Derek Ball, had the chance to try water skiing for the first time. Both athletes are residents of Kalispell’s Lighthouse Christian Home, a group home for adults living with disabilities. Ball was all laughs and smiles in the water as he tried to orient his skis and get aligned with the boom. Although he wasn’t able to stand up, Ball left the water motivated to keep working on his skills during next year’s water sports week.

“The fact that he just tried is everything,” Fleischer said.

Melissa Petersen, the activities coordinator at Lighthouse, accompanied her two residents on the boat for the afternoon. It’s her job to provide a good quality of life for the home’s 16 residents and for her clients, DREAM’s programming was a perfect fit.

“Both [Ball and Shephard] were pulled out of their comfort zones to participate in that … It’s been the highlight that they talk about,” Petersen said. “DREAM Adaptive provides such a quality program. Their volunteers and staff make our residents just shine … I love how they love my residents.”