The academy organizes the annual excursion and other activities for young people with cerebral palsy or another physical challenge. Cancelled last year due to the pandemic, patients and their families were thrilled to hear that surfing was back on the calendar this year. The trips are offered without cost thanks to the generosity of donors.

“Our adaptive sports trips encourage young people with physical disabilities to challenge themselves by trying new sports, while building their self-confidence and encouraging independence,” said Peyton Katz, pediatric patient and family care coordinator at HSS.

“Some of the kids are not sure at first how well they’ll do, but they almost always exceed their own expectations.”

Adaptive sports are competitive or recreational activities for people with differing abilities. Sometimes rules or equipment is modified to meet the needs of participants. The kids who went surfing were 5 to 15 years old, most with cerebral palsy or another condition affecting body movement, muscle control, posture and balance. Many have had multiple surgeries by pediatric orthopedic surgeons at HSS and have been patients for years.

“For many of the kids, it was a chance to experience moving their bodies and using their muscles in ways they’ve never experienced before,” explained

David M. Scher, MD, a pediatric orthopedic surgeon who has performed many of the surgeries to improve movement, posture, balance and mobility. “It was also a wonderful opportunity for them to go outside and enjoy the fresh air. Over the past year, such opportunities have been limited for many of the kids.” 

Some of the young people use crutches or a walker to get around, and they needed a beach wheelchair to get to the water. But that didn’t stop them from climbing on the surfboard. Balancing on a surfboard while in the water would be a challenge for any beginner, but with help from their instructors, the patients experienced the thrill of hanging ten.

Twelve-year-old Alex Nowakowski had surgery at HSS just two months before the trip and was excited when Dr. Scher cleared him to go surfing. “It was cool, there were a lot of waves,” he explained. On land, Alex uses a walker or a cane, but it was a different story when riding a wave with his instructor, Will Skudin. “I feel like the instructors understood me really well,” Alex explained, “and the good part was that Will was able to stand me up on the surfboard.”

Alex’s mother, Magdalena Nowakowski of Ronkonkoma, was awestruck as she watched from the shore, recording video of a day she says her son will always remember. “I couldn’t believe it when the instructor lifted him up on the surfboard. I thought they would just sit him down,” she says. “It was amazing! They rode a wave all the way down, and the smile on Alex’s face was just pure joy.”

The young people learned to surf from the best of the best. World-class surfers Will and Cliff Skudin, well-known and admired among surfing enthusiasts, provided the lessons, along with their specially trained staff at Skudin Surf in Long Beach.

“It was wonderful! Kids got to be kids without limitation,” said Jessica Parise, child life supervisor at HSS. “Seeing the patients’ siblings and parents surf with them was amazing. Everyone was full of joy! Safe to say those watching had tears in their eyes. I know I did.”

The excursion, provided without cost, is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many of the young people. Some will also get to see their orthopedic surgeon in a new light when the doctors trade their operating room scrubs for snow garb and cheer the kids on. The doctors may even ski alongside them. David M. Scher, MD, a pediatric orthopedic surgeon specializing in surgery for young people with cerebral palsy, is among those scheduled to attend. For some of the kids who have never skied, seeing their doctor encourages them to go outside of their comfort zone and adds to their excitement.

Dr. Scher, who enjoys skiing, has been on previous adaptive ski trips to encourage his patients and cheer them on. He skis alongside them, taking photos and videos to capture their enjoyment. “It’s a fun and novel experience for the kids, an opportunity for them to be outside, to get the feeling of using their body in a different way,” he says. “For the first time, many can experience that feeling of going fast down a hill, and it’s exhilarating for them. It’s also fun for me to interact with the kids and their parents and to see their happiness.”

The adventure is made possible by the Adaptive Sports Academy at Lerner Children’s Pavilion at HSS. The academy enables pediatric patients with physical limitations to participate in athletic activities they never dreamed possible. Many of the patients who've signed up for the trip have cerebral palsy or another condition that affects body movement, muscle control, posture and balance. Like Zach, some have had multiple surgeries and have been patients at HSS for years.

The Adaptive Sports Academy sponsors a number of trips for patients throughout the year. The trips are provided without cost, thanks to the generosity of donors who support the Academy. Horseback riding, tennis, surfing and a dance lesson with the famous Rockettes are among the excursions that young patients have enjoyed.

On the upcoming ski trip, even those who use a walker or walking canes will be able to enjoy the experience. Trained volunteers from the Adaptive Sports Foundation at Windham will provide instruction, adapt equipment to meet each individual’s needs, and in some cases accompany the skier down the slopes. A sit ski will be available for the kids if needed.

Niayrah Smith had four surgeries over 12 years to get to where she is today. "I didn’t know that I was going to walk again," she explains.

"I’ve had the privilege of watching her grow and gain confidence," says David M. Scher, MD, pediatric orthopedic surgeon at HSS, who Niayrah called one of her best friends.

"It feels good to finally be able to fit in," says Aidan Conroy, an eighth grader from Long Island.

Watch the full segment at NewYork.CBSLocal.com. This aired during the February 19, 2019 broadcast.

Lorene C. Janowski DPS, OTR/L, MS, C/NDT, occupational therapist at HSS, said "participating in the adaptive ski program was an incredible experience for all and came at such an opportune time as we cheer on the United States in the Winter Olympics. Our children work so hard in their weekly therapy sessions, and this is a way to bring those skills to life, in a real and natural setting."

"Children with physical disabilities put a lot of effort and planning into moving their bodies. Adaptive activities, such as skiing, are a way for them to challenge themselves, even if it means making modifications and adaptations to meet their goals," Janowski added.

One mother commented on how the experience improved her son's confidence. "When you offer this to him, it gives him the opportunity to feel like he can do anything. It helps with his self-esteem and his self-confidence and he can take that with him when he leaves here."

Lisa S. Ipp, MD, chief of Pediatric Medicine at HSS, said "the Adaptive Sports Academy gives our patients a chance to develop new skills and interests and it promotes mobility and activity."

HSS pediatric orthopedic surgeon David M. Scher, MD, explained that the experience gives the children an opportunity to use their body in a different way.

This appeared in the February 22, 2018 print issue.

Additional Coverage:

• Cerebral Palsy News Today: Youths with Cerebral Palsy Challenge Themselves on Ski Trip Sponsored by NY's Hospital for Special Surgery

The hospital’s Adaptive Sports Academy enables pediatric patients with physical disabilities to participate in athletic activities they never dreamed possible. Some have had multiple surgeries to improve their mobility and have been patients at HSS for years.

The Adaptive Sports Academy sponsors trips and recreational activities at no cost to participants to build their self-confidence, encourage independence and increase mobility. The trips are possible thanks to the generosity of donors who support the academy.

Adaptive sports programs promote physical activity for people with disabilities. Trained volunteers from the Adaptive Sports Foundation at Windham provided instruction and adapted equipment for the participants.

"The Adaptive Sports Academy gives our patients a chance to develop new skills and interests, and it promotes mobility and activity. It also reinforces therapy goals by engaging participants in a new activity and requiring them to use their bodies in a new way," explained Dr. Lisa Ipp, chief of Pediatric Medicine at HSS. "They always feel empowered after trying a new activity and succeeding."

Eight patients ranging in age from 8 to 16 went on the trip. Most have cerebral palsy or another condition that affects body movement, muscle control, posture and balance. Some of the young people use walking canes, but that didn’t stop them from gliding down the bunny slope. It was the academy’s third trip to Windham Mountain, but for many of the kids, it was their first time skiing.

"It’s amazing to see her. She has cerebral palsy and some doctors said she wasn’t going to walk. I want to cry," said Angel Redmond, who marveled at seeing her daughter on skis. Fourteen year-old Niayrah has had several surgeries at HSS to improve her mobility.

"Participating in the adaptive ski program was an incredible experience for all and came at such an opportune time as we cheer on Team USA in the winter Olympics! Our children work so hard in their weekly therapy sessions, and this is a way to bring those skills to life, in a real and natural setting," said Lorene Janowski, an occupational therapist certified in pediatrics at Hospital for Special Surgery who went on the trip. "Most people take for granted our automatic movement patterns. Children with physical disabilities put a lot of effort and planning into moving their bodies; therefore adaptive activities such as skiing, are a way for them to challenge themselves, even if it means making modifications and adaptations to meet their goals," said Janowski, who enjoys skiing herself.

"I get to slide down the hill, 50 miles per hour," exclaimed eight year-old Maya Vega, who attended the ski trip with her mother and twin sister, Alexandria.

"It’s a fun and novel experience for the kids, an opportunity for them to be outside, to get the feeling of using their body in a different way," said Dr. David Scher, a pediatric orthopedic surgeon specializing in treating people with cerebral palsy, who was unable to make this year’s outing, but has been on two previous trips. "For the first time, many can experience that feeling of going fast down a hill, and it’s exhilarating for them."

"This is a fabulous experience for the kids," said Andrea Conroy, whose 12 year-old son Aidan made it past the bunny slope. "When you offer this to him, it gives him the opportunity to feel like he can do anything. It helps with his self-esteem and his self-confidence, and he can take that with him when he leaves here."

Pediatric orthopedic surgeon Dr. David Scher with patient Isabella Cottone on last year's ski trip sponsored by Hospital for Special Surgery.