Adaptive skiers hit the slopes and push limits

Twelve years ago, Debbie Lozano never imagined she would be able to ski with her triplet sons.

"They were three months premature," she says.

Two of her sons now have handicaps. Austin has autism and Alex has cerebral palsy while Brandon has developed normally.

As her sons have grown up, Debbie says it's been a challenge to find an activity, particularly a sport, in which all of them can be involved.

That's where the non-profit group Three Trackers comes in. For more than 30 years, Three Trackers has given people with disabilities the chance to ski. (The term Three Trackers comes from the impression or tracks that a skier with an amputated leg using one ski and two outriggers leaves in the snow.)

Now each Sunday Debbie and her sons hit the slopes of Brandywine. Alex uses a walker with skis to make it down the hill and Brandon helps keep an eye on his brother, Austin.

"They love it," she says. "They talk all week long about coming skiing Sunday."

One of their Three Tracker ski instructors is Rod Ramsey who understands the struggles of many of the adaptive skiers endure. Rod himself lost both of his legs in an accident and skis on prosthetic limbs.

"You don't need a disability to hold you back," he says. "We'll take anybody out on the slopes and we'll make them have a good time."

Three Trackers relies solely on donations and fundraisers. If you would like to become involved in the group as a skier, volunteer or donor, click here or call (216) 556-0787.