For Quadriplegics, incredible technological advance makes skiing independently a reality

We’ve gotta give our friend, Travis Amick, a high-level quadriplegic, credit for letting us in on a snow ski power wheelchair, TetraSki, he tested out a couple of years ago and was in total awe about the technology that allowed him to maneuver a wheelchair on skis. The people doing the testing ended up with a malfunctioned chair but they didn’t give up and went back to work to perfect it.

The incredible work behind TetraSki was led by Dr. Jeff Rosenbluth at the University of Utah’s renowned Rehabilitation Center. The design of this ski offers an increased level of independence on the snow for quadriplegics and other severe mobility impairments which can be maneuvered with a joystick or simply by a breathing tube.

Travis spoke so enthusiastically about this that we just had to dig a little bit more about it but just as we were doing so, NBC’s Today show reported on it this past weekend in a three-minute segment which can be viewed HERE.

Now, the burning question everyone is wondering about is where can you try this out. Well, Northern California is fortunate to get access to demoing the TetraSki between March 16 - April 5 in Truckee. AchieveTahoe has been designated as the organization that would conduct the demos and if you’re interested, contact Michael at (530) 581-4146.