Below is some of the feedback we have received from participants and their families about our program.

I had the great honor of getting to snowboard at the Bart center for a week a few years ago.  After the loss of most of my right leg, just above the knee due to an enemy fired RPG in Iraq in 2003, one of my first thoughts was that I would not be able to snowboard any more. But within a few months I was back at the top of the hill knowing only that I was going to get to the bottom one way or another. Along the way I met the people from the Bart Center. They invited me to come to their mountain for some world class instruction and a week of fun and great food with other disabled athletes. Not only was it an amazing week in some beautiful country, but they gave me tools that I would use to further my career as a snowboarder. I have since taken those tools to the top of many mountains; to the top of many race courses, to the top of super pipes and terrain parks all around the world. I even completed my childhood dream of racing in the winter X Games.

I have had a lot of help in my life. But when I encounter people and places like the Bart Center and the people who make it happen I am left in Awe. Someday I'm going to have to pay all of this help forward and I'm not going to know where to start. To everyone involved with the Bart Center I’d like to say, "thank you, from the bottom of my heart, thank you” Id like to give you all a hug and tell you about all of the success that your program has allowed me. How you helped me pick up the pieces of my shattered life and build something that was far better than what I started with.
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Keep up the good work guys, you are changing lives. ;-)  
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​​~ Keith

Our thanks goes to all who organize the Bart Center's activities. As a mother of a special needs child, I am always searching for activities that include my entire family yet be sensitive to the needs of my child with a disability. My two children enjoyed kayaking, hiking, picnicking and just general playtime in the great outdoors. It was comforting and relaxing to be a part of a community that is so open and understanding to each of my children. Thank you for offering a program that is family centered. We are looking forward to the Ski Program.

​​~ ​Rebecca V., Parent

When our developmental pediatrician urged us to enroll our 3 year old non verbal autistic boy in The Bart Center for skiing lessons, I fully expected to get sent home for the season after our first appearance. Our son was of the snow, he refused to keep the skis on or to walk in ski boots and plucked at his helmet when he was not sobbing. The only things he seemed to be remotely interested in were the presence of other kids and the mechanics of the magic carpet, where we stood frozen while sobbing and observing everything for the remainder of the session. To my surprise, our instructor, Betsy, thought that was enough to build on and wanted him back the following week.

Betsy could read him like a book and lesson after lesson seemed to know what was making him upset even before I did, so we would have a snack or add a layer of clothes or adjust the boots rather than forcing our way. The crying diminished and was gradually replaced by smiles, sometimes even on a day with tough conditions. He would always leave with a huge sense of accomplishment, bursting with pride and squeezing with delight all the way home and if he could speak his vocalizations were surely about how he shredded the mountain.

Our son went from being afraid of snow to making wide turns toward an instructor in just one season. It was easy to see what learning to ski was doing for him. For once he was able to participate with peers on roughly the same level as they were instead of falling into his usual coexistence on the sidelines of life. The Bart Center has an incredible vision and in our son's case, is accomplishing such a beautiful thing as allowing a child to feel a sense of belonging in a nurturing and kind environment. We are not a family of skiers but this experience has given us incentive to look forward to the winter and yes, hopefully take to the lifts together.

​~ Birte K., Parent

My 12 year old autistic son Ryan is not a fan of any sport or pretty much any outside activity.  However, since we are a family of skiers, we thought we should have him try skiing.  Our hope was that one day we could all ski together. We chose the Bart Center because we like the family friendly atmosphere at Bromley Mountain. 

This past winter was our 3rd year with the Bart Center.  I'm thrilled to say Ryan is doing fantastic!  Not only is he learning to ski, he is enjoying it! Whenever we come up to Vermont, Ryan will wake up in the morning and start putting on his ski clothes, even if we’re not skiing that day! 
I think the staff at The Bart Center is a huge part of Ryan's success with skiing and overall happiness with the sport.  All of the instructors are so kind and patient. You can tell that they really want to be there.  They really want to help. 
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Ryan is very lucky to have the opportunity to ski with The Bart Center.  I'm thrilled with his progress.  I know he can't wait till next winter when he can ski again!

​~ ​Rebecca P., Parent

I started going to the Bart Center three years ago. I really like it there because everybody is so friendly and awesome! When I started skiing I was pretty bad. Now I am so good that I was asked to go on the ski team! All because of The Bart Center and their great instructors. 
When I was having trouble with my ski boots, Betsy listened to me and told me how to fix the problem. Now I have ski boots that fit and are comfortable.
 
The instructors got me moving more and taught me that I can ski for a whole day with just a little break. I also got asked to shadow teaching the younger skiers and I did and I thought it was really fun! I learned to have patience and what it’s like to be one of the instructors. I think I may want to be an instructor in the future. I am glad my mom signed me up to go to the Bart Center!

​~ ​Ruthie G., Participant

Charlotte has been skiing at the Bart Center for the past three winters.  Now 7 years old, she was born with a rare condition called Möebius Syndrome.  Among Charlotte’s challenges are partially paralyzed facial muscles, low overall muscle tone, and bilateral club feet.  Her facial paralysis limits her facial expressions and creates complications when eating and speaking.   The low muscle tone and foot issues have presented challenges to her physical activity.  She has worked hard in various therapies since she was very young to build her strength and communication skills.  Outside of skiing, Charlotte loves to surf, swim, read, play soccer, bike, and play with her two older sisters. 

Charlotte has benefited in many ways from the amazing volunteers at the Bart Center.  In three years, she has worked with just about everybody at Bromley.  Her progress during the 2019-20 season was truly inspiring. Having begun the season in December on the magic carpet with tethers, she progressed to making it up the quad on her final day of the season.  The Bart program has helped Charlotte so much in terms of physical development and giving her confidence in her abilities.  She cannot wait for each weekend to get back out there.  We can ski as a family now, something we truly grateful for.
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For people with special needs such as Charlotte, the opportunity to learn a sport, become confident in their abilities, and have fun doing so is often rare.  The people of the Bart Center have done an  outstanding job giving Charlotte the necessary instruction and encouragement while making each lesson so much fun.  Thank you for all of your hard work!

​~ ​Dan & Kristen, Parents

​5 weeks ago, I met the great men and women that give life to the BART Adaptive Sports Center.  Meeting them has changed my life and most importantly has given me back what had been taken from me and I thought I had lost forever.  Thanks to the men and women of Bart I feel strong, confident and I am filled with pride. 
 
To be honest, I did not believe I would feel this way.  Indeed, I did not even want to try an adaptive sports program.  But I am now in awe of the volunteers that give so much of themselves and inspired by those participants around me that that have joined me on the ski hill despite the challenges they face.
 
How did I get to BART?  I have stared down a malignant brain tumor for over 20 years.  Throughout that time, I have had multiple brain surgeries, a bone marrow transplant, more rounds of chemotherapy than I have fingers and toes, immunotherapy and more than 60 days of radiation to my head.  I even had a stroke.  Throughout all of this I skied.  25+ days a year.   I slayed all of the terrain at Okemo, Stratton, Stowe, Bolton, Bromley, Sugarbush among others.  I skied the ballroom and high rustler at Alta, the trees at Powder Mountain, the Olympic downhill at Snowbasin and the never ending powder at Big Sky.  I truly believed that my tumor will never win, I will always prevail and I cannot be defeated.
 
8 weeks ago that all changed.  2 months after receiving my second 30 day dose of radiation, I was walking with my husband when I all of a sudden lost the ability to walk, use my left hand and had other significant issues. It was sudden and completely unexpected. Rather than skiing, I was trying to accomplish the most mundane tasks like standing up and not falling down.  I thought I would never be able to ski again and the freedom, joy and peace skiing brings me would be gone forever. 
 
My husband said lets try bi-skiing.  I said no, that is not skiing.  After watching a few videos, we came across a video featuring Betsy at Bart.  It was inspirational and I finally decided I would give it a try.  I spoke to Betsy later that week and she convinced me that I would be awesome.  She had never met me but she convinced me I would be awesome. 
 
I have now skied in a “bucket chair” three times.  With all my ski adventures it could be the three best ski days of my life and I can’t wait to go again.  I cannot thank BART enough for giving me back what I had lost, faith in myself.
 
Thank you.
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​~ ​Lori K

​My son Erik (9) is on the autism spectrum and has low muscle tone.  He is more of an indoor person and has been timid about most sports.  Since some of my own happiest childhood memories were from our family’s ski vacations, my wish was for Erik to try out skiing and like it enough that we could spend time on the slopes together some day.

From day one, despite frigid temperatures and brutal winds, Erik has loved skiing – thanks to the Bart Adaptive Sports Center.  Betsy can read kids as if she’s known them for years, she does a fantastic job matching them with instructors, and has helpful suggestions for each child.  All volunteers that Erik has had the pleasure to ski with have been kind, patient, and empathic (In Erik’s words: “They are all really, really nice!”).  They adjust their approach based on what works for him and what doesn’t and even his mood on a given day.  They treat him with respect, encourage him to try new things, give him confidence, and make it a lot of fun!  From the second weekend onwards, we have gone onto the big slopes together.  Seeing the big smile on his face after a long day of skiing makes me so happy!

We are so glad we found Bart Adaptive Sports Center and will be spending many more weekends skiing here.  Thank you for this wonderful service and for all you are doing for children like Erik!
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​~ ​Nada (Erik’s Mom)

We are so grateful to have the Bart Adaptive Sports Center in our lives.  Our son has been skiing with Bart for two years and we could have never imagined the benefits that the experience would have provided outside of skiing.  He has become more mature,  independent, confident, and secure with navigating unfamiliar obstacles, while at the same time becoming a safe and more accomplished skier.  The relationships he has gained with the Bart staff and instructors are immeasurable and will be long lasting.  The Bart center is his second home on the mountain and he looks forward to each and every weekend for his interactions with the staff.  Our son is just as happy skiing down his favorite trail at Bromley, Pushover, as he is in engaging with the BART administrators over a hot cocoa.  Bart Center has helped create a safe environment both on and off the mountain, which in turn has helped him evolve into a more rounded individual.  We look forward to engaging with the Bart Adaptive Sports Center at Bromley this winter and for many years to come!!

​~ ​The Celiberti Family

Bromley Mountain has always been a huge part of my life. Being a December baby, some of my very first months were actually spent in the Bromley daycare center while my parents were out skiing. I learned how to ski in Bromley’s “Mighty Moose” program, and spent 9 years of my life in their JETS training program fine-tuning my skills while making unforgettable memories with instructors and friends. I have spent countless afternoons listening to lively bands perform in the Wild Boar and sledding down some of the smaller hills with friends. I have had so many great experiences at Bromley, but I can say with certainty that my most meaningful experiences have been with the Bart Center.

I started volunteering with the Bart Center two years ago, during my sophomore year of high school, and to say I was nervous would be quite the understatement. I had always admired the dedication and strength of the Bart Center volunteers and how they did such great work with students while also fostering a fun learning environment, and wanted to live up to those standards. I spent the majority of my first year assisting other instructors, but during February break of that same year I got to lead my first lesson. It was truly one of the most worthwhile experiences I have ever had. After that week I knew that I wanted to continue to volunteer with the Bart Center for as long as possible. 

Though there are many highlights from my time with the Bart Center, the students are by far the best part about the program. Their willingness to push beyond their comfort zones and accomplish new things each day never fails to inspire me. I can say with certainty that some of my favorite memories at Bromley have been on the Magic Carpet with my students, from making animal noises together on the ride up the carpet to watching a student complete a full turn on their own. 

The Bart Center is such an amazing program to be part of. I feel an immense rush of pride and humility everytime I put on that red jacket. Although I am definitely on the younger side of the staff, I have never felt out of place with my co-instructors and have made many meaningful friendships and connections. I look forward to many more seasons with the Bart Center!

​~ ​Katy M., Volunteer

As I move forward in the recovery from wounds both seen and unseen a quote I heard from another veteran speaks to my heart now more than ever.  Someone had said to him, “thank you for your service.”  He replied, “thank you but please thank me for my sacrifice.”  I never fully appreciated that until more recently.  It does not escape me that I still sacrifice and I am not the only one.  My loved ones have sacrificed and continue to sacrifice by my side as I continue my journey.
 
I have learned so much over the last decade since I started addressing the issues that have plagued me since my time in Iraq.  Three things that I hold close to my heart are love, kindness and compassion.  These three values have become part of my core.  This wasn’t always the case.  Suffering from PTSD along with the emotional and spiritual suffering that comes from it left me feeling none of those things for many years after my tour was over.  Then in 2012 I was invited to the Wounded Military Heroes weekend at the Bart Center.  Not something I generally take advantage of due to the awkwardness I feel about being less than whole, but I decided to attend with my future wife.  The Hurleys and the volunteers at the Bart Center did not focus on me being disabled or broken.  They made me feel like they understood mine and my family’s sacrifice. I can say without question that it sowed the seeds of change about how I felt about myself and my disabilities.  The LOVE that was shown to me from the first moment I met the Hurleys and all the amazing volunteers that help to create an amazing weekend is like nothing I ever remember feeling as a veteran.  There was a genuine KINDNESS in how I and my wife were treated.  Not the kind of kindness that feels forced but a kindness that comes from people you have never met making you feel like you are part of their FAMILY.  The way I was treated from that first Friday night and each time I get blessed with another invitation shows a level of COMPASSION that cannot be overstated.  The Hurleys and everyone involved in the program care so much about my family and I that I cannot imagine a winter without it.  It has become, since the first time in 2011, one of the most important times of the year for us. 
 
Soon after that first Wounded Military Heroes weekend I attended, Wendy and I learned that our son suffers from a debilitating neurological disorder that severely affects his gross motor function.  We started to come to terms that some of our passions including winter sports were something that Kaleb was going to miss out on in life.  The Hurleys and the Bart Center changed all that.  When Kaleb was four we talked to Joe during our annual pilgrimage and told him all about Kaleb and his special needs.  Joe told us to make sure we brought him the next year, and that he would make sure Kaleb was able to enjoy everything that the mountain had to offer.  The next year Kaleb did indeed get to experience the same freedom and joy that was given to me with the Bart Center and it has changed not only my life but my son’s and my entire family’s. Now our trip to VT for the Wounded Military Heroes weekend is a precious part of our family’s story.
 
I can’t begin to express the way I feel about being able to be part of something so amazing.  I feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude at having been given these gifts.  The gifts of love, kindness and compassion, and an opportunity to share these with my whole family.
 
Thank you,
Erich Spader

​My name is Justin Nash and served as an Infantry Officer in the 10th Mountain Division from 2001 - 2005. I was wounded in Afghanistan in 2004 and was unable to continue my service which led to a significant negative spiral after I moved away from base. I no longer had the comradery, the sense of purpose, nor the physical activity. I have had the great fortune to be connected with the Bart Center and am one of their Wounded Military Heroes. I cannot express how the Bart Center and The Wounded Military Heroes weekend has changed my life. This event provides a welcome retreat for me to celebrate with my daughters. 2 of my daughters have now joined me, learned to ski, and have learned about a part of my life that they know little about. This weekend provides much needed escape from the day to day grind and an ability to truly focus on my girls. It is the happiest week of the year for me. I love the Bart Center and all that contribute to it!

​~ ​Justin N.

The Bart Center’s “Wounded Military Heroes Weekend” provides veterans with varied levels of disability an unparalleled opportunity to connect with their comrades while enjoying an incredible weekend of skiing in one of New England’s most serene locations. The extraordinary dedication of the staff combines with the unprecedented outreach of an entire community to create an experience no veteran should miss.
 I’ve had the honor of attending the past two events and would like to extend my deepest gratitude to the Ruggiere family for their loving and philanthropic creation of the Bart J. Ruggiere Adaptive Sports, to the insight and generosity of the purveyors of Bromley Mountain for providing the perfect facility and backdrop for this impactful retreat and lastly, but with no less conviction, to the men and women who volunteer their time to recognize the needs of and to help my brothers and sisters adjust to a new world that most cannot comprehend….you too are heroes and a true inspiration to veterans everywhere !
Brig Gen (ret) Christopher M. Faux

This was certainly a different year being a volunteer for Bart.  With Covid, many changes and adjustments needed to be made to maintain a safe environment for everyone.  Early challenges were met with new protocols to still allow being on the mountain and helping people enjoy their skiing experience.  We will all be happy to go back to a time where we don’t have to wear masks, social distance, and sign in with temperature checks.  But there were some positive unexpected parts to our new protocols.  Chief among them was the increased involvement of families.  To minimize close contact with students, families were asked to be available to ride lifts and assist with “hands on” support of students.  This often increased the enjoyment for the students and brought families closer while enjoying skiing together.  As our students increase their independence and self-reliance, they will be able to join their families on the mountain. 
 
I would like to thank all the people who contributed to make a trying season successful.  Bromley Mountain did an outstanding job in adjusting to new requirements.  Along with creating a safe environment, it was done with service and a smile.  Also, to our Bart staff of Joe and Betsy along with all the volunteers.  They have made being a volunteer fun and enriching.  Along with feeling that being a volunteer was helping others, it is also an opportunity to improve our own skiing and to work with wonderful people. 
 
I am looking forward to the 2021-22 season!
Rich & Martha Heilemann​

As an avid skier my entire life, nearly every winter weekend is spent on the hill with family and friends.  The opportunity to share that love of skiing with others as a Bart Adaptive Sports program volunteer presented itself in this strange ski season as a result of COVID-19.  Not really knowing what to expect, I attended online trainings, participated in zoom calls and got to know the staff and volunteers virtually.
     While the training and comradery was good, I didn’t experience the true magic of the program until Betsy introduced me to my first student.  Eagar to make a good first impression and stay safe at the same time, I bent down to introduce myself through my mask and attempted a clumsy elbow bump with little reaction from my pint-sized partner.  With the handoff complete, we headed out to the slopes to transfer all the wonderful skiing knowledge I had acquired through my life and recent trainings. However, I found myself talking about pizza and French fries, hula hoops, games of tag and a host of other seemly unrelated topics to skiing.
      The more I was able to engage rather than instruct, the more my student began to connect with me and smile at least with his eyes (its hard to tell what the mouth was doing under the mask).  By the end of the afternoon, we were in a groove and we had some laughs, some falls and a lot of fun just simply out skiing.  I was hooked. The fact I was able to share the love of skiing with someone else that may have not had the opportunity to do so if not for Bart was amazing.  As the season progressed so did his skiing and our relationship.  We moved from the bunny slope to the chairlift and I watch his confidence grow. Not only was he improving his skiing so that his family could more wholly share the sport with him, he was gaining confidence and pride in his own abilities.  A confidence that will likely translate into many facets of his life.  Something to look back on with pride and as a source of personal inspiration to push harder when other life challenges arise.
      It was an honor and a privilege to work along-side such wonderful people like Joe and Betsy and to share the magic of skiing with our students.  I can’t wait for the snow to fall and get next season started.
​Adam Heilemann

     I am so glad I came up to meet you and Joe at the Peru Fair. This was a ‘bucket list’ for Rita we’ve talked about for years but didn’t think it would be possible without all you guys do. 
     As a patient Rita said she felt she was given such an amazing experience, grew her confidence in herself, and feels empowered. 
     As a Physical Therapist I am SOOO grateful you all can help me make her dream a reality and I was honored you let me volunteer and be apart of the process. I am so grateful for the knowledge all the volunteers gave me learning about adaptive skiing and I would love to help out and volunteer more for other people too not just Rita! As a PT I work a lot and burn out is real in healthcare, so watching her ski gave me the moment of ‘this is why I do what I do!’
     Moments like that keep us going so I can continue to help patients and have excitement year after year in my career! Thank you so much and I am forever grateful! 
​Kelly