This year, 14 FHS students enjoyed an activity many members of the Flathead Valley take for granted. New horizons were opened to them as they skied in the Dream program, started more than a decade ago in 1987 by Dennis Johns, who lost his leg in a car accident. After his accident, Johns’ friend directed him to Winter Park in Colorado, where he started skiing. “They did a really good job, and changed my life so much,” said Johns. When Johns returned to Kalispell and continued skiing at Big Mountain, he found there were no programs available like the one that had helped him after his accident. “I noticed that they did not have any skiing programs for disabled kids,” said Johns. “So I took everything — what they taught me in Colorado — and started doing it here in Montana.” Johns said he wanted to share his experience with others to increase their confidence. “I knew that skiing gives people a new outlook and helps to build confidence and strength in themselves,” said Johns. “I call it a ‘character builder,’ because you know that nobody will go and do it for you and that you should do it yourself. People start to believe that they really can do something and that they have a talent.” In the beginning, Johns’ program was small because he ran it on his own. Using his own gas and car, he took some disabled people up to Big Mountain and gave them lessons. After a year of doing this, community members offered to help Johns. “About one year later ‘the Dream,’ a group of people who started in the Flathead Valley) approached me if I needed any financial and material help,” said Johns. “So they joined with me and it was the official start of the Dream Program.” The program has grown to include people of different ages and different disabilities. “It’s an excellent program,” said special services teacher Sue Jacobson. “It allows the students to participate in a sport that they otherwise wouldn’t have been able to experience.” The Dream program is a non-profit program based on local donations and volunteers. In the past five years, the program has grown to 1,000 participants in 1996-97, serving both groups from schools and individuals. Participants come from all over Montana and even out of state. The goal to increase FHS All-Star students’ confidence is apparent in the students, said FHS Special Services aide Niki Dykstra. Said Dykstra: “It’s amazing what our students are capable of doing with Dream Ski.” |
