‘Skiing Is Believing’

Part 2

The story so far: Carrie’s parents have agreed to consider letting her take skiing lessons over Thanksgiving. Part 2

*

The next day Carrie listened as her dad telephoned Mountain Challenge. He must have asked a zillion questions.

“Guess what?” he said after hanging up.

“What, Daddy?” asked Carrie.

“We’re going skiing.”

It took forever for Thanksgiving vacation to arrive. Carrie could hardly believe it when they finally walked into the Mountain Challenge office. She could smell the cinnamon in the pot of hot apple cider as her dad signed her in. Then she felt a light tap on her shoulder.

“Carrie, my name is Burt, and I’ll be your ski instructor.”

Carrie beamed.

“The first thing I tell our families is that we want our students to be safe, to have fun and to learn how to ski. Sound good?”

“You bet,” answered Carrie enthusiastically.

“Now Carrie,” Burt continued, “your parents guided you in. Do you use a cane?”

“Yes, sometimes.”

“OK. And do you have friends who ski or snowboard?”

“Yes, my friend Geoffrey skis. And he’s up here too.”

“Super!” said Burt. “Now before we get started, I need you to promise to let me know how you’re feeling at all times -- hungry for brownies, thirsty for hot chocolate, cold, tired, scared, whatever, got it?”

“Got it, Burt, I will.”

“Now tell me, Carrie,” Burt continued, “what other things do you do?”

“I run and play goal-ball, and sometimes we go tandem bicycling.”

“Great. Your application says that you’re totally blind. Do you have sensitivity to light?”

“No,” Carrie’s mom interjected.

“OK then, Carrie,” continued Burt. “It’s important you always wear protective goggles to protect your eyes from the sun.”

“Are they like the sick goggles Geoffrey says they wear in the X Games?”

“Yes,” said Burt. “Now let’s go and pick up your equipment.”

“Oops, I’ve got to go,” said Carrie’s mom.

Carrie turned her head. “Where are you going?”

“Oh, somewhere,” she answered.

Carrie felt a shiver of fear. “Where?”

But Carrie heard the door close. Her mother had already left.

“Well,” Carrie’s dad said, “that settles it for me. I’m going to get some hot chocolate and read the sports section.”

“Dad!”

Burt gently took Carrie by the arm and said, “Come on. Let’s go skiing, Carrie.”

Carrie did not let fear stop her. “OK, Burt, I’m ready.”

Wednesday: How will Burt teach Carrie to ski?

This story is on The Times’ website at latimes.com/kids.