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Meet AbilityPLUS star volunteer, Rich Staples
Rich Staples with MWV Program Director Liz Stockinger
during recent Soldiers For Soldiers weekend
How long have you been involved with AbilityPLUS?
My first all-season commitment was twelve years ago after a couple of years helping out during family ski trips. At the time, the Attitash program was led by family friend Beth Beaver Davis, who encouraged and mentored me as I was starting out.
What role do you currently hold with AbilityPLUS?
Today, I'm the Mount Washington Valley program's longest-serving volunteer, a distinction, helped by my gray beard and grandfatherhood, that has earned me the nickname of "Ski-Pa" to some of the kids. This year, I was invited to join the AbilityPLUS Board of Directors, which I enthusiastically accepted.
What made you decide to volunteer as a ski instructor?
Like many who get involved, my first experience with the program was when I brought a disabled relative to the mountain to see if he and I could ski together again, as we had as children. It worked and I realized this could be a great way to share my love of skiing with others, as my parents had done for me
What has volunteering meant to you personally?
I call my volunteer work with AbilityPLUS "Skiing for Joy" - the joy I experience teaching and "being adaptive" for others, and the joy I've seen on the faces of our students when my world of skiing becomes their world, too. It's a nice change of pace and scene with a great group of like-minded folks enjoying winter while helping others at the same time, and my son, Evan, and daughter, Kate, teach with me when they can, which makes me a very proud Dad, too.
What are some of your favorite experiences from instructing?
The first thing that comes to mind doesn't even happen on the slopes - it's when the student walks into our program office at Attitash. If they're a returning student, it's like a big reunion with smiles and hugs all around. If it's the student's first visit, it's great fun to watch their personality "unfold" before our eyes as we introduce ourselves and talk about what fun we are going to have that day by helping to make skiing happen for them.
On the slopes, I've become an accomplished bi-ski tether handler behind Olivier, who started skiing with the program three seasons ago. He really works that bi-ski - fast and fearless - down expert slopes and because I'm tethered to him, where he goes, I go. It's like skiing "poetry in motion" for us and I love every minute of it, as long as he doesn't drag me into the ditch!
And I can't go without mentioning the annual AbilityPLUS Kids of Courage Weekend at Mt. Snow in January - WOW!
Tell us about the award and your other volunteer projects.
I am very fortunate that my employer, Fannie Mae, encourages and celebrates employee volunteerism throughout the company. I was honored to be nominated for "Volunteer of the Year" at a recent awards luncheon, along with several other deserving colleagues and very surprised when our CEO announced my name. The award presentation highlighted my work with AbilityPLUS and also listed some of my other volunteer activities supporting affordable housing, ending homelessness, and student college scholarship funds, along with monthly blood platelet donations (25 gallons and counting).
